Free Silent Treatment by Jackie Williams Page B

that’s how you want to play it, that’s fine by me. I’m just glad he’s got you off my back that’s all. Now come on, we can sort out the rooms.” The rest of the group crowded round as he paired them off. “You and Lisa can go in together, but I don’t want those two blokes of yours trying to bunk in with you. They’ll either have to book themselves another room or go home.” Antonio looked straight at Lisa with a meaningful stare.
    She stuck her tongue out at him and then spoke up quickly.
    “They’re leaving late on. Paul wants to spend as much time as possible with his little sister. She’s only twelve and she’s really cut up about him going off to America, so he’s trying to fit everything in. They’re going to leave around midnight.”
    Antonio nodded and then yawned so widely Carrie thought he might dislocate his jaw.
    “Well, you lot may want to stay up until then, but I can tell you that I’m going to have something to eat and then hit the sack. Don’t forget to bring me bills if you want your dinner refunded out of expenses and please stick within our budget. Just remember that it doesn’t cover any alcohol.” He rolled his eyes at a grinning Callum and Toby, then started giving out the room cards. The others all went to find their rooms but Carrie and Lisa ordered some drinks and sat in the lounge. They had struck up a firm friendship over the last six weeks. Carrie had even confided to her new friend that she was in love with Daniel, even though she knew it was hopeless.
    “He’s never even tried to kiss me. A while back, when I hurt my arm, I thought he was going to, but I must have been mistaken.” Carrie had also confessed to Lisa about her shoulder injury. “We spent five days in my bedroom at the beginning of the summer doing this exercise regime he’s thought up and he never once did anything to make me think he fancied me. He’s just really nice all the time. It’s hopeless really, but if he wants to be my friend, then that’s okay with me. I’d rather see him just sometimes than not at all.”
    Carrie looked out into the car park to see if she could see Paul’s car arriving.
    Lisa caught her friend’s hand.
    “Are you sure he’s gay though ? He doesn’t seem like it to me. I swear that Paul would have known and said something to me if he suspected anything like that and Antonio would have been all over him. If you hadn’t told me, I’d never have believed it for a moment.”
    Carrie shrugged.
    “He just isn’t out of the closet yet. Maybe he thinks it’ll damage his chances in America. But it’s not just that. I’ve never seen him go out with any girl, or if he has he’s kept it very quiet. I mean, I’ve seen him nearly every day since I was six. You’d think I’d notice if he had a girlfriend hanging on his arm.” She felt the familiar knot of misery in her stomach and then suddenly Lisa was bouncing up out of her chair.
    “They’re here! Look, they’re parking over there. God , he must have been driving like the devil to get here that fast. I bet the idiot has a speeding ticket coming in the post.” She giggled madly.
    Carrie grinned as she stood up.
    “Just as well he’s going to America then. They might not catch up with him there…Aren’t you going to miss Paul terribly when he’s gone?” Carrie hadn’t dared to ask before, but now seeing her friend ’s delighted expression as she could see Paul climbing from the car, Carrie felt able to wonder out loud.
    Lisa waved to Paul through the window. His face lit up as he saw her and he and Dan iel began to jog towards the hotel entrance. They looked like two giants as their huge feet ate up the gravel and one or two other guests quickly stepped out of their way. Knowing how soft the two of them were, Carrie couldn’t help smiling as one lady appeared to shudder as they ran past her.
    Lisa was still chattering excitedly.
    “He says he’s going to send for me as soon as he’s settled. He’s