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it was free. I’d let it go. It’d wanted so much to be free that just couldn’t hold on, couldn’t hold it down. smiled as
watched it whirl away—above the trees, above the birds,
above the clouds, sparkling into the heavens, dancing free.
It was the most beautiful thing have ever seen.
“Hey!” Andy nudges me, and open my eyes. “You’re
meant to be watching!”
“Watching for what?” laugh. “Give me clue! The
pier, the beach? We’re almost back!”
“No—we can’t be!” Andy says, panicking. “We
haven’t seen them!” He rushes round to the other side of
the boat.
“Seen who?” ask, following him.
“The whales! We’re meant to see whales!” He leans
over the rail and strains his eyes.
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look too. Nothing but sparkling water. “Whales?”
“It’s supposed to be
whale- watching trip!” Andy
moans. “If we don’t see any whales, it’s just—it’s just
boat!” He slumps against the rail as the boat slows to
stop, glowering at the empty waves. “Some surprise, huh?”
laugh at his mournful expression.
“It was wonderful.”
squeeze his hand as we
clamber down the gangplank back to dry land. “Thank
you.” kiss him. “For everything. For today, for this
for
everything yesterday …”
“You’re welcome,” Andy says gently, his hand warm
in mine as we wander back along the jetty. “I’m just sorry
how it turned out.”
“Yeah,” sigh. “Well, maybe it’s for the best.”
He looks at me. “Really?”
shrug. “Now at least know who she is—where
she is—and told her who am.” swallow. “That’s all
wanted.”
Andy frowns.
“I mean, of course it would have been great if she’d
wanted to get to know me, to have some kind of
relationship,”
admit, slipping my shoes off as we step
onto the beach. “But it’s clear that’s not what she wants—
what she ever wanted. And have to respect that. That’s
her choice.”
sigh again, the sand freezing beneath my
bare toes. “Besides.”
smile. “I’ve already had the best
mother in the world, so Kitty would never have compared
anyway, despite all her glitz and glamor. So”—I take
deep breath—“it’s for the best. Now at least know.”
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“Really?” Andy squeezes my hand. “You’re still glad
you found her? Despite everything?”
“Yes.” nod. “I just—I couldn’t spend my whole life
wondering what if, you know? It’s like the Huntington’s—I
could have dealt with having it, but no one could tell me if
had it or not. had to watch Mum suffering, wondering if
the same thing was going to happen to me, but not
knowing.” sigh. “But now …” fill my lungs with the fresh, cool, salty air. “Now can move on. I’m eighteen years old, after all—it’s about time!” smile. “Time to be my own
person, live my own life—make my own mistakes.”
look up at him. “I’m sorry lied to you, Andy.”
He shakes his head. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.
should have told you,”
argue.
“Secrets just
they always seem to make things worse,
don’t they?”
Andy nods.
“So. No more secrets, no more lies,” promise. “I’m
old enough to handle the truth—about anything.”
Andy nods. “No more secrets.”
squeeze his hand as glance behind us, back at the
jetty, the beach, and the long trail of clear footprints
leading to where we’re standing now. My footprints
realize with smile. My path
“So,” Andy says finally. “What now?”
take deep breath. What now …?
That’s the million-dollar question. big fat dizzying
future lies in front of me, with million paths to choose,
decisions to make, dreams to follow
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But not tonight. smile. Not tonight.
“Food!” grin. “I’m starving!”
“Excellent!” Andy grins, linking his arm with mine.
“I know just the place …”
“Fish and chips!” laugh as we stop before
huge
wooden sign: WOODY’S PLAICE. “We’re having fish and
chips?”
“Just the place
get it?” Andy grins. “Just the
plaice …”
groan and cuff him round the head. “You need
new joke book, mister.”
“What do you mean?” he protests. “It’s my own
material!”
“I wouldn’t admit that!”
bell jangles as Andy pushes the door open, and it’s
like stepping into
ship’s cabin. We’re surrounded by
nautical curios: weird and wonderful fishing equipment,
gleaming compasses, nets and telescopes hang from the
rafters; coral curls with driftwood on the walls; and
beautiful carved mermaid masthead guards the old-
fashioned till. It should look tacky, but it doesn’t—it’s like
an Aladdin’s cave of treasures, illuminated by flickering
lamplight and filled with the warm vinegary smell of
crispy batter.
We order fish and chips and gaze out across the
bay.
“It’s beautiful,” sigh, popping the last chip into my
mouth and watching the sun sink slowly beneath the
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sparkling pink waves. “Everything today was beautiful.
Thank you, Andy.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles, his eyes glowing in
the candlelight. “Happy birthday—again.”
“Whoa, it’s somebody’s birthday?”
dark-haired
man stops as he passes our table. “Why didn’t you say so?
would’ve put
candle in your cod!” He grins.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” smile.
“English, too! Always
pleasure to meet people
from back home. I’m Jack—I own this place, for my sins.
Did you enjoy your meal?”
“It was perfect,” tell him. “Just like home.”
“Praise indeed!” He bows low. “I thought New
England could do with some proper Old English cuisine—
especially since they’ve stolen all our place names!”
laugh.
“So, what do you fancy for pud? can recommend
the chocolate cake, or we’ve got an amazing homemade
apple crumble.”
“Oh,
couldn’t eat another bite.”
laugh. “I’m
stuffed!”
“Come on, Rosie, you’ve got to have some cake,”
Andy protests. “It’s your eighteenth!”
“Wow! Then double congratulations! Oh, and here
you are in the States, where you can’t drink—legally,
mean.” Jack winks. “Bummer! Well, many happy returns,
Rosie.” He starts to collect our plates, then stops. “But
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actually
Listen, I’ve got an idea,” he says, his eyes
twinkling. “I’ll be back in jiffy with your dessert.”
He rushes off with our plates and
giggle as he
disappears into the kitchen.
“Can you believe him?” smile at Andy. “We didn’t
even order any dessert!”
“Yeah …,” Andy says distractedly.
“What’s wrong? Aw, did you want the homemade
apple crumble?” grin, ruffling his hair.
“What? No, no it’s not that.” He stares at the table.
look at him. “Andy?”
“Rosie …” He runs his hand through his hair. “It’s
just …” He hesitates, leans forward. “Listen, you know
what you were saying earlier, about the truth and secrets,
and how you said you were glad you’d found Kitty even
though it didn’t work out—because you finally knew the
truth?”
“Yes …,” say carefully.
“And we agreed
no more secrets, right?”
nod nervously.
“Well.” Andy takes big breath. “Don’t get mad, but
when went back into the hotel toilets to get your coat,
Kitty came in …”
“What?” My stomach tightens.
“She didn’t see me—she was on her mobile.” Andy
pauses and looks at me. “She was calling the operator and
demanding to be co