The Five-Year Plan: The utterly heart-warming and feel good rom com of 2020

by Carla Burgess

  Rain is pattering on the tent roof and the dull glow of the lamp makes the tent feel cosy and safe.

  ‘Well, I guess I should be going,’ I say, after we’ve been talking for a good while.

  ‘Are you sure? The weather’s awful.’

  ‘It’s not too bad,’ I say, getting up and going to the tent door to look out. Rain is dripping from the trees and pattering on the tent, but it doesn’t seem too heavy yet.

  ‘Yeah but we’re sheltered by the trees here. It’ll be worse on that path up to the farm.’

  ‘I’d better go before it gets any worse then.’

  ‘Why don’t you stay? You don’t have work tomorrow so you could see your mum then instead.’

  I laugh. ‘No, I can’t stay! I’m in my work clothes. And besides, you need to work.’

  ‘I can work with you here.’

  ‘No, I’d distract you.’

  ‘You can sleep in here and I can sleep in the hide.’

  ‘That didn’t work out too well last Saturday, did it?’ I say, thinking of the fox scream.

  ‘Well, I’ll stay in here with you then.’

  ‘But that stops you working.’

  ‘Not necessarily. I have all the camera traps and I got some great shots already.’ He’s smiling up at me hopefully, but I shake my head.

  ‘No, I have to go. It’s only a bit of rain. I’ll be okay.’

  ‘Oh, come on, Orla. Stay.’

  ‘No, Aiden, I can’t.’ I look away from him, back out into the dim woods. An owl hoots from a nearby tree. Aiden reaches out and catches my hand.

  ‘Please?’

  I look at him curiously. ‘Why do you want me to stay so badly?’

  He laughs, white teeth flashing against the dark of his beard. ‘I told you, I like your company.’

  ‘You want to sleep with me?’

  ‘No!’ He looks surprised and releases my hand. ‘We’re just friends, aren’t we?’

  ‘Of course!’ Damn, why did I say that? He’s offended, I can see. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean … I just … I was just making sure you weren’t expecting anything.’

  ‘Expecting? Of course not!’ He looks appalled as he rakes his hand back through his hair, and I feel awkward and embarrassed, like I’ve just ruined everything. ‘Did I really give you that impression?’

  ‘Not at all! I’m sorry,’ I say, flustered. ‘You just seemed a little bit eager for me to stay and I thought … never mind. I’ll go. I’ll see …’

  ‘No, don’t go.’ He grabs my wrist again, drawing me back inside the tent. ‘The weather’s really bad. I don’t want you driving on those narrow winding country lanes in this.’

  ‘It’s not that bad, Aiden. It’s not even properly dark yet.’

  ‘It will be by the time you get home though.’ As soon he’s finished speaking, there’s a flash of lightning followed by a loud crash of thunder. ‘Come on, I just need a bit of company. I’m going a bit stir crazy living down here all by myself.’ He scratches his head as he admits this, looking embarrassed.

  ‘But I thought you liked being alone.’

  ‘I do, ordinarily. But it’s good to share stuff with people too. I haven’t seen Ivy and Bill for days, and I know you were here last night, but it seemed like you were only here for a few minutes before you had to leave. I know I sound like a needy loser, and ordinarily I’d make arrangements to meet Keaton or get on a train and visit someone else, but I need to stick around for the otters right now. So, if you wouldn’t mind staying for a while longer, I’d really appreciate it.’

  I look from his worried face to his hand on my wrist, then smile. See, he doesn’t fancy me at all. It’s all in my head, not his. ‘Okay then.’

  ‘I promise I won’t try it on.’

  I shake my head at him, starting to laugh. ‘I’m sorry I even thought that.’

  ‘Ah don’t worry. I’m a bloke begging you to stay, aren’t I? What else are you going to think?’ He smiles reassuringly. ‘Shall I make us some hot chocolate?’

  ‘Yes, please. Thank you.’ I sit back down on the camp bed and look around at the spartan interior of the tent. I still don’t understand how he lives like this. No wonder he needs some company, poor man. I’m mortified that I just accused him of wanting to sleep with me, and more than a little disappointed that he definitely doesn’t. God, how humiliating.

