Page 158 of UNAwere

‘You don’t have to do that,’ Bernie tells me as I go about cleaning the kitchen.

I shake my head. I left Maeve and the others on the beach because I needed a distraction. Something to do that wasn’t talking to people who only reminded me of him.

‘I’m okay.’ I throw a smile at her over my shoulder and continue scrubbing dishes in the sink.

‘You look sad,’ she says, coming over to dry the dishes I’m cleaning.

‘I just miss him,’ I say honestly. ‘I haven’t even heard his voice in three days.’ I shake my head. ‘It sounds pathetic, doesn’t it?’

‘No, it doesn’t,’ she says softly. ‘It sounds like love.’

I smile, scrubbing at a particularly stubborn spot on a plate. ‘I was going to talk to him this morning, but then breakfast was ready, and I think I might’ve left him hanging.’

Bernie laughs, full-throated. ‘He’ll be fine. You’ve only made him want to get to you sooner, I think.’

I grin. ‘Probably.’

‘Thank you,’ she murmurs, and I look at her, surprised.

‘Bernie…’

‘No.’ She shakes her head and meets my gaze, her black-gold eyes shining. ‘Thank you, Sybbie. You’ve made him so happy. And I have a feeling, even if you both weren’t mates, this still would have happened.’

I smile, nodding. Because I think so, too.

I’m sitting on the beach with Maeve when a car comes down the drive.

The sun has set, and we’re going off the light of the moon, and when the headlights flash over us, Maeve gasps and stands.

‘Oh my god! Is it them?!’ she asks.

I slowly stand, brushing sand off my jeans. My heart is racing. I don’t know if I’m ready to be disappointed if it’s not.

But then Jude climbs out of the driver’s seat, and Hannah gets out on the other side. Maeve squeals, grabbing my arm.

The kids rush from inside, having heard them arrive, and I grin as they’re both tackled by them. Jude picks up Aspen and hugs her tightly, and Hannah crouches down to hold the other two close.

‘Uncle Jude! Ma!’ Their cries echo out towards us.

‘Aw.’ Maeve shakes my arm. ‘Jude’s good with kids.’

I laugh, swatting her off.

Bernie comes out and embraces them, smiling. And then Keith takes his wife in his arms and holds her for a really long time.

I see Jude ask Bernie something when he draws away, and she turns to where I’m standing on the beach. They can’t see me, as it’s too dark out on the shore, but Bernie points my way.

Jude heads over.

Maeve squeals again, hugs me, and then heads back to the house.

Jude catches her on his way, and she grins at him.

‘Maeve!’

‘She’s back there,’ she tells him. ‘Have fun, you two!’

I roll my eyes at my sister, grinning. And then Jude finally sees me in the dark, and his smile warms my entire soul.