Ivy knows it's time to return to her childhood seaside town to battle the demons of her past. Two years away from her friends, family and the beloved sandy beach that holds such a special place in her heart.
She knows the visit will be painful but...
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I V Y T H O M P S O N
"SO WHEN I WENT to Australia for three years I had to get hypnosis for my arachnophobia," Dan, my date, explains across the table. I sip on my cocktail wishing that time would pass a lot quicker than it currently is. "And I found this massive huntsman in the bathroom, it didn't even affect me at all."
My cocktail shoots up the straw and suddenly I'm slurping from an empty glass. Great. No more alcohol to help me through this nightmare.
"Wow," I say suddenly. "Sounds great."
"Have you been to Australia before?"
I shake my head. "No but I've be–"
"Oh my God. Australia is honestly the best place on this Earth." He holds his hands up with bright eyes. I sink back into my chair. "I can't believe you haven't gone. You haven't even lived."
If only he lets me finish one sentence tonight. Trust me to never use dating apps ever again because this is fucking torture and I want out.
He continues to chat away. Not once has he asked about my own interests, my job or anything about myself. He's picked the topic and manipulated it into what he wants to talk about. If he thinks he's showing off then he's severely turned me off.
If I've been to Tenerife he's been to Elevenerife. He's that kind of person.
My eyes almost roll into the back of my head when he continues to talk about Australia and all the amazing things he did. Usually I wouldn't mind listening but he doesn't give a single shit about what I have to say and I don't want to get to know someone like him.
Why don't guys want to get to know me?
I slump back into my chair. Dan is still waffling on about God knows what. At this point I'm not even listening. I can't be bothered. I deserve better than this shit.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom," I speak over him, dragging my chair out from underneath me.
He blinks quickly. "But I'm not finished?"
I flash him a sarcastic smile. "My bladder can't wait for you. Sorry."
Then he scoffs like I've just insulted his family. I grab my bag and head straight for the toilet. If anything I should have just left but I'm not like that, I'd rather tell him how it is. But first I need a breather and to ring my best friend so that she can shove some sense into me to end this date now.
I wash my hands and pat the cool water against my cheeks. Every part of my body is heating up rapidly and I need to calm down before I explode over the bathroom mirror. I pull my phone from my bag and instantly call Erin.
"Ivy?"
"Hi," I huff out before clicking the speaker button and sliding it onto the counter.
