With her head throbbing from too much wine and lack of sleep, Jess washed down a couple of paracetamol with a tepid cup of coffee. She’d enjoyed seeing Maisie, and everyone – apart from Will, perhaps – seemed to have enjoyed the party, but putting on a show of being cheerful in public had left her knackered.
She’d managed to grab Maisie in the pub kitchen and tell her about Adam’s letter. She’d lain awake half the night wondering whether to get in touch with him, then reminded herself that he’d walked out on her and the letter had told her to forget him anyway.
Why send it though? It wasn’t as if she’d had any contact with him since he’d left or tried to make him come back. She’d been much too shocked and proud for that, so it seemed cruel of him to get in touch now … and she was still convinced that Adam wasn’t callous, despite what he’d done to her. He had said there was no else … or was that a lie?
Maisie couldn’t make any sense of it either and thought Adam must have been racked with guilt. She’d also gently suggested Jess shouldn’t raise her hopes that he’d changed his mind and was coming back, but Jess had already dismissed that possibility herself. The letter felt very final.
Will walked into the kitchen as she was staring into her coffee. ‘Morning. You look like death warmed up,’ he said cheerily.
Jess wondered whether to tell him about the letter for a split second, then decided it wouldn’t help either of them if she did. The fewer people who knew, the better and it wasn’t as if there was anything she could do because Adam had made his decision and she just had to get on with life.
‘Thanks. I’ve got a headache.’
‘Not surprised, the way you were knocking back the wine.’
‘You had enough beer yourself,’ Jess threw back, wishing she hadn’t risen to the bait. Her tetchiness over the letter was making her extra sensitive. ‘And what do you think you were playing at last night, forcing Gaby to join the gig team?’
Will snorted. ‘I haven’t forced her to do anything. She volunteered.’
‘More like she was press-ganged. Sometimes I despair, Will Godrevy. You can see she’s terrified of rowing and also, I might add, it’s obvious she has a crush on you.’
For once, he didn’t fling back a sarcastic remark. ‘She insisted on joining the crew. I even tried to dissuade her, and she can back out any time she likes. As for having a crush on me, you’re living in cloud cuckoo land.’ He turned away and leafed through a pile of mail.
Jess moved next to him. ‘OK. Maybe I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt as far as the rowing is concerned, but you won’t get off the hook so easily otherwise. I know you too well and I know Gaby. She likes you. She specifically asked me if you were coming to the pub for her birthday party.’
He picked up an envelope and peered at it, even though Jess knew it wasn’t even addressed to him. ‘Did she? What did you say?’
‘That I’d mention it, though I thought you were out with rowing practice … So, you did actively turn up at the Driftwood “unexpectedly” because it was Gaby’s birthday? And what about buying the wine?’
‘Firstly, I like the Driftwood. Secondly, Gaby is one of the team. I felt it was my duty to show my face and the wine was meant for everyone. Not that I wanted to take the credit for it, but some people can’t keep their mouths shut.’ He gave her a pointed look.
Jess gasped. ‘I didn’t realise it was that much of a secret and, as for Gaby, you can’t claim you were only doing your duty for one of the team. I know you like her, though you’ve got a funny way of showing it. Well, be careful.’
Will snorted. ‘Be careful. You’re sounding exactly like Mum.’
‘And you should watch you don’t turn into Dad.’
He folded his arms. ‘Four girlfriends in twelve years makes me Casanova?’
‘There were five actually, with the woman who came to service the tractor.’
‘Jesus. Are you counting? You should set up a blog.’ Will sat down in the swivel chair, put his arms behind his head and rested his stockinged feet on the desk. He knew Jess hated him doing it but, on the upside, it meant she’d got him on the defensive. ‘For your information,’ he continued, ‘I took the tractor technician out for a meal in Hugh Town, we had a passionate debate about the merits of various power take-offs and then she went back to her hotel, not that it’s any of your business. There have only been four other women you could possibly count as actual girlfriends who I was involved with for a couple of weeks.’
‘Hey. I’m joking. Sort of, but I do like Gaby and I don’t want her to be hurt and there to be trouble in the ranks. The last thing we need is upset staff and gossip and bad feeling,’ she said in a softer tone.
‘Neither do I, which is one of the reasons I’m not going to get involved with Gabriella Carter …’ He pulled his arms from behind his head and took his feet off the table. ‘Anyway, she’s not my type.’
