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Finn knew their decision couldn’t have been easy to come by. But if there was anyone who could make the best about being left alone on holiday, it would be Maisie. And honestly, he was thrilled with the notion of spending the next two weeks with her without her sharp-eyed aunt.
“’Course it’s alright,” he replied, trying to play it cool.
Was it even raining anymore? He couldn’t tell, what with Maisie’s bright smile shining down on him.
“Good,” she said, “because I just wasn’t ready to leave yet.” She looked beyond his shoulder. “Especially not without seeing Rathlin Island.”
He followed her gaze behind him to the sea where typically, the island was visible from Ballycastle’s shores. However, due to heavy rain and lurking fog, nothing was visible beyond a few feet of sea water.
“Aye, because you can see so much of it now,” he quipped. “I mean, what a cracker view.”
Maisie’s laugh only encouraged him to continue. He leaned in closer to her, that impish spark inside him glowing brighter. “Alright, now be honest,” he said in a lowered voice. “I’m the real reason you chose to stay, aren’t I?”
A blush sprinkled its way across the bridge of her nose. “I mean, I tried hiding it, but let’s be real. What’s the Sea of Moyle, Giant’s Causeway, and Marble Arch Caves to the Finn O’Meara?”
He flashed a grin. “Absolutely nothin’.”
The ferry’s blasting horn cut her laugh short.
“I should let you board now,” he said, motioning to the white passenger ferry nearby, a puffin drawn across the front of it.
“Are you not coming?” she asked.
“I’ve got to wait here for a few more passengers,” he said regretfully.
If only he could join her. If only he could spend every minute with her over the next two weeks.
Blasted job.
He paused, surprised at both thoughts—especially as they rang true. He’d known Maisie for what, a day? And he’d had his job as a tour guide for the better part of a decade? Maybe he was pulling a “Romeo” already.
“I’ll catch up with you on the island,” he continued, “just to make sure you don’t miss me too much.”
“What a relief,” she teased back.
She took a few steps away, keeping her gaze on him before finally turning to board the ferry. Finn watched her, taking note of her white shoes again—white shoes that had been entirely caked in mud the day before. How’d she do that, then?
“Mr. O’Meara?” a soft voice spoke nearby.
He smiled at Mr. and Mrs. Unck, who’d just appeared at his side.
“This is where we are to be?” Mrs. Unck asked in a thick accent.
“Aye, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. You can board just there.”
He pointed in the direction of the ferry, and after ensuring they and the other passengers had finally made it on, he climbed aboard himself, pulling out his phone and sending a quick response to his mates before he would go off-grid for another day of work.
Finn
Maybe Matthew will win.
And maybe I HAVE found a girl…
Guess you’ll just have to wait and see.
Cedric
Woah, woah, woah, are you having a laugh, mate?
