Rose stepped back into the shadow of the trees at the top of the lane above Curlew Studio. After she’d recovered from the shock of seeing Finn and Lauren kissing, she’d thought of going straight back to the flat but the impulse to warn Finn that Joey had seen him eclipsed that. She texted Maddie to say she’d be back at the flat in a little while.
She’d made her way through the crowds, past the food stalls set up outside the shop and gallery, past the pub and the beach barbecue. There were so many people, it was hard to make progress. Locals and some holidaymakers were enjoying the late afternoon sun, drinks in hand, listening to music coming from the yacht club and pub. It was a joyful, chaotic throng, but Rose had only one thing on her mind: Lauren kissing Finn. Joey charging after them.
She had known for months that she and Joey were only meant to be friends, but Finn was different – she was in love with him. She couldn’t deny it. So why were he and Lauren so close? Had they been having an affair while Joey and Lauren were still together?
Was that why Lauren had left?
She felt sick. No wonder Finn was so reluctant to reciprocate her own kiss if he was secretly in love with Lauren.
Her gut instinct was that Finn would go to Curlew Studio. The question was, had Joey got there first?
When she arrived, all was silent and she waited in the shadow of the trees. Was anyone even in? She got her breath back, adrenaline surging after making her way past the crowds and up the hill to Curlew.
While she composed herself, she saw Joey march up the side of the cottage. He must have arrived by water and had made his way from the jetty below. Rose shrank back into the shadow of the trees. Joey was clearly on a mission, oblivious to anything else. He almost jogged to the front door, banged on it and shouted. ‘Finn! I know she’s with you. Open the door!’
‘Joey!’
Finn appeared.
‘Lauren’s here, isn’t she?’
‘Yes, but—’
‘I saw you kissing her. I went home first, I thought you might have gone there, but then I thought: no. They want to be secret. They’ve something to hide so I decided to come here. I was right.’
Joey stepped forward as if he might push his way past Finn, but Finn barred the way. ‘It’s not what it looked like.’
Joey laughed. ‘I expected better from you than that, bro. How can it be anything else?’
Lauren stepped past Finn and outside. ‘Finn, let me sort this out. It’s my life. Mine and Joey’s. Come inside. Let’s talk it over out of view.’
Joey hesitated. ‘You know, now I’m here, I’m not sure I want to hear it.’
‘You do. That’s why you came over here. I was just on my way to find you. Finn’s right. Nothing has happened. I came back for you, Joey, but we need to get some things straight. They’re long overdue.’
Joey hesitated a moment longer before going inside. The door closed, shutting Rose out.