‘No, she’s out of your league, or ought to be,’ Jess said, knowing this would jolt him into a response.
‘Out of my league? What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Only that she’s clever and educated,’ said Jess, teasing him.
‘And I’m some thick boor who’s not fit to kiss the hem of her dress?’
Disquiet flickered in his eyes and Jess thought she’d misheard what he’d said. ‘Did you say bore?’ she said.
‘No, boor. B-O-O-R. Don’t look so surprised.’
‘I’m not surprised. It’s only that it’s a funny word for you to use.’
He bristled. Jess was starting to regret teasing him because Will was taking her comments more seriously than she’d expected. She’d obviously touched a raw nerve.
‘Funny in what way, exactly? Because my vocabulary is so limited? Or that I had to abandon my own plans to save this place from ruin?’ he asked.
Jess groaned inwardly. The last thing she wanted was for Will to go off on one, but he really did have a bee in his bonnet. ‘That isn’t what I meant. I was surprised that you used that word because it’s so old-fashioned, like in an old book … Oh, hang on a minute. Did Gaby call you a boor?’
Will snorted and folded his arms again as he often did when threatened or upset. The way their father had when their mum confronted him over ‘the other woman’. Perhaps, Jess thought, it was best not to point that out right now.
‘Will, I might be wrong here but I’m getting the impression you care more about what Gaby thinks of you than you let on. But I’m not sure she’s the ideal person for you,’ said Jess, feeling torn between Gaby and her brother, but feeling she had to speak honestly or risk causing more damage to them both.
‘Why not?’ he said tetchily. ‘Because she’s out of my league?’
‘That was meant to be a joke. I just don’t think she has any plans to stay on the isles long term. Even if you did get involved with her, it could never be more than a fling because she’ll be off round the world or something. I don’t want you to be hurt – or her.’
‘How do you know that she’s definitely going to go off round the world?’ he demanded.
‘She told me shortly after she arrived, but she wanted it kept quiet because I think it was too painful for her to talk about. Her brother, Stevie, had a motorbike accident last year, and ended up in a coma. Gaby was devoted to him and her parents and helped them care for him until they made the decision to end his life support. Now he’s gone, I think she’s working on all the things she didn’t do when she was studying and looking after him. I think he was an adventurous type and he encouraged her to travel and do all the things she always wanted to …’ Jess softened her voice. ‘Yesterday was her first birthday since he passed away.’
Will sat down on the chair next to her. He was silent for a few seconds and she could tell he was genuinely shocked. She wondered if she’d done the right thing by finally sharing Gaby’s personal history with him, but, damn, it was too late.
He toyed with a knife left over from breakfast and sighed deeply. ‘I didn’t know that about her brother. Jesus. That’s tough. I wish you’d warned me.’
‘Why? Would it have made any difference? To be honest, I’m not sure I should have shared it now, so don’t let on you know.’
‘I won’t … but it makes sense now you mention it,’ he said thoughtfully. The revelation had obviously subdued him. ‘You needn’t worry about me and Gaby. I’ve not even asked her out, and I’ve told you that I’m not going to hurt her, as you put it; I can see why she wouldn’t want to stick around here for too long …’
‘I might be wrong about her. She might want to stay, but I don’t want another person I care for hurt the way that …’ her voice trailed off. She looked away from him, half wishing she’d never started the conversation but recognising it was probably one that they both needed to have. Discussing stuff like this – relationships – was rare between them.
‘This is about Adam, isn’t it?’ His voice softened.
‘I don’t know what it’s about,’ she said, wondering even now whether to mention the letter, then deciding it changed nothing and might only anger Will.
‘I’m sorry. I wish I could change what Adam did. He was a mate and he still is, but I don’t like him taking off like that any more than you do.’
‘Thanks … I probably shouldn’t be asking this, but have you heard from him?’ she asked, feeling slightly guilty.
‘Once. He texted me shortly after he arrived back home. He said he was in Cumbria and sorting stuff out.’
So, that much was consistent with the letter.
‘Did he say … anything about me? About us?’ Jess couldn’t help asking, even though the question showed Will – and her – how impossible she found it to simply switch off her feelings for Adam.
Will shook his head. ‘Sorry, Jess, but no.’
