‘There must be somewhere,’ I say because it’s sinking in that this situation might not actually be resolved. Up to now I’ve felt relatively confident that when it comes down to it, my family connection trumps her piece of paper, but in the absence of anywhere else to stay, things could get territorial. ‘An empty place? Someone with a guest room, even?’
Brianne thinks, but shakes her head slowly. ‘Honestly, nothing, we just don’t get unexpected visitors out here. We aren’t the kind of folk who keep a spare room ready just in case,’ she says. ‘You’ll get luckier on one of the bigger islands, or there’s places over on the mainland, obviously.’
‘I don’t want to stay on one of the bigger islands,’ Cleo says, bright-eyed and stubborn. ‘I’ve paid to stay at Otter Lodge, and that’s what I’m going to do.’
‘Is your husband coming to join you soon?’ Brianne asks.
Cleo turns her head slowly. Under different circumstances, I’d mention how the move reminds me of one of the baby raptors from Jurassic Park.
‘I think we’ve established that I’m not on my honeymoon,’ she says, through gritted teeth.
‘Oh, right. Are you on your honeymoon?’ Brianne asks me this time. ‘Maybe that’s where the confusion has come in?’
Okay. Not so funny. ‘Neither of us are on our honeymoon.’
Time to finish this. If there’s genuinely nowhere else on the island, one of us needs to leave Salvation and I don’t plan on it being me.
‘What time is the next boat?’
Brianne closes the planner slowly, bracing both palms flat on the cover. ‘Eleven o’clock.’
Cleo looks at the clock behind Brianne and sighs theatrically. It’s almost midday. ‘Great.’
‘On Friday,’ Brianne adds. I couldn’t say for sure, but I think she held that back for dramatic effect.
‘Friday?’ Cleo says, too loud in the small store. ‘As in not today, or tomorrow, or even the next day because today is only Saturday?’
Brianne takes a small step back. ‘We only have the boat once a week, unless there’s an emergency. Medical. Umm, a death or something.’
Kudos, Brianne, I think. She absolutely mentioned death to prevent Cleo from declaring our situation emergency-worthy.
‘And there’s really nowhere else on the island to stay?’ Cleo sounds like she wants to cry.
‘No, I’m really sorry. I’d offer you my sofa but the cats sleep on it and one of them is arthritic, so, you know …’
Cleo eyes me. ‘You look as if you could swim to the next island,’ she says, desperate as she turns back to Brianne. ‘Is it far?’
Brianne’s eyebrows shoot up. ‘He’d die for sure.’
‘Okay,’ I say, flipping into practical mode. Make a plan, Mack, think ahead. ‘We’re going to need some stuff to get us through to Friday.’
Same as yesterday, Cleo folds her arms and refuses to accept the truth that’s biting her on the ass.
‘We need food, and I don’t know about you but I’m gonna need more beer,’ I say.
‘I can have your shopping dropped at the lodge later, if you like,’ Brianne offers. ‘My husband delivers around the island after we close up for the afternoon.’
‘That’s helpful, thank you, Brianne,’ I say, on autopilot manners, shooting Cleo a ‘be more grateful’ glare. She just glares right back.
‘Why don’t you go grab some chocolate, see if it sweetens your mood?’ I mutter, sick of her pig-headedness, as I grab cheese, milk, other basics. ‘Are you vegetarian?’ I ask as I stand in front of the produce.
‘You literally watched me eat bacon this morning,’ she says, picking up chicken and tomatoes. We fill the basket in uncompanionable silence: paté, eggs, lamb chops and potatoes. Brianne rings us up and I search for my wallet. This damn coat has too many pockets, I know it’s here somewhere.
‘I’ve got this,’ Cleo says, adding wine to the haul and whipping a bunch of bills out of her coat pocket.
‘No way.’ I shoot Brianne a ‘do not take her money’ look as I’m patting myself down. ‘I’m buying. Or we can split it if you want.’
Cleo glances at the total on the cash register and pushes her money into Brianne’s hand, leaving her little choice but to accept. I know it’s not fair to expect a total stranger to step in as referee, but all the same … I thought we had a rapport going but apparently not. I can’t help feeling as if Cleo has somehow scored a point over me.