Dana said. ‘Do you fancy going down for an early dinner?’
‘I could go for that. Then we could come back here and watch a movie or something. I’ve got …’ James stumbled. ‘You know, I just realised I don’t know what kinds of films, or music, or stuff you like.’
‘I read more than I watch,’ Dana shrugged. ‘Two or three books a week.’
‘I read a book once,’ James grinned. ‘It was about this dog called Spot and he was learning all the different colours.’
‘The disturbing thing is that I don’t even think you’re lying. I’ll lend you one of my copies of Lord Of The Rings.’
James grimaced. ‘Isn’t that about twenty million pages long? And besides, I’ve seen the movies so I already know what happens.’
‘Do you like swimming?’ Dana asked. ‘The leisure pool, with all the slides and the water spouts?’
‘I could go for that,’ James nodded. ‘Kerry hates it because the little kids make so much noise.’
‘Doesn’t hurt to act like a kid once in a while,’ Dana smiled. ‘And if the little dudes get on my nerves I just thump ’em.’
*
The dining-room never got busy much before 5 p.m., but there were still enough people in the room for James to feel like everyone was staring as he stood in line with Dana. He stacked up his plate with roast potatoes and veg whilst the server cut his slices of turkey and beef.
The choice of table was tricky. James didn’t know how he and Dana would be received at his usual table, where Kerry and all his mates sat. But on the other hand, if he let Dana lead the way to the small table at the back where she always sat on her own, it would be like sending a signal to his mates that he wasn’t part of their gang any more. On yet another hand, if he sat in the corner he’d be far less likely to encounter Kerry. On the other hand to the other hand, Kerry might be even more annoyed if she thought he was hiding from her …
‘Why are you standing there like a lemon?’ Dana said, as she led the way towards James’ regular table.
‘Do you want to sit there?’ James asked edgily.
‘You always sit here,’ Dana said, as she pulled out a chair. ‘You’re not ashamed of me, are you?’
‘Don’t be daft,’ James said.
But it hardly mattered whilst none of the others were around. The queue for food steadily increased as James and Dana ate their roast. It was mostly little red-shirt kids. They tended to eat earlier because they finished lessons early and didn’t get as much homework as the older kids.
Bruce was the first to join James and Dana. He was using two crutches, so one of the kitchen staff carried his tray to the table.
‘Seen Kerry yet?’ Bruce grinned, with all the tact of a wrecking ball. ‘Are you two an item now or what?’
‘We’re giving it a go,’ James nodded.
By the time James and Dana had moved on to their chocolate trifle and brownies, the queue was out of the dining-room door. Lauren, Bethany, Rat, Andy and a bunch of Lauren’s other mates had settled at two adjacent tables and started chattering amongst themselves. James tried thinking unscary thoughts when Gabrielle and Kerry came in.
‘Fancy another dessert?’ Dana asked, as she ran a finger around the inside of her bowl.
James looked over his shoulder and saw that the dessert counter was free. ‘Go on, you talked me into it,’ he said, rubbing his belly as Shak came over to the table, accompanied by the identical twins Callum and Connor.
Dana got up to grab the extra desserts as James’ three friends sat down.
‘One of you sit this side of me,’ James said anxiously, as he realised that the only two vacant seats were next to him.
‘Why would we want to do that?’ Callum – or maybe it was Connor – grinned.
‘Where have you two scrotes been anyway?’ James asked. ‘You’re almost as dark as Shak.’
‘Down under, mate,’ the other twin said, in what was easily the worst Australian accent James had ever heard. ‘Heroin, bent cops and speedboat chases. All in a day’s work for two heroic young studs such as ourselves.’
‘Any chicks?’ James asked.
‘Aussie birds are well fit,’ Bruce said, but the twins kept noticeably quiet.
‘I know they are,’ James said, as Dana came back and put two desserts on the table. ‘I’ve got my own Aussie bird right here.’