Page 134 of You Float My Boat

Violet snatched her hand back, and crossed her arms over her chest. A move so reminiscent of her brother that I suddenly knew the level of stubbornness I was dealing with.

‘Charlie told Evie he’d go on a date with her.’

The water Oz had just sipped sprayed everywhere. There was no one untouched. A fountain of mist caught the light and for ten seconds we were in the midst of a rainbow – maybe I’d be able to summon a lucky charm while Oz coughed up his insides. Eventually, Stella whacked him on the back several times in an attempt to stop him. Brooks was the only one who seemed unaffected, and once Oz had himself under control the pair of them turned to me in sync, identical expressions which demanded an explanation.

‘Violet, for the last time I did not agree to go on a date with Evie,’ I gritted out.

‘It’s exactly what you did, Charlie.’

I spun around, shooting a glare at Stella, hoping it would silence her for at least a couple of minutes.

‘Well, who’s telling the truth?’ Brooks snapped.

I held my hand up, ‘Okay, I’ll start from the beginning. We all know Evie’s in my class …’ I started, to which the boys nodded.

I proceeded to explain the entire situation as I knew it, including the times Evie happened to be waiting wherever I was walking. I was taking it as a good sign that their arms looked less tense the longer I talked. Their fists unclenched, Oz was slowly shaking his head and the disappointment in his face had dropped.

By the time I was finished Brooks appeared less red and angry, at least. Violet had stopped sniffing, Oz and Stella were quietly standing next to each other by the railings.

‘Well? Anyone want to say something?’

Brooks’ lips pursed and relaxed. Pursed and relaxed until he eventually held them in a straight line. ‘Youshould have never gone out with her in the first place. I said it then, and I’ll say it now.’

It wasn’t exactly what I’d been expecting, but it was also a typical non-committal Brooks response that didn’t help in the slightest. When it became clear no one else was going to add to the conversation I turned to the only person I really wanted to hear from.

‘Violet?’

For the first time, she looked up at me, her blue eyes searching my face. I wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but when she spoke I really hoped she’d found it.

‘Let’s go outside.’ She turned around to the audience of three, and pointed a finger at each of them individually, ‘You lot stay here.’

I followed her to the dry dock, my heart thudding harder with each step as I tried to stop the sinking feeling in my belly.

‘I’m going to go home,’ she blurted, and I frowned so deeply it felt like my brain was rattling, ‘to Somerset.’

‘What?’

‘I think we need to spend some time apart.’

‘I’m sorry, what? This morning –’

‘Things have changed since this morning, Charlie. Even if you don’t want to acknowledge it, they’ve changed. For me at least.’

The thudding in my chest was speeding up, hammering so fast I thought my sternum might crack. It was all I could do to swallow down the acid burning my throat.

‘Violet, please … I’m so sorry.’

‘I know,’ she smiled softly, and I wished she wouldn’t. The smiling made it worse. The smiling made me feellike I really was on the knife’s edge of losing her. ‘I know you’re sorry and I appreciate it. I’m sorry too. But I think we need a break from each other. It’s Easter next weekend, and I’m going to go home.’

‘When?’ I croaked.

‘Tonight.’

‘Tonight?’

She nodded, ‘Stella’s called her parents to come and get us.’

Swallowing down the acid had only left room for the tears to clog my throat. ‘Violet, come on. Please don’t go. You don’t have to do this.’

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