Page 94 of Plot Twist

The realisation hit me. I was going home today. I had to say goodbye to everyone and pretend I didn’t have abnormal cells growing inside me. I gulped and pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

‘I’m sorry, Becca,’ he said.

‘About what?’ I quipped. ‘Turning up unannounced, dragging me away from the party or trying to snog me?’

‘All of it. I didn’t plan to try and kiss you; that was a heat-of-the-moment thing. But I stand by what I asked. We could give it another try. It might not be perfect, but whose story is perfect, you know?’

‘You’re just lonely, Drew,’ I replied, looking down at my hands.

‘So are you.’ He shrugged.

It was true. Having Drew sleeping in the same room as me was comforting, I couldn’t deny that. Rae’s letter also confirmed Drew hadn’t cheated on me, and that mattered more than I’d ever thought it would. But did that mean I should take a chance and go back too? I wasn’t sure.

‘I am,’ I admitted. ‘Not sure that’s a valid reason to start a relationship, though. But I guess I should apologise, too.’

‘You should or you will?’ He grinned.

I threw a pillow at him and he batted it onto the floor, laughing.

‘I’m sorry for always thinking the worst of you,’ I said, throwing him a grin. ‘I think that sums it up. And I’m glad you came here, in a weird way, even though I was mad with you. It was so good to talk about Rae and read that letter, even though it broke my heart all over again.’

‘I’m sorry for turning up out of the blue, too. But I wouldn’t have changed talking to you about Rae last night for the world.’

I felt lighter, too. Like part of the weight had been lifted from my mind. Hating Drew had been so exhausting.

We sat in silence for a moment.

‘What time’s your boat back today?’ he asked.

‘This afternoon. Three p.m.’

‘I’ll call and see if I can book on, too.’

‘OK.’

Drew left before me so I could say goodbye to everyone on my own. Bridget, Ellie and Ivy came to the cottages. Ivy had drawn me a picture of me pushing her on the swings. I held it close to my heart.

‘Riley’s not coming?’ I asked, looking around.

I knew deep down that he wasn’t. The look in his eyes when he’d seen Drew in the doorway of the cottages last night told me all I needed to know. But there was no point fighting it; Riley and I, whatever we were and whatever we could have been, were over. Everything had changed.

‘Sorry, Becca. He said he’ll be in touch. I don’t think he could face saying goodbye,’ Bridget said.

My heart sank. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t coming, after everything. He was the reason I was here in the first place. But I could also understand. I’d have found it difficult saying goodbye too. Almost impossible.

‘Oh well,’ I said, forcing a cheery smile for Ivy’s sake. ‘I’m sure I’ll see you guys again soon.’

Ivy gave me her very best puppy dog eyes. ‘Are you coming back?’

Bridget and Ellie looked to the ground.

I knelt down to speak to Ivy.

‘We’ll see,’ I said, looking her straight in the eye.

I wasn’t willing to make a promise in case I couldn’t keep it. Not this time.

‘You definitely have to come back and meet Damien and Lucy,’ Ivy said. ‘Daddy was so excited about getting a niece and nephew he barely slept a wink last night. He was tossing and turning all night.’