‘The Guest List,’ she replied. ‘Lucy Foley. I borrowed it from Erin’s shelf. I’d usually choose non-fiction over fiction, but it’s not bad, I suppose. From what I have read so far, it features a group of people staying together in a large house, all keeping secrets from each other.’ Her eyes darted among the group, looking for a reaction. ‘These types of scenarios never go well, do they?’
‘Not for the one who inevitably gets murdered,’ Tara mumbled.
‘I thought it was excellent,’ Alex interjected. ‘She’s brilliant.’
Christine sniffed. ‘I mean, I’ve never heard of her, but there are so many writers just lobbing out books these days, aren’t there? Hard to keep up.’
‘She’s actually aNew York Timesbestseller,’ Alex replied, feeling herself getting defensive over an author she’d never met. ‘I love her writing.’ Comments like that annoyed her. One does not just lob a novel out.
‘I might head to the beach,’ Beth suggested. ‘Sprawl out on a beach towel if anyone wants to come with?’
‘Sure,’ Alex replied, grateful for the excuse to get away. ‘I could use the sea breeze. Have a paddle with my pals.’
‘Maybe later,’ Tara said, ‘I’m not in the mood to get sandy feet.’
‘No, thanks.’ Christine said. ‘I prefer the shade.’
‘Becky?’
She glanced at Christine before shaking her head. ‘I’m good here.’
‘I have a ball in the boot of my car if you want to have a kick around?’ Paul said to Aiden.
‘Absolutely,’ he replied. ‘I haven’t had my ass kicked at soccer for a while. Bring it on.’
Aiden followed Paul to his car while Alex helped Beth walk down to the beach.
‘I can’t believe she’s leaving all this,’ Alex said, looking out on to the lough. It was clear, calm and the sky bright blue. ‘It’s like her own little paradise. Who the hell sells their own beach?’
‘I genuinely thought she’d pass this down to her kids,’ Beth replied. ‘You know, keep it in the family. But I guess the memories here are just too painful. Shame though. She’d be a great mum. I hope she gets the chance one day.’
They found a spot and placed their towels on the sand. Beth awkwardly manoeuvred down, her legs stretched out in front.
‘I can run back and get you a chair,’ Alex offered. ‘Kick Tara off the sun lounger?’
Beth snickered. ‘No, this is fine. I need to stretch anyway.’
‘Nice kick!’ she heard Aiden say as a ball flew over their heads. She wondered if she’d ever not find his voice appealing.
‘Could you live in the same house still if anything happened to Paul?’ she asked, watching the guys run around the beach.
‘I’m not sure,’ Beth replied. ‘I mean, there would certainly be more space.’
Alex giggled. ‘True.’
‘Actually, I don’t know,’ she said, staring at her feet. She tried to will her right ankle to bend, but it stayed motionless. ‘Hard to know what you’d do, unless you’re in that situation.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Not the same, I know, but you’re living with the memories of your ex. Isn’t that tough?’
‘Hardly memories,’ Alex said, ‘Pete’s still around. He’s like a living ghost who stomps around in his work boots.’
‘So, what happened with him? How long were you together?’
‘Five years,’ she replied. ‘We’ve been apart for one.’
‘Why did you break up?’
