Page 34 of Washed Up

‘Are you okay?’ said Frankie. ‘Only I’m very tired.’ She felt as if she’d been run over by a truck.

‘Sorry. Yes, and you’ll need to check on your dad, won’t you? Sorry,’ he said again.

‘So? Was there something you needed?’

‘No, no, nothing,’ he said. And still, he lingered. Eventually, Frankie turned to go. ‘It’s just…’ he said. She sighed and turned back towards him. ‘That guy.’

‘Dylan?’

‘Yeah.’

‘What about him?’

‘I wondered if… no, never mind.’

‘Spit it out,’ said Frankie, plastering a grin on her face. Trying to look casual. Act casual. Which seemed impossible whenever there was a mention of Dylan.

‘Be careful, Frankie. That’s all,’ said Jake with a shrug.

She bristled a little. ‘He’s only here for one night. Why does everyone keep making such a fuss? And besides, I can take care of myself.’

‘I know you can. You’re…’ his voice faded.

‘Thank you, though. Appreciate the concern.’

‘No problem,’ he said. ‘Night, Frankie.’

‘Night.’

As she backed away, he spoke into the night behind her. ‘You know, you said his name first.’ She turned back to him. Jake had taken off his beanie and was twisting it in his hands. It looked almost comical. Part of her wanted to laugh, then she remembered what Dylan had said about him in the pub. Be kind.

‘I did what?’ said Frankie, trying not to let her impatience show.

‘When your dad was, you know, under that statue. You called his name first. “Dylan. Jake.” That’s what you said.’

Frankie frowned. ‘What? When? I mean, I wasn’t thinking. I was panicking. That doesn’t – it didn’t mean anything.’

Jake cleared his throat. ‘I know, I’m sure you’re right. It’s silly, really. It struck me as odd, that’s all. You’ve known me forever. You’ve known him, like, one day. Not even that. And yet… you said his name first.’

Frankie clicked her tongue. Had she? ‘Honestly I think you’re reading too much into it, Jake.’

‘I’m sure you’re right. Just felt I had to say something.’

‘I understand,’ she said, though in truth, she didn’t.

‘Thanks. I needed to get that off my chest.’

‘Okay. Glad I could help. Night, then.’ She edged through the gap in the stone wall towards the house before he could say any more nonsense.

‘Night, Frankie. See you in the morning.’

‘Sure. Sleep well.’

As she walked through to the front door, she could have sworn Jake was still in the lane, watching her go.

Had she said Dylan’s name first? Did that mean anything? If so, what did it mean? What did it matter if he was leaving anyway? And most importantly, why was she even worrying about it? He was leaving and that was the end of that. And she definitely wasn’t praying that the weather was still bad the next morning so he’d have to stay a bit longer.

She was still pondering these things as she made her way upstairs. Her mum and dad were in bed, and when she pushed the door open, Brian was already snoring softly, his chest raspy but definitely much improved. Lily gave her a thumbs up. The height of affection as always.