Page 17 of Washed Up

‘That sounds great. Only thing is, I don’t have my wallet with me. I’ve got my card saved on my phone. Can I pay online or something?’

‘I suppose so,’ said Sally. ‘No one’s ever asked me that before. Give it a go when you get to your room and if not, you know, we’ll sort something out.’

‘She means I’ll pay for the room,’ said Frankie under her breath.

‘Yes,’ said Sally with a smirk, ‘that’s exactly what I meant. Frankie will pay. You can pay her back later. Now, can I have a surname for the booking?’

‘Ah, yeah. Sorry. It’s Dylan Wright.’

‘Dylan Wright?’ said Sally, head snapping up from her desk at that. ‘You’re not… the Dylan Wright? Right?’

Dylan glanced at Frankie before replying. ‘It depends which one you mean.’

Sally studied him for a long moment. ‘The one from the Misdemeanours. You do look like him.’

‘Well, if that’s the one you meant, then yes, I’d have to say, that’s me.’

Sally’s eyes went wide. ‘Well in that case, a very special welcome to Herm, Dylan.’

‘Thank you kindly,’ said Dylan with a grin.

Sally stared at him for a moment longer, as if her brain was trying to catch up.

‘Oh my God,’ said Frankie, rubbing her temples. ‘Not you, too. He’s probably a tribute act or something at best. Anyway, can we get on with it?’

‘Keep your curly hair on, Frankie,’ said Sal. ‘Jeez. The poor guy’s stranded on Herm, he’s wearing what looks like the entire contents of the gift shop and you’re not exactly being welcoming, if you know what I mean.’

‘Sorry,’ said Frankie, meaning it this time. ‘I’m just a bit worried about my dad. Do you mind if I leave you to it?’ She glanced at Dylan. ‘You’ll be okay with Sally now? Right?’

Dylan’s eyes widened in something like surprise, but he nodded. ‘Of course. I’ll be fine.’

‘Good. Thanks. I’ll, er… I’ll maybe see you in the pub tonight if you fancy it?’

Sally lifted an eyebrow. Why did I have to go and say that? But Dylan smiled. A proper dimply smile that actually made her heart melt a little. Only a little.

‘I’d like that,’ he said.

As Frankie backed towards the door, she could feel Sally’s eyes boring into her soul. There was going to be a lot of questions later. She could practically feel them forming.

‘See you later, Frankie,’ was all Sally said, though her eyes were flashing. ‘Hope you find Brian.’

‘Thanks,’ said Frankie. The thread of worry was now a knot. The wind was still terrible and her dad would normally have checked in by now. She had to find Jake. Had to get searching even though it meant going back out in the rain for the umpteenth time that day. Even though it meant leaving Dylan behind. In a bizarre twist, Frankie had somehow gone from being desperate to get away from him to not really wanting to leave. And now, if she was really honest, a small part of her was hoping Sally wasn’t going to get all starstruck and fall in love with Dylan while she was gone. Because that would be very inconvenient.

CHAPTER EIGHT

‘Jake. There you are.’

‘Right where you left me, Frankie,’ said Jake from his bar stool. The fisherman was clearly a bit worse for wear by now, but Frankie had no choice. Needs must. She grabbed his arm. It was solid. Firm. Reassuring.

‘Can you come with me, please?’

‘I thought you’d never ask,’ said Jake, his mouth quirking up in a cheeky grin.

Frankie tutted. ‘Not like that, you big idiot. I need you to help me find my dad. He’s not been down for ages.’

Jake frowned. ‘Where’s he been working this morning?’

‘Not sure. Up at the farm, I think. But he’s usually buzzed past on the gator by now.’