Chapter 13 #3
‘Wow.’ This brings me up short. Married?
Wow. She must be a year or two younger than me.
But then I guess she’s not in a goldfish bowl where the rags are announcing your upcoming nuptials every time you meet a guy for brunch, or telling the world you’re pregnant just because you’re a bit bloated after a big breakfast. ‘Would you get married in the church at Pencross?’ As a child I thought that would be the most beautiful place to get married.
It brings me up short not knowing if Kit married Jessica there.
I think that would be the final crack in my damaged heart if they did.
‘No. He’s a druid.’ She snorts a laugh at my expression, which I’d imagined was one of those alarmed but composed faces I’ve pulled many times over the years.
Normally on a readthrough of a full script for the first time and I realise it’s utter shit, but the contracts are signed, ink dry. ‘Kidding.’
I roll my eyes but then look up to see we are already at the cottage. I can’t remember the last time I had a real conversation. Only with Piper, and let’s be honest, she’s normally scheduling and multitasking as we do.
We reach the gate, which gives its welcoming creak, and I’m relieved to see the cottage still standing, although what I’ll find inside, who knows.
‘Thanks for the escort,’ I tell Nina, and I really do mean it.
I try to smile in a way that doesn’t make me look desperate for a friend. ‘Maybe see you tonight.’
‘Rest that foot!’ she calls, waving as she heads back towards the village.
I’ve barely made it to the door when the sound of feet catches my attention.
Someone running. Fast. Instantly I think it’s paps.
My retreat of solitude is over. But turning, I spot Kit jogging up the lane, his cheeks a little pink, along with the tip of his nose.
His wild waves of hair are windblown and tangled.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ he demands, slowing down at the gate and striding towards me. From the corner of my eye I see Nina slink away. I feel like asking her to take me with her.
‘Going home?’ I suggest, gesturing to the cottage I’ve safely made it to.
‘You walked. On that foot.’ His voice is tight with something that sounds suspiciously like concern disguised as anger.
‘I’m fine,’ I say. ‘It’s feeling much better today. And anyway, you said,’—I’m getting louder, the back of my neck prickling with heat—‘“She’ll be fine.” See, I’m fine.’ My eyebrows must be in my hairline. Well, they would be if my Botox allowed it.
He runs a hand through his hair, fingers snagging on tangles. ‘Isla, for fuck’s sake, that’s not what I—’
‘What you meant? Well, Kit, lesson here. Things sound the way you want them to. Maybe think on that.’
‘I didn’t think I needed to offer. I assumed you had enough sense not to hike around on an injured foot. I only took Maisie to school and got some nails for the roof from Cal.’
‘Well, I made it, didn’t I? And I’d hardly call that hiking.’ I jangle my keys pointedly as I turn and glance back down the lane to the house with the fish knocker. I can’t deal with this, his moodiness, the whiplash of emotions. ‘And nails for what roof?’
‘I’m fixing your roof.’ He says it like it’s obvious.
‘Yeah. No.’ In my head Maggie is telling me off for not using my manners. Funny how her voice is back so strong here in Sea Salt Bay; in London, or New York, LA, she always seemed so far away, I never had her voice echoing as clear as a bell. ‘Thanks.’ Sorry, Maggie. But he’s being a jerk.
‘Someone has to,’ he snaps. ‘Unless you’re planning to sleep under an umbrella.’
‘I can hire someone,’ I say. I’d fold my arms, but I’m using one hand to balance one-legged. I really do need to get off this bloody foot, and right now Kit Harding is standing between me and the damp couch I can sit on.
Kit barks out a laugh. ‘You’ve forgotten where you are, princess. No one will be able to fix that for at least a week.’
I open my mouth to retort when I spot Nina lingering at the bottom of the path, watching our exchange. She gives us both a cheerful wave when she notices me looking. ‘Don’t let me interrupt!’ she calls, grinning. ‘Just heading back to the café!’
Kit turns, noticing her for the first time, and his scowl deepens. ‘Great,’ he mutters. ‘Now the whole village will be talking.’
‘You don’t like Nina?’ I ask before I can stop myself.
He meets my gaze, shoulders rolling a little, because being so close to me is obviously putting him on edge. Go me. ‘I love Nina.’
I find myself holding my breath, desperate to know anything he might think or feel that isn’t tied up in bows of scowling grumpiness. He doesn’t continue. ‘And…’
‘I don’t love so much that her café is Gossip Central while the whole town gets their sugar and caffeine fix.
Everyone will know you’ve been at mine within the half hour.
Including Jude, and then I’ll never hear the bloody end of it.
’ His teeth clamp shut, a little grinding of his molars.
Wow. He really doesn’t want to be seen with me.
‘I’m guessing I’m the last person you’d want to be gossiped about with.’
A flicker chases across his face, but then he says, ‘Let’s just get this over with,’ and pushes past me towards the door.