You, Me and Him by Alice Peterson Page A

floor. ‘Easier to do it here don’t you think?’ he suggested as he opened the door to his bedroom. He pointed to a desk under an arched window that was covered in books and papers. ‘My bedder hasn’t been in, sorry ’bout the mess.’ He started to stack books into piles. They formed two tall towers.
    ‘I could do this at home?’
    ‘No, no, better if we do it together.’
    He pulled his jumper off in one swift go and then put on some Aretha Franklin. ‘I love old vinyl, there’s nothing better than that crackling sound just before the music starts. You know what I mean?’
    I nodded.
    ‘Are you into music?’ He gently placed the needle on the vinyl.
    I loved Madonna, Kylie and Fleetwood Mac. ‘Love it, all kinds,’ I added quickly.
    I took out my drawing and started again. We talked. I learnt that he rowed every morning at 6.30 but was often late and got told off. He wasn’t sporty like Christo but liked to keep fit. He was restless if he didn’t take exercise. He lived off adrenalin and lack of sleep.
    ‘Or it could be all that coffee. Why do you drink so much?’
    ‘Because it’s bad for me. How about you, Josie? What do you love?’
    ‘Lots of things.’
    ‘Like?’
    ‘Art. Ever since I was a child, all I’ve wanted to do is paint. I wasn’t interested in toys. My father built me a tree house and I used to hang out there all the time, painting. It was my escape.’
    ‘From what?’
    ‘From the norm. I think we all need an escape. I created my own little private world. Everyone should do it, have a secret obsession.’
    ‘You’re right. My escape is music.’
    ‘Exactly.’
    ‘Where do your parents live?’
    ‘Dorset. It’s beautiful there.’
    ‘Isn’t it boring? I’ve always lived in London, find Cambridge way too quiet.’
    ‘I don’t find it boring.’
    ‘This is looking great,’ Finn said, referring to my picture. ‘You’re lucky to have such talent, to know what you want to do.’
    ‘But you do too, don’t you?’
    ‘Yes, I want to be a doctor, more than anything. I wish the academic work wasn’t so dry though. There’s so much stuff you have to cram into your brain, then when I don’t think any more can physically go in they give me another ten-foot-long reading list.’ He made a fist and tapped the side of his head, as if it were hollow. ‘Still, I’ve got to learn it.’
    I watched him lighting a cigarette and noticed his hands were shaking. I wanted to put mine over them to try and calm him down. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’
    ‘No, go for it.’
    ‘I smoke like Pat Butcher. Want one?’
    I shook my head. ‘Just don’t wear the earrings, OK?’
    There was that flash of a smile. ‘What bad habits do you have, Josie?’
    ‘Going back to strangers’ rooms?’
    ‘I’m not a stranger.’ He was standing behind me now. Flustered, I stood up and turned to him with the drawing, bringing us back to more comfortable ground.
    ‘I like it.’ He took the piece of paper out of my hand. ‘Have you thought about what you’d like in return?’
    There was a loud knock on the door and it immediately swung open. It was Christo. I couldn’t decide whether I was relieved or disappointed. Finn and me, it was going too fast, in a direction I hadn’t prepared myself for yet. ‘All right, mate. Oh, hi …’ Christo had forgotten my name.
    ‘Josie,’ Finn said, his voice back to normal. ‘Look, she’s going to draw our fliers for the club.’
    ‘Wicked! Wow, thanks, Josie.’ He looked sheepish. ‘Sorry ’bout the other day. I was rude.’
    ‘That’s OK. All we need to do is find a cheap printer and get however many copies you need,’ I said. ‘Right, I’d better go.’
    ‘Dominique is looking for you, by the way, she’s in the bar,’ Christo mentioned.
    Finn came to the door with me. ‘Can I walk you home?’
    ‘No, it’s not far.’
    ‘It’s no trouble.’
    ‘I’m fine.’
    ‘Thanks for all your help. Are you warm enough? Take one of my coats