Page 72 of Pull Me Under

There’s a twist deep down in the pit of my stomach. Not jealousy exactly. Just awareness. Of what’s possible. Of what he has – again – that I can’t even contemplate.

‘How’s things?’ Kit asks. ‘Dad behaving himself?’

‘When does he ever?’

‘Fair point. Business?’

‘Ticking over. Decent catch Tuesday. Engine trouble on the Mary Jane, but I’ve sorted it.’ I pause. ‘Oh, and we’ve replaced you on the crew.’

Kit’s eyebrows shoot up. ‘Replaced me? Already? I’ve been gone three weeks!’

‘Cal couldn’t wait. Found someone better. Younger. More competent.’

‘Bullshit. Who?’

‘Brynn Trelawney.’

The silence that follows is deeply satisfying. Kit had heard she was back – Dot texted him within forty-eight hours of her Land Rover pulling up at the harbour, because Dot texts everyone everything – but the crew was new information.

‘You’re joking.’

‘I’m not. She passed her assessment, she’s been training all week, and Cal says she’s the best recruit we’ve had in years.’

‘Brynn Trelawney. On the lifeboat crew. Dad must be⁠—’

‘A scowling mountain of weather-beaten rage. Yeah.’

Kit lets out a low whistle. ‘Christ, Jude. You really know how to make my absence interesting.’

‘Thank God for that,’ Isla’s voice floats in from somewhere off-screen. ‘Maybe now you’ll stop trying to go back early.’

‘Hey!’ Kit twists around. ‘I wasn’t⁠—’

‘You were.’ She appears over his shoulder, laughing. ‘I’ve caught you listening to the shipping forecast three times already.’

‘That was for research purposes.’ His cheeks are pinking, which just makes him scowl with Christopher Harding’s unique level of intensity. ‘And it helps me sleep. You know that.’

I snort a laugh, which beams the fiery frown in my direction.

‘Research.’ Isla gives me a wave. ‘Jude, tell your brother that the village will survive without him for another month.’

‘The village will survive without you for another month,’ I repeat obediently. ‘We’ve got a Trelawney now. We’re fine.’

Kit’s still processing. I can see the questions he wants to ask – about Dad, about the crew, about why I sound far too casual about a Trelawney joining the team I’m supposed to be deputy of. We both know the history, even if we don’t understand it. Know what Dad’s like. Know this is going to cause trouble.

But Isla’s already pulling him towards whatever their plans are – plans that don’t involve being stuck in a village built on secrets and salt.

‘I’ll call Sunday,’ Kit says. ‘Give Maisie a chance to show you her dance uniform. Isla signed her up for ballet while we’re here.’

‘Terrifying.’ I love Maisie, but I’d say she’s more stomping sea monster than Prima Ballerina.

‘She really is.’ He grins, and for a moment he looks like the brother I grew up with – before Jess died, before everything got hard. Happy. Actually happy.

‘How’s the home schooling?’ I ask, cutting in before he can end the call.

‘I’m a natural.’

‘I meant for Maisie.’