Page 91 of To Hell With It

‘I didn’t actually think you’d do it.’

Another slap.

‘You left me a note telling me you couldn’t wait to see me again.’

‘What note?’ I could hear the confusion in his voice and it sounded real.

‘On my bed, it said I was yours, that you’d see me in Te Puke and that you’d be waiting.’

‘Oh … shit, that was from Emily, it must have fallen out of my bag,’ he said like it was nothing.

I felt my body fizz with rage.

‘Your sister, Emily, or yourfiancée, Emily??’

‘She’s going to leave me,’ he said.

‘I hope she does.’

I felt bad for Emily – none of it was her fault, after all. But at least she knew the truth, which was more than I had known.

‘Where are you now?’ Jack asked.

‘I’m not telling you that.’

‘Why don’t I come to you?’ he continued as if he’d not heard what I’d just said.

I thought about it for a moment and I won’t lie, a part of me actually seriously considered it, just for a millisecond, but then my brain cells kicked in. I looked around the beach; the runner and his dog had disappeared and the older lady was now a spec in the distance.

‘No.’

‘Come on,’ he pleaded, playfully.

‘I have better things to do with my time,’ I said assertively.

‘Like what?’

‘Like kiss the sea.’

‘Is that an OCD thing?’ Jack sniggered.

I pulled my mustard dress over my head and peeled off my pants.

‘No, it’s a Pearl thing,’ I said as I glanced down at my naked body. I’d never felt so liberated in my entire life.

Then I cut Jack off, shoved my phone in my bag, and ran into the sea butt naked with only Bunty on my mind.

ChapterForty-Five

Have you been to see your boyfriend yet?

Niall texted.

He’s not my boyfriend.

Sorry, friend…

He’s not my friend either.

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