Page 88 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘Have you always been a fisherman?’ Barney said to Finn when he’d finished. Amber took his phone off him and started selecting the best photos.

Finn nodded. ‘Man and boy. We’re a dying breed. The McGills are the last fishing family in Merle Bay.’

‘Please take Dad out on your boat,’ Amber begged, clasping her hands together. ‘He’s been going on about fishing since we arrived. The sea is earth’s greatest ecosystem.’ This last phrase was said in a deep voice obviously mimicking Barney’s.

‘The sea is also the best place on earth,’ Finn grinned. ‘I’d be glad to take you. My brother and I can always use an extra pair of hands, even if they’re soft southern ones.’

Barney laughed and showed his palms to Finn. ‘They don’t come softer than mine. I’m a pen pusher through and through.’

‘But he doesn’t get seasick,’ Amber put in loyally. ‘We once went on the ferry to France and everyone was sick except Dad. I had to get completely changed into clean clothes. The basins in the toilets were literally full of sick. The deck of the boat, total vomitsville. They had to close the cafeteria because someone puked in the chips.’

‘Euww.’ Robyn blocked her ears.

‘We get it.’ Barney clapped a hand over his daughter’s mouth. ‘Thanks.’

‘Get what?’ Grace asked, leaving Zoe.

‘It starts with “v” and ends in “omit”,’ Amber giggled, twisting out of her dad’s grasp and running off to towards the sea.

‘Sorry about my revolting child,’ Finn laughed.

‘Grace, meet Barney Larkin from the Gazette,’ said Robyn. ‘Barney, Grace is staying in Sea Glass House.’

‘Grace Byron!’ Barney pumped her hand. ‘Great to meet you. I’d love to talk to you about architecture in Merle Bay some time and get your views on regeneration.’

Grace’s face lit up. ‘That’s very sweet of you. But I’m only here for a short while. I can’t imagine your readers will be interested in what I think.’

Robyn raised an eyebrow. ‘I am.’

‘Me too,’ said Barney. ‘Finn was just saying there’s a rumour that the boatsheds could be put up for sale. I wondered what you thought about it.’

Grace looked blank. ‘The boatsheds in Merle Bay? Where Finn’s family’s boatshed is?’

Robyn’s blood ran cold; he hadn’t mentioned that to her. She stared at Finn who avoided her gaze and suddenly decided to check the lids of the two cool boxes were properly closed.

‘Finn?’ she said, her mouth dry. ‘Is this true?’

‘Just a rumour, nothing concrete,’ he muttered. ‘I was going to tell you.’

Barney winced. ‘Oh shoot, I’ve put my foot in it.’

Robyn gave him a weak smile. ‘It’s fine. We’ve both been busy, that’s all.’

‘DAD! Come and look at this!’ Amber was by the edge of the water waving her arms above her head.

‘I’d better go and see what she wants,’ said Barney, relief written all over his face.

He jogged off towards her and for a moment or two an awkward silence hung between them.

‘Rumours abound in the property industry,’ Grace reassured them. ‘Might never happen and if it does it could take years. Keep your pecker up, Finn.’

‘It’s just one thing after another,’ Finn said, shooting a sideways glance at Robyn. ‘Sorry I haven’t mentioned it.’

Robyn’s cheeks burned. If the McGills lost the boatshed, it would be impossible to carry on with the business. There’d been a time when they’d shared every single detail of their respective days. How could he have not told her this? There was a chasm opening up in this relationship, she thought with a shudder. She had no idea what was going on in his head anymore. She couldn’t live on a knife edge like this much longer, it was exhausting.

‘Did someone say there’s refreshments?’ Grace said brightly, bringing the awkward moment to an end.

‘Tea, coffee, cold drink?’ Finn jumped to attention. ‘And I’ve got three types of cake.’