Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
IRIS
The car pulled up to the docks, where the familiar little car ferry bobbed on the waves. Archer pulled the car up alongside the short, wooden pier and looked at me. He didn’t say anything, but I knew from his expression what he was asking.
Was I sure I wanted to do this.
I nodded and reached over to put my hand on his. I could tell from the way his eyes looked into mine that if I said no right now, he’d drive me straight back up to the school, no questions asked.
I took comfort in that.
He nodded back, just once, and manoeuvred the car expertly along the pier – I felt the whole thing tremble under our weight – and onto the boat.
‘They really should invest in a less rickety pier,’ I joked.
‘I think they would if they could afford it, but I'm pretty sure I’m the only one keeping this ferry business afloat… pun intended.’ He smirked at me and I blushed.
‘I feel like I’m paying the operator's wage out of my own pocket with the amount I use this thing. It’s usually just me and the local fishermen, with the occasional transport truck taking supplies up to the school. I’m surprised we’ve not sunk yet.’
‘Do you commute every day?’ I asked.
‘Most days. Sometimes when it’s late I just crash in my office, but I much prefer to go home.’
‘Why is it that you don’t live on campus?’
He thought for a second. ‘Privacy, mostly. I like to keep my personal life separate from work.’ His eyes darted to me and the corners of his mouth tipped upward. ‘Usually.’
I fiddled with the buttons of my coat, looking around the ferry. I couldn’t help but remember the ghost of that fisherman throwing himself overboard. Could that have been how he died?
‘No one will see us, you know,’ Archer said quietly.
‘Oh, no, that’s not what I—’ I cut myself off. I swallowed hard. ‘The water just makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, that’s all… I trust you.’
He smiled at that. ‘I’m glad.’ He put the handbrake on and turned off the engine. ‘These waters make a lot of people feel that way.’
‘What do you mean?’
He shook his head and, before he could answer, the horn blew from up above and the ferry chugged to life.
As the ferry docked on the other side of the water, I realised I didn’t even know what was in store for tonight.
‘Where are we actually going?’ I asked sceptically.
Archer laughed, and it was the most beautiful noise I’d ever heard. Low and rumbling. ‘I’m honestly surprised it took you so long to ask. You really do trust me.’ He winked. ‘I’ll just show you.’
He restarted the engine, the headlights illuminating the docks.
As we drove, I noticed Stonewall still bore the same weary, dilapidated look that it had when I’d first arrived – cracked pavements, peeling paint, and shuttered windows.
Yet this time, something seemed different. A subtle warmth clung to the streets that wasn’t there last time…
Maybe it had, and I just hadn’t noticed – too apprehensive about what was to come to see it clearly.
Peering out of the car window, I saw that a few buildings glowed amber from behind drawn curtains.
A small shop appeared to still be open, its faint light spilling onto the cobblestones, a handful of townsfolk lingering inside.
We turned a corner, and suddenly I heard it.
‘Is that…?’ I whispered.
‘Music?’ he chuckled, a note of amusement in his voice. ‘Yes. It is.’
The sound was warm and hearty, floating towards us on the breeze. As we grew closer, notes of laughter joined in, ringing out in bursts.
We turned one last corner into what appeared to be the town square, and there, bathed in the warm glow of lanterns and the soft flicker of candlelight, stood a quaint pub. The wooden sign above the door read, “The Sleeping Fox”, and it was swaying slightly in the wind.
The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread drifted into the street, mingling with the faint tang of smoke, maybe from a hearth inside. Laughter and the soft clink of glasses spilled out from the open windows.
This place was such a stark contrast from the rest of the town. It seemed almost magical in comparison. I turned to Archer.
‘Please tell me that’s where we’re going?’
His expression softened into something like relief, before his lips tugged up into a small smile. ‘That’s where we’re going.’
I found myself in a hurry to get out of the car – despite the torrential rain – and as a result I clumsily stumbled out into the square, Archer’s laughter coming from behind me.
