Page 161 of Lessons in Chemistry

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CASEY

By mid-February, Em and I are living at Auggie’s. We only visit our flat to collect post and make sure everything is okay. Em persuades us that we need a joint calendar, which he sets up and takes charge of. It’s pretty useful, but that doesn’t stop a small amount of friendly teasing.

The last weekend in February is the British University and College Societies long course swimming championship. My parents come across to Leeds to pick Em and Auggie up to take them to Sheffield to watch. Once again, I spend all my time with the team, but it’s nice to see everyone I love cheering me on. So nice that I get silver in the one-hundred-metre freestyle.

Once I return to Leeds on Sunday evening, my parents take us out for a meal and invite Auggie to stay at theirs for all or part of the Easter break.

And so life goes on. The familiar routine of swimming, university, and studying, brightened by snuggling with my boyfriends. Living together is easy. Sure, there are moments of tension and the odd ‘emotional flashpoint’, as Em would put it, but we talk and hug it out, and then we’re all smiles and kisses again. I’m happy. I’m also tired because juggling everything is never going to get any easier, but I get to face each day with a smile, knowing my boyfriends will be there at the end to hold me.

Auggie works hard throughout the rest of the term. One essay gets a third, and the one he gets back on the day we break up for Easter at the end of March earns him a two-two. It’s my birthday the next day and his is a week later. So once my last swimming practice of the term is over, we rent a car, and Auggie drives us to Keldy in North Yorkshire to spend the weekend in a cabin in the forest.

“It has a hot tub,” I say as I step onto the raised deck. I bounce on the balls of my feet and point. “A hot tub.”

“We thought you’d appreciate it,” Em says, grinning.

Now I understand why they told me to bring my swimming things.

We’ve rented a two-bedroom lodge split over two levels. The cabin is more modern than I was expecting, with large, stylish black tiles in the bathrooms and a fully fitted kitchen in cream with solid wood worktops. We ignore the twin bedroom downstairs and put our bags in the double bedroom upstairs. It’s in the eaves and has a king-sized bed and an en suite.

The cabins are spaced enough that each one feels secluded, and there are lots of walking trails to explore in the forest.

“I can’t believe this is our home for the next two days.” It would have been nice to have stayed longer, but I promised my parents we’d visit around my birthday, so we’re spending next weekend with them. We’ll also be seeing Em’s family.

“Let’s turn the hot tub on and try it out,” Auggie suggests.

Once we’ve worked out how to turn the hot tub on, we go inside and change into our swimming things. Auggie and Em have baggy, knee-length short-style swimming trunks, while I wear the electric blue Speedos Auggie gave me for Christmas.

“Maybe I should get some like yours,” I muse.

“No,” they say simultaneously.

Auggie pulls me into a hug. “We love you in those. You’re seriously sexy.”

It feels good to know they think I’m sexy.

He pecks my lips. “Let’s go and get hot and bubbly.”

It’s not a big hot tub, but it’s large enough for the three of us to sit with our ankles crossed and our arms looped over each other’s shoulders. The heat from the water is in sharp contrast to the cool air. It’s April tomorrow, but the weather hasn’t felt springlike at all. With any luck, it’ll get warmer soon. The water bubbles noisily around our chests. The whir of the motor is loud enough to drown out the chatter of birds in the forest around us.

“I can’t believe our second year is nearly over. What are you looking forward to the most next term?” Em asks.

Auggie snorts. “I’m focused on the holiday right now. I don’t want to think about next term.”

“It’s the team championships in May,” I say.

Em and Auggie splash water at me.

“We know,” Em says, laughing.

“Our hotel is already booked,” Auggie says.

I smile. “You guys are great.”

“We know.” Auggie grins.

“I’m looking forward to the exams,” Em says.