Love in Lockdown: An Anthology by Cora Reilly Page 0,4

Be getting a list together."

"Do you think Ann Summers are doing deliveries?" Mum asked me. "And also do you think a new decent dildo is classed as an essential shopping item?"

As I looked at her in horror, given a family of four had just walked past—plus, I was shaking my head trying to get her words to fall out of my ears, because just… no—she waved her hand in front of her face. "Forget that. It'll be on Google. That's one thing about you not being here, I can have some solo time without worrying about you hearing me scream."

It was at that point I realised that after this virus had passed it was time for me to find a new place to live, because the next time my mum went hysterical I'd not know whether it was her hitting her g-spot or seeing a spider.

As I pulled up into the pub car park a couple of minutes later, Dan appeared. I watched him in my rear-view mirror as he approached the car. He was wearing a t-shirt and some baggy sweats and looked at ease with himself, whereas I felt like an anxious mess. In fact, as I got out of the car and began to feel my hands go clammy, I actually considered for a moment that I might be starting with symptoms until I admitted to myself that it was Dan, and being about to live with Dan, making me a hot mess.

Taking a deep breath, I unlocked my door and stepped out of the car.

"I thought I’d help you unpack, only usually I’d be dealing with a busy pub and instead I actually don't know what to do with myself."

"Thanks, I have two cases. They're in the boot. Just go steady because they're heavy." I began to walk around to the back of the car and saw Dan scoff at my 'heavy' remark. Indeed he lifted the top case out without much bother and then he tried to lift the other one.

Pain marked his brow and he turned to look at me. "What the actual fuck have you packed? Bricks to make your own place in the car park?"

"Books."

I'd had to stand at the back of my car and take half the books out, lift the case into the car and then repack; so I knew how heavy it was. I watched Dan's arms wobble a little until the case hit the floor with a resounding thud.

"How many have you packed?"

"Lots of them. Because I figured I'd have a lot of time to read and then what if I didn't like what I was reading? I needed a selection."

"Have you heard of a Kindle?"

"Yes, but I love the smell of a book, and to be honest, my mum's been moaning about how many I have, so I figured if I took some and read them, I could pass them onto charity and make some space. It's a win-win."

"Not for my back it isn't." He rubbed his lumbar region to demonstrate his point.

"I did warn you it was heavy. It's not my fault if you don't listen."

"I promise to pay you full attention in the future."

Well that'll make a change I thought to myself, while Dan suddenly seemed to go a little red in the face. That made another change. It was usually me blushing. Oh God, was he getting ill?

"You're not feeling hot, are you? Only you're a little flushed."

"It's just this warm weather. They reckon it's going to be a very hot weekend."

He went even redder.

"Well, I hope people remember about social distancing when they go out to the parks." I said.

"Your mum okay?"

I nodded. "Couldn't wait to get rid of me."

He began to drag the heavier case up the car park. "Come on then, let's get you settled in and then we can watch the update at five."

We made our way into the pub and I gave Dan the lighter case to take upstairs and said I'd carry my books up in stages.

"Why not set them up on one of the tables, or the counter? It's not like we're using downstairs much."

I toyed with my bottom lip for a minute. "Yeah, but if someone broke in and took them. They're like my babies."

Dan chuckled. "You think someone's going to break into my bar and take your books?" He pointed to the bottles and bottles of liquor and the fridges full of beer.

"Well…"

He lifted up a handful of books. "Come on, let's put them in