Page 97 of That Island Feeling

I continue watching, but I’m struggling to focus. Then Keith appears on the screen, a matching title under his name: Former co-owner, Pearl Island Oyster Farm. Snippets of his monologue reach my ears.

‘After we sold the site to the resort, I couldn’t stay on the island.’

The rest of the documentary passes in a blur. When the final credits roll, I’m relieved when Taylor immediately approaches. Jack brushes my back as he slips out from behind the settee, and my gaze follows his broad shoulders as he exits the room behind Hazel.

‘Girl! That was fabulous,’ Taylor greets me, with Mitch by her side. ‘I can’t believe you produced it. Oh, and I love this,’ she tugs on my blazer. ‘You’ve really committed to the lemon theme to the end, huh?’

I nod, holding back my thoughts about the real lemon in the room – Taylor’s ex-husband, standing right there.

‘Mm,’ I answer noncommittally. ‘And I can’t take any real credit. I just helped Hazel with a few shots.’

‘But you’re clearly back in your film era. I’ve noticed you capturing all those candid videos around the island. Are you planning to make a memento of our trip?’

You mean, of your non-divorce trip, my internal monologue screams. Are we really not going to address the fact that we’re only on this holiday because your ex-husband, who is standing right there, is a giant arsehole?

‘They’re just to show Dad,’ I say, swallowing down what I really want to say. ‘He and Mum honeymooned here.’

‘Did they?’ Taylor’s brow lifts, and I wonder why I haven’t mentioned this detail to her before.

I look at Mitch. ‘Long time no see – how have you been?’ I ask, attempting to be civil.

‘Yeah, okay,’ he mumbles, his gaze dropping to the floor. ‘How about you?’

Oh, you know, just busy picking up the shattered pieces of your ex-wife’s broken heart, I think.

I’m still trying to muster up a passably polite response when Richie sidles up to us.

‘Hey girls, are you ready for an encore performance? I found where Arthur stashed the spare fireworks. Grace and Lizzie are already in position,’ he announces with a devilish gleam in his eyes.

He turns to Mitch. ‘Sorry mate, I don’t think we’ve met?’

‘This is Taylor’s ex. He’s here to win her back, apparently,’ I cut in.

Taylor responds with a sharp look and slides her hand into Mitch’s. ‘We might actually head off now.’

‘Really? But don’t you want to introduce Mitch to the other guys – to Ben?’ I ask.

A lone firecracker explodes in the distance. ‘Shit, Garth has started without me, gotta go!’ Richie exclaims before rushing off.

‘Andie, can I speak to you in private, please?’ Taylor asks, tone clipped.

She drops Mitch’s hand and pulls me out into the hallway.

Chapter Forty-four

JACK

‘Mum! Why did you use that footage?!’

She has conveniently dashed straight into the kitchen and is arranging some more of the smoked salmon canapés onto a platter.

‘Please don’t yell at me, Jackie-boy,’ Mum says sternly, taking her tea towel to wipe the edges of the plate.

‘Sorry,’ I say. ‘It’s just . . . you told me that you were just testing your camera. I wouldn’t have said what I did if I’d known everyone was going to see it . . .’

That she was going to see it.

My mind races. I had every intention of telling Andie the truth about the oyster farm and my role in it eventually, but there’s a part of me still wrestling with the shame of it all. I knew I couldn’t maintain the façade of being this easygoing island guy forever, but I also wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him – or for her pity.

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