Page 64 of The Rebound
My leg no longer stinging but definitely itchy, I dress quickly, grateful for my dry clothes as the late April evening grows cool. Rory’s waiting for me beside the car and I help him carry a box of food and a few beers through the long grass of the dunes and into the hidden but not really hidden section of beach on the other side.
This stretch of sand is small and only accessible through the awkward trek we’re making now. With no lifeguards and nothing obvious to tell you it’s there, the tourists don’t use it and it’s avoided too by locals, too small and patchy compared to the bigger beach. But it’s perfect for times like this with the tide slowly drifting out and the sun still lingering.
“Is this the beach they’re selling off?” I ask.
Rory frowns. “I didn’t hear that.”
“That’s Castlebay,” a voice says behind me. I turn to see a short, stocky man carrying an armful of driftwood. “It’s about a mile south of here. Thanks,” he adds as I take some of the sticks. “Nice to see you again, Abby.”
“You remember Sean,” Rory says.
“I do. Hi.”
“Luke told me you were back,” Sean says.
“Just for a visit.”
We reach the fire, dumping the wood in a small pile. “My boyfriend, Harry,” he introduces, gesturing to the man sitting cross-legged beside Sinead in front of the fire. “Who’s put himself in charge of the beer rather than doing something useful.”
“The beer doesn’t give you splinters,” Harry says. “And it’s nice to meet you.”
“What’s this about Castlebay?” Rory asks.
“Louise says they want to build a hotel there,” I explain. “Privatize the beach.”
“You’re joking! I love that beach.”
Sinead rolls her eyes. “When was the last time you were even there?”
“That’s not the point. The point is I should be able to go back whenever I want. I pay my taxes.”
I leave them to argue as Beth appears through the grass, carrying a picnic basket with one hand and dragging a gym bag with the other.
“Thank you,” she says when I jog over to help. “That walk is harder than it looks.”
I grab the spare handle, grunting at its weight. “What do you have in here?”
“Luke insisted we bring water,” she says. “Ever the adult.”
“One of us has to be,” Luke says, coming up behind us. He trades me a stack of beach towels, taking the bag with ease and I try not to stare at him. Try not to stare and remember the feel of his hands, or the way he looked at me when he—
“You okay?” he asks.
“Uh-huh!”
We both pause at the overly enthusiastic noise that comes out of my mouth but Beth saves the day with a dramatic groan as she drops the bag.
“My fingers hurt,” she says, taking the towels from me. “I’ll let you have the first pick of sandwiches,” she promises, and heads to the bonfire before I can stop her.
“I’ve got it,” Luke sighs, hoisting it up again.
“It’s okay.” I take the other side before he can, balancing it awkwardly between us. “I’m secretly very strong.”
“All that tree climbing?”
“That’s me.”
He smiles as we walk toward the others, our feet sinking into the soft sand.
