‘If I don’t go back to London?—’
‘Aha!’ Clemmie cut in. ‘So you’re thinking about staying?’
‘It’s on my mind,’ Fern admitted. ‘But how can I make a life decision having spent so little time here? I also worry Daniel thinks I’d only be staying because of Ella, that avoiding her makes this the easy option.’
‘Maybe it’s just the change you need. And what’s the worst that can happen? If you decide to stay and you don’t like it here, you can always go back to London. There’s nothing stopping you keeping your place in the city for six months, then seeing how you feel. Can you work remotely? Go freelance. There are always options.’
Fern mulled over what Clemmie had just said. It all made sense. It was just that taking the leap was terrifying her. She was torn.
‘Talk it over with Daniel.’
‘I will.’
‘And for what it’s worth, we would love to add you to our little community.’
Fern glanced around the shop, at the tea mugs that were still warm, the gift-wrapped sausage rolls, the lingering scent of scones. Puffin Island had reached out with both hands today. She just had to take hold.
Outside, the sea breeze rattled the shop sign. Fern wasn’t going anywhere just yet. She had a lot of thinking to do.
ChapterForty-Four
The vinyl was on the desk in front of Fern and Daniel. ‘I don’t think we should risk taking the original with us. Shall I take some photographs instead?’ suggested Fern.
‘Smart. Yes, let’s take some photos. We don’t want anything to happen to it, and I don’t trust him.’
‘Me neither.’
Fern took the photos and locked the vinyl back in the safe. ‘Let’s go and catch that train.’
* * *
The train to London rattled through the countryside. Fern sat beside Daniel, half watching the hedgerows blur past, half mentally preparing herself to sit across from Alistair, smile politely and pretend she hadn’t spent the past week convinced he was hiding some deeply unsavoury secrets.
Daniel had bought coffee and almond croissants from the trolley, and they sat quietly, sharing breakfast.
When they pulled into Euston, Fern felt the shift immediately, London was so much noisier than Puffin Island. The platform was busy with people hurrying about their business and Fern stood and watched it all for a moment.
‘You okay?’
‘Yes, just thinking.’
They stepped off the train together, and as they headed through the station she heard a chorus of camera clicks, and people yelling.
‘It must be someone famous,’ she said to Daniel. She glanced over at the jostling press pack and that’s when she saw them.
Ella and Jax.
Jax carried his signature leather coat slung over one shoulder, and despite the lack of sun was wearing sunglasses. His arm was wrapped around Ella, who was dressed in head-to-toe cream knitwear, large sunglasses, and a scarf arranged like she was about to pose for aVoguewinter editorial even though it was the middle of summer.
The paparazzi’s cameras flashed as they jostled and shouted things like ‘Over here, Jax!’ and ‘Ella! Give us a smile!’ Enjoying the attention, she turned towards the nearest camera, pushed her sunglasses down her nose in a playful, practised way and beamed.
Daniel noticed Fern’s tightened grip on his arm before she did.
‘Breathe,’ he said softly.
‘I’m okay,’ she murmured, though she wasn’t convinced.
They hadn’t seen her yet. It wasn’t until Jax said something and turned his head slightly. And then, there it was, a flash of recognition. He whispered something in Ella’s ear and she visibly tightened her hold on Jax’s arm. Ella glanced at Fern and then just as quickly looked away. No wave, not even a smile. She just turned her face back to the cameras, like Fern had never existed.
