‘Thanks.’ She avoided his eyes. ‘I think my parents forgot to pack mine.’
‘Now you must sit closer to me,’ Nicole purred to Sylvain. ‘Because you will turn to ice.’
He moved so that she sat between his legs, leaning back against his torso. He slid his hands inside her coat pockets.
‘There,’ she said. ‘Now I will share my body heat with you.’
He replied in French, and she laughed that tinkling, musical laugh. Like champagne glasses clinking.
Even with the scarf, Allie’s teeth began to chatter. She felt colder than she thought she really should under the circumstances. Cold from the inside out.
Her thoughts whirled. When did they get together? Why didn’t I know? And why do I even care? Maybe I do have brain damage …
The pain in her head seemed to be getting worse – her ears began to ring.
Suddenly Allie decided she’d had enough cold pain and hot French girls for one day, but when she jumped to her feet the ground seemed to rock a bit. As she wobbled unsteadily, the others looked up at her in surprise.
‘I feel a bit funny,’ she said, steadying herself. ‘I think I’ll go inside and have a cup of tea and a brain haemorrhage.’
Sylvain’s face creased with concern. ‘Do you want me to come with you?’
Allie shook her head so hard she nearly lost her balance. She also thought she might throw up. ‘Rachel?’ She turned back to where Rachel had been sitting on the grass but she was already at her side.
‘Let’s go, girlfriend.’ She hooked her arm through Allie’s. ‘I’ll keep you awake, and you can tell me all about the prime minister.’
The nurse greeted Allie like an old friend. ‘What on earth have you done to yourself now?’
At least her injuries last term had been memorable.
After shining bright lights in her eyes, taking her blood pressure and considering her temperature, the nurse told her all she really needed was something to eat and a cup of strong tea, but she told her not to fall asleep, and gave her something for the headache before sending her to the common room.
Later, Allie and Rachel sat on a deep leather sofa in one corner, wrapped in blankets, drinking steaming cups of spiced tea and eating fresh cookies.
‘You should get hit on the head more,’ Rachel said cheerfully. ‘They give you things.’
‘Injuries are brilliant,’ Allie agreed. The pills had kicked in and her head was less painful. As she relaxed in the warmth, she wondered why it had felt so weird seeing Sylvain with Nicole. Yes, she’d forgiven him for what happened the night of the summer ball. She believed he was genuinely sorry, but she didn’t think she’d ever trust him like that again.
So why should I care who he dates?
She didn’t like that she cared.
When Carter rushed in a few minutes later, she jumped to her feet in a guilty rush, wobbling unsteadily.
‘Whoa,’ he said, lowering back down. ‘You’re still a little shaky.’
‘I’m fine,’ she assured him with the confidence of a doctor. ‘The nurse said I’m fine.’
‘Actually, she said you should sit and rest for a while. And not go to sleep,’ Rachel said. ‘Zoe’s going to be so psyched that she was right about that.’ Turning to Carter, she added, ‘She doesn’t think Allie really has a concussion. She’s just being careful. But we’re supposed to keep an eye on her for a couple of hours.’
Carter brushed Allie’s hair back to look at the faint red mark on the side of her head. ‘But you feel OK?’
‘Yep. No permanent brain damage,’ Allie said, leaning against him.
‘I’m sorry I wasn’t there.’ His lips brushed the place on her head where the ball hit her. ‘To pick up the pieces.’
The light touch made Allie quiver, and she looked up into his eyes.
Rachel stood and stretched. ‘I’m not sure my medical talent is needed now that you’re here, Carter. Are you fine to stay with her?’
Carter’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. Allie liked that crinkle. ‘I’ll stay with her,’ he said.
When she’d gone, Allie and Carter curled up together on the sofa. Lying in the crook of his arm, she told him what had happened.
‘Lucas feels terrible,’ Carter said. ‘I saw him before I came up here. You’d think he’d shot you. But I’d still be furious with him if you weren’t OK.’
With a finger on her chin, he tilted her head up until she was looking into his eyes. Then he lowered his lips to hers.
‘So, I see you’re feeling better.’ The nurse’s dry voice might as well have been hands pushing them apart given how quickly they separated.
‘Thank you,’ Allie said. ‘Yes.’
Looking amused, the nurse glanced at her watch. ‘Remember, we need you awake for a while longer. I suggest another cup of tea.’ As she walked away, Allie thought she heard her add, ‘And a cold shower.’
Laughing soundlessly, Carter stood up. ‘I’ll go and get you some fresh tea.’
‘I don’t need any more tea,’ Allie protested. ‘I slosh when I walk.’
But he was already on his way out the door. ‘Maybe I want a cup, too,’ he said over his shoulder.
As she waited, Allie picked up a magazine someone had left on one of the tables. She was studying an actress in a £2,000 dress when a sound caused her to look up.