Page 93 of Just Do It
His smile was back in place as he replied. ‘You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.’
I rolled my eyes in the shadows.The only one that enjoyed it was you, Finn.
‘Night, darling,’ Dad said, giving me a hug. ‘You going to be OK?’ he whispered as he did so.
I tightened the hug in answer before we parted, his eyes on mine. He gave a small nod and let go.
‘Night, Mum.’ I gave her a hug too and they quickly made their way out of the cold into the snug warmth of the house leaving Finn and I alone.
The icy wind whipped in off the inky black sea, breakers smashing loud and angry against the cliffs below. It was a moonless night and everything felt bleak, dark and tense. And not just in the landscape. Finn shoved his hands deeper into the pockets of his knee-length, tailored wool coat.
‘I’m assuming we’re having a conversation about something. Or are we just out here freezing our arses off for fun?’ His tone was almost as cold as the weather.
‘What the hell is up with you tonight?’
‘I could ask the same about you?’
‘I was fine until you took us to a restaurant where you’re apparently treated like a God and everyone else just feels uncomfortable.’
‘Nobody made you feel like that. That’s all on you, Elizabeth.’
‘Maybe so, but I’d have thought – I did think – you were thoughtful enough to take me and my parents to somewhere that wasn’t as stuck up as that place. For God’s sake, you said your “friend”’ – I held up my fingers in exaggerated bunny ears. I blamed the champagne. Champagne had a lot to answer for this year – ‘cultivated a friendly, relaxed atmosphere!’
‘She does! And what’s that’ – he imitated the shapes back at me – ‘supposed to mean?’
‘Yeah, if you’re one of her mates or have a ruddy great yacht parked in the local marina. For mere mortals like my parents and I, it was as snobby as hell! I don’t think you could have picked somewhere that we felt more out of place.’
Finn gave a short bark of laughter, all humour removed.
‘That’s rich coming from you.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You and your parents live in a completely different world!’
‘What on earth are you talking about?’
‘Academia! It’s not the real world. You think tonight was snobby? You should know! Did you ever think how awkward I might feel plonked into your world where everyone swans about being highly educated and looking down on those who haven’t got seventeen degrees to their name?’
‘I’ve never, ever treated you like that.’
‘You might not have but others have.’
‘Have my parents?’
‘No, of course not,’ he snapped back. ‘Yes, they’re more airy fairy and distracted than some other girlfriends’ parents but not in a bad way. I like them.’
‘Oh yes. I forgot you had a plethora of comparisons to make.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that.’
‘Didn’t you?’
‘No!’
‘I’m sorry if you’ve ever felt that you were somehow less at places we’ve been. But, according to your reasoning, if you felt that way, it was of your own making.’
‘That’s not the same thing.’
