Sea Glass (WAYHAUGHT)

Stay

Several mugs of tea later, Waverly left her sister to sober up. With less than an hour before her shift at Sally's, she hurried across the harbour, Alice flinging herself into her arms as she entered the kitchen. The little girl dragged her towards the table to watch her paint, splashing watery blue lines across the paper, the same brush used to make a blotchy red box in the centre. Gampa's boat she stated with toothy pride.

"That's really good," Waverly said, on being offered the masterpiece, bluey red tears streaking down the sheet.

Alice beamed at the praise.

Her mother asked if she wanted a sausage sandwich. She shook her head, no longer bothering to educate her family on food preferences. If she hurried Nicole might be able to prepare something. "Wyn's staying at the pub tonight," she said casually, grabbing one of the apples from a bowl in the centre of the table. "Alice can have my bed."

"I'll leave a duvet in the lounge," Michelle replied. "What time will you be back?"

"I'll stay with Wyn, if that's okay."

"She's not been on the sauce again?"

Waverly made her escape without answering her mother's question. The lie had jumped from her lips without too much thought. Too plausible, too natural to be questioned, and having lied for so long she knew she could get away with it. Uniform in a bag, a few other items she thought might be needed, she rushed to the restaurant, disappointed to see Robin. Of course Robin would be there, at that time of day, prepping for the evening diners.

"We're both up for the quiz," he said, clearly in a good mood.

"Where's Nic?"

Robin motioned with his knife towards the ceiling. "We could call our team...And The Winner Is."

She half-registered his suggestion. "Sounds good. Just popping upstairs. Back in a mo."

Waverly could hear the shower going. "Hi, it's me," she called out. "I can come back later."

"Be right with you," Nicole shouted.

Waverly slid the rucksack off her shoulder. Nicole always had the TV on, a constant background noise. She hovered by the door to the lounge listening to some guy explain how to care for tomato plants.

Nicole appeared, a dark blue towel wrapped round her body, another in her hand drying her hair. "Didn't expect to see you till six."

Waverly's mouth suddenly became drier than the Sahara as Nicole moved seductively in her direction. "Is...is the food offer still on?"

"Sure. What do you fancy?"

Waverly glanced at the bag in her hand. "Oh, um anything."

"That narrows it down. Give me a sec while I get ready."

Waverly remained by the door, a wistful look on her face. If she were braver, she would have followed Nicole to the bedroom, and watched her change into her uniform.

Nicole must have seen her expression. "You okay?"

"Is this putting you out?"

"Of course not. We can eat here if you like."

Waverly bit the inside of her cheek. "Is that okay?"

"Hey, of course it is." Her anxious smile was mirrored by Nicole. "You sure you're alright?"

Her heart drummed a faster beat. Could she go through with this? Would Nicole want this? What if it wasn't? It's okay, it's okay, go home after her shift. Or the pub. Sleep on the couch there. No pressure.