Dream a Little Dream Read Online Free Page B

asks Carly. ‘They not coming?’
    Their absence hadn’t escaped my notice, obviously – I was busy enjoying my friends without them. Plus, I might put on a front of being okay with everything, but I’d never outright ask a question about them if it can be helped. Even now, after two years. I prefer to have them banished from my thoughts whenever possible.
    ‘Unpacking boxes,’ Alastair laughs in reply, his olive-coloured face creasing up around his dark eyes.
    Josh and Alastair raise their thumbs in the air before pushing them down into the table and giving them a little twist – causing them to erupt with laughter.
    ‘Under the thumb?’ I question with a smile, raising an eyebrow at their charade skills and immature behaviour.
    ‘Totally,’ laughs Josh with a wink.
    Has been from the day he met her, I think to myself – pleased that I manage to keep bitter or sad thoughts like that to myself. It’s somewhat comforting to hear the boys
have a little dig at my past love and the dude that left me behind when something better came along.
    Relief floods through me knowing the perfect duo won’t be joining us tonight. I’m surprised to feel my shoulders noticeably relax at the news and the rest of my body soften – I wasn’t consciously aware I was still so tense about the whole thing. Although, perhaps the fact they’ve moved into their first proper home isn’t helping to ease my strained mind.
    ‘We all going on Friday?’ asks Natalia.
    ‘Bit soon for a house party,’ suggest Josh, opening another bag of salt and vinegar crisps along the seam so that everyone can tuck in – too hungry to wait patiently for the food that’s on its way to us.
    ‘That’s what I said,’ says Natalia, diving in for a crisp while looking at me with a satisfied expression.
    ‘And talk about last minute,’ adds Carly with a munch.
    ‘I know, how on earth can I find something to wear in just two days?’ Josh gently mocks as he raises his hand to his chest to highlight the ‘drama’.
    ‘Oi,’ Carly pouts as though insulted, making Josh pop his arm around her again in case he’s actually offended her – which, of course, he hasn’t.
    ‘He’s probably getting us round there under false pretences,’ says Alastair. ‘He’ll be handing out tools at the door and getting us to paint.’
    ‘I’m rubbish at decorating,’ I admit, wanting to join in the conversation somehow, even if it is about my ex and the lovely new home he’s bought. I’ve learnt over time that silence is the best way to draw attention to yourself around this bunch. Silence equals unhappiness – voiced
thoughts of any kind mean you’re fine, which is why I’ve been known to goofily join in with chatter that outsiders would rightly assume uncomfortable for me to be a part of. ‘Although sounds like Natalia’s perfect Friday night,’ I joke.
    ‘Bagsie the roller!’ shouts Carly with one hand in the air. ‘What? There’s only ever one and I’m not being told off for my shabby edge work. Dan won’t care but Lexie will be totally anal about sharp lines.’
    ‘And so she should be,’ frowns Natalia, shaking her head as though trying to eradicate the thought of a badly painted wall before it lingers and gives her nightmares. ‘We’re not going to be painting.’
    ‘Yeah, I was only joking. I’m pretty sure they’re getting a team in for that,’ says Alastair, sniffing as he pulls his pint to his lips and knocks it back. ‘And I don’t mean us!’
    ‘Oh shit,’ Josh mutters under his breath.
    We all follow his gaze and spot the cause for his interruption – it’s the winning team from last week, the performing arts bunch. We were hoping their arrival last week was a one-off, but judging by the theatrical way they’re pirouetting through the door, it looks like their victory has given them a thirst for more. How annoying.
    ‘Eurgh,’ snarls Carly, one side of her upper lip curling up in disgust.
    I can’t help but laugh at