Page 73 of Harbor Lights

Shiv led the two children back into the room, followed by the tall figure of Joey.

Denny ran over to Con waving a large paper bag. “We brought you panny choc-lits.”

“Ooh, my favorite, thank you. Let’s get some plates.” She led the children to the kitchen area.

“Donotlet them get their sticky little mitts on that pastry. Kasia will kill us if we wreck this place.” Joey eyed Denny before turning to Shiv.

“Good to see you back on your feet. You feeling okay?”

“Yeah, thanks. Much better.”

Con watched her stand awkwardly for a moment, one arm clasping the other.

“I’m sorry if I made things worse yesterday.” Shiv scratched at her elbow but kept her gaze on Joey. “I just saw that kid in the water, and I thought if I didn’t do something, he’d drown.”

Joey shook their head. “No, I understand why you acted. And you probably did save his life. The idiots got bored at their family holiday gathering and decided to steal a fishing boat from the harbor. It could’ve ended very badly. It was just scary seeing you there in the water, with no life jacket. And knowing what could’ve happened. I’m sorry I shouted.”

Shiv smiled. “I don’t really remember much.”

Joey scooped her into a hug, which she returned with equal ferocity.

“Well, when you’re feeling up to it, there’s a bunch of very grateful parents who want to thank you.”

Con arranged the pastries on a plate. “Come and sit down. Joey, do you want tea?”

“I’ve got to get back.” Joey scooped up Pegeen in one arm and pulled a bag of white crystals from their pocket. “Kasia said you asked for these.”

“Ah, thank you.” Con shook the bag at Shiv. “Epsom salts. A bath with these should help your leg.”

“She said to tell you to stay here as long as you want, Shiv. Don’t rush back up to the cliffs.”

“I’ll go up and thank her later.” Shiv sat and picked up a pastry. “And, please, thank Marianne for these.”

Joey waved and shooed Denny ahead of them through the door, leaving Con and Shiv alone.

Shiv chewed on her pain au chocolat. “Does Marianne never stop?”

“She loves to cook. And her job has her in front of the camera a lot more now, so I think when she has downtime, it’s hard to get her out of the kitchen.”

“She’s running a cookie baking workshop for the kids in the Waterside kitchen over the holidays. I don’t get it, if I’m honest. Making a big deal of food. Just eat what you must to stay healthy. That’s the point of nutrition.”

Con thought not eating for enjoyment was a little sad. “You seem to be enjoying that pastry just fine.”

Shiv looked down at it. “It tastes amazing, but my breakfast shake would’ve been healthier.”

“Perhaps life is better when you mix the two.” She should listen to her own advice. Too much skipping breakfast and grabbing evening meals in the Harbor Bar had contributed to her current unfit state.

“Maybe you should help out with the cookies. Learn a new skill.”

Shiv quirked an eyebrow. “It’s not a skill I’m likely to need in the future, is it?”

A weight descended on Con. The future would take Shiv away from Inishderry—away from her. She’d go back to wandering the beach alone. She enjoyed Shiv’s company far too much; she needed to wean off it.

She jumped up and checked her watch. “Right. I’m going to run you a bath, then leave you to rest. I need to get back. I haven’t unpacked from my trip yet.”

Shiv blinked away an unreadable expression, then nodded. “Yeah, sorry. I forgot you only came over for a quick visit and got stuck here.”

“I’m glad I got here when I did. Otherwise, you’d have woken up this morning in the University Hospital.”

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