Chapter 1 #2
My heart does a double somersault as my gaze skims past a half-fastened belt buckle over the faded blue of his unbuttoned shirt and a chin roughened with stubble. Our eyes meet with a jolt.
‘Lando?’ I say the name, but it comes out as a whisper.
I’ve no idea why there’s a question in my voice either when there isn’t any doubt at all.
My brother Salvador’s loaded best mate practically lived with us for the whole of senior school, and is entirely responsible for Salvador’s lavish tastes and extravagant ambitions.
When they headed off to Australia together without a backward glance it nearly broke Mum’s heart.
And then they argued, and Lando left Salvador on his own, thousands of miles from home – so there’s already a lot not to like here, before we get onto the worst part.
That one amazing night that led to Nemmie?
Lando Nancarrow was the man I spent it with.
Who’d have thought one over-enthusiastic goodbye hug after his going away party would end up with such lifelong ramifications, especially when we’d taken all the precautions.
Obviously I should have told Lando I was expecting his baby, but as it wasn’t a normal pregnancy, there wasn’t any lead time.
When Nemmie arrived unexpectedly, Lando had already slipped off grid on the other side of the world.
By the time I resurfaced from my own struggles and he had signal again, there were a lot more reasons to keep my secret than there were to tell him.
In the few seconds I held Nemmie in my arms before she was whisked away to special care, I realised no one could know about me and Lando, and apart from Tia, that’s how it’s stayed. Tia’s imperceptible raise of an eyebrow and her hand reaching for mine now remind me why I shared.
With so many complications, my feelings of guilt for keeping it from Lando are off-the-scale.
I promised myself that as soon as I saw him face to face, I’d be able to gauge the risks better and make a decision based on that, but he never came.
Then as time went on, it felt that fate had taken control.
I often played out in my head what I’d do if I ever bumped into him, but I never imagined I’d freeze.
His rage has mellowed to a frown. ‘Maeve! I sail the boat I’m delivering into St Aidan, and here you are! What the hell are you doing marrying someone else? You always said you’d marry me!’
‘What did you just say?’ I’m picking my jaw up off the floor, because that’s not true. Our night together was short. With him and Salvador heading off on the adventure of a lifetime and me staying exactly where I was, we barely mentioned the next day, let alone the next decade.
What’s more, him popping up in St Aidan at daybreak on a Saturday morning now is the worst news for me. I need him to leave town as fast as he’s arrived. That’s the only way my life as I know it can continue.
Then it hits me. He’s not serious. ‘Haha, good joke.’
He swallows hard. ‘Sorry. I’ll try that again. Congratulations, is the lucky guy anyone I know?’ Then his frown deepens as his eyes fall on Tia’s fingers twisting through mine in solidarity. ‘One more go. You’re marrying a woman! Spectacular! I did not see that one coming!’
I hold my hand up. ‘No, Lando! No, to all of it.’
He shakes his head. ‘Your mum’s favourite song, two gorgeous bridal dresses? If that’s not a sure sign, you’ll have to fill in the blanks for me, Maevey Wavey.’
First things first. ‘No one calls me that. Not anymore.’
His lips twist. ‘You’ve stuck with the same dance moves, why not the name too when it suits you so much?’
It’s the same teasing tone that used to drive me wild as a kid, that same diversion from the main subject to distract me.
And of course he has all the insider knowledge, because he was there.
Salvador and I used to fight over everything, and Lando would be a constant in the background, doing his good-cop-bad-cop routine, pretending to stand up for me but still mocking me enough to keep Sav on side.
I shiver to think of those awful years when I’d woken up to how hot Lando was, me desperate to be noticed, yet knowing he was entirely off-limits.
I mean, it doesn’t get any more sad, hopeless or ridiculous than lusting after your older brother’s best mate when you’re fourteen and they’re eighteen and playing the field.
And if you finally grow old enough to jump them and accidentally have their baby but don’t tell them about it, there’s no coming back from that.
I need to wind this up fast and get off the harbour.
‘If you let me get a word in, Lando, I’ll explain.’
He gives a shrug. ‘Whatever you say, Wavey Maeve.’
I don’t rise to that. ‘There are no brides, no weddings, just me and the same best friend I’ve always had who you must remember.’ I loosen my fingers and flop my hand on her shoulder. ‘Tia works at the wedding shop up the hill, and we’re filming content for the socials.’
‘That’s all?’ His eyes widen, then he frowns again. ‘Aren’t those dresses too good for dragging over mackerel nets?’
That’s the bit I’d rather not think about. ‘That’s why we chose from the least pricey end of the rail. And why we’re being super-careful.’
He raises one sardonic eyebrow. ‘Good you’ve got that covered. I’ve always been told wedding dresses cost more than houses.’