‘Or anyone else?’ The words were out before she could stop herself.
‘If you mean another woman, then no, but I doubt if he would. I’d tell you if he did.’
‘Even if he asked you not to?’
Will sucked in a breath. ‘That’s not fair.’
‘So that’s a “no”. Sorry, I can’t help asking. The way things ended between Adam and me was so sudden, it’s hard to forget and move on no matter how hard I try.’
‘If Adam asked me not to tell you something, I’d ask him not to share it with me in the first place. That’s all I can promise, but there’s no point fretting because I don’t know why he pissed off to Cumbria any more than you do other than it was something to do with a family crisis. We didn’t exactly pour out each other’s hearts over a pint, although I thought I knew him …’ Will sighed. ‘We were obviously both wrong. Now, can I get on with my coffee?’ He smiled to show there were no hard feelings between them after their heart to heart.
Having reassured herself that Will was unaware of the letter, Jess nodded. ‘Sure. I’m going to Maisie’s after work and I’m staying over. Can you manage without me?’ she asked.
Will smiled and gave her a brief hug. ‘I suppose I might cope. Um. The Athene’s ready for her sea trials and now Gaby’s on board, we have a full crew so I need everyone to come along to the evening Mixed sessions when I’ve organised the schedule.’
‘Great. Just what I need. Test-driving a leaky old relic with a scratch crew: that’s how I want to spend my evening after a hard day on the farm.’
‘Leaky old relic? I’ll have you know we’ve lavished months of work on that vintage craft. She’s in mint condition.’
‘I’ll believe it when I’ve arrived home without getting drowned. Where are you planning on taking it for the first outing?’
‘Only up and down to the Shag Rock. Javid and I have already had a few short trips in it to make sure everything’s safe and watertight, so you needn’t worry, but we need to test it with a full crew.’
‘So you really are hellbent on entering the Mixed in the championships, then?’
‘There’s no point having a beautiful craft like the Athene and not using it.’
‘I suppose not.’
He drummed his fingers on the table. ‘Hmm … By the way, Jess …’
The hairs prickled on the back of Jess’s neck. ‘Yes?’
‘I hope you didn’t have plans for Easter Saturday?’
‘Only to lie in bed all day, drink gin, stuff my face with chocs and recover from the busiest time of the year at the farm. Why, what had you got in mind, dear brother?’
‘Well, I thought that we ought to have a bit of fun after all the slog of the past few months. Kind of a party, so I might have agreed to a small race as a sort of trial run for the championships, just in case we do take part. After all they’re not that long away now.’
‘A race? In an untried boat? Are you out of your mind?’
‘Don’t panic. It’s only a friendly bit of fun, and the booze and food are the main point of it all. Javid’s managed to put together a Mixed crew from Gull Island and they’re rowing over here in it. The thing is that Hugo Scorrier got to hear of it. Javid was going to say no, but then Patrick found out too and decided that Gull should rise to the challenge, so Javid gave in. It’s turned into quite an occasion and we thought we’d have a party on the beach afterwards.’
‘Oh God. This gets better and better. A party and a race between us, Hugo and Patrick? You know they can’t stand each other and we’ll all be completely knackered,’ Jess said. ‘Hold on. Does Gaby know about this trial race?’
‘She’ll find out. Me, Patrick and Javid only decided to do it this morning. Look, there’s really no need to worry. We’re only doing it to test the boat but we might give the Gull lot a run for their money if you pull your weight and Gaby doesn’t chicken out or throw up.’
Jess hit him on the arm. ‘You’re horrible, Will!’
‘No, I’m not and I do want Gaby to enjoy it. I was kind of hoping that you’d give her some coaching with the Women’s crew over the next couple of weeks to help get her up to speed. As I said, I’ll work out a formal schedule of practice sessions for the Mixed too. I should think we could fit in four or five before the trial race.’
‘Five Mixed sessions in just over two weeks? Plus Ladies’ sessions on top? I won’t blame Gaby if she gets the first plane home! Maybe I’ll join her. Will Godrevy, sometimes I have no clue as to how we can possibly share any DNA at all, let alone be twins.’
‘You know you love me really,’ said Will, dancing out of the way of another swat in time. ‘And it’ll be a great day out. You might even enjoy it.’
As Will left, crunching on a piece of toast, Jess very much doubted that.