Like she gave a toss about the rest of the band at present. “And Spook?”
That got her another shoulder lift. “I’ve not actually seen him today. I’m… I’m not sure where he is.”
“With Xane?” she asked, a combination of vexation and jealousy churning in her guts. It didn’t matter how many times she told herself she was cool with whatever was going on between them, it still made her squally.
Ronnie gave her another awkward sidewards glance. “Maybe. Like I said, they’re probably in the studio. They do spend a lot of time cooped up there writing. I think you’ll like it. It’s really nice, and the equipment’s all really swish.” Sadly, a relaxing, airy vibe couldn’t make up for the absence of the one person she’d come here for, no matter how nice four sixths of the band were about welcoming her.
When they reached the cottages, a row of three white-washed buildings with low roofs, Ash made her a cuppa and Ronnie fed her cake while Rock Giant hovered around her and Luthor fidgeted uncomfortably with his phone.
Spook and Xane weren’t in the studio, she knew that before she allowed Ronnie to waste a good forty minutes showing her every detail of a building that only had a handful of rooms.
“Where are they?” she asked Ash, who’d accompanied them on the pretence of needing to stretch his legs. It felt more like they were keeping tabs on her, though whether that was to guide her away from Spook or simply contain her to a certain area was less clear.
“Coming,” he assured her.
“Heard anything?” She overheard him ask Luthor not a minute later.
Black Halo’s drummer covered his mouth as he spoke, thwarting her attempt to lip read, but Ash’s jovial façade momentarily collapsed.
“Are you going to head over there?” he asked.
Luthor responded with a soft swish of his head, which caused his hair to fall over his face. “Better off letting Xane handle it.”
“Something up?” she butted in. They might like to think they were pulling the wool over her eyes, but she wasn’t stupid. Both men twitched like she’d tasered them. “All right, stop bullshitting me. Where is he?”
“Coming,” they replied simultaneously.
“You know that could be interpreted in more than one way.”
They both goggled at her like she’d lost her damned mind. Then, Luthor typed another message into his phone. “I’m sure it won’t be much longer. They’ve just been a bit delayed. Why don’t we all go and get a drink? They’ll be here soon, they’ll have heard the kettle.”
“More cake?” Ash asked. “Ginny was bored yesterday. She made Danger Mouse themed food. I haven’t the heart to tell her that I think gnocchi’s the most overrated food on the planet, but the dessert was amazing.”
“What was the gnocchi even supposed to be?” Rock Giant joined them, curtailing his long-legged stride so that he fell into step with her.
“Damned if I know,” Ash replied. “Toad spawn?”
Rock Giant gave his head a shake. “Wrong shape, mate. It’s frogs that do the jelly-like clumps, toad spawn’s more like a pearl necklace.”
“He definitely knows what they look like.” Ginny had come out of the far cottage and joined them. “What’s wrong with my cooking?” she asked her husband. Ash gave her a beaming grin.
“Not a thing, my sweet. Everything about it is perfection, just like you.” He leaned in to give her a kiss.
Ginny batted him away. Then grabbed him for a smooch. “I know when you’re buttering me up, Ashley Gore.”
“Alle needs some of your cake,” he replied. “Don’tcha? We were just on the way to get it, while we wait for you know who to appear.”
“Still not here?” Ginny pulled free of Ash’s hold to link arms with Alle. “I’m sure he’ll show. He always does eventually. We keep a stash of cheesy puffs around just to ensure it.”
“Spook eats cheese puffs?”
“Don’t feel bad for not knowing that,” Ginny said. “He keeps it under wraps. I’m not sure anyone outside the band knows it. It’s his stress food.”
-2-
Xane
Xane found Spook on his second lap of the island. He knew every nook and cranny of Liddell Island, which was the only reason his persistence eventually won out. Spook sat sheltered beneath the upturned bow of an ancient bell boat, a shell in his fist and scratches criss-crossing the lengths of both his forearms. He tugged his sleeves down fast on Xane’s arrival, but not fast enough.
