Half a minute later, my phone buzzes with a reply.
Beth:I’m okay
Relief sweeps over me. I don’t believe her, but at least she’s talking to me.
Me:Where are you? Did you go home?
Beth:No
I frown.
Me:Are you with Isla?
Beth:No
Me:With Kim?
Beth:No, I’m alone
Me:Where?
Beth:I’m okay, I’m a big girl now, I can manage on my own
Me:I know you can cope. It’s not about managing. I know you’re upset and I want to help
Beth:There’s nothing you can do
Even though I can’t hear her voice, I can sense her sadness.
Me:Will you tell me where you are?
Beth:He broke up with me
I close my eyes for a moment. The cool evening air brushes my face, bringing with it the salty tang of the sea. Behind me, the music playing at the Ark drifts over me, some dance song, Michael Jackson I think, its dance beat incongruous with the uneasiness in my stomach. ‘He broke up with me.’ Not ‘we broke up’. Does that mean she still wants him?
My phone buzzes again, and I open my eyes and read her text.
Beth:It’s okay, I know you’re on his side, you can go with him, I don’t care
It’s oddly phrased, and the last words, I don’t care, make me frown. She’s hurting.
Me:There are no sides. Bran has picked him up
She doesn’t reply.
Me:Come on, where are you? Please tell me
Eventually, she comes back.At The Driftwood. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.
It’s the bar in Sunrise Bay. Immediately, I set off down the hill toward the bright lights of the village.
I walk fast and end up jogging, anxious to catch her in case she decides she doesn’t want to see me and leaves. I pass the new PAWS site on my right, where I’m spending most of my days now, but barely glance at it as I head down the hill and go past the first houses on my left.
The road follows the crescent-shaped bay, and halfway along, I turn left onto another road. Just two doors down is The Driftwood, its windows spilling golden light onto the pavement.
I pause outside and scan the interior. It’s busy because it’s Valentine’s Day, and the tables are filled with couples and groups. I can’t see Beth. Frowning, I push open the door and go inside.
The chatter of voices, the clink of glasses, and the background music are a stark contrast to the peace and quiet outside. The bar’s theme matches its name—the bar itself, the tables, and chairs are constructed from wood weathered to look like driftwood, with fishing nets hung on the walls and over the bar, and driftwood-and-shell mobiles. It offers a less formal atmosphere than the restaurant a few doors down, and serves lots of fresh fish and seafood, as well as platters to share.
