Page 16 of Bay of Plenty

She said goodbye and strode off.

On my solitary walk home, the dark ocean slammed shut like a glass wall. My main worry was that she might use her power to block me from getting information from the locals. I got that she was concerned about cultural sensitivities. But I needed to prove my parents were innocent and get a job. I might have destroyed what little friendship we had left, but that was the sacrifice I had to make.

Chapter Nine

From our sofa,Mum and I video-called Dad to tell him good night. He tried to fake cheerfulness, but he seemed tired. His voice was weak, as though he was far away. Fading.

Quiet and sad, we cleaned up. We fumbled a hug good night. I cuddled Fred, and he trotted behind Mum to bed.

Keeping an eye on Mum’s bedroom door, I searched the filing cabinet in the office nook close to the kitchen. The paper bank account records showed regular payments received from Big Wave Holdings for reasonable amounts. No red flags. Still, that only showed Snow wasn’t a complete idiot, not that he wasn’t doing anything illegal.

I slid open my bedroom door. Inside, it felt like something had disturbed the air. Like someone had been in here. Had I left my wardrobe door open like that? I was pretty messy, but I was sure I hadn’t.

Stop this.I was on edge, jet-lagged. I got ready and rolled into bed.

Lying in bed, I listened to the branches clawing at the bathroom window, like someone trying to get in.Help me, help me.I was imagining things again. I talked myself down and eventually fell asleep.

Clank!Bang!I jolted awake. I checked the time: 2:00 a.m.Was someone out there? I threw off my sheet. What was my plan if I encountered someone? I ran out into the cold night air to the garage and grabbed a piece of wood. I paused at the top of the driveway, gasping, searching around me. Across the road, a dark figure stalked into my view, looming large against the dark sky.

Chapter Ten

He was biggerand taller than me, and he was powering across the road.

Fear sliced through my lungs. I could barely breathe, but I willed my body into fight mode. Firing with adrenaline, I tore at him, raising the wood to give him a good hard whack.

“Stop,” the man yelled, shielding his face. “It’s me.”

His voice was so familiar. Hang on—who’s this? We both came to a halt. I looked up at him, peering closer in the moonlight. He stepped under the streetlamp. This man was clean-shaven with short brown hair and even features. And green eyes flecked with blue. Oh,thosegreen eyes. It was Declan. He’d shaved his beard and mustache and cut his hair. He looked alarmed, like he was still concerned I might hit him.

“Isla, do you see it’s me, Declan?” he pleaded, keeping an eye on my hand holding the plank of wood.

“Isla, what’s going on?” Mum was in her nightgown on the front deck. “Who’s that? I heard yelling. Shall I call the police?”

“Everything’s fine, Mum,” I called back. “You’re early,” I whispered to Declan.

“Sometimes we don’t have to take commercial air.” Was he being cocky?

Mum hurried over to us.

“You okay, Isla?” Mum plucked at her neckline.

“Brilliant,” I spluttered. “It’s Declan. My boyfriend.”

“Your what? Did you sayboyfriend?” She volleyed her head between us in confusion. In answer, Declan wrapped his arm firmly around my shoulders. Mum bounced on her heels. “Oh, a boyfriend. How lovely. Isla, you’re naughty for not telling me.”

“Sorry, I was going to, but he’s turned up early,” I said. It was hard to concentrate with his arm around me, heavy and warm across my shoulders. I ignored the zing it sent into my core. Probably the cold night air. “And I didn’t recognize him at first.” Mum looked puzzled. Declan slid his hand to my waist. I reeled from surprise and elbowed him in the side. “He cut off his long hair and shaved his beard.”

“I know you wanted me to,” Declan teased, rubbing his cheek against mine.

Oops, oh, that was a surprise. Okay, we’ve started. My cheek heated from his bristly nearness.

I turned to Mum. “Mum, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Declan.”

“Hello, Mrs.Joyson.” Declan held out his hand. “I’m so sorry to surprise you like this and wake you. And maybe the neighbors.”

“Oh, call me Joyce.” She swished a coy hand at him. “Everyone does.” She must have seen Declan’s questioning eyes. “Yes, I know,Joyce Joyson. It was meant to be.”

“And hello, you.” He blinked at me with a smile. “I’ve missed you.”

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