“And I’m a meat-eating capitalist,” says Matt robustly. “Sorry about that,” he adds, sounding not at all apologetic.
“But you’re on the way to becoming vegetarian,” I say, still trying to sound lighthearted. “You’re considering it, at least.”
“Nope.” Matt shakes his head, and I feel a surge of indignation, which I try to quell. How can he be so closed-minded? Didn’t he hear anything I told him about the planet?
I’m suddenly aware that Nell and Sarika are scrutinizing me, and I hastily plaster on my loved-up euphoric smile.
“Anyway,” I say quickly, “it’s no big deal.”
“No big deal?” Nell peers at me, staggered. “Meat is no big deal to you?”
“No,” I say defensively. “It’s not. We’re in love.” I clutch Matt again. “The details are just details.”
“Right,” says Nell, looking skeptical. “Well, cheers to that.” We clink glasses, then I say, “Maud will be here in a moment. I’ll just assemble my vegetable mini-wraps.”
“Need a hand?” says Matt at once, and I can’t help shooting a triumphant look at the others as though to say, “See how helpful he is?”
“Don’t worry,” I say affectionately. “You chat with Sarika and Nell. I won’t be a minute.”
I spread out my picnic blanket next to Nell’s, take out my Tupperware containers, and start constructing my little wraps with vegetable strips and spicy sauce. I can hear Matt and my friends talking, but I’m concentrating so hard, I barely catch a word, until Sarika exclaims, “Golf!” in such a high-pitched, incredulous tone that half the park must hear her.
Oh shit. How did they get onto that? Now she’ll say she can’t believe I’m dating someone who’s into golf and make that a big thing. I should have told Matt not to refer to the golf. I could have said, really casually, “By the way, let’s never mention that you play golf.”
Then I catch myself. No. Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t want to lie to my friends. Obviously. But it’s quite annoying, them being so forensic and knowing so much about me.
As I finish the wraps and stand up, shaking my legs out, Nell’s voice travels through the air: “No, Ava never mentioned any art.”
“She described your flat,” chimes in Sarika. “It sounds wonderful. But she never mentioned the art.”
“For real?” Matt replies, sounding astonished. “Well, I’m quite a serious collector. One artist in particular. He’s a genius. I have his pieces everywhere.”
“Which artist?” demands Nell, and Matt says, “Arlo Halsan.”
Instantly, Nell and Sarika whip out their phones. I just know they’re going to google Arlo Halsan, and I feel a sudden dread. Why did they have to bring up art?
“Ava!” says Nell chidingly as she sees me standing up. “You never told us about Matt’s art collection! Is it amazing?”
“Oh! Yes!” I force myself to sound enthused as I walk over. “It’s incredible.”
“Which is your favorite piece, Ava?” Matt turns to me eagerly. “I’ve never even asked you.”
I stare at him, frozen.
“It’s…hard to decide,” I say at last. “They’re all so…”
“Oh my God,” says Sarika, blinking in shock as her phone loads with images of the hairless wolf and disturbing sculptures of eyeless faces. “Wow.” She looks up at me, her mouth twitching, and I stare desperately back at her. “ ‘Incredible’ is the word.”
“Jesus!” Nell recoils from her phone as the same images appear. “Very…” She searches for a word. “Distinctive.”
“Search ‘Raven Three,’ ” suggests Matt eagerly. “I have that piece in my hall. I got it at auction. Cost a lot, but…wait till you see it.”
There’s silence as Sarika and Nell both google it, then Sarika makes a muffled, exploding noise, which she hastily turns into a cough. Nell gazes at the screen, apparently speechless, then looks up and says in heartfelt tones, “I don’t even know how to respond.”
“I know, right?” says Matt, his eyes lit with enthusiasm.
“Are those human teeth inside that beak?” Sarika is peering at the image, looking freaked out.
“What do you think of it, Ava?” says Nell brightly, and I silently curse her.
“Well.” I rub my nose, playing for time. “I love art. So.”
Sarika gives another suppressed snort and Nell bites her lip. Then she seems to have an idea.
“Hey, Matt, I was going to bring crisps for the kids, but I forgot. Would you mind getting some? There’s a kiosk by the gates.”
“Sure,” says Matt easily, batting away the fiver she offers him. “Back in a moment.”
He saunters off, and the others watch him before swiveling to me.
“Golf?” says Sarika in a hysterical undertone. “Golf? Does