Jessica’s first day of volunteering at the retirement home went as follows: after being delayed by the erratic bus to town, she was introduced to staff and residents, dazzling them all with her smile. By the time she finished reading the first few chapters of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, everyone was in love with her.

That was all she had to say about the volunteering, impatient to skip ahead. As she was leaving, another volunteer, a boy around her age whom she had only briefly glanced at before, opened the door for her and let her go through first.

‘Thank you, how chivalrous,’ she said, looking him up and down properly this time. He was shorter than her, with plain but friendly features. ‘You go to the nearby school, right…?’ she asked, his name disappearing in the crowd of new faces.

‘Greg. And that’s right. You know, you did a great job. Most people are nervous on their first day.’

She shrugged off the compliment as they set out to the bus stop.

‘Being nervous is silly, old people are a riot. Though I do have to say that the book was boring,’ she wrinkled her nose.

‘What? Just wait until the end, it’s an amazing book.’

‘It’s a detective book.’ She pulled a face. ‘Those are always dull – they’re all the same.’

‘Agree to disagree. What kind of books do you like, then?’ 

‘Fantasy.’

‘Really?’

She had to laugh at his surprised expression; it was so goofy. Realising, he joined her with a distinctive, infectious laughter that rolled in his mouth, setting her off into uncontrollable giggles.

By the time they caught their breath, they reached the bus stop. Jess playfully kicked an old can and it tap-danced its way across the pavement into the gutter.

‘So why fantasy?’ Greg asked.

She shrugged. ‘It’s so freeing, isn’t it? Anything can happen.’

‘That’s why it’s my favourite too!’ he smiled, then hesitated. ‘You ever play DnD?’

‘No, but I always wanted to try, so feel free to ask me out. To a session, that is.’

He blushed and she grinned, pleased with the reaction. She had lamentably few opportunities to flirt back home.

‘Well, I play with a few friends from my school if you want to join us sometime…’ he trailed off, the blush now reaching his ears.

‘Sounds awesome,’ she ran her fingers through her hair, then spotted the bus in the distance. ‘Oh, lucky timing, this bus has the worst schedule. Do you have to wait long?’

‘No, I-’ he cleared his throat, embarrassed. ‘My sister is picking me up soon, I just sort of walked you to the bus stop.’

‘Hmm, interesting,’ she raised her eyebrows, enjoying herself. ‘Well, let’s get in touch and schedule that session, yeah? I’m looking forward to it.’

And with that, she hopped onto the bus, waving through the glass. Greg didn’t notice, picking up the can she kicked into the gutter with some other trash to dispose of in the bin properly.

Settling down for the long bus ride, she put on some music. The playlist skipped ahead to a love song.