  I really need to shake off this crush I’m developing, but how can I do that when he’s telling me what great company I am and making me hot chocolate on his tiny stove. So much for my plan of putting some distance between us.

  While Aiden is making the drinks, I send a text to my mum telling her I’ll be round to visit her tomorrow. That way, I won’t be tempted to spend the whole day with Aiden.

  The rain is getting heavier now, and despite the shelter provided by the leafy trees above us, it’s drumming on the tent roof with the odd blast of wind flapping the loose doorway. There’s another crash of thunder, and I give an involuntary shiver. Aren’t you supposed to keep away from trees in a thunderstorm? What if one gets hit and it falls on the tent? What if the tent poles get hit and we both get electrocuted?

  I ask Aiden if he’s worried, but he just shrugs and shakes his head. He tells me about other storms he’s camped through, and one where he was camping on the side of a cliff when a storm blew in and all but destroyed his tent. I’m horrified but he seems to find it funny.

  We drink hot chocolate and chat, and Aiden seems completely unbothered by my earlier accusations. In contrast, I’ve got an achy feeling inside, which I suspect is hurt pride and disappointment, but I know I’m just being silly. I’m lucky that Aiden is so laid back. He’s more amused than anything else.

  I get cold so I climb inside his sleeping bag and lie down on this camp bed. I feel I know him well enough now to not mind how personal it feels to be in the space he sleeps in, and as my limbs grow warm, my eyelids grow heavy.

  ‘I’m going to go out to the hide,’ he says, getting to his feet and putting a warm hand on my shoulder. ‘I’ll be back soon.’

  ‘Okay,’ I murmur, though I can barely be bothered to speak.

  I’m dimly aware of him zipping up the entrance before I drift off to sleep.

  When I wake up the following morning, I find him asleep on the floor next to me, with a blanket wrapped around him. The sun is already up and the trees are dripping from last night’s rain. I feel bad that he’s slept on the floor, until I remember how he begged me to stay. Strange, strange man. Propping myself up on one elbow, I watch him fondly. His eyelids flutter slightly, as though he’s in the middle of a dream, but otherwise he’s completely still.

  He looks younger when he’s asleep, his dark hair falling back from his face, and his long eyelashes brushing his sharp cheek bones. Feeling bad for watching him sleep, I lie back down on the camp bed, but I still watch the rise and fall of his shoulder with each deep steady breath. Oh dear. I think I definitely fancy him. And I know it’s not just because I haven’t had a boyfriend for ages, or because Phil suggested that I did. It’s because Aiden’s the most interesting man I’ve ever met, and the fact he’s so kind and funny. And even though long hair on men isn’t really my thing, I do like it on Aiden.

  Aiden stirs and I turn my head away, in case he realises I’ve been watching him.

  ‘Hey,’ he says, sitting up. ‘Shall I make coffee?’

  ‘Yeah, okay.’ I smile at him. ‘Did you sleep okay on the floor?’

  ‘Yes, I’m used to it. Did you sleep okay on that camp bed?’

  ‘Like a log. Must be all the fresh air! I didn’t even hear you come into the tent. Were the otters out last night?’

  ‘They made a brief appearance, but nothing as spectacular as the night before. You can’t even say it’s because of the weather because what difference does a bit of rain make to an animal that spends so much time in water?’ He sighs as he gets up and sets about making the coffee. ‘Never mind. They’ll probably be back out tonight. Are you coming
down again?’

  ‘Oh errr …’ I should tell him I can’t, but somehow the words won’t come out. All my good intentions of staying away from him have dissolved overnight and there’s no question I won’t come down. ‘Yes, okay. I need to go home and change, and I’m going to my mum’s this afternoon, but I can come back after?’

  ‘Yep, great.’ He smiles over his shoulder at me. ‘Like I said, you’re my lucky charm. I need you to bring out the otters.’

  As it happens, I don’t bring out the otters later that evening. Aiden and I lie in his hide, waiting patiently but they don’t make an appearance. Aiden’s not too worried, and thinks the mother otter is perhaps taking her cubs to hunt in one of the fishponds in the farmer’s fields instead tonight. He’s convinced they’ll be back tomorrow or the next day.

