Page 53 of Plot Twist

‘Kidnapping is an offence, Drew,’ I joked.

‘Almost there,’ he whispered in my ear. My whole body tingled in anticipation. The next thing, we stopped. ‘Keep your eyes closed.’

A key jangled in a lock. He pushed the door open.

‘Surprise!’ he said, and I opened my eyes.

There were pink rose petals all over the four-poster bed of the honeymoon suite of the theme park’s on-site hotel, and a bottle of Champagne chilling at the foot of the bed.

It was all so cliché. And I loved it.

‘I can’t believe you did this.’

He moved to kiss me. The Champagne remained unopened.

My phone rang again.

‘Leave it,’ Drew urged.

‘What if it’s important?’

‘This is way more important.’ He nuzzled back into my neck.

‘Hello?’

‘Becca?’ Her voice sounded strained.

‘Rae, what’s wrong?’ I asked, sitting up on the hotel’s bed, looking out into the dark night. The big wheel glittered in the distance.

‘I need you. Can you come and get me?’

Drew stood up and pulled on his trousers and T-shirt without saying a word.

‘Of course,’ I said. ‘We’re on our way.’

22

It was book night. Ellie and Bridget saved me a spot in the middle of the two of them and handed me a hip flask.

‘It’s full.’ Bridget winked at me.

I took a swig and gagged. It was also very strong.

‘That’ll put hair on your chest,’ she giggled. ‘I’m not exactly known for half measures, if you know what I mean. Go hard or go home.’

‘How was the author event at the bookshop, Becca? Riley said it went well?’ Ellie asked.

I nodded and filled them in on the author event, from Zander the creepy crime thriller author to Riley’s legion of fangirls.

Bridget and Ellie laughed.

‘Eimear from yoga came along,’ I said, a hint of accusation in my voice.

I wanted to dig the dirt on what was going on between Eimear and Riley.

The date they had discussed the first time I’d been to the class didn’t seem to have materialised. Not that I was stalking him. I mean, I lived with him so I just happened to know. But she did seem to be a fixture in his life. They talked about a date, had definitely been out for drinks together, they messaged, and she turned up at his author event.

Then there was the whole ‘mum’ conundrum, which I still hadn’t heard about from Riley. I thought about what Ivy had said about Jackie coming back. The poor girl was fantasising, she missed her mum so much. I didn’t tell Riley; aside from the promise I’d made, I thought it might just make him feel guilty. And he had enough stress on his plate trying to write his book.