Free Playing My Love by Angela Peach Page B

like I was answering a casual question.
      "Like I said, still at school!"  she laughed.  "Ali!  Tut, tut!  You've got yourself a toy-girl…OOH!  You could call her your toy friend!"  Laughter peeled down the phone at me as I inwardly groaned.  "D'ya get it?  Boyfriend, toyfriend, get it?"
      "Yes, I get it."  I waited patiently for her amusement to pass.  On the other side of the room, Gray was giving Darcy some books from his bookshelf and they seemed to be engaged in a deep conversation.  "You're hilarious.  Are you done?"
      "Yes, thank you!  I needed that.  I've got a tough case on at the moment sweetie, and it's taking a lot out of me.  Chris and I can't wait to come and get away from it for a few days to be honest.  I'll tell you about it when I see you."
      "Okay babe.  Take care and I'll see you both soon."
      After we'd hung up, I went back and listened to Gray and Darcy who were discussing mental health issues.
      "Sorry about that.  That was Jazz, a good friend of mine"  I explained.
      "Another C ity Girl?"
      " The City Girl."
      "Ah.  I bet she thinks we all ride horses and drive tractors then?"  Darcy said, raising an eyebrow.  I smiled in confirmation.
      We arranged our next lesson for the following week when she had a free afternoon before she started to gather her things together.  As she reached the door to go, she turned back.
      "So, um, you remember my friend Nicki, from the pub last week?  Well, she's having a small party on Saturday night and she said to invite you along.  Would you like to come?"  she asked, sounding a bit nervous, but not nearly as much as I was at the suggestion of a college party.  She saw my face and held up her hands reassuringly.  "It's not what you're thinking.  It won't be loads of students getting drunk and talking about politics and philosophy or anything."
      "I'll talk to Gray and let you know, just in case he has plans for us already"  I said non-committedly.  She nodded, obviously seeing straight through my flimsy promise.
      "It'd be good if you could?  You look like you could do with letting your hair down."
      "I'll try and make it if I can.  I'll call you."  I felt guilty as I gave her a hug goodbye, but parties weren't really my thing.
      When she'd left, I went back into the kitchen and found Gray poring over holiday brochures.
      "She hated my tea, didn't she?"  he asked without even looking up.
      "No, I think she genuinely enjoyed it."
      "Liar!  What was that about a party on Saturday?"
      I filled him in as I sat down and pulled one of the brochures in front of me, absentmindedly flicking through it.
      "I think you should go."
      "To a student party?  Gray, I'm…"
      "…not too old to go out for a drink with a friend"  he finished.  "I want you to go.  End of discussion.  Now sit down and help me plan our holiday.  I've earmarked a few pages already."
      We spent the next few hours going through the glossy catalogues, and I actually managed to let myself get excited about our planned four week holiday, something I'd tried to avoid up until now.  It was basically going to be a tour of the places Gray most wanted to see before he…well, before he was unable to enjoy seeing them.
      We ate dinner around them, going over the merits and highlights of each location, and by bedtime, he'd come to a decision.  On the destination list for our four week journey was Thailand, Japan, Austria, Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand.  It sounded like a wonderful way to spend a month, but for me I wouldn't be admiring the sights in these beautiful countries.
      When we got under the covers later that night, Gray spooned into me.
      "I don't think I'll go on Saturday"  I said.
      "Yes.  You will."
      And he was right.  I did.
     
     
      It was almost as if Darcy and Gray were conspiring together to get me to go to the party.   Gray was practically insistent that I go (as was Darcy) and even offered to