Page 6

Tess sighs dramatically at the chaos. ‘Don’t judge me. It’s been a bad week.’

‘Sweetheart,’ Elodie says, patting her shoulder. ‘Your room was like this before.’

I let out a quiet laugh and lean against the doorway. ‘So what’s the vibe tonight? Cute? Scary?’

Elodie turns to me. ‘You? Something lowkey. You’re already intimidating.’

‘Wow.’ I blink in mock offense. ‘Thanks?’

‘It’s a compliment,’ she insists.

Tess rummages through a drawer, pulling out a sequinned top and a black skirt. ‘I just don’t want to look like someone’s abandoned house plant.’

‘Done,’ Elodie says, snatching the clothes from her. ‘Go shower. Bryn and I will attempt to wrangle this mess.’

Tess disappears into the bathroom and Elodie opens her bedside table, pulling out a half-finished bottle of pink gin. ‘Ah-ha! Emergency supplies.’

I grin, feeling slightly relieved that I will have a little liquid courage leading into tonight. I don’t scare that easily anymore, but the thought of people jumping out from shadows all night makes me feel a little uneasy. I’m worried I might accidentally hit one of them out of fright.

Elodie grabs three mismatched glasses from the kitchen and fills them generously. By the time Tess reappears, hair dripping and cheeks pink from the heat, her eyes looking slightly less bloodshot, we’re already seated on the bed, holding out her drink.

‘To welcome Bryn back to Black Water Cove, and to new beginnings.’

‘And to not letting small-dick losers ruin our lives,’ Tess adds, taking the glass.

‘Cheers,’ I say, lifting mine.

We clink our glasses together. The gin burns a little on the way down. I don’t drink often, but I’m enjoying it tonight.

As they start on makeup, I sit at the edge of the bed, letting myself soak in the moment. The soft music playing from Tess’s phone, the faint scent of hairspray, the warmth in the room … these elements make up a version of normal I didn’t realise I missed. I have friends and family where I moved to in the city, but the place has never felt quite like home. Not like Black Water Cove does.

Elodie turns to me, tapping her makeup brush against her palm. ‘Bryn. Your turn.’

I groan, but move toward her anyway. ‘Nothing too wild.’

‘No promises,’ she says with a wicked grin.

3

ASH

Five Years Ago

When I wake, the first thing I see is long, strawberry-blonde hair. My arm is limp at my side, littered with cuts and bruises, but the thing I focus on is the soft hand threaded through mine.

She’s here.

My tongue feels glued to the roof of my mouth. My muscles are sore as I attempt to adjust myself in the hospital bed. She sits in a chair beside me, her sleepy eyes resting on my face.

‘You’re awake,’ she whispers.

I nod. ‘It appears so.’

‘How are you feeling?’

‘Like I’m a lucky guy.’

A look of confusion falls over her face. ‘A lucky guy?’