He emerged from the car, standing tall, and I took him in properly for the first time that night.
I was too distracted back on the island… but now…
Fuck… he was beautiful.
His hair was slicked back, his skin pale in the moonlight but full of warmth. His eyes were piercing, matching the stormy clouds above us. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he saw me staring, a smile blooming across his features, and I melted. He stretched one hand towards me in offering.
‘Shall we?’
I rounded the car and placed my hand in his. ‘Lead the way,’ I said.
The moment Archer pushed open the heavy wooden door, a wave of warmth washed over us.
The pub was large but cosy, with low beams stretching across the ceiling.
A crackling hearth was situated on the far wall, emitting a soft, golden glow.
Patrons sat at the round tables throughout, chatting and laughing in small clusters.
It was busy, and I panicked for a second before I realised Archer was right.
There was no one we knew here – just as he’d said.
‘Locke!’ a booming voice called out. ‘I was starting to think you’d taken your business elsewhere.
’ It came from the bartender – a handsome, broad-shouldered man with a welcoming face framed by a wild black beard.
He was probably in his early forties. His eyes crinkled with warmth as he spotted us, and he gave a nod.
Archer confidently entwined his fingers in mine and started across the room.
‘Hey, man,’ he said, his tone lighter than I was used to.
‘Yeah, I know – I’m sorry. I’ve either been getting home too late or stuck at the school overnight.
’ He pulled a seat out for me at the bar and smiled.
‘But I’ll make it up to you,’ he added, leaning casually against the counter.
‘I’ll buy double tonight. Does that sound fair?
’ He smirked at the guy. ‘Two glasses of red, mate.’
The man smiled widely, already reaching for the glasses. ‘Now that’s more like it.’ He nodded and got busy preparing the drinks.
‘Thank you,’ I said to Archer.
‘Don’t thank me yet… Keir’s nuts.’
I laughed as the bartender reappeared with our drinks. He slid one across to Archer, then placed my glass down with a dramatic flourish. ‘And who, may I ask, is this fine lass?’ I caught the faint lilt of a Scottish accent in his words.
Archer shook his head, but his grin was impossibly wide. ‘This is Iris. She’s new to town.’
‘Well, how lovely! I’m sorry for your loss.’
‘Oh – uh, excuse me?’ I asked, hesitantly.
‘Oh, y’know, the loss of sunshine!’ He chuckled deeply. ‘I hope you like the rain. And if you don’t… Well, then, sorry.’
I laughed, picking up my glass. ‘I’ve gotten pretty used to it,’ I said honestly. ‘Besides, I’m too pale for sunshine, anyway.’
Keir smacked the table and chuckled again. ‘Ha!’ He turned to Archer. ‘I like her,’ he said, and then wandered off to serve another customer.
I looked at Archer and found him already looking at me, an expression I couldn’t quite place hovering over his features. ‘What is it?’ I asked.
‘Nothing,’ he said.
I frowned. ‘Tell me.’
That made him smile. He paused for a second before saying, ‘You’re really beautiful.’ My cheeks heated immediately and I looked down into my lap. Noticing, he said, ‘You’re not very good at taking compliments, you know that?’
I looked back up. ‘Just not used to it, I guess.’
‘Well, get used to it.’ He put two fingers on my chin and lifted my head to face him. ‘You’re beautiful,’ he repeated. He pushed back his bar stool and stood. ‘Let’s go and find a table.’
I nodded and followed him over to a secluded corner by the hearth.
I was still cold from the rain, so I appreciated the warmth.
He shrugged off his jacket and indicated for me to do the same.
He took it from me, disappearing for a second to hang them on the rack by the door.
When he returned, we sat down and he raised his wine glass.
‘What are we owing our cheers to?’ I asked.
‘Us,’ he said simply.
Our glasses clinked together, muffled slightly by the sounds around us, and we both drank deeply.