Page 41 of You Float My Boat

‘Let’s go and get a drink and celebrate,’ Stella said, stopping under the canopy of the theatre so we could both pull our hoods up, while cursing our lack of umbrellas.

The Blue Oar was around the corner and would provide some shelter while we waited for the downpour to stop.

‘Okay, a quick one. I have class after lunch and I have to go back to St Anne’s before.’

‘Let’s go.’

We sprinted down the street as fast as we could. And I found a new use for Cece’s giant folder, as I held itover my head for extra protection. We’d only been in the theatre a little over an hour, yet it was enough time for huge puddles to form on the road. Stella let out a loud screech as a car came around the corner, only to hit a puddle – the people five metres in front of her were showered with a wall of water. Completely soaked.

‘Bloody hell,’ she cried, shaking off the excess of puddle which had caught her, ‘hope they’ve got a change of clothes.’

As usual, the Blue Oar was busy, though mostly with people who had the exact same idea as us. Shelter.

‘Go by the fire,’ I called to Stella as she charged in, pushing through the heavy doors. ‘I think I spotted a spare table.’

I was so focused on getting out of the rain, and dry, I didn’t notice anyone in my path as I shook my folder free of water while simultaneously trying to remove my coat without getting anything else wet.

‘Hey, watch it,’ snapped a voice to my left.

‘God, I’m so sor—’ I spun around to find who I’d accidentally soaked, the apology already forming on my lips. But it died just as quickly.

I just caught her pale blue eyes flaring in recognition at who’d inadvertently bumped into her, before they narrowed to barely more than a slit. Even with the ferocious clench of her jaw and hard purse of her lips Evie was incredibly beautiful. I ignored the way my stomach churned as a reminder that this woman in front of me was the woman Charlie once loved. This small, dark-haired person who was my exact opposite looked like she was trying to melt me with her glare.

I cleared my throat, while Evie didn’t move a muscle, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.’

Stella was calling me from the table she’d secured, and it soon became obvious Evie wasn’t going to say anything, but as I turned to walk away her voice cut through the noise.

‘I’m going to get him back.’

I spun around, slowly, using the time to figure if I’d heard what I thought I’d heard. ‘Excuse me?’

Her arms crossed over her chest as her chin jutted up defiantly. It was a wholly unnecessary move, because everything about her screamed defiance. It struck me that this was a girl who was used to getting exactly what she wanted when she wanted it, and I was merely a pawn in her way.

‘I’ve asked around about the two of you. You haven’t been together long.’

I stood there, staring, waiting to see if she was done making her statement or if she had more to add. I did my best not to let the panic flush over me at the thought of Evie asking any questions about me or us period, because at this stage it probably wouldn’t take much for her to make assumptions which would be too close to the truth. It became clear why Charlie seemed so genuinely terrified of her.

‘Charlie and I have history, and wealwaysfind our way back to each other.’

‘Not this time,’ I found myself saying.

Evie’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. ‘Always, Violet.’

‘I don’t think so.’ I stepped in closer, kind of enjoying the way her neck had to crane back, because it wasthat or step away, but I already knew she’d never give up her ground. I doubted that anything intimidated her, even though I was giving it my best effort. ‘Charlie’s not a game to be played with, only for you to get bored again.’

‘Who says I’m going to get bored this time?’

I shrugged, ‘It doesn’t matter, because there’s not going to be athistime.’

‘We’ll see.’

I stood there staring down at her, trying my hardest not to blink. My ribcage was rattling so hard from the force my heart was pumping adrenaline through me that by the time Evie eventually turned around and walked away I realized I’d been holding my breath.

‘Vi … hurry up, what are you drinking?’ Stella shouted over from the table she’d secured but it was the buzz of my phone that jolted me into moving.

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