‘Oh no,’ Cordelia says. ‘Of course. It’s getting late anyway but, guys, honestly, such a top night.’
I climb off Jake without the smooth romantic timing I had when I fell onto him. It’s clumsy and awkward and, to be honest, so disappointing.
And we so we all gather our things and head out, taking the short taxi ride right back to the lodge. Of course, when we get there, nothing is plain sailing – everything is in darkness.
‘Oh my God!’ Cordelia wails. ‘What is this?’
‘I’ll check the fuse box,’ Andy suggests.
‘No point,’ Jake replies. ‘Power’s out everywhere. See, the big house, street lights, no lights anywhere around us. I guess we just have to wait this one out.’
‘What do we do?’ Cordelia asks, panic in her voice.
‘There’s nothing we can do,’ Andy says, ever so prickly.
‘I noticed candles inside,’ Jake says. ‘You guys wait here, I’ll go get them, set them out so you can see.’
Wow, even drunk he’s great in a crisis.
‘Thank you so much,’ Cordelia tells him. ‘You’re our hero.’
JJ hugs me for warmth while we wait. It’s a little chilly tonight – plus, she’s wearing a tiny, glitzy dress that looks amazing but it doesn’t look warm.
Jake eventually appears holding a candle, his face lit with golden light.
Cordelia clutches Andy’s arm as they head inside.
‘This is so scary,’ she says.
‘It’s only the power,’ Andy replies, but his voice is strained.
‘It’s the dark,’ Cordelia corrects him.
‘Now, now, let’s not fall out,’ JJ jokes.
Cordelia doesn’t hear. Or chooses not to.
Eventually we drift towards our rooms, guided by candlelight and tipsy exhaustion.
JJ squeezes my hand in the hallway.
‘Text me if you need me, bitch,’ she whispers.
‘For what?’ I whisper back.
‘I don’t know, I’m drunk,’ she says with a laugh and a hiccup. ‘Night night.’
‘Sweet dreams,’ I call after her.
I stand in the hallway with the candle flickering and my heart pounding, suddenly very aware that I’m about to be alone with Jake in ‘our’ room, after what happened at the pub.
Jake steps close enough that I can smell his aftershave.
‘You good?’ he asks softly.
‘I’m fine,’ I lie, because apparently that’s all I do now. ‘I don’t like the dark either.’
‘Don’t worry, I got you,’ he replies. ‘Come on, let’s get you to bed.’