What happens next is one of those nightmare moments, where my actions completely contradict what I’ve just said.
I have no idea why I was trying to stick my thigh through the skirt slit in the first place, even less idea why the exhibitionist in me took over and did a half kick that exposes my entire leg.
All I know is, it completely unbalances me and before I know it, I’m twisting through the air into a dramatic diagonal plunge, and the boardwalk is rushing towards me.
Luckily for me, Lando leaps forwards and breaks my fall. It’s the kind of move they spend all week perfecting on Strictly; I end up upside down in a full lunge in his arms, staring into eyes that are dancing with amusement.
He seems to be biting his lip to hold back his laughter. ‘Nice move, Maevey, way better than the “hello” hug I was about to suggest.’
When he gently eases me back to vertical again, I know better than to accept the hand he’s offering and instead take a large step away from him.
I tuck any escaping bits back into the scoop-neck of my dress, and send Tia an eye roll. ‘Great to bump into you, Lando, but we’d best push on and beat the crowds.’
Lando grins around the deserted harbourside. ‘I understand. Films to make, places to be.’
I pull in my stomach, lift my chin high, and fix my gaze on a point above the rooftops of the cottages across the quay.
With my boobs back in order all I want now is to make a smooth exit, so Lando’s lasting impression is a good one.
Ideally when he thinks about me for the next ten years it’ll be as a sharp, stylish woman who has her shit together.
As I stride to pass him his voice rings out. ‘Careful, Maevey, mind the—’
There’s a strange sensation as my body moves forwards but my foot bangs against something hard and stays where it is.
I teeter on my heels, throw my weight backwards to find my balance point but somehow overdo it, and end up toppling.
Lando’s hands are coming towards me, but this time I’m tipping backwards too fast for him to reach me.
A second later, I’m arcing backwards towards the water, arms outstretched, thanking my lucky star it’s high tide.
There’s a loud smack as I hit the surface and half the contents of the harbour fly upwards as I plummet downwards. The freezing water forces every bit of breath out of my body.
As I claw my way back through the murk to the surface, there’s another tidal wave, and as I reach to grab the boardwalk, Lando’s head bobs up beside mine.
You’d think that when I’ve just fallen in the harbour my heart couldn’t sink any lower, but it has now.
Tia’s still on the gangplanks, calling down to us as she dabs the splashes on her satin skirt. ‘It might be easier if you swim to the wall and climb up the ladder.’
I drag myself up onto the cobbles in clinging transparent silk hoping to hide behind a few pearls and seaweed strands.
Then Lando hauls himself out, his tanned, wet skin shining as he rubs his muscles.
I let my eyes follow the trail of hair from his navel down to the waistband of his pants before I yank my eyes away.
It could have been worse. At least he kept his boxers on.
He squeezes my arm as he heads off towards his boat again. ‘Good thing you chose the cheap dress. An expensive one might have been totally ruined. Can I offer you a towel?’
There’s nothing I’d like more, but as I don’t want to stay a second longer, I call after him, ‘We’re okay. The shop’s not far.’
Which reminds me there are bigger problems than him.
‘How will we break it to Jess?’ I’m cursing myself for ever leaving the shop. ‘It would have taken months of bingo calling to cover the cost of this dress.’
Tia stares down at the streaks on her own silk gown. ‘If we caught all that on camera, Jess may yet forgive us.’
I squeeze the tripod legs together and tuck it under my arm. ‘I have no idea how you can stay so chilled in the face of so much devastation.’
She pulls me into a hug. ‘You’ve probably had enough shocks for one day, but there might be a surprise for you back at the shop.’
I give a shiver. ‘So long as it’s not Lando-shaped, bring it on!’ I blow out a sigh. ‘And yay! For what we’ve just survived! Let’s hope that’s the last we’ll see of him.’
Even though I’m definitely not watching him, I sense a movement on the boat, and freeze as I take in the unfolding scene. ‘He’s got a woman on there with him.’
Tia pulls a face. ‘Regardless of his opening line, it shouldn’t be a surprise he’s taken. Given how hot and loaded he is.’
‘Right.’ Of course he will be. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re totally incompatible, and then there’s the humungous pile of baggage between us. Not talking about Nemmie herself, obviously, but about the inevitable retribution if the truth came out now.
Tia gives me a shove along the cobbles. ‘Your teeth are chattering, we’d better go.’
As we make our way up the narrow winding hill past Crusty Cobs bakery, Tia gives me one of her searching stares, and I say what we’re both thinking. ‘If Lando Nancarrow is back in town for any more than a fleeting visit, regardless of his status, I’m in big trouble.’
I can’t believe how much difference half an hour can make. When we wandered down to the harbour earlier, I was carefree and happy, and now look at me!