Page 25 of Knots About You
Sighing, I looked at my sister, who’d gone all sincere.
‘I think I like her,’ I said, and the truth of it pained me enough that I looked away. ‘Which is something I haven’t felt in a while.’
Isla’s shoulders relaxed. ‘Then stop letting your past kick you about and go get her.’
‘It’s not that easy.’ I drained my glass before continuing. ‘She’s leaving. That’s the point. She’ll go. I’ll still be here.’
‘Are a few weeks of fun worse than no fun at all?’
It was becoming increasingly difficult to argue with myself against that thought.
‘Some of the best things in life are fleeting. Enjoy them while you can hold them, then if they go, appreciate that you had them for a while.’ Isla smiled as Kenny handed us both a fresh drink.
I thought about Claire. The way she’d demanded a kiss and the way I’d said no. Denying her had been physically painful. There was something in Claire that felt like standing by a fire after working in the cold all day.
‘She named a seagull.’
‘Named it what?’ Isla’s brow raised.
‘Trevor.’
Isla laughed. ‘You have a cat called Inspector Meowrse!’
‘I named him when I was in my Morse phase.’
Across the room, Kenny turned the music up, signalling the turn into evening, and the usual chatter rolled over us.
Isla tapped my knuckles. ‘I mean it. Don’t hurt her.’
‘I won’t.’ I paused. ‘She could hurt me.’
‘Just let her see the real you. Despite all your brotherly misgivings, she’d be lucky to have you.’ Isla’s glass made a wet ring on the wooden bar as she lifted it.
‘You’re very wise for someone who once cried because a hedgehog ignored her.’
‘It was a deep rejection.’ Isla placed her hand on her chest as if it had gravely offended her.
My phone buzzed.
Paint ready for the morning. See you at 12? — Claire
I fought a smile.
Isla saw and waggled her brows.
Finishing up my drink, I made my way outside, my eyes instantly fixing on the cute cottage where Claire stayed.
Quiet filled the square, only the distant crash of the sea and the muffled chatter from the pub.
It took a lot of restraint not to walk over and knock on her door, so I loitered outside the pub and messaged her back.
On it. I’ll bring the lunch.
Three dots.
Gone.
Three dots again.
