Free Chasing Daisy by Paige Toon Page A

television and press the red button. It buzzes into life.
    Oh my freaking God, he’s on the porn channel! Quick! Quick! Change it before he gets out here! I rapidly push buttons as I hear the shower turn off, but the numbers I’m pressing come up on the screen while the channel remains the same. Cazzo ! What do I do? In a panic I study the remote control and spy an ‘Enter’ button. I try again, pressing a couple of digits, followed by ‘Enter’. The channel changes just as the bathroom door opens and Will emerges along with a cloud of steam.
    ‘Yes, my name is Iggle Piggle . . .’
    I hear a song coming from the television. A quick glance in its direction tells me I’m watching kiddie TV. A quick glance back at Will tells me he’s not wearing anything under that little white towel. Argh!
    ‘Forgot to take clean clothes in with me.’ He apologises for his attire – or lack of it – as he wanders past the sofas into the bedroom. He turns to pull on the huge sliding doors that separate his room from the living room, but doesn’t quite manage to close them. I twist my body around to take a quick peek and nearly have a heart attack when I spot his naked bum. In light-headed shock I return my focus to the strange blue creature dancing about on the television. I could attempt to change the channel again, but it’s a bit risky. Moments later, Will reappears.
    ‘ In the Night Garden ?’ He grins and nods at the television.
    ‘Is that what it’s called?’ I ask.
    ‘Yeah. My niece is a big fan.’
    ‘How old is your niece?’
    ‘Three.’ He slumps down on the other sofa.
    ‘Brother or sister’s child?’ I ask, then immediately wonder if said child is one of Laura’s siblings’ offspring. Are they that close for him to be considered an uncle?
    ‘Sister,’ he replies, putting his bare feet up on the coffee table.
    ‘Your sister?’
    ‘Yes,’ he says cautiously, as though he thinks I might be a little bit stupid.
    ‘I meant, was it your sister or Laura’s sister,’ I explain, then want to kick myself for bringing up his girlfriend.
    ‘Oh, I see ,’ he says. ‘ My sister. Laura is an only child.’
    ‘Aah, okay. I empathise. I am, too.’
    ‘Are you?’
    ‘Yes. Always wanted a brother. Or a sister. Or even a cat would have done. Hell, I would have made do with a goldfish.’
    He laughs and pushes his still-wet hair off his face, before casually resting one toned arm on the back of the sofa. ‘Lonely, were you?’
    ‘Just a bit. Was Laura?’
    ‘Nah. She had me.’ He grins.
    Hmm. ‘You grew up together, didn’t you?’
    ‘Yeah, her parents ran the farm next to my house.’
    ‘Were you always over there, romping in the haystacks?’ Oh my Lordy, Lord. What am I saying?
    He looks amused. ‘I was a good boy.’
    And that’s why you were watching the porn channel, hey pal?
    ‘What?’ Will asks, seeing the sneaky look on my face.
    ‘I bet you’re not as nice as you seem.’ It’s out of my mouth almost before I have a chance to think it.
    ‘Oh, really?’ His eyes widen in surprise. He folds his arms. ‘What makes you think that?’
    Now I’ve gone and done it. ‘No reason.’
    ‘No way, missy, now you’ve started something, you’re going to have to finish it.’ He raises one eyebrow. I would say flirtatiously, but he’s got a girlfriend.
    ‘Shall we watch this movie?’ I ask.
    ‘I don’t think so.’
    ‘I don’t know how to work the remote control,’ I say, holding it up.
    ‘Pass it over.’ He takes his feet off the table and leans across to me. I hand it to him, a little surprised and relieved that I managed to get out of that one. And then he points the control at the telly and turns it off. Oh.
    ‘What are you doing?’ I ask, all innocent.
    He puts his feet back on the table.
    ‘Would Laura say you’re a nice boy?’ I ask, head swimming a little, now.
    He raises one eyebrow at me. ‘You’d have to ask her that.’
    ‘I would do, but she never comes to any of