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I walk down to the village at six-thirty and walk back around midnight or one. Don’t want to be the first in, don’t ever want to be the last one out. The bar guy’s got my back. I think he gets it that I only ever want the one drink: Macallan 18 in a snifter, always at the tail end of the night.
I’m halfway down the hill that leads from the cottage to the bar when I see Holly coming toward me in the dark. That’s when I remember what night it is. The dinner thing started at six. The thing to celebrate our “escape.”
I’m sweating as I talk and try to laugh with Holly on the walk down to the little place the locals call the Burger Joint.
Bikes and a few cars line Middle Lane before we reach the yellow building. People spill through the front doors, over the porch, into the dirt-patched grass. They’re playing country music. Holly takes my hand, and I see her friend Dorothy smiling on the porch. When she presents me with a mini bottle of Rumple Minze, I toss it back.
* * *
Finley
“Well, your partner in crime has finally arrived, and he’s downed the mini bottle of liquor the Australian tourist gave Dot at Christmas.”
Anna slides back into our booth and takes Kayti from Freddy. I watch Kayti lift her fuzzy head from Anna’s shoulder.
“Dot gave Declan her liquor?”
Anna makes an odd smirk.
Freddy shakes his head. “She’s shameless.”
“Perhaps more so than Holly, which is quite a feat,” Anna says.
Half-hour ago, Holly went in search of Declan, claiming they’re dear friends and she felt she should be the one to fetch him from Gammy’s.
I clench my teeth, then bring my Coke’s straw to my lips and have a nice, long sip. “Well,” I say when finished, “I suppose it’s good he arrived.”
“How long since you’ve seen him, Finley?” Anna pats Kay’s back.
“Mm, not quite sure. Perhaps five days…or six.”
“I’m a bit surprised you haven’t spent more time together,” Freddy says. He takes a large bite of his burger, and I want to slap him with the mustard-covered bun.
“Perhaps we had our fill of one another.” The words escape my mouth before my brain can screen them. I feel the blood drain from my cheeks. Perfect.
“Look at her.” Anna points, and Freddy’s gaze lands on my face. “I think she should be checked over. You’re not yourself since getting back, and who could blame you?”
“I’m exhausted,” I say. There’s no need to fake the edge in my voice. “Everyone falling, stabbing themselves, getting impregnated.” I roll my eyes and tuck a stra
nd of hair behind my ear.
“It has been a busy few days,” Anna says. “Is Audrey excited?”
I keep up as best I can while watching Holly, Dot, Declan, that horrid Bea, and Mike Green file through the doorway. They settle somewhere out of my range of vision.
I feel tethered to the booth. My brain’s a fog.
Mayor Acton comes to the table, giving me a basket of bread made by Mrs. Acton and a round of fresh congratulations.
While I swallow leaden bites of burger, someone starts the music. Rachel and Mike push booths out of the way, and although I try not to look, I glimpse Dot drag Declan out onto the mock dance floor.
He’s wearing a white shirt, which only enhances his dark beauty.
As time creeps by, people stop to hug and greet me. My head pounds. My chest feels funny, like there’s something wedged behind my sternum. A short time later, I frown down at the pager I keep on hand. Then I hold it up toward Anna.
She gives me an “oh no” look. I make a sad face, as if I’m disappointed, and just liket hat, my freedom has been earned.
I head into the kitchen, past the phone table, and out the kitchen’s back door, which leads into a short hall that smells perpetually of grease. I stop in front of the battered wood doors marked with smears of pink and blue paint. Laughter bleeds from below the pink one. I feel my cheeks burn with emotion, and I know I’ve got to get away before I boil over.
