Page 96 of Washed Up

‘Right as rain. Right as rain,’ said Brian. ‘Doc says I need to rest but who’s got time for that?’

‘Well exactly, Mr Jacks,’ said Dylan.

‘Just Brian is fine,’ said Brian.

‘What’s all this Mr Jacks, anyway?’ said Frankie, her voice wobbling a little as his hand brushed hers in the dark. Her heart began to thump.

‘Mr Jacks was my father,’ said Brian, laughing. ‘In fact, scratch that. My grandfather.’

‘Just being polite,’ said Dylan, grinning back at him.

‘I think it’s lovely,’ said Lily, coming back into the room.

‘You would,’ said Brian good-naturedly.

‘It’s not coming back on, Dad,’ said Bobby.

‘I know. We’d best go investigate.’

‘Want us to come?’ said Frankie, then blushed at the ‘us’ that had slipped out without her thinking about it. She wasn’t sure if she imagined Dylan moving a fraction closer as she said it.

‘Nah, you’re okay. You two stay here,’ said her father, and his eyes slipped to Dylan for a second. He smirked and Frankie’s face heated instantly. ‘Bobby, son, I might need you, though.’

‘Well, I’m coming if he’s coming,’ said Sally. ‘It is my last night with you, Bobs. Plus, the genny and I are on excellent terms, if we did need to fire her up.’

‘Now I can’t just sit here,’ said Dylan, but he seemed quite comfortable.

Even Lily was pulling her wellies on.

‘We should really help. Even your mum’s going, look,’ he hissed to Frankie.

Her mum piped up, as if she’d heard him. ‘I need to check on our guests. Frankie, if you want a job, can you and Dylan head down to Fisherman’s? All the cottages should have enough torches and candles but there’s a family down there, I don’t know, they might need some games or something. Just, you know, reassure them, will you?’

‘Sure thing,’ said Frankie, a little disappointed they had to leave their cosy nook by the fire.

‘Now, please,’ said Lily as she left, the door banging behind her.

‘We’re coming,’ said Frankie. But neither Dylan nor Frankie gave any sign of moving. Lingering, that was the word. Frankie was definitely lingering, anyhow.

Her dad, Bobby and Sally went next, Sally sending suggestive glances Frankie’s way, which fortunately no one could see because of the darkness. But Frankie knew they were there.

‘Then there were two,’ said Dylan, his voice low and very close to her ear.

Frankie shifted on the sofa, so conscious he was right beside her. How was she supposed to remain mad at him in these conditions? His face was even more handsome than usual in the firelight, all soft planes, with that mouth of his, that crooked smile she couldn’t take her eyes off. He seemed to have the same idea, his eyes dropping to hers as she turned towards him. His fingers were hovering over hers, as if he wanted to hold her hand but didn’t know how to go about it.

‘We should go,’ whispered Frankie.

‘You’re right,’ said Dylan, still looking at her mouth, showing no signs of moving.

Was he going to kiss her? In that moment it sure seemed like he was going to kiss her. Frankie’s whole body was on red alert, looking for the slightest sign that he was going to move towards her, her heart clanging so loudly she was sure he must be able to hear.

‘Is anyone here?’ came a voice from the kitchen.

It was Jake. Frankie’s blood turned to ice in her veins. There was no time to do anything but style it out.

‘Oh, it’s you two,’ said Jake, pushing into the room and peering through the darkness.

‘Hi, Jake,’ said Frankie, jumping to her feet. ‘We were just heading down to Fisherman’s.’