Martha shuddered. ‘I don’t know about that. It’s getting a bit chilly in here?’
Brian nodded in our direction. ‘It’s colder on that side of the aisle.’
Still pacing, Lexi rubbed her belly. ‘I shouldn’t have eaten so much.’ She grimaced at the two empty jars on the table where she’d sat. ‘I’ve got indigestion.’
I chuckled, seizing the opportunity to humiliate my boyfriend like he had me. ‘Reminds me of the time you were rushed to hospital, Gideon.’
Gideon glared at me. ‘I don’t think that’s an event worth sharing, do you?’
Turning to the rest of the group, I couldn’t have disagreed more. ‘He was convinced he was having a heart attack and insisted I ring him an ambulance. Of course, with all his moaning and groaning, I was straight on the phone. The paramedics weren’t taking any chances either. They raced him to A&E.’
I could still feel my panic as I floored Beryl’s accelerator trying to follow the flashing blue light. My fear was overwhelming as I sat in the hospital car park, hands glued to the steering wheel, willing myself to get out of the van and run to Gideon’s side. By the time I’d talked myself into it and pulled my keys out of the ignition Gideon was lowering himself into the passenger seat desperate to get away from there.
Lexi’s eyes widened. ‘What happened?’
I looked at Gideon. ‘Do you want to tell them or shall I?’
His cheeks reddened, while his cold stare told me he’d deal with me later.
‘Nothing,’ I said, keeping my eyes on him. ‘It was trapped wind.’
Alex sniggered, rattling Gideon more so.
‘Perhaps you could let Lexi have some of your Gaviscon.’ I returned my attention back to everyone else. ‘He always keeps a bottle with him. Despite not havinganyshame, even he doesn’t want to suffer humiliation like that again.’
Gideon opened his mouth to speak, but I wouldn’t let him.
‘You know what we should do?’ I said. ‘Play charades.’
‘Hell, yes.’ Lexi’s discomfort vanished as she speed-waddled back to her seat. She tapped Jake’s leg in excitement.
‘It’s not like we have anything else to do,’ Martha said, equally enthusiastic.
Gideon sighed.
‘Oh, come on,’ I said. ‘Don’t be such a spoil sport.’ Again, I turned to the group. ‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this man, it’s that he loves to play games.’
Gideon lowered his voice. ‘I don’t know what’s got into you, but…’
‘But what, Gideon?’ I asked, raising mine.
‘I’m in,’ Alex said. Ready to go, he smiled at my so-called boyfriend.
‘I’ll go first.’ I rose to my feet by the window and making sure everyone could see me, I mimed holding a video camera.
‘It’s a film,’ Lexi said.
I held up my middle and index fingers.
‘Two words,’ Martha said.
I wiggled one of them.
‘First word,’ everyone except Gideon and Julia called out.
I clutched my chest and pretended to keel over.
‘Indigestion!’ Lexi said.
