All Over You

Comfort In The Distance

The following days whizz past and before I know it, Keira and I are getting changed in the studio toilets for the wrap party after a long day of transmission. I settled on a ripped pair of denim shorts and a white crop top which ties over my shoulders and reveals the tan I've managed to get from the recent sunshine. It makes a change from all the blouses and pencil skirts, it's much too hot to wear jeans anyway. We haven't been given much information about the party other than there will be a barbecue and a bar. What more do you need? Keira stands next to me, applying lip gloss, wearing a flowing white summer dress. She almost looks like she's at a hen party. Maybe it's predicting the future of her and Alex. After all, they're seemingly doing amazing together. 

I tie the front sections of my hair up in little buns Like I'm going to a festival. Anything to make an effort for Liam. We head down to the "convergence" of the studios, a little outside area divided up with patches of astroturf and concrete. Except today they've done the place up specially and it makes excitement bubble up in my stomach. 

There's pink and blue holographic bunting over every fence and stalls are lined up with pretty letters painted on the side. Wooden picnic tables litter the concrete ground where people sit and mingle with drinks. The main attraction is a huge tent in the centre of the space, filled with bumper cars! A smile forms on my face. The air is warm and the sun beats down on us. Even in the evening, the peak July heat doesn't relent. People bustle about and let their hair down, buzzing from place to place and person to person. Keira and I head straight to the bar. 

The bar is a little stall towards the back of the convergence which almost looks like a metal caravan. There's bunting thrown messily over the hatch opening and a small wooden ledge where drinks are served. Keira grabs us two glasses of Prosecco on the basis that it's an open bar. As we turn around, Maria smiles and wanders over. 

She is hand in hand with a man who has a round stomach and large black beard. In the other arm, she holds a toddler who clings to her hip. She walks over and I don't even realise another child running up to us. She has long ginger hair tied back in a messy ponytail, her tiny hand reaching up to brush the flyaways out of her eyes. She has the same eyes as Maria. 

"This is Tiffany and Keira, say hello!" Maria urges. The child stops in her tracks and runs backwards, hiding behind her mum and clinging onto her thighs.

"I'm sorry, that's Gemma." Maria informs us. 

"Nice to meet you, Gemma." Keira coos, bending down to hold her tiny arm. She's as maternal as ever. I know Keira has always wanted to settle down and start a family so seeing children always softens her up.

"This is Lola." Maria continues, jostling the toddler on her hip. 

Lola looks like an even smaller version of Gemma, just as shy and quiet. We engage in conversation with the couple, discovering their youngest is three and their eldest is five. Maria jokes about how they've worn themselves out playing with Gareth's boys all night. The whole concept blows my mind. I admire the happy little family and wonder if me and Liam may build something similar one day. I imagine a tiny girl with my hair and his glittering blue eyes. My heart swells. 

I glance around for him, but he is nowhere to be seen. As Maria and her children do the rounds of mingling, Keira and I head towards the bumper cars. For some reason, she allows me to drive. This ends up being a mistake, as she spends her time screaming while I ram into anyone and everyone. 

I laugh loudly to myself, spinning out of control and enjoying it. Keira's white knuckles only make me laugh harder. We smash into the back of another car and I squeal from the whiplash I am getting. I glance outside of the tent and notice Liam, standing there so casually. He has tight cream shorts on that touch the tops of his muscular knees. His arms are folded over his mint green polo top. I love that shirt. The first time he wore it was in France and the events of that night started a ball rolling which hasn't stopped since. He catches eye contact with me and I grin, continuing to drive like a maniac until the cars lose energy. I notice that wherever I go, his eyes follow. It's enchanting