  We chat idly about various things. Nonsense mostly, but it’s easy conversation and we make each other giggle. It’s not raining as heavily as yesterday, but there’s a misty drizzle in the air and everything feels damp and chilly. I’m wearing tracksuit bottoms and a sweatshirt, but I’m still cold, so I’m pressed up close to Aiden, trying to get warm.

  ‘You’re always so warm,’ I say, snuggling closer so I’m practically lying on top of him. ‘How come you never feel the cold?’

  ‘I don’t know. Just used to it, I guess.’

  ‘I’m freezing!’ My teeth are starting to chatter, and I press my cold nose into his shoulder. ‘I’m going to have to go home to warm up.’

  ‘Aw come here, I’ll warm you up.’ Rolling onto his side to face me, he pulls me against his chest. ‘I can’t believe you’re this cold when you’re wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants.’

  ‘I know. I’ve got a T-shirt underneath too.’

  ‘Wear a thermal vest next time.’

  ‘I think I will.’

  He’s rubbing my back vigorously, his hands moving around and around, over my shoulder blades then back down my spine to my waist. It feels good and I’m already starting to feel warmer. ‘Ooh, that’s good,’ I groan.

  ‘Eh steady on!’ he says, starting to laugh. ‘No sex noises, please. You’ll turn me on.’

  ‘Sorry!’ I laugh too.

  ‘Don’t be sorry.’ He stops rubbing up and down my back and instead rubs up and down my arm. ‘Is the blood flowing better now?’

  ‘Yes. Thank you.’

  ‘Good.’ He’s still laughing as he props himself up on his elbow and looks down on me. ‘I still feel bad about yesterday. I’m sorry if I upset you.’

  ‘Upset me, how?’

  ‘Saying I don’t want to have sex with you.’

  ‘Oh no, don’t be silly.’

  ‘You looked a bit offended.’

  ‘Of course I wasn’t. I know we’re just friends.’ I roll away to rearrange the blanket so it’s covering me better.

  ‘Exactly. It’s better not to complicate that, isn’t it?’

  ‘Of course.’ I fuss about with the blanket some more, though I’m feeling a whole lot warmer all of a sudden, more from embarrassment than anything else. ‘Don’t worry, you didn’t offend me at all.’

  ‘Are you sure? I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s not like I don’t find you attractive.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t offended, honestly.’ I give a nervous, slightly breathless laugh. Why is he talking about this now?

  ‘I didn’t want you to think that was the reason I wanted you to stay. To have sex with you. I want you to feel safe around me. To trust me.’

  ‘I do trust you.’

  ‘But when you asked me if I wanted to have sex with you, you seemed like you didn’t.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from.’ I swallow uncomfortably. ‘I think it was just because my boss, Phil, said there must be more to it than us just being friends.’

  ‘He did? Why?’

  ‘I don’t know. He heard me talking to you on the phone and then he said that. I told him we were just friends, but then he snorted and walked away.’

  ‘Oh. Well, what does he know?’

  ‘Exactly. He knows nothing. But I suppose he threw me for a minute, so I’m sorry I said that to you, but you don’t need to worry, because I do trust you.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘And I’m not offended that you don’t want to sleep with me, so please stop apologising for that too.’

  ‘Okay.’ He’s quiet for a moment, just watching me, and then he says, ‘Only you did look quite disappointed.’

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Aiden! Drop it, will you!’ I smack his arm, then roll over so my back’s to him.

  ‘No, but, if you ever did want to have sex—’

  ‘I don’t,’ I lie.

  ‘Then we could—’

  ‘Stop! Stop talking.’

  ‘—come to some arrangement.’

  For goodness’ sake, what is he talking about? I stare wide-eyed into the darkness, wondering how to react. What would he say if I said okay then? Would we have sex now, in this hide? Would we go into his tent? Back to mine? It would all be too awkward though. Too premeditated and it would definitely affect our friendship.

  ‘Aiden,’ I say, eventually.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘We’re just going to be friends.’

  ‘Okay then.’ He rolls over, as if to punctuate our conversation. ‘I’ve got to tell you though, you’re missing out.’

