Page 102 of Washed Up

‘Sure,’ said Jake.

‘Thanks for coming,’ she threw his way as she headed further down the harbourside.

‘Sure,’ he said again.

And I’m sorry.

Bobby was loving this, she could tell. He had kissed and hugged them all goodbye and was now standing on the top deck of the empty Trident, hands on his hips like Peter Pan. In another life he would have made an excellent A-lister. Besides, something had definitely lightened in him since he arrived back. Was that Sally’s influence? Or the island working its magic once more?

‘Be good, sis,’ he’d said in her ear before he climbed onto the ferry, grabbing her arm. ‘And listen…’

‘What? I’ll take care of her, don’t worry,’ she’d said, throwing a glance in Sally’s direction.

‘No, that’s not it. I mean, yes, thanks, appreciate it. But this little gem of wisdom is for you.’

Frankie had crossed her arms, instantly suspicious. ‘This ought to be good.’

Bobby had laughed. ‘When is my wisdom anything other than golden?’

‘Do you honestly want me to answer that?’

‘Definitely not.’

‘Go on, then. Lay it on me.’

Bobby’s face had suddenly turned serious and Frankie’s stomach lurched. ‘Sis, I just don’t want you to feel like you can’t leave Herm.’

Frankie stared at him for a long moment. ‘I know that. Besides, I love this place.’

‘I know you do. But it’s okay to want to explore the world, too. Mum and Dad would be fine, you know.’

‘Easy for you to say, you got to do it first. Now I’m stuck with them.’ The words were strong but they had both laughed.

‘Seriously, Franks. I mean it. Marry Dylan Wright, get stinking rich and get off the island. How many chances like this are you gonna get?’

‘Says the man leaving the love of his life behind,’ she’d retorted.

Bobby laughed as if she’d said something ridiculous. ‘The love of my life? Whatever gave you that idea?’

‘It’s obvious,’ Frankie had said.

Bobby had looked across at Sally for a long moment, as if he’d never even considered the possibility before. ‘Sally’s not the love of my life. We’re just having fun, that’s all. Two old friends, reconnecting and having fun. That’s all.’

‘Having fun?’ said Frankie. ‘But does she know that, though?’

He’d shrugged. No big deal. Just fun. ‘Yeah. Course. We talked about it on the first night, as it goes. No strings. For as long as we’re both single.’

Frankie followed his gaze. ‘Sally told you that? That it was no strings? And she was okay with it?’

‘It was her idea,’ said Bobby. ‘Thought I’d hit the jackpot right there.’

Frankie had rolled her eyes.

‘Why do you ask?’ said her brother, still watching Sally.

‘I don’t know,’ said Frankie, honestly. ‘It just seems… I mean, it’s up to you two of course.’

‘I get the feeling she’s into some other guy anyway.’