“I meant what do you think of the video? Does it make you question your sexuality?”
I pursed my lips, shooting her an uncomfortable look. “A little bit, yes,” I admitted grudgingly.
Afric barked a laugh. “Ha! I knew it. It makes everyone question their sexuality. That’s the magic of that video.”
“I should get back to work,” I said, turning away from her.
“Right, yes, you work. I’ll be out here if you need me,” Afric replied, ducking back out of the room.
I got a good two hours work in and was packing my things when she returned.
“You’re leaving?” Afric asked as she leaned against the doorframe.
“Yes, I promised my grandma I’d stop by for dinner.”
“Aw, that’s nice. Are you two close?”
I nodded. “Pretty close. She raised me and my sister, Rosie, after our parents passed away.”
“Your parents died? Oh, my God, Neil, why didn’t you tell me?!”
I shot her a perplexed look. “Um, it didn’t come up during the three brief occasions we’ve spent time together.”
Afric came farther into the room, sitting on the edge of her bed as her bright blue eyes met mine. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
I frowned, something about the sincere look in her eyes hitting me right in the chest. I cleared my throat. “It was a long time ago. Listen, I need to get going.” I wasn’t too keen on having a heart-to-heart. I was exhausted and hungry and not in the mood for anything deep and meaningful, especially not with her. Afric already knew way too much about me.
“Right. Sure,” she replied, looking up at me when I stood. My eyes were drawn to the cute smattering of freckles across her cheeks. “When will I see you again?”
“I’ll stop by tomorrow after work.”
“Great, see you then.”
***
By the time I arrived at Grandma’s house, it was almost seven-thirty.
“You’re late. That’s not like you,” she commented when I entered the kitchen. She sat at the table with a cup of tea, a magazine open in front of her.
“Sorry about that. I was helping out a friend.”
“You’re a good lad, always doing favours for people, so much like your father,” Grandma said wistfully. “Rosie and I have already eaten, but there’re some lamb chops, potatoes, and carrots in the oven. Oh, and I made my special rosemary gravy.”
“That sounds like heaven. I’m starving,” I said as I pulled out the plate, grabbed a knife and fork from the drawer, then sat down across from Grandma to eat.
“So, which friend were you helping?”
“She’s a new friend,” I replied. “Her name is Afric.”
“That’s a pretty name. How did you meet?”
“Through Michaela. They used to be flatmates before Michaela moved in with her partner, James.”
Grandma gave a thoughtful frown. “This isn’t the same friend of Michaela’s you said was particularly unpleasant, is it?”
I was surprised she remembered me saying that since it was a few weeks ago now. Then again, Grandma was a shrewd woman with a memory like a steel trap. Very little evaded her. “Actually, yes, but I was wrong about her. Mostly. I thought she was unpleasant, but I’m beginning to learn she’s just a bit eccentric. It takes a little getting used to.”
“First impressions aren’t always correct,” Grandma nodded. “What were you helping her with?”
“She’s self-employed, and her accounts are being audited. I offered to lend a hand sorting through the mess.”
Grandma’s lips curved in a smile as she lifted her mug for a sip. “You must like her to make an offer like that.”
“Don’t give me that smile. I don’t like her in the way you think. She’s not my type at all. And besides, you know tidying messes is my favourite pastime. I’m doing myself a favour more than anything else.”
Grandma laughed. “That’s true. You do love a good tidying up.”
She returned her attention to her magazine while I cut into the lamb chops. Rosie entered the room and took a seat at the table. “Hey! I didn’t hear you come in.”
“He was late because he was doing a favour for his new friend Afric,” Grandma said, still with that faint curve to her lips. She thought she knew something, but she was dead wrong. My friendship with Afric was pure convenience. She was helping me with Annabelle, and I was helping her with her accounts. It was that simple.
Rosie’s eyes widened with interest. “Oh, really? You know there’s this girl online I follow called Afric. I didn’t think it was a very common name, but that always happens, doesn’t it?