But I’m disturbed to hear a knock at my door. I hate that, for a split second, I wonder if it’s Violet.
Of course it’s not, get a hold of yourself, you numpty.
Billie, dressed in full drag, is waiting impatiently when I open the door. They barge inside, using long manicured nails to claw at my jumper.
That’s enough of this fucking sad jumper.
Get off, you eejit, I shove my friend away from me.
You’re coming out tonight.
Oh no, I am not. Thanks for coming by though mate, knock ‘em dead.
Billie only stares daggers at me, hands on their hips in a fury.
I cannot stand the thought of you holed up in here all evening. Besides, I’m hosting, and I need you there.
Is your sister not going? Billie’s younger sister, Chloe, is always in attendance.
Aye. They give me a pointed look. And? I want you there, Finn. It’s either you come, or you have to tell me exactly what happened in Canada. I bloody well know you’re keeping the truth from me.
I groan, feeling cornered.
All right, all right, I’ll get dressed, you prick.
And for the first time in almost a month, I agree to leave the house for something other than work, or to help my Mum.
Chapter 40
VIOLET
I’M GOING TO SEE FINN today.
When the plane touches down in Glasgow, I am buzzing with excitement. And it has nothing to do with the fact that this is my first ever trip across the pond.
Alba had taken me to Florence’s, where the two cousins and Alistair had basically given me an intervention. The intervention being: We don’t know what was going on with you two, but we all think Finn has feelings for you.
I didn’t need to explain to them that so much of the summer, everything they’d seen between us, had been an act. It didn’t matter now—because Finn himself had told me that it was real for him. I just hadn’t been ready to accept it.
But I have to try, if it’s not too late.
Alistair gave me his brother’s address and wished me well. My two friends, delighted by this turn of events, hugged me tightly between them.
If it does all go to shit, Alba had said, You’re welcome back anytime.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, I said with a laugh, but then felt myself go serious. But really, thank you both. For everything.
Then I’d gotten on a plane. The entire journey, pounding through me were the same six words on a loop: It was real for me, Violet.
It was real, it was real, it was real. My new mantra.
I call an Uber to the address Alistair gave me. I take a deep, calming breath before I knock on the door.
No answer.
I knock again. Nothing.
I hadn’t exactly prepared for this, but committed to being undeterred, I check Billie’s Instagram. Finn’s own social media has been quiet since he came back to Scotland, but I have my fingers crossed that Finn’s best friend has a show tonight.
