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Thirteen
Connie
For the nextfew days I keep busy, working hard at the shack, barely taking a break. The fishermen come and go, and Lola and I work steadily to keep on top of the workload. I feel Malakai’s presence around the harbour, but apart from a few glimpses of him, he keeps his distance. I’m not sure whether Lola’s managed to have that chat with him or not, but if she has, she doesn’t say. I don’t return to The Shack in the evening despite my friends’ efforts to get me to go and Lola’s requests for me to sing.
Today’s she’s been quiet, thoughtful. Eventually it’s time to lock up for the afternoon and Lola motions me over to the counter.
“It’s been a busy day. Far busier than it’s been in a little while, actually,” she muses, leaning her elbows against the wood and cupping her face in her hands. A sheen of sweat covers her skin, and there are two bright spots on the apples of her cheeks. Her skin looks a little ashen now that I’ve time to study her closer.
“You feeling okay? You look a little unwell.”
She swipes a hand over her face. “I’ve felt better, honestly. Just a bit off colour. I’ve got a killer sore throat. Probably working too hard.”
“You do work too hard. Maybe you shouldn’t open up tonight? Why don’t you take the night off?”
“I may well do, unless you fancy opening up for me. You could sing to the punters?” Lola quirks an eyebrow, looking at me hopefully. I pull a face.
“I like working here, but…”
“You’d rather not… what? Open up tonight or sing?”
“Both,” I shrug helplessly. “Sorry. Is that okay?”
“Sure it is. I’ve employed you to help me with breakfast and lunch, that’s all.” She gives me a weak smile, pushing off from the counter. “I was going to catch up properly with Malakai today, but that’s going to have to wait. I need to go to bed.”
Ah, so she hasn’t managed to speak with him yet. I wonder if he’s been avoiding her as much as he’s been avoiding me. “You’ve missed him a lot, haven’t you?”
“He’s been gone a year. I want to know where he’s been and why he didn’t contact me for a whole three-hundred and sixty-five days, the arsehole. It’s a conversation that’s well overdue but I don’t have the energy for it today.” Lola sighs heavily, rubbing at her eyes.
“What is it?”
“Malakai texted me a while ago, Princess went into the workshop a few hours ago. Grant’s really good at his job, he’ll have Princess fixed in no time…”
“Oh,” is all I can manage to say.
“The mast isn’t as bad as Malakai first thought. It’ll take a day’s work, maximum, to fix. Malakai is going to leave, and soon. He never stays anywhere very long.”
“Not even for you?” I ask gently, my own heart squeezing painfully. I thought we’d have more time. A few more days at least.
“Not for anyone.”
I nod. I’m beginning to understand that. “Leave me the key. I’ll lock up if you want to get on home.” Besides, I need to figure out how to make him stay. Perhaps if he gives in to this feeling between us, he won’t leave.
“Would you? That’d be great. I should be okay after a good night’s sleep.”
“Why don’t I open up in the morning too? I can get the breakfast started, if you’d like?”
Lola bites her lip, hesitating. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“It’s no bother. I can handle it.”
“You sure?”
“Of course. Just get a good rest and don’t worry about it.”
Lola smiles. “You’re a good kid, Connie Silva. I’ll be in by seven to help with the rush, promise.” Traversing the counter, Lola gives me a brief hug. She feels both clammy and scorching hot.
“Go on. Go home. I got this,” I tell her.
