‘Terrible,’ Liam concluded.
Kat swatted at Liam’s arm.‘Don’t say that!’
‘What?’ Liam said, gesturing a hand to me.‘He does!He looks like he hasn’t slept in days.I mean, his lovesick arse did decide to go on a hiking trip and sleep in tents for weeks, so I guess it’s his own fault.’
‘It’s romantic,’ Kat said in a low voice, between her teeth.
‘So come on then,’ Liam said, folding his arms.‘What’s up?’
‘I’m fine, I’m fine.I was just out for a walk.And before I knew it, I was here.’
More silence.
‘Okay, okay,’ I sighed.‘I’m not fine.’
Kat took a seat.Liam moved closer.
‘Okay,’ Kat said, nodding.‘Shoot.’
I told them about the last day or so – keeping it PG – and finished with the fact that Lydia hadn’t answered any of my calls or texts and I was near a breakdown.Well, I didn’t actually say it like that, but I was pretty sure they could tell from the strain in my voice.And the expression on my face.When I was finished, they were both frowning.
‘So…’ Kat bit her lip.‘Let me get this straight.You two share a tent…’
I held up a hand.‘I’m not getting into the details with you.’
Liam grimaced.‘Please don’t.’
‘I think we can use our imagination.’
‘Nope,’ Liam said, hands in front of his face.‘My mind is blank.’
Kat continued, undeterred, ‘And you woke up.Everything fine.But now she’s ghosting you?’
‘Bingo.’
‘Right.Okay.’ Kat tapped her fingers on the counter top.‘We need to think about what would’ve triggered that.’
‘Maybe she came to her senses,’ Liam said dryly.
I stood up, pushing the bar stool back.‘Right.I’ll be off then.’
Kat shot out a hand to stop me, then swivelled to her fiancé, raising a single, deadly finger.
‘Liam.’
His eyes widened, even as his eyes flickered across Kat’s face, a little fascinated.
‘Your brother is having a crisis.You willnottake the piss.You will listen, and you will give him sage, big-brotherly advice.Now, I’m going back to watchLove Islandso you two can talk.’ Her eyes narrowed on Liam.‘Understood?’
Liam raised both hands in surrender, a little satisfied smile on his face.‘Sufficiently threatened, Red.’
More like sufficiently turned on.Yuck.
Kat gave me a pat on the back and a sympathetic smile, and made her way back to the front room.Once she was gone, Liam looked at me expectantly.
‘Right.’ Liam came around the island to sit next to me.‘Let’s go over this again.’
I sighed.‘I told you everything I know.I’ve not got a clue why she won’t speak to me.As usual, I’ve done something wrong.I’m sure you’re ecstatic that I’ve fucked up this grand-gesture plan of yours,’ I mumbled.‘You can rub it in now.’
