Page 86 of Changing Tides
“Come to the Waterside for dinner.”
“I’ve got food here, and I need to get over to the mainland. It’s my turn to spend the night at the hospital.”
Doc stepped forward. “Your dad is doing really well. Your brothers are coming back later for a proper night’s sleep, and I think you should stay, too. I’ll go in with you tomorrow.”
Joey internally withdrew from this caring interference in their life. What did any of them know about it?
“I’m fine, thank you. Go ahead and have dinner.”
Kasia sent a tiny flick of her head in Tierney’s direction. Tierney backed up. “Let’s wait in the car, Doc.”
Joey was surprised when Doc followed obediently but didn’t feel any less crowded by the now-singular concerned friend. Kasia steered them to a stump they used for chopping firewood. She sat and pulled them down with her.
“We’re your friends, Joey, and you have to let us in.”
“I’m okay. The stuff with Dad is a lot, and I need to focus on that.”
“I get that, but Marianne’s been back for a couple of days and she’s worried about you, too.”
Joey groaned. “Mari’s getting on with her life. You know she’s not staying, right? She was never here to stay.” They ground their knuckles into their eyes, willing themself not to cry.
“But you can talk things through. She’s found us a wonderful replacement head chef, but I’m not sure she’s fully decided what she’s doing next. Why don’t you call her?”
Joey lowered their head to avoid Kasia’s concern. “Why? So I can hear firsthand her big plans for heading back to Dublin?” The monster of a headache from the last few days threatened to raise its head once more.
“If that’s what she decides to do, don’t you want to hear it from her? But, like I said, I don’t think it’s a done deal. You have to talk. Tell her how you feel.”
They looked up. “Are you serious? How could she not know? I’m the poster child for wearing my heart on my sleeve. I couldn’t even hide my feelings when she was off-limits. You were always teasing me about it.”
Kasia stood and held out her hand, a gentle smile spreading across her face. “Joey, you’re the loveliest, kindest person I know. But you need to say the words, even if they don’t come easily.”
They rose and took her hand.
“Come and eat. We won’t grill you, I promise.” She led them to the front of the cottage where Tierney and Doc leaned on the roof of the car, chatting. They turned, Tierney with a grin, and Doc with a shake of the head.
“Why don’t I walk down there and meet you in a bit?” They took a step back.
Doc held open the car door and waved. “Get in, Joey.”
Through the anxiety about being questioned, they could feel the love from these friends. Being alone out on the boat had helped a little, but they didn’t want to be alone forever. They squeezed into the back of the tiny car Kasia and Tierney hadbeen given by an elderly islander they’d helped out. Doc moved inside the other door. It was a tight fit.
“Sorry, I call automatic shotgun by needing a seat for two.” Tierney tipped her curly head back over the seat, grinning and clearly not sorry about anything.
Doc nudged Joey. “We’re good back here. I’ve never been so cosy since Majella left.”
Joey forced a smile, knowing Doc’s reference to her ex was meant to help. It didn’t, really.
Kasia gunned the engine and drove as quickly as was safe down the winding lane to the harbor.
Joey spilled out as soon as they pulled into the car park at the hotel. Doc was quickly at their elbow.
“How are you doing? Really. I know this is a social occasion, but I’m still your GP. Do you need to talk? Properly, at the surgery?”
Joey appreciated the question was delivered subtly, but they didn’t want to talk about how they were feeling. “I’m fine. Can we just eat?”
As they led the way into the Waterside, it occurred to them this might be a setup. They turned abruptly, dodged Doc and Tierney, and cornered Kasia as she approached.
“Is Mari working tonight? I don’t want to see her. Not now, anyway.” Their grip on her arm was too tight and they pulled back, embarrassed.
