Page 83 of To Hell With It

Long story.

I’m glad you got your wallet back.

Thanks, Niall, I wouldn’t have got in if you’d not helped.

It was the woodlouse, not me. I need to sleep. I’m working in a few hours.

Of course, sorry and thanks again x

You’re welcome.

* * *

So it turned out a five-minute drive actually took me an hour and five minutes to walk, and by the time I reached the giant kiwi fruit sign I was not in any fit state to see Jack. I could feel the wet on my back and armpits.

Una had texted me a couple of places I could stay, and with a stuffed cat in my bag and a whole heap of determination, I made my way to one of them – Sunshine Lodge – because it had the best name and the lady on the phone sounded the most welcoming.

Of course, I’d hoped that I’d be staying at Jack’s but either way I needed somewhere to wash and make myself look decent and put on my mustard dress that fanned out at the sides.

Sunshine Lodge was set back slightly off the road and lined by palm trees and a small front garden. It was quaint and clean (thank God) and the landlady (her name was Alina) was as friendly as her voice. I’d looked up her name when I got to my room; it meantlight,which matched the lodge. My room was bright and breezy and I could hear the birds as they sang outside my window. It was tropical and beautiful and my mum would have loved it. And my dad would have too because there wasn’t a mole hump in sight.

I showered and dried my hair (Alina lent me her hairdryer) and pulled on my mustard dress and red glittery sandals that I’d packed last minute when I realised I’d only packed one pair of shoes. They were probably too dressy, but they were better than my clumpy trainers. I tied my hair in a high ponytail and applied the cherry-pink lipstick that Una had given to me before I’d left. My lips clashed with my sandals but I didn’t care – I felt sexy for the first time since I’d been in New Zealand. I didn’t stuff my bra with my socks (Jack could take me as I was or not at all – and what sort of man judged a woman on her breast size anyway?).

I was ready to go, I was ready to find Jack, I was ready to walk along the beach and watch the dolphins, to meet his family and enjoy a barbeque before the sun went down, when my phone rang and Una’s name flashed on the screen.

‘Pearl?’ she said before I could say anything. She sounded flustered, like she was out of breath.

‘Una? Are you OK? Isn’t it six in the morning or something?’

‘It’s eight thirty.’

‘What’s wrong? Is everyone all right? Are my mum and dad all right?’ I asked, panicked.

‘They’re fine. We’re all fine. I need to tell you something,’ she said abruptly.

‘Oh God, you haven’t seenShaun did everythingagain have you? You know you can’t trust him.’

‘No, well yes I have actually but it’s not that,’ Una said.

‘Honestly, I don’t know why you’re bothering with him, he’ll do it again.’

‘It’s not about Shaun, Pearl,’ Una said with a serious tone.

‘What is it then? Is it Maggie Ryan and Mr Keele?’ I laughed.

‘No.’

‘What then? Has someone else died?’

‘No.’

‘Una, I don’t have time for this, I’m about to meet Jack.’

‘Does he know you’re coming?’

‘No, of course he bloody doesn’t, I’m surprising him, remember?’

‘Don’t.’

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