Beyond the Sea

11.

“This castle is full of arseholes,” Aoife gave a hoot of laughter. “That was a good one. I want it on a T-shirt.”

“In fairness, it was full of arseholes,” Jimmy said, shooting me a smile.

“I’m sorry those lads were mean to you,” I told him.

He shrugged. “I was in school with some of them last year. They’re just dicks. Nothing I can do to change it.”

“Ugh, they’re awful,” Aoife said, running a comforting hand down Jimmy’s arm. “I’m glad you’re not in school with them anymore.”

“I’d rather hang out with you two anyway,” I said, and it was the truth. I’d been looking forward to tonight but walking into that castle felt like walking into a lion’s den. Pure bad vibes. And don’t even get me started on that weird vision of Lady Maeve.

“Me too,” said Aoife. “Why don’t we go back to your place, steal some booze from Vee’s party and go down to the beach to drink it?”

“I like that plan,” I agreed. “Just so long as the booze we steal isn’t whiskey. I had my first taste earlier tonight, and I’m not sure I liked it.”

“Well of course you didn’t like it,” she exclaimed. “Whiskey is for the professionals. You want to start out with some rum and Coke, or a white wine spritzer.”

“Rum and Coke sounds nice,” I replied just as we reached the house.

Vee’s birthday bash was still going strong. I brought Aoife and Jimmy around the back so that we could avoid bumping into anyone. Luckily, the kitchen was empty. I couldn’t find any rum, but I spied some bottles of Budweiser on the counter. I shoved them into my bag, while Aoife and Jimmy played lookout.

I noticed them peering all around, taking the place in. Aoife hadn’t ever been in here, since Vee didn’t allow me to have friends over. Aoife and Siobhan’s flat was bright and modern. By contrast, walking into this house must’ve been like walking into a time capsule.

Aoife shot Jimmy a look. “Still don’t believe in ghosts, huh?”

“Okay, so I’ll admit if they do exist, this would be the place you’d find them,” he replied.

“Hey! I still have to live here,” I said as I opened the back door. “And I already have enough trouble with nightmares.”

“Back so early?” A voice asked, and I turned around. Noah entered the kitchen carrying a tray of empty glasses. He set them down by the sink and turned to eye the three of us.

“Our plans changed. We’re going down to the beach for a while,” I said, the hairs on the back of my neck rising in his presence.

He must’ve heard something in the waver of my voice because his expression darkened. “What happened?”

“There was a party up at the old castle,” Aoife said, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of us. “The people there were dicks, so we decided to leave.”

“You don’t say,” Noah replied, his attention coming to rest on me. “So, you got all dressed up for nothing. That’s a pity.”

Slightly bothered by his cocky tone, I lifted my chin and levelled him with a confident smile. “It wasn’t for nothing. I got to see your jaw drop.”

Aoife gave a hoot. I didn’t stick around to wait for Noah’s response. Instead I turned and left through the back door. Aoife and Jimmy followed me, with Aoife sliding her arm through mine. “Oh my God, were you flirting with him?”

I cast her a glance. “I don’t know …” A pause as I scrunched up my face. “Okay, yes. But I didn’t mean to, it just came out. Was it terribly awkward?”

“No! Not at all. It was sassy. I like you sassy.” She considered me for a beat, then said, “Did you notice how protective he was of you? Talk about hot! I mean, his face when he thought something bad had happened. It was like he’d murder whoever wronged you. Gave me chills.” She paused for a second, eyeing me as I tried to suppress the butterflies filling my stomach at the thought of Noah being protective. I didn’t know what to say.

“He came over to our place the other day to talk to Mum about catering the party, so I had the chance to study him,” Aoife went on. “You know how I’m obsessed with faces? Noah would make an amazing subject for one of my portraits. Even though he’s conventionally good-looking, there’s something unusual about his face. It’s full of shadows.”

She could say that again. Sometimes I wondered if the man was made entirely of shadows, every single one of them hiding a dark secret.

“He confuses me,” I sighed. “Yes, he can be protective, but at the same time I feel like he’s hiding something.”

Aoife began to smirk. “You fancy him.”

I gaped at her. “I do not—”