CHAPTER23
At 6.30am, Alex sat up in bed, wide awake. This was unheard of. At home she’d very rarely surface before nine and, even then, she’d try and squeeze in a few more minutes before zombie walking herself to the kettle. Working from home meant she kept her own hours, sometimes writing at 10am and finishing by 1pm, sometimes starting at 10pm and writing into early morning. Back when they were together, Pete always scolded her for not having a set routine, for wasting so much time which could otherwise be filled with productive endeavours. Trying to explain to someone who enjoyed rules and schedules that writing doesn’t always work that way was pointless. Still, this morning he’d be proud that she was alert and ready to go so early. Alex felt like texting him, just to hear the distance thud of him keeling over in shock.
She kicked off her covers and walked over to the window.I should go to the beach, she thought. Become one of those pensive, serious writers who gets inspired by being near a vast body of water. She’d seen authors like that on Twitter, posting photos of their reclusive writing retreats where all they had was a MacBook, thirty-six woolly jumpers and a view of the sea.
Tumbling into a pair of leggings and an oversized cardigan, she crept downstairs, past the sound of loud, rhythmic snoring which echoed throughout the house. Grabbing an apple, she quietly opened the back door and headed down to the beach.
Although bright, it was still a tad chilly, with the sounds of seagulls piercing the quiet air. She pulled her cardigan around her as she bit into her apple. She hadn’t had fruit for breakfast, well, ever. Maybe this reunion was making her a better person already.
‘Couldn’t sleep either, huh?’
Alex spun around to see Aiden coming down the side of the embankment and on to the beach. She immediately pawed at her wild morning hair. She hadn’t even run a brush through it.
‘No,’ she replied. ‘Thought I’d take a little walk.’
Aiden lifted the bottom of his T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his face.
‘I googled you, by the way. Definitely nothing like a blobfish.’
It took her a second before she remembered their conversation on the plane.
‘That’s good to know,’ Alex replied, trying not to blush, though maybe some colour in her cheeks might be an improvement. ‘Don’t let me keep you from your run.’
‘I’m done. I was just making my way to the house.’
‘OK.’
‘Mind if I walk with you?’
Alex considered all the reasons why this was a terrible idea.You fancy him. He’s Tara’s boyfriend. You fancy Tara’s boyfriend.
‘I’d feel better if you let me,’ he continued. ‘It’s really deserted at this time of the morning, and worse than any villainous humans out there are many, many psychotic seagulls.’
Alex grinned. ‘Oh really?’
He nodded. ‘I mean, look at that a massive bastard over there. I don’t trust him. He’s got apple snatcher written all over his face.’
‘Fine,’ she replied, ‘The safety of my apple is now in your hands.’
‘Excellent. Let’s walk and talk. Is it weird that I’ve been wanting to talk to you?’
Alex brushed her hair from her face and took another bite. ‘Everything about this whole situation is weird. I mean, what’s even left to say?’
He shrugged. ‘I’m just curious. Normal stuff. Like, what’s your favourite movie?’
‘Anything with Eddie Murphy.’
She heard him snigger. ‘But seriously. These are innocent requests.’
‘So, are we doing twenty questions?’
‘We can start with one.’
She pondered this. ‘Impossible to choose just one. Like trying to choose your favourite child.’
‘Every parent has a favourite child.’
‘True.’
