Chapter Seventeen
‘I’m just so proud of you, Claire!’ Mia hugs me for the fifth time this evening, holding her soapy, suddy hands at an awkward angle.
Although she’s been at the house all day, she’s also had a hefty stream of students popping in and out, so it’s ten past six when we actually get to catch up and I can tell her my news, while she’s tackling the dishes.
‘I knew things would work out for you!’ she tells me. ‘You’re going to kill it at Cassi Queen.’
‘Well, it’s only a trial, to see if I actually can do all the things I claimed I can.’ I pick at my nails, suddenly all modest and shy.
‘You’ll knock it out of the park, I know you will.’
Cheeks rosy with pride, I bow my head. ‘Thanks, hun.’
‘Maybe we should go out and celebrate this week? What about Petals?’
My eyes widen at the suggestion. Petals is the fanciest restaurant in town, and I haven’t been there since things between Jerry and I went belly up.
‘I’m not sure Penny will eat anything off their menu, to be honest.’ I’m lying through my teeth, years of fine dining with me and her dad have honed Penny’s young palate, besides, she’ll eat anywhere so long as they do fish and chips, which of course, every eatery in this seaside town has some iteration of. But I can’t bear the thought of going back to that restaurant, not just yet. ‘But we should definitely do something.’
‘What about tonight?’
I stiffen, unsure how to respond. I’d made secret plans in my mind to meet up with Noah this evening, not that I’ve actually asked him yet, but I just have to show him my siren research. I’ve compiled reams of notes together and packed them in my handbag, ready for our moonlight rendezvous. That is, if he agrees to it, and if I can divert Mia from making plans of her own.
‘Not tonight,’ I finally reply, ‘and I hate to ask, but do you mind keeping an eye on Penny this evening? Only for an hour or so.’
‘Of course I don’t mind, she’s great company!’ She eyes me with a suspicious smile. ‘Why? What are you up to tonight?’
‘Nothing really, just going to meet a friend.’
‘Which friend?’
‘It doesn’t matter, you don’t know them, anyway.’
‘Claire, I know of all your friends,’ she reminds me. ‘Why are you being so coy?’
‘I’m not!’
‘Oh, yes you are!’
‘Look, this isn’t a panto, okay? Just leave it, Mia.’
‘Alright, no need to get huffy.’ She goes back to the washing up, but then she gives me a sideways glance. ‘You’re … you’re not meeting Jerry, are you?’
‘Jerry?’I spit out sardonic laughter. ‘As if. The man couldn’t give a toss about me. Besides, he’s all the way in Liverpool.’
‘Okay, okay, just thought I’d ask. What sort of mate would I be if I didn’t look out for you, eh?’
After I check in on Penny, who’s happily watching a princess video in the living room, I tap out a quick text to Noah.
Are you free? There’s something I want to show you.
My phone pings back almost instantly. See you at the lighthouse.
Grinning at the screen like an idiot, I double-check the siren notes are still my handbag and scurry along to the lighthouse. It’s sort of becoming our secret meeting spot, clandestine and secluded and comforting in its own quiet, dormant sort of way. When we’re up there, I feel as though we’re in our own little world, away from the troubles of real life and everyone down below in the town. Up there, I can just … be.
When I arrive, Noah is already waiting. He’s dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt just tight enough to showcase the contours of his abs, and I have to avert my gaze to keep myself from blushing. Honestly, I was led to believe historians were geeky guys with bad hair and smeary glasses, but this guy is making me question everything I knew!
‘So, what is it you wanted to show me?’ he asks.
As I cross the small chamber I reach into my bag, the papers rustling. ‘Well, I was in the library the other day, looking through books about local legends, and I started to come up with a theory. What if … what if Henry was taken by the siren?’
His mouth hangs open for a moment before he bursts into peals of laughter so raucous, he doubles over, hands resting on his knees. ‘What?’
‘I’m serious. I’ve been doing all this research, look!’ I shove the papers under his nose.
He quirks an amused brow. ‘Now who believes in ghost stories?’
‘Just read it!’
Though those blue-green eyes of his are rolling, Noah leafs through the pile of papers, and to my satisfaction, he gets increasingly more engrossed with each page turn.
‘Wow, you’ve got loads of stuff here!’ He sifts through my notes, then turn to me, his expression softening. ‘You know, I really appreciate this. Sorry if it seemed like I was making fun of you.’
‘It’s okay, I know it all sounds a little crazy, but hey, it might make your book more interesting if you add a supernatural element to it.’ I stumble to correct myself. ‘Not that it was going to be boring! I just meant - ’
‘I know what you meant.’ A warm smile twinkles in his eyes. ‘It’s really cool of you to help me out.’
Praying my cheeks aren’t betraying me by turning red, I shrug. ‘Well, it gave me something to do. Plus, it was actually a lot of fun. I haven’t studied like that since uni!’
‘You’ve definitely got a good work ethic, no denying that.’
‘Speaking of work, I actually have some pretty great news.’ Joy radiates through me as I beam up at him. ‘A local fashion designer who I’ve admired since her first collection dropped is offering me a trial for a part-time job, isn’t that wonderful?’
‘Oh, Claire!’ He pulls me into a hug that literally sweeps me off my feet. ‘That’s amazing!’
My cheek is pressed against his neck and I breathe in the fresh sea-salty scent of his cologne. It’s intoxicating, as strange and beautiful as the sea itself.
‘Look,’ Noah’s voice is barely above a whisper, and it tickles my ear, ‘it’s a full moon tonight.’
Side by side, we gaze out of the window, bathed in the gentle glow of the moonlight. The sky is studded with stars, like shining ships atop an ocean of inky blue. Without warning, Noah’s hand strokes my arm, forcing every little hair on my body to stand to attention. I’d assumed it was an accidental touch, until his fingers slowly begin to travel down my forearm and find mine, where they attempt to lace together.
As if his skin has turned to flame, I yank my hand away, stumbling backwards in my haste.
‘Are you alright?’ he asks, concerned.
‘Yeah.’ Desperately searching for my resolve, I pace back towards the door. ‘It’s just I - I better head on out.’
‘Oh.’ Disappointment floods his face, though he tries to disguise it. ‘You have to get back to Penny, right?’
‘Right. I’ll … I’ll see you around, Noah.’
‘I hope so.’
I’m in such a rush to leave, it’s a wonder I don’t trip and fall straight down the spiral staircase. My head is spiraling too, and my palms are so sweaty that I have to try the creaky door several times before I manage to get to grips with the handle. When I finally escape the old building, I’m grateful for the crisp, night air as it kisses my flushed face.
I know that look in his eyes, the gentle caress of his fingertips, the soft yet decisive tone of his voice. I was never all that good at puzzles, but it doesn’t take a genius to riddle this one out.
Noah is into me.
A flurry of butterflies flutters around my stomach, making me feel both thrilled and nauseous all at once.
How can I even consider being attracted to another man, when Jerry and I haven’t even discussed divorce yet? Come to think of it, we haven’t discussed anything since he left. And more importantly, what about Penny? This situation is difficult and painful enough without me bringing a new complicated element into the mix. I can’t just toss a new man into her life, not while everything is so in flux. Much as I’d like to, I just can’t.
Sighing, I turn my back on the lighthouse. I guess I’m just going to have to let it go.