‘I haven’t stopped,’ she said. ‘It’s been crazy. You wouldn’t believe the people who have decided today is the day they get their first tattoo.’
‘Like me,’ Dawn said, then thrust out a hand. ‘Hi, I’m Dawn.’
‘Jack,’ I said, shaking it.
‘You look kind of familiar.’
‘He’s managing The Cozy Catch,’ Taylor told her.
‘Oh, yes. I’ve heard about you.’
I arched my eyebrows at Taylor. ‘All good things, I hope.’
‘Don’t look at me,’ Taylor said, holding her hands up. ‘I haven’t told her anything.’
Dawn looked back and forwards between us. ‘Is there something to tell?’
‘No,’ we both chorused at the same time, which of course only made us sound guilty, like we were, in fact, hiding something. Taylor blushed.
Dawn grinned, backing out of the tent. ‘Call me later,’ she said to Taylor. ‘I want to hear all about this “nothing” you speak of.’
‘Great,’ Taylor said after Dawn had left. ‘That’s going to be all around town in about five minutes.’
‘What is? She doesn’t know anything.’
‘I love Dawn, but what she doesn’t know, she’ll make up.’ She eyed the paper boats in my hands. ‘Is one of those for me?’
‘These? No. Both mine. Why, are you hungry?’
Her face fell.
‘Just kidding.’ I held one out. ‘I thought you might have worked up an appetite.’
‘Thanks,’ she sighed happily, taking it from me and inhaling its scent with her eyes closed. ‘Ohhh, that smells so good.’ She took a bite and chewed, her face contorting in ecstasy.
‘What is that divine taste?’ she asked.
‘Lobster?’
‘No.’
‘Freshly baked bun?’
‘No, that’s not it either.’
I looked at the one in my hand. ‘Oh, I know what it is, it’s the seaweed aioli.’
‘That is so good.’
‘I know. Toby makes it himself, with seaweed from right here in the bay.’
‘Toby is a genius.’
‘Don’t tell him that; he’ll want a raise.’
‘Here.’ She pushed out the other chair with her foot. ‘Have a seat.’
We ate our rolls in silence, enjoying the food too much to ruin it by making conversation. While we ate, we watched the festival carry on around us. A man on stilts tipped his hat at us as he strode past, kids chasing after him.
