Page 14 of Toy Boy
“There’s no ulterior motive here.”
I frown, and she smiles, almost as if she sensed what I was about to say. “I didn’t mean…”
“I’m trying to be friendly, that’s all.”
Of course she is.
“I just thought, with you being new here, it might be nice if you got to know a few of us.”
“It would, be nice. I don’t really know a lot of people at the minute, but everyone seems really friendly, so far.”
Too friendly, possibly.
“We’re a very welcoming community.”
“Yeah. I’m starting to see that.” I take her phone and add my number to her contacts list, even though there’s still a part of me that’s not altogether sure this is a good idea. It might seem like I’m encouraging something that’s never going to happen. But, you know, I don’t want to come across as an unfriendly asshole, either. “There you go.” I flash her another smile as I give her back her phone. “Send me a quick text, so I’ve got your number, too.”
“Will do. So, I guess I’ll see you around?”
That’s a question rather than a certainty, and I nod, watching as she walks away, across the sand, back towards the café. And I’m still wondering whether making close connections with too many people is such a good idea, but in reality, I’m not here forever. I have no intention of staying in Beachcastle Bay any longer than I have to. A few more weeks, maybe a couple more months. However long it takes…
Megan
“I don’t need you fighting my battles, Josh. I can deal with Scott.”
“I know you can.”
I slide a cup of coffee towards him and raise a sceptical eyebrow. “Do you?”
“I’m just worried about you, Mum.”
“Scott Warren is not going to get under my skin, okay?”
It’s his turn to raise a sceptical eyebrow, and I sigh.
“Seriously, Josh, please don’t do this.”
“I don’t trust the guy. I never did.” He sips his coffee and looks around the café. It’s starting to fill up with the usual regulars popping in for their take-out breakfast sandwiches and rolls, coffees and teas, or a fresh fruit smoothie. And I love seeing the same old faces every morning. Most of them, anyway. This small seaside town, and the people who inhabit it, have been nothing but kind to me since Josh and I moved here twenty-four years ago. They’re my family. “Natalie saw him yesterday, at the hospital, stalking the corridors like he owns the fucking place.”
I ignore him, in the hope that he’ll see that as my wish to end this conversation, he seems way more bothered about Scott’s return than I am. I’m not bothered at all.
Really? I’m not…?
“He hasn’t spoken to her, and she does her best to avoid him, which she can do quite easily at the minute, seeing as she’s in A&E… Mum, are you listening to me?”
“Yes, unfortunately.”
Josh sighs, his eyes narrowing. “You’re really okay with him being back here?”
“More okay than you appear to be.” I stop wiping down the counter and meet his gaze. “It’s fine.I’mfine.”
“People should know what he’s really like.”
“Can we please just leave it, Josh? You don’t like him, fine, that’s up to you, but let’s not waste any more time talking about him. I’ve moved on, hopefully he has, too. Maybeyoushould try it.”
He finishes his coffee and grabs his jacket. “I’d better get to work. I don’t want to be late.”
“Have a good day, okay?”