Page 23 of Dead in the Water
“He can’t help it if he had to work late,” Lily said, continuing towards the shop. It took a moment for Seren’s answering silence to become unnerving. “Why have you gone quiet?”
“No reason. You’re probably right.”
“What aren’t you telling me?” Lily's chest tightened as she stopped in front of the door. “Oh, god. Was he picking women up in the pub?”
“No. Nothing like that.”
“What then?”
Seren’s eyes swam with sympathy. “I don’t know anything for sure.”
After turning the key in the lock, she gestured for Seren to go inside. “Tell me what you’re thinking, please.”
“I think Flynn was drinking with Jago last night.”
Okay. That was better than him being out with another woman, but still not good news.
“How do you know?”
“I don’t know for definite. But I sometimes go to a yoga class at the community centre. Sylvie goes too. It’s near their place so quite often I go back for a cuppa afterwards, but last night she was all cagey, saying she was tired. I was getting weird vibes so when I got home, I messaged and asked if I’d done something to upset her.” Seren leaned against the counter at the back of the shop. “She replied to say there was no issue, but Jago had a mate over for drinks and she hadn’t wanted us to disturb them.”
“You think it was Flynn?”
“Jago doesn’t have friends here. He has brothers, and sisters-in-law. That’s the only people I know him to hang out with. Except, recently he’s started hanging out with Flynn.”
“Why wouldn’t Sylvie have said that?”
“Because she knew you were supposed to be on a date with him.” Seren twisted her lips in a pained expression. “I guess she knew Flynn wouldn’t want it known he was there after he’d cancelled his date with you.”
“But how did Sylvie know he was supposed to be out with me? Did you tell her?”
“Kind of…”
Lily’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean,kind of?”
“I mentioned it to Kit and he…” She pulled her chin to her chest. “He was excited for you. I think he mentioned it to a few people, but not in a gossipy way, only because he was happy for you.”
“Okay.” Lily shook her head. “So Flynn wasn’t working late. He just stood me up?”
“I don’t know anything for sure. Maybe I got it all wrong.”
“I don’t think you did,” Lily mused. If Flynn really had been working late, he’d have given her more details about why. And he’d have suggested another night for their date rather than just leaving her hanging. She slumped into the nearest chair. “At least I know where I stand now.”
“Where’s that?”
“Nowhere good,” she said, releasing a long exhale. “He decided he didn’t want to go on a date with me. To be fair, he told me a while back he wasn’t interested in getting into a relationship while he was here. He’ll be leaving before long, so it probably wouldn’t end well.”
“Do you know what I’ll do?” Seren said, plonking herself into the chair beside Lily. “I’ll invite you and Felix over for dinner with me and Kit. We’ll have a double date.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “Isn’t he your ex? Wouldn’t that be awkward?”
“You’re right. Kit’s pretty chilled out, but I doubt I could get him to agree to that, even to help you out.”
“I don’t need you to help me out,” Lily said, but Seren didn’t seem to hear her.
“How about if I ask Noah and Keira to double date with you?” She shook her head manically. “No, that won’t work. Noah has some history with Felix. He won’t agree to it.”
“Why are you trying to set me up with a guy who no one likes?”
