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I elbowed her in the ribs. Staying on an island where everyone thought the same did little for her empathy. I hoped I could poke some sense into her by force.
“They have every right to be defensive,” I said. “Give them the benefit of the doubt.”
The recent issues with tourists were small potatoes compared with the past battles between merfolk and land dwellers. Civil wars had taken place centuries back over ownership of Magdora, and the merfolk weren’t quick to forget.
“I’m not just mad for Tyler, I’m mad for you, Maeve.” Kira put her mascara back into its holder and tapped it against my head. “Did Janeira think about you at all when she put this enormous responsibility on you?”
I smacked my lips together to even out the colour. The warm glow of my cheeks couldn’t break through the layer of foundation. I had forgotten that sometimes Kira’s offensive stance was in defence of her friends.
“Someone has to do it,” I said.
“Well, what are you going to do?” Allison asked, flopping down on my bed. “Where do you even start?”
“I’m going to wait for the autopsy results and see if any of Tyler’s injuries could support a murder.” I swivelled the lipstick back inside. “There isn’t much else I can do right now.”
I needed a little time to think up a game plan, and the day hadn’t allowed for even a smidgen of clear thought.
“If that’s how it is, then tonight your responsibility is to not think about it,” Kira said, smoothing out her hair. “Tonight, you think about getting laid.”
“You’ve got me worried that the first thing you’re going to do when you meet this complete stranger is pull his pants down,” Allison said.
“Do you know nothing about seduction, Ali? They’ll take their own pants off if you show them an inch more skin than they were expecting.”
“Okay, well, we won’t wait up for you then.” I grabbed my clutch and took a step back to look at myself in the mirror.
Kira had decided on a navy dress and matching heels for me when I had taken too long to decide.
I had curled the ends of my hair a little to add as much flair as I dared.
Neither of them had given me much idea what to expect, and allegedly, the dating agency had only told them to dress for a date and not worry about anything else. The lack of detail had my stomach rolling.
But at least I would be with my friends. Even if worst came to worst, we’d have an adventure to laugh about in a few years’ time.
Once ready, we tottered downstairs, none of us very competent in heels. Dad poked his head out the kitchen door with a cup of tea in hand as we made it to the bottom.
“Are you off?” he asked.
“Going now. Bye, Dad.” I waved at him as we headed for the door.
“Don’t be out late!” His voice followed me down the corridor.
“Dad, I’m an adult. I might be out late.”
“At least text me to let me know you’re getting on all right.”
“Okay, Dad, bye!” I called before shutting the front door behind us.
We clambered tentatively into Dad’s car, and I drove us toward Dawn. The closer we got to the city, the more excited our chatter became.
Allison announced she felt sure she would find her soulmate, whereas Kira was happy just to find someone to spend the night with.
I had no expectations other than that I would awkwardly embarrass myself, especially as I was going in sober. Still, at least the dates were anonymous to start with.
I parked the car off the main square in Dawn, and we tottered, arm in arm, along the rows of closed cafés and boutiques.
“Here it is.” Kira steered us down a side street to a brand-new building with no windows, but lit up so brightly that astronauts might have spotted it.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked as Kira reached for the door.
