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“About what?”

“Stuff.”

“What stuff?” I bite my lip to stop myself from grinning, knowing he’ll be getting annoyed.

I’ve known Luke for as long as I can remember. My da worked for his da, and fifteen-year-old Luke would get stuck babysitting seven-year-old me while they were on shift. He knows just how long I can play this game.

“Stuff that has nothing to do with you. Look, that crab’s trying to escape because you’re not paying attention.” He points to the pot, and sure enough, one of the buggers is clawing its way to freedom. I scoop it up and measure the shell.

“Looks like it’s your lucky day, Sebastian. Too little to go into the frying pan,” I say as I throw the crab back into the sea.

“Can you stop naming the bloody crustaceans?”

“No can do. If they live to see another day, then they get a name. I don’t make the rules.”

“Clearly you do, because they’re certainly not mine. Seeing as this is my boat though, maybe you should do as you’re told.”

I stay quiet as I check the next three crabs, throwing them into the keep box.

“You’re not going to stop, are you?” Luke mutters.

“We’ve worked together for fifteen years, I don’t know why you ask stupid questions.”

“Me neither. Give me the pot.”

I pass over the baited creel pot and haul up a third. “Pub tonight?”

“I’ll have to check with Katie⁠—”

“Bring her,” I cut in before he starts making excuses about his wife not letting him go out. I know it’s bullshit. Katie’s always up for the pub; it’s Luke who wants to be home in his PJs by eight. “Please,” I pout.

Usually I would drag Theo out, but he decided chasing his ex-boyfriend all the way to Cumbria was a great idea. I could go out alone, but the locals would try to drag me into their lonely hearts club, and I’m not that desperate for company yet.

Luke strokes his auburn beard, contemplating for a moment. “Fine. Just a couple of drinks, mind, we still have work in the morning.”

“Theo messaged me earlier saying he’ll be staying in Cumbria for a couple of days,” Luke says as he takes a sip of his cider. “Hopefully that means he and Bailey are working things out.”

“Either that or he’s giving himself time to bury the body,” I mutter.

“Don’t joke about that!” Katie scolds. “There’s a literal serial killer on the loose, Robbie.”

“Well, we know it’s not Theo,” I say before draining the last of my pint.

Luke rolls his eyes at me. “It’s your round.”

I gather the empty glasses and head for the bar. A man with wild black curls leans on the counter, holding his card between two fingers. “What would you like?” I ask, sidling in next to him, my arm brushing his.

Noah goes rigid before glaring up at me. “Nothing you’re offering.”

I smirk as his grey eyes travel down the length of my body. “Are you sure about that?”

A cough from behind Noah draws my eyes reluctantly away from him, only to find his uncle Jake frowning at me.

“Didn’t see you there, Jake.” I grin. “You can both join us if you’d like.” I point to Luke and Katie. “Drinks are on me.”

“Sure, I’ll have an IPA. Come on, Noah.” Jake nudges him away from the bar, and I’m left to carry all the drinks back myself.

I put the tray down on the table and slide a Coke in front of Noah, hoping I’ve guessed right. He sniffs it before taking a sip, muttering, “Thanks.”