“That’s him.” Taya’s face grew pink.
Bea studied the man. He looked so different — more mature, taller than she remembered, thicker build… and yet still familiar.
The room was filling up. She’d imagined this moment — as their old school friends congregated together — and it was finally happening. It was strange to see them after so much time. There were a number of faces she didn’t recognise at all. She’d never thought she’d be able to forget a single one, but time had faded her recollections about so many things.
“It would be kind of romantic if he’s still single,” Bea said.
Taya huffed. “I’m not looking for a relationship. I’ve decided the solitary life suits me best.”
“Oh, really?” Bea asked. “I’m sure you’re right.” There was no way that would last. Taya had been hurt by Andrew, but she’d also told Bea how good it was to have someone to spend time with, to attend the theatre with (something Taya loved to do), to share her life with. He hadn’t been right for her, but someone would be. Bea only hoped Taya would open herself up to the opportunity of finding the right man someday, but she wasn’t about to push her. Taya was stubborn. Pushing didn’t do anything but prompt her to fight back.
“Excuse me. Are you Taya Eldridge?” The man approached and smiled at Taya and Bea.
Taya faced the man with wide eyes. “Hairy Legs?”
He laughed, his blue eyes twinkling. “No one has called me that in thirty years.”
“Sorry. I meant to say, ‘Hi, Brent. It’s good to see you again.’”
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
Taya glanced at Bea, her facial expression blank. But Bea could read between the lines. Taya was nervous but excited, although none of that showed on her face.
“Enjoy yourself!” Bea called after them as Brent led Taya to the small dance floor. Two other couples were there already, dancing to a compilation of nineties hits.
Aidan was looking for her. He caught her eye and made his way over to her, then offered her his hand. “Want to dance?”
Her heart skipped a beat. He was more handsome each day. “I’d love to.” She took his hand, and they walked together to the dance floor. Then he put his arms around her, and they swayed in time to the music. It was a slow number, and the music seemed to penetrate through to her very core. It was as if they’d travelled back in time and were in high school again. All around them were the people she’d spent those years with while the music they’d danced to swelled to fill the room.
Nineteen
Dinner wasdelicious and a lot of fun. Beatrice ran into people she didn’t immediately recognise, but after they introduced themselves, the memories returned. There were conversations about families and marriages, careers, and life choices. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time—Taya especially, from what Bea could tell. Her place setting was close to Brent’s, and the two of them were deep in conversation for much of the evening.
Finally, it was time for the scavenger hunt. Bea had purposely put herself, Taya, Evie, and Penny into a team for the game. The rest of the group was divided into four- or five-member teams as well.
Taya sidled up to Bea when she was ready to announce the hunt. “Can Brent join Aidan’s team?”
“What? I’ve already put everyone into groups. And why don’t you want him in ours?”
Taya’s cheeks reddened. “It’d be good for him to spend time with the guys. And besides, we organised the whole thing. I think he’d have more fun with them.”
“You don’t want to spend more time together?”
“I don’t know, I’m confused.” Taya wrung her hands. “Can you do me this one favour? Brent’s group has five. It doesn’t matter if they lose one person.”
Bea rolled her eyes. She could tell the entire evening would be this kind of compromise, but she couldn’t say no to Taya, with her earnest face begging for help beneath the glow of the twinkle lights. “Fine, but don’t tell anyone or they’ll all want to change groups and we’ll never get out of here.”
“Thank you,” Taya said, kissing Bea on the cheek before rushing off to tell Brent the news.
Bea walked between each of the groups, handing out the list of instructions and the first clue.
“Ready, set, go!”
The first challenge involved a style of bingo in which Bea called out names and people had to match faces on the sheet she’d given them. The first to match all the faces received the second clue. Most of the teams finished quickly and hurried to solve the clue.
Then, they ran off in the direction of the nearby beach. The second clue led them to the end of the beach, where a rock in the shape of an elephant squatted. Anyone who’d been to the beach in Blue Shoal knew it was there, so most of the competitors arrived at around the same time, puffing hard and laughing.
“We didn’t think this through,” Taya said, pulling her stilettos off with a grunt and peering at the sand-covered leather in dismay.
