Fixed Up by Maddie Jane

of the class Harper paused for a second at the sound before continuing on in a firm, authoritative manner. She inspired confidence, thought Luke.
    Every eye in the room was on Harper. The women listened intently, concentrating hard on her words. He watched her too, sneakily, until a strong awareness of his beating heart drove him back behind the daily news.
    In a plastic world, Harper was so real, so unique; a breath of the freshest summer breeze. She had Luke hooked. And the realisation of how much he liked her didn’t frighten him at all. It was a new sensation for him but one he was ready to embrace. He wanted to romance her. Shower her with gifts, flowers and compliments. She needed someone to take care of her. Fix her house, her car, her life. Keep her safe.
    He could be that man. He just had to get her to see him.
    Harper continued to talk. Papers rustled, as if the class were taking notes and every now and again a burble of laughter swept through the group. Then came the scraping of chairs and movement as people got up and moved en masse. More hilarity. Harper’s voice. This time with a trace of laughter. Luke wanted to be part of it.
    He folded the paper and stood up. All heads turned and Harper came to an abrupt halt, mid-sentence.
    â€˜I’m sorry to interrupt, but it’s time for Mum to take her pills.’
    â€˜Oh. Right. There’s a tap in the storeroom if you need water,’ said Harper, indicating a door off to the side of the room.
    Shelia, a questioning look in her eye, followed Luke into the storeroom and closed the door quietly after her.
    â€˜What are you doing?’ she whispered. ‘You’re making me look like a fool. Surely I can remember to take my own pills.’
    â€˜If you had pills to take, I’m sure you’d remember to take them. But have you remembered the reason we’re here?’
    â€˜Because I want to redecorate my house?’
    â€˜No, because I want to spend time with Harper. That’s why we’re here. You haven’t forgotten our prime objective already have you?’
    â€˜Course not. Course not.’ Shelia spoke hurriedly, not quite meeting Luke’s eye. ‘It’s just that she’s so interesting and she makes it seem so—so doable. As if even a sixty-year-old woman who’s never lifted a tool in her life could learn to decorate her own home. And it sounds such fun.’
    â€˜You’re going to be no help to me at all.’
    Shelia laughed and patted him on the arm. ‘Well, I got your foot in the door. The rest’s up to you.’
    Luke tiptoed back to his window seat, resigned to another frustrating hour of fantasising to the sound of Harper’s voice.
    At some point he must have dozed off. He awoke with a start, opening his eyes to see Harper kicking the sole of his boot. The room behind her was eerily silent.
    â€˜Class over then?’ he asked.
    â€˜We finished a little early. No one could concentrate over the sound of the snores coming from the back of the room.’ She gave him another little kick.
    â€˜My mother’s so embarrassing. I hope you sent her out for that.’
    â€˜I sent them all out so I could talk to you alone.’
    Luke sat up. ‘I’m all yours.’
    Harper pursed her lips. ‘I don’t know why you came today. I’m happy your mother and aunt are joining the class but I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to be here. It’s too distracting.’
    â€˜You can’t concentrate with me around, huh? I’ll take that as a good thing.’
    â€˜You won’t take it as anything at all. This is a women-only class, so unless you suddenly grow breasts and a vagina you have no place here. I’m sorry your mother is unable to drive at the moment, but maybe next time drop her off at the gate and come back at the end of the session.’
    â€˜I worry about her. She’s had a few health scares and I don’t