After collecting the trophy, Gaby and the rest of the crew trooped into the Galleon Inn behind the harbour, along with Patrick and Maisie and the Gull team. They had to fight their way inside, through the crush of rowers and supporters, before they found a corner.
Gaby was now squished against the side of a wooden settle. ‘Well, that was a first for the championships. Only five of us turning up to collect the trophy,’ she said, as Will shifted a few inches closer to her.
‘Lawrence has a great excuse,’ said Natalia.
‘And Jess probably needed some time on her own. I hope she’s OK,’ said Gaby.
‘Me too, and I’m not sure where Adam got to, either,’ said Will quietly then cheered up. ‘I’ll get the first round in.’
After he and Robbie had returned with the trays of drinks, he resumed his place next to Gaby. Every now and then his arm would brush the back of her shoulders as he held forth on the famous victory. Gaby felt his laughter resonate through her body and saw his brown eyes light up with pleasure. She didn’t think she’d ever seen him so happy.
‘Sorry, mate.’ Will grinned broadly as Patrick and Maisie joined them at the table.
‘Yeah and you look sorry,’ said Patrick. ‘About as sorry as a bloke who’s won the lottery twice over.’ Patrick grinned. ‘Captain of the winning crew buys the drinks for the rest of the day and that seems to be you, mate.’
Will laughed. ‘I’m happy to get the next round in too. Your crew looks as if they need consolation.’
‘Did you see Hugo’s face?’ added Len with a cackle.
Roars of laughter rang out as more drinks were brought to the table and every aspect of the race was raked over again and again. Gaby tucked into a bag of crisps and her wine, amused by how the details grew more colourful with every retelling. It now sounded as if the clashing crews had capsized Titanic-style and Petroc had been seconds from being rescued by the lifeboat. So that was how oral myths spread, she thought with amusement. She suspected the day would pass into gig rowing legend for decades to come.
The banter flew between the crews, and soon the table had vanished under glasses and empty crisp packets. There were so many excited and well-oiled people in the pub now that they could hardly hear themselves speak. Gaby had only had a couple of drinks but the effort of the race had taken its toll and she had no idea how she was ever going to peel herself out of the booth.
‘Anyone heard how Lawrence is?’ Patrick asked.
‘His girlfriend called me. Badly bruised ankle but no break, thankfully,’ said Will. ‘She says he’ll be discharged soon and she’ll take care of him in her flat at Old Town. Means that we’ll be one short on the row home though.’
Gaby let out a squeak.
‘You’ll be fine. I’ll be gentle with you.’ Will spoke softly into her ear. A hand rested lightly on her back. It wasn’t Len’s so it had to be Will’s. His fingers were warm and he inched a tiny bit closer to her, until their bare thighs beneath their shorts were touching. She shifted in her seat and Will’s leg muscle tensed next to hers. The tension was agonising but delicious. ‘What’s so funny?’ he whispered while Len related a tale about a previous gig disaster to the rest of the crews. ‘You have that secret smile on your face.’
‘Who? Moi?’
‘Yes. You often have it. Usually when I’ve done or said something that amuses you.’
‘Really?’ She arched an eyebrow.
‘You’re doing it now. As if you know something about me that I don’t. It’s … disturbing.’
‘Shall I stop doing it?’ she whispered back, pleased they were enjoying this light-hearted banter again. Fortunately the others were distracted by the disgruntled St Piran’s crew marching into the bar, bemoaning their misfortune.
‘No. But later I want to know exactly what it is about me that you find so funny. I won’t let you go until I find out.’ There was a definite glint in his eye.
‘Is that a threat or a promise?’
Will leaned a little closer. ‘Both … I hope.’
She felt his breath against her ear and a very pleasant shivery feeling shot through her. The camaraderie and euphoria after the race seemed to be turning into something far more enjoyable.
‘Will!’ Len shouted.
‘Yes, mate!’ Will turned to Len.
Len raised his empty glass. ‘Shall I get the next lot of drinks in? It’s my round.’
The table fell silent in shock at Len’s offer.
Will put a hand to his ear. ‘Erm. Is my hearing going or did Len just offer to buy a round?’
Len snorted. ‘You cheeky sod. I can always change my mind.’
‘No! I’ll have a pint,’ said Will.
Natalia held up her glass. ‘Rattler for me.’
‘A Coke and a lime and soda!’ said Maisie.
‘Gaby?’
‘Um …’ Gaby glanced up to find Will looking at her enquiringly. She licked her lips. Her ‘mind had been more agreeably engaged’, as Jane Austen once wrote, though she’d been thinking of Will’s fit arse rather than his fine eyes. Probably best not to share that with either him or the rest of the crew.
Will’s mouth quirked in amusement which did nothing to cool Gaby down. ‘Be quick because you’ll never get this chance again,’ he said huskily. Argh. Everything he did and said seemed sexy to her, which was very disconcerting.
‘Another white wine spritzer please,’ she said finally.
Len gasped. ‘Don’t get too carried away. We’ve got to row home.’
‘In that case, I’ll have a large G&T too,’ she replied.
Everyone burst out laughing.
‘You asked for that, Len,’ said Robbie. ‘I’ll have a whisky, as you’re paying.’
Muttering curses, Len scuttled off to the bar.
‘I hate to spoil the party, but won’t we be two rowers short on the way home if we can’t locate Jess?’ Gaby said to Will and Maisie, while Natalia went to the bar with Len.
Will winced. ‘Maybe she’s decided she won’t get in the same boat as me. I could hardly blame her. I don’t know what came over me asking Adam to row with us.’
‘Ruthless determination to beat the rest of us at all costs?’ Patrick chipped in.
‘Ha ha,’ said Will. ‘The truth is I didn’t want our hard work to go to waste and it seemed like a good idea at the time.’
‘A lot of things seem like a good idea at the time, mate,’ said Patrick, winking and kissing Maisie.
Will pulled a face. ‘I do worry about Jess, though. Adam made himself scarce as soon as we’d got back to shore … I know asking him put Jess in a spot, but I didn’t know what else to do. Although they were friendly enough just after we’d won.’
‘At least they weren’t arguing, which is a step forward, and no matter what happens, you can’t solve Jess’s problems for her,’ said Maisie. ‘But perhaps we should call her after we’ve had this next drink. We all need to make a move soon anyway. The state of some of you, it could be dark before you get those gigs back to their sheds and I’m not towing you home in the Puffin, that’s for sure.’ Maisie hesitated. ‘I’ve been wondering whether to go after Jess myself but she probably needs some time to herself.’
‘Luca made himself scarce too. He was nowhere to be seen at the prize-giving,’ said Will. ‘Typical.’
Maisie rolled her eyes. ‘Hold on a minute. We don’t know if Jess is with Luca. I’ll give her a bit longer and then I’ll try to call her myself.’
In the end, Gaby only managed half her drink before she decided she’d had enough booze, mindful of the prospect of the journey to St Saviour’s. She could tell Will was growing genuinely worried about Jess. She was concerned herself but she couldn’t help feeling a real pang when they all squeezed out from behind the table and she was parted from Will.
‘I won’t let you go until I find out …’ His words echoed in her head. It had been a delicious hour and she hoped the spark that had been had kindled in the post-race euphoria wouldn’t fizzle out on the journey home.