Lost Love

21. My Sweetheart

‘No, there isn’t. I know it’s hard for you to get your head around, but it was my decision and involved no one else.’ 

I stand up from her and go to my wardrobe to pack my things for tomorrow, hoping she doesn’t ask who I am off to see. It’s my signal to Elle that this conversation is over and eventually I can hear the door to my room shut, with Elle leaving my room. As soon as the door shuts, I rest my head against the wooden panel of my wardrobe and release long, deep breaths.

                      +++ 

Daisy and I arrive at Leon’s house in glorious sunshine. We are both dressed in denim shorts and different tops, showing off our natural tans we’ve been working on in our gardens. 

As we pull up at their house, the front door opens and Leon and Rex walk out with wide smiles, obviously spotting our arrival. Daisy turns the engine off, before we get out and greet the boys. After hugs and greetings, they lug our holdall bags in for us, with us girls following on behind them. We’re led through to Leon’s room where we’ll be sleeping and I am pleased that there is a double bed, so Daisy and I can share the bed with space to move around in. His room is a muted green and is covered with instagram pictures on his wall, which is really impressive and pieces of music scattered about his instruments. I immediately take great interest in looking through his pictures, seeing if I can spot anyone I know, and also, seeing if there are any of me. 

Rex takes Daisy off to get our drinks as a good host, leaving Leon and me alone. Smiling at him, he comments, ‘You look a lot happier today.’

I nod, reclining back on his bed, my weight being snuggled by a soft white duvet. ‘I feel a lot better now. It’s still hard, obviously, especially coming back here, but I do feel better.’

‘Good. I’m glad.’ He extends his hand out to me and says, ‘Unfortunately for you though, you’ve come hours before the party so you can help set up.’

I chuckle at this. ‘Was this all a rouse to get us to help you out because you boys are useless?’

He exaggerates a gasp and smirks at me. ‘Yes to the former, no to the latter. Now come on, or Rex and Daisy will wonder where we are.’

It touches my heart, however, to see how much effort Rex and Leon have gone to in making this party a success for Sonny. They’ve sent him out with some of his society friends so they can set up for this evening as they go about preparing the rooms, setting up the garden with music and lights, with extra seating and bean bags to lean on. There’s a huge booze table, an equally large food table and a games area, where their pool table is. 

‘Wasn’t that a bit extravagant to buy as students?’ I question, running my fingers along the soft green table and wooden edges. 

Leon smiles at that. ‘It came with the house. I think that sealed the deal when we chose it.’

‘Boys,’ I laugh. 

We help to set up, before Daisy and I totter upstairs to change into our evening outfits. We’ve both decided on dresses, mine a body con black dress with capped sleeves and orange heels, whilst Daisy is wearing a white dress and black heels. Daisy has fish tailed plaited my hair and pulled out bits for a wispy, whimsical look while I straightened her hair with her straighteners. 

As we come downstairs, ready to surprise Sonny, I spot Leon waiting in the main living room with a bunch of people I don’t know. He waves me over to him and introduces me to his surrounding friends with Daisy, and never leaves me alone, making sure I am completely at ease. 

Eventually, Sonny and his football society friends turn up and we all jump out, cheering and shouting surprise and happy birthday to a completely stunned Sonny. The smile on his face is worth the effort, bearing pearly white teeth and dimples in each cheek. I go over to him and he beams when he sees me.