Give her a hug!

You stand there, frozen. For a long moment, it’s just the two of you; alone on a dark street, at three in the morning – a broke Uber driver and a crying Emma Watson. It sounds like the set-up for a joke. A really bad one.

But then she finally looks up at you, lips trembling, and something warm and wordless rises inside your chest. All of a sudden, without really thinking about it, you’re reaching out and pulling her into a hug.

You can feel her stiffen as your arms come up – but then, after a moment or two, she relaxes as they stay firmly above her waist. You stand there in silence for a few moments; and it doesn’t take long before she rests her head quietly against your chest.

She doesn’t speak, and neither do you – but you can feel Emma Watson’s warm tears seeping through your shirt, and Jesus Christ, this is intimate.

‘Sorry,’ she whispers, finally. ‘I didn’t mean to…’

You shush her gently, rubbing her back. ‘Oh, don’t be silly. It’s fine.’

‘But I was being such a bitch!’ It comes out muffled against your chest, and you both laugh, hers watery. ‘And you’ve been so nice…’

‘All part of the service,’ you repeat, almost convincingly. Emma snorts softly.

‘Yeah, right. Cuddles included?’

‘Cuddles included.’ You squeeze her shoulders comfortingly. ‘Well… only on special occasions.’

Emma shakes her head slightly against your chest. ‘This must be so weird for you, honestly. God knows what you must think of me now.’

‘I think…’ You consider. ‘I think you’re a sad girl who had a rough night, and right now you need a shoulder to cry on. That’s it.’ Emma makes a funny, surprised sort of sound. ‘Nothing weird about that.’

There’s a brief pause, then Emma snuggles slightly closer. ‘God. Thank you for saying that.’

You stand there for what feels like days, just holding her. It’s probably thirty seconds, but finally Emma pulls away. ‘Okay. Okay. I’m so sorry about all this.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ you repeat, but Emma’s wiping her eyes on her sleeve, delving around in her handbag.

‘I’m all right, really, it’s just – I’m so tired and I’m hungry and I haven’t slept, and I just – couldn’t deal with any more shit tonight, and then he had to go and…’ She trails off. ‘Well. Never mind about that. I need to find you a tip.’

This sounds so business-like and ridiculous after what just happened that you laugh slightly. Emma looks up, confused. ‘What?’

‘You’re not giving me a tip,’ you tell her mildly. ‘I gave you a hug, they’re not extra. And what’s this about not having eaten?’

Emma goes pink again. ‘Oh – well, you know what it’s like. I’m training for a film, and it’s horrible salad when I do get to eat, so I just kind of skipped today…’

‘No wonder you feel like shit!’ Your voice echoes around the empty street, and Emma laughs, surprised. ‘Come on. I guarantee you’ll feel ten times better after we get some food in you.’

‘Oh, that’s fine, really –’ Emma smiles, but gestures back towards the hotel. ‘You’re awfully sweet, but I’m sure they can make me something –’

‘Yeah, shit organic sandwiches. I’m talking about real food.’ You keep talking, faintly aware that you’re making this up on the spot, but **** not to say goodbye to her just yet. ‘You need comfort food – and not some fancy dinner, either, I can’t afford it. You’re getting a drive-thru – pizza, chicken and brownies. My treat. Come on.’

Emma’s mouth falls open slightly, and you can see she’s about to say no –

But then, with perfect timing, her stomach rumbles loudly, and she laughs, simultaneously embarrassed and tempted.

‘Oh… go on, then.’ You barely manage to keep the smile from splitting your face in two. ‘This is mad, you know that, don’t you? I don’t even know your name.’

‘You do, actually,’ you remind her, as you help her back into the car. ‘It’s on the app. James.’

‘Oh, God…’ Her face is hilarious. ‘I’m so, so sorry! I’m such a mess tonight!’

‘Pizza will help,’ you tell her wisely, as you punch the word into your phone. ‘Pizza always helps.’

‘That’s true…’ In the back seat, Emma slumps down slightly, and you can suddenly see how tired she is. ‘Thank you. And I really am so sorry about this!’

‘If you say sorry one more time,’ you inform her, as directions flash up, ‘I swear I will eat your half of the pizza.’

Emma’s **** giggle is sweet music to your ears as you peel out of the driveway.