Page 98 of Take Me Away

And it gets me. Right there.

As the crowd thins, Nina wraps Isla in a hug, says something that makes her laugh and flick a glance my way. Peter claps a hand on my shoulder – solid, grounded.

‘Good to see you smiling, Kit,’ he says under his breath. ‘About bloody time.’

‘Thanks,’ I mutter, ‘Although why is everyone saying I don’t smile? I fucking do.’

Nina snorts a laugh and gives me a sad shake of her head.

‘Are you ready to go?’ I whisper to Isla. The look she gives me, eyes bright, cheeks brushed with pink, says it all.

Outside, the chill hits fast. Stars sharp above us, air clean and damp with the scent of the sea.

Isla shivers. I shrug out of my jacket and drop it around her shoulders.

‘Still a gentleman,’ she teases.

‘Don’t tell anyone,’ I say. ‘People might start expecting things.’

We walk in step, hands brushing before locking fingers. It feels … easy. Dangerous, but easy. The lane is dark, the cobbles uneven, but we walk slowly, the warmth of our hands running up my arm.

‘I like your friends,’ she says. ‘Nina’s just so…’ She trails off, flushing.

‘Nina’s so…’ I prompt.

‘I don’t know, real. Alive, vibrant. And Peter’s lovely. Steady.’

‘He’s the best kind of bloke. Showed up, kept showing up. Sea Salt Bay adopted him.’ We’re turning the first bend up and away from the harbour front, the sound of the sea beginning to recede slightly.

‘They’re happy.’

‘Yeah.’ I nod. ‘Haven’t seen Nina like this before. Properly happy. She lights up when he’s around.’

‘She says she reckons he might propose. Heard any rumours from his end? Someone with a soul that kind deserves to be happy.’

‘Not heard anything direct, but I think they’ve got a great thing going, and he knows it.’

She gives a satisfied nod.

She doesn’t say anything for a while. Just walks, and I’m happy just walking at her side.

Salt Cottage comes into view too soon. She stops, fingers twisting a strand of hair.

‘Want to come in?’ she asks, turning at the gate.

God, I want to.

‘I should get back,’ I say. ‘Promised Dad I’d help with the boat tomorrow. Crack of stupid. Sunday is our rest day for the week ahead.’

She nods, lips twitching down. ‘Course. I remember.’

‘You do.’

She nods, but her forehead wrinkles with a frown. ‘You took me out on Jessie’s Dream last Sunday?’

‘Had to ask my daddy for time off to take out the girl I like.’

She giggles and the sound is almost electric as it courses through me.