  ‘Really? Why’s that then?’ I say drily.

  ‘I’m pretty good in bed.’

  I can’t help laughing at him. ‘I’m sure you are, Aiden. I’m sure you are.’

  Chapter 13

  I thought our conversation about sex might put a strain on my friendship with Aiden, but it hasn’t at all. If anything, we’re closer than ever, and because I know he doesn’t find me physically repulsive, I feel able to touch him and hug him and basically lie all over him whenever I feel like it. And for his part, he seems completely unconcerned by anything. He still asks me about Fabio, Sexy Coffee Guy, and I’m happy to fill him in, knowing it will make him laugh. In truth, I’m more interested in Aiden than Fabio these days. Ironically, since I realised this, Fabio’s started making smouldering eye contact and trying to make conversation with me whenever he sees me lately. I much preferred it when I was just another anonymous customer, watching him brooding behind the counter. It doesn’t hold the same appeal now as it used to. In fact, it makes me a little bit uncomfortable. Like right now, I’m standing in the queue watching him serve the customers in front of me without so much as a smile. It’s weird when he switches on the charm for me.

  My phone rings and I fumble in my bag to answer it.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hey, it’s me,’ says Aiden. ‘Do you want to come to a party tonight?’

  ‘Whereabouts?’ The queue moves forward and I step forward, getting my cup ready to hand to Fabio.

  ‘Beach party with some old friends of mine. There’ll be a barbeque. I’m going to have a drink so we’ll have to sleep in the truck.’

  I wince. ‘Is that meant to tempt me?’

  ‘I’ve got an old mattress. I’ll just sling it in the back.’

  ‘What if it rains?’

  ‘It’s not going to rain. Have you seen the forecast? It’s going to be scorching all weekend. The sun’s blazing already.’

  ‘Can I think about it?’

  ‘No, just say yes.’

  I laugh. ‘I’ll think about it. Let you know this afternoon.’

  He sighs. ‘Well, don’t leave it too long or I’ll ask someone else.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Jayne.’

  ‘Ask Jayne then. I’m sure she’d love to sleep in your truck with you.’

  ‘Oh, come on, Orla. I want to go with you. We’ll have a laugh.’

  ‘I won’t know anyone.’

  ‘You’ll know me.’

  ‘Hold on, I’m at the front of the queue.’ I take the phone away from my ear and smile as I pass my cup to Fabio, who grins at
me, showing practically his whole set of sparkling white teeth. Everything about him is perfect. His teeth, his hair, his skin, his beautiful brown eyes.

  ‘Hey, Orla, how are you this morning?’ He asked me my name earlier this week and since then he’s managed to use it every time he speaks to me. It’s kind of cute and kind of creepy, all at once.

  ‘Good, thanks. How are you?’

  ‘My day’s just got a lot better, thanks to you, Orla.’ He smoulders at me across the counter, and I find myself blushing more from embarrassment than flattery. The person behind me clears their throat pointedly and I hear Aiden laugh from the other end of the phone. ‘What can I get for you? The usual?’

  ‘Yes please.’

  I hand over a five-pound note, and when he hands me the change, his hand closes around mine. ‘Are you out this weekend, Orla?’

  My heart plummets. ‘I’m, er, I’m out of town, actually. I’m going to a beach party.’

  ‘Beach party? Wow, Orla, that’s cool. Really cool.’

  ‘Yeah. Well, have a good weekend.’ I extract my hand from his and start to move away.

  ‘Thanks. Will do. Bye, Orla.’

  ‘Bye, Fabio.’ My throat closes over his name and I gulp halfway through. God, I’m an idiot. I can still hear Aiden chuckling from the other end of the phone and I raise it to my ear.

  ‘What are you laughing at?’

  ‘You! I guess you are coming tonight then.’

  ‘Well, maybe …’

  ‘Ah, you can’t back out now. I’ll heard you tell the Italian Stallion, and you know he’ll want to know about the really cool beach party on Monday morning.’

  ‘Oh yeah, sure.’

  The girl behind the counter hands me my coffee and I thank her and go back out into the sunshine. It’s not eight o’clock yet and the heat is already building. I take a sip of my coffee, still holding the phone against my ear.