The Burnout(62)

And actually, this page I’m on is quite engrossing. It turns out there’s a new zip wire near Kettle Cove, and I read the description with a sudden yearning to try it out. Experience the exhilarating ride of your lifetime as you fly over Kettle Cove, with stunning speed and spectacular views.

I watch the video on mute, feeling a vicarious thrill as a woman in a harness whizzes along a high wire, above a stretch of sparkling water. Not only does this sound amazing, it’s also on my 20 Steps list. STEP 11. SEEK ADVENTURE. JOLT YOUR BODY WITH A BLAST OF ADRENALINE. BUNGEE JUMP, ZIP-WIRE, OR JUST GO SEE A SCARY MOVIE. ANYTHING TO BLAST YOUR SENSES ALIVE.

I could do with blasting my senses alive. On impulse, I get to my feet and head across the dining room to Finn’s table, smiling awkwardly at the Wests as I pass their table. They’ve lapsed into silence now. Mrs. West is folding and refolding her napkin, her thin hands trembling, while Mr. West is gazing resolutely upward, as though fascinated by the ceiling moldings.

“You came to visit!” Finn exclaims as I approach. “Welcome to this side of the room.”

“Very nice,” I say, gazing around as though in admiration. “Now, look at this zip wire I’ve found. It’s right by Kettle Cove.”

Finn studies the page, his eyes widening as he plays the video.

“Awesome!” he says at last. “Is it open?”

“I’ll check. If it is, shall I get tickets?”

“Yes! Let’s do it.”

I head back to my table, trying to tiptoe over the creaky floor as I go past the Wests’ silent table.

“Sorry,” I murmur, although I’m not sure what I’m apologizing for, and Mrs. West gives me a tight half smile.

A few moments later, Finn gets up from his table and comes over to mine. Unlike me, he doesn’t seem remotely concerned about the Wests, who are still in their stony, wretched silence. He strides confidently across the floor, making a thunderous series of creaking sounds, and greets me in a resounding voice.

“OK, additional plan. What about cream tea afterward? Or are you too health-conscious for a cream tea?”

“No!” I say, laughing. “I have to have a cream tea at least once while I’m in Devon. It’s the law.”

“Well, exactly,” says Finn. “It’s compulsory. I’ll see if there’s anywhere near Kettle Cove, shall I?”

“I think we went a few times to somewhere called The Tea Kettle?”

“Yes. I know that place. I’ll see if they’re still open. And when Nikolai shows up, I’ll order the saddle of lamb for us both.” He salutes me, then strides back to his place.

A moment later, it occurs to me that we should order some side dishes. I leap up, and I’m trying to make my way unobtrusively across the room, picking my way over the creaky floorboards, when Mrs. West gives such an obvious huff of annoyance that I pause.

“Sorry if I’m disturbing you,” I say humbly. “I just wanted to ask my friend something else.”

“I have an idea: Why don’t you have our table and we’ll go and sit at yours?” says Mrs. West in short, brittle tones. “It’s not as if we’ve got anything to say to each other, and it’ll save you two getting up and down all the time.” She starts to gather her bag and scarf, while I watch in consternation.

“Hayley!” exclaims Mr. West.

“Well, it’s true,” she says, her eyes suddenly glittering with tears. “What have we got to talk about?”

“You’re being ridiculous,” he mutters.

“We came here to rescue things. How is sitting in silence rescuing things?”

“Well, what am I meant to say?” Mr. West bursts out miserably. “Sorry for everything I’ve ever done, since before I knew you? I’ve said I’m sorry, Hayley. I can’t say it anymore.”

“You say it, but you don’t mean it!” she answers shrilly, then claps a tissue over her face.

“I don’t know what I mean anymore,” says Mr. West in heavy tones. “I’ve lost the will to live.” He gestures roughly at Finn and me. “I don’t care if they hear it.”

He strides out of the room and Hayley stares after him, her face getting pinker and pinker—then she gives a gasp and follows him. A moment later I hear her calling, “Ade! Adrian!”

For a few moments, neither Finn nor I move. Eventually, cautiously, I turn to face him.

“Yikes,” I say quietly.

“That was …” He shakes his head, looking thunderstruck.

“I wonder what happened?” I wince. “They both looked so miserable.”

I feel quite shaken by seeing such raw distress. I have a ridiculous urge to run after them and give them a hug—but I’m not sure that’s very sensible. Nor will I share this urge with Finn, who will probably laugh at me.

“Should we take their table?” says Finn, pivoting straight on to the practical. “She’s right, it makes sense.”

“No!” I shake my head. “What if they reconcile and come back and we’re sitting at their table?”

“Reconcile?” Finn gives a short, incredulous laugh.

“They might! I reckon Hayley wants to reconcile. She ran after Ade. If she really didn’t want to reconcile, she would have sat back and let him go.”