Page 1 of Love on the Island

Chapter 1

Whenthemajor achievement of your day is not having a substantial meltdown, and you can’t even manage that, you have to wonder if teaching is all it is cracked up to be. And when you turn to your boyfriend for a shoulder to cry on, and he more or less says he’d rather rot in prison than continue the relationship a second longer, questions need to be asked, soul-searching needs to occur.

I drive straight home from school, relieved to see my twin, Lois, is waiting for me on the sofa, remote control in hand.

‘How come you’re so late?’ she asks. I take one look at her kind, concerned face and burst into tears.

She leaps up, drawing me into a warm hug. ‘I knew it! They’ve done it again, haven’t they? You’ve been stuck in that dead-end school on a zero-hours contract for years, and now they’re letting you go, just so they don’t have to pay you over the summer. It’s outrageous!’ She is livid. She holds me at arm’s length. ‘I forbid you to go back to that hideous Victorian workhouse, ever again.’

‘But what about the poor kids?’ I say, wiping my cheeks with the palms of my hands. ‘They’ll be devastated if –’

‘FUCK THE KIDS!’ she bellows. ‘Who cares about the FUCKING kids?’

We take a beat to let this land. Lois is a paediatric nurse; caring about kids is pretty much her bread and butter.

‘Libby, I hate to see you slaving away night after night. They’re always giving you extra classes, extra responsibilities, all without extra pay or a permanent contract. You need to learn how to stand up for yourself.’

‘But that’s not the only reason I’m upset.’

She sighs knowingly. ‘It’s Arrogant bloody Josh, isn’t it?’

For a caregiver, her attitude to people can be a little brusque, but unfortunately, she is spot on. I show her the text he sent me earlier.

‘I think we should put a pin in the relationship,’ Lois reads aloud. ‘Circle back in a few months maybe?’

The words scrape across my heart.

‘Maybe?’ she gasps, staring at me. ‘Maybe? Like he’s only willing to get back with youifhe’s desperate and can’t find anyone else. He’s such an arrogant prick. I knew this was coming.’

I nod glumly as a fresh stream of tears dampen my cheeks. A tingle of fear crawls up my spine as I read between the lines. ‘Is this because he thinks I’m boring? Is that it?’

‘No! Of course not.’

‘It is, isn’t it?’ I check my phone to see if Josh has sent me another message. He hasn’t.

‘No,’ Lois warns. ‘Do not keep checking to see if he has messaged you. Don’t give him any more of your precious time or headspace, or you’ll end up with high blood pressure.’

Living with a health professional has its drawbacks; you are constantly measured against World Health Organisation parameters.

‘Libby, you are far too good for him anyway. Let him go. He’s never been right for you. Do not reply.’

Living with a health professional who is also your overly protective twin sister, conversely, has its benefits. She is the best cheerleader anyone could hope for.

‘I know it hurts now, Libs, but perhaps this break up is exactly what you need. Between Josh and the school, you had what youwanted,’ she says, pausing dramatically, ‘but not what youneeded. You’ve been stuck in reverse.’

I take a moment to process.

‘Is that Coldplay?’ I ask. ‘Are you Chris Martin, right now? Are you trying to fix me?’

‘Yes. Yes, I am.’ There’s a twinkle in her eye as she does namaste hands. She knows I’ve always carried a torch for nice, kind-hearted global superstars. ‘You have the whole summer to explore what life has to offer. Travel. Be spontaneous. Date men who aren’t self-obsessed and married to their own reflections.’

‘I’m hardly much of a catch. I’m single, unemployed and when you get married next year, I’ll be homeless,’ I say, sniffing up the rest of my tears. ‘Besides, you know the most adventurous thing I’ve done this year is buy an air fryer. I’m hardly the spontaneous type.’

‘You’re not unemployed, you’re between jobs and you’re not soon-to-be homeless because you can stay here for as long as you want.’ She sweeps a hand casually round the cosy living room and its homely sage green walls and handmade colourful furnishings. ‘But you’re right, it wouldn’t hurt you to be more spontaneous once in a while.’

‘Maybe this is why Josh wants to take a break. He thinks I’m not spontaneous or exciting. Maybe what we actually needismoretime together, not apart.’ My mind begins whirring with possibilities of a romantic reunion. This whole thing could even be a cry for help. A last attempt from Josh to get my full attention. Like an over-looked middle child constantly singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' while simultaneously tap dancing on the dining room table and doing magic tricks, desperate for parental affection. From his point of view my job is very demanding. My marking piles are very high.

‘No, please. I’m begging you. Have nothing more to do with him. He really doesn’t deserve someone as lovely as you.’

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