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I sent it to voicemail, not in the mood for her jibes and insults.

“That was Mum. It’s after midnight, so I guess I should get going.”

“Really? You can’t stay out a little longer? I feel like you’re the only person I’ve had a decent conversation with in ages. At work, they talk about work, and when I go back home, I’m bombarded by my brothers talking about work. It’s nice to talk about something else for a change.”

He had a point. I’d spent more time talking to him than I had with anyone. He showed interest in me and what I did; he didn’t treat me like a kid. He saw me for who I was.

“You know what? Let’s stay out until dawn. Fuck everyone.” I scraped back my chair, his hand falling from mine. “I’ve got an idea.”

We left the kebab shop, smiles on our faces. We broke into a run, and my heart raced, thumping in my chest. Adrenaline surged through me, not only because I was out with Mac, but because I was defying my mum, ignoring her feeble attempt to make me feel small.

But a part of me worried. What if something was wrong with Gran? I’d never forgive myself if anything happened.

“Hang on,” I stopped dead and took out my phone. I fired a text off to Gran telling her I was out and checking she was okay, hoping to God she was. A few seconds later, she replied with thumbs-up emoji. That was good enough for me. “Okay, we can go now.”

“Where are we going?” he asked. “Nothing will be open now other than clubs.”

“You’ll see. Come on.” Not giving a fuck about anything, I grabbed his hand and ran towards the train station. Elation filled me, and for once, the weight that constantly sat on my chest lifted.

Free. For the first time in forever, I felt free, with not a care in the world.

“Are we getting on a train?” he asked, slightly out of breath.

“Nope. Just wait.” I slowed as we approached. Thankfully, the station was still open, but we needed to be quick. The last train would fly by soon, and then it would close until tomorrow. There was no one around.

“Do we need a ticket?” He fumbled in his pocket, not looking where he was going, and bumped into me, not realising I’d stopped.

“Mac, do you trust me?” I stared into his brown eyes, willing him to trust me.

“I trust you. I don’t fucking know why, but I do.”

“Okay, then let’s do this.”

All the shops were closed, but right there, sitting in the middle of the waiting area, was the thing I was looking for.

“It’s a piano,” he said, surprised.

I stroked my hand along the smooth wood, the grain familiar to my touch. “Yeah. A piano.”

“How did I not know this was here?”

“Few people do. It’s not been here long. Do you know the show on TV called The Piano? They put them in a lot of train stations, and people just come along and play them.”

“And you play this one.” He stood close, his arm touching mine, his scent filling my nose, giving me confidence.

“I play it occasionally.”

Not a sound could be heard in the almost deserted station. The scuffle of the cleaner as he swept the floor, the distant sound of emergency sirens, and Mac, his breath still quick from the previous exertion.

I sat and patted the stool next to me.

“You sure?” he asked, but sat down anyway.

“I’m sure.”

And I was sure. Of this, and of him. Knowing he’d appreciate the music, as badly as I might play.

I was letting him in. Letting him into a part of my life few knew about me.