CHAPTER39
The firepit was still going strong as Paul, Becky, Erin and Alex gathered around it.
‘I should leave, shouldn’t I?’ Alex suggested, nervously wringing her hands. ‘I should just pack my bags and piss off. Maybe, when Beth comes back, she could run me into the village too.’
‘Yeah, good idea,’ Paul responded. ‘Maybe you could check into the same hotel as Aiden. That’ll be a good look.’
Alex saw Becky give Paul a little nudge to shut him up. She threw back her head and made a groaning noise.
Erin grabbed a bottle of wine and sat down cross-legged on a blanket. ‘Now, tell me to mind my own business if you like,’ she said, unscrewing the top. ‘But what exactly went on with Aiden? Was it just a kiss? Just the once? Shit, were you guys going at it on the beach when Christine—’
‘No!’ Alex exclaimed. ‘Not at all. He came to say goodbye and we kissed. It wasn’t planned and that’s as far as it went.’
Alex saw Erin sipping her wine, looking unconvinced, and so explained: ‘God, this whole thing sounds ridiculous and I cannot properly explain it because even I don’t understand it. I felt like I was hit by lightning. Like the universe suddenly opened up andBAM, there he was. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t shake it off, and believe me, I tried.’
‘Obviously not hard enough,’ Erin remarked. ‘Oh shit, they’re back.’
Everyone grew silent as Tara and Beth joined their little pow-wow. ‘We need to talk,’ Tara said, her glare directed at Alex.
‘Shall we leave?’ Erin asked.
Tara shook her head. ‘No point. Everyone knows what’s been going on here.’
Beth sat down beside Paul. The tension was almost unbearable. Everyone quietly feared for their shoes.
‘Wine. I need wine,’ Tara said, her stress now getting the better of her. Erin obliged, handing over her plastic cup which Tara proceeded to down in one. While everyone sat, she remained standing, pacing back and forth.
‘Did any of you know what was going on here?’ she asked, holding her cup out for more. ‘I mean apart from that arsehole Becky brought with her?’
Becky might have protested that comment if she didn’t now agree wholeheartedly with it.
Everyone shook their heads while Erin filled up Tara’s cup for a second time. The wine was warm, but Tara didn’t care.
‘Fine, so Alex is the only one I need to be mad with right now.’
‘Tara, I’m really sorry,’ Alex began, but Tara held her hand up.
‘I’m actually stunned you’re still here,’ Tara began. ‘The fecking audacity, it’s astounding really. At least Aiden had the sense to leave.’
‘I was going to leave,’ Alex replied. ‘I mean, I will. If you want me to.’
Tara placed one had on her hip. ‘Probably best. Need a hand packing?’
‘Hang on,’ Beth interjected. ‘It’s late. Everyone’s been drinking. I don’t think anyone should be going anywhere.’
Tara raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh really. Nice to know whose side you’re on, Beth.’
‘I’m not on anyone’s side and this isn’t my fight,’ Beth replied. ‘Also, it’s Erin’s home, not yours.’
‘I don’t want anyone to go,’ Erin responded. ‘I hope we can all work this out.’
‘Jesus, it’s like no one has my back here!’ Tara exclaimed. ‘This bitch threw away a lifelong friendship for someone she’s known for three days!’
Paul coughed in a manner which indicated that he found that comment to be complete and utter bullshit. ‘Are you serious?’ he mumbled.
‘Sorry, Paul,’ Tara growled. ‘I didn’t quite catch that.’
Beth felt herself blush. ‘No, I’m sure—’
