Sea Glass (WAYHAUGHT)

So Many Lies

Stood outside the pub, Waverly had nowhere to run. Literally, the worst thing had just happened, and there was absolutely nowhere she could go to escape the truth. Nowhere. Nowhere to erase the cruellest of words. Her sister, her own sister.

A hand on her shoulder had her turn. Ros was staring at her. "You okay?"

She tried to make her mouth into a smile and failed.

"What's up?"

She shook her head, forcing herself not to dissolve into a puddle of emotions. That too became a futile exercise.

"You and me girl, we need to talk."

Ros latched herself onto Waverly's arm, dragging her down Jetty Street to the small bookshop which doubled as the tourist information office. Climbing the stairs they found Jeremy busy on his computer, a young couple seated the other side of his desk. Despite Hurley's being next door to their pub, Waverly had never ventured inside the premises, most of her books bought online, no need of information on the village, little in common with Jeremy other than knowing Robin.

She didn't want to be there, not while her eyes were liable to betray her heart. Except, she didn't know where else she could be after what just happened. She wanted Nicole, but having to explain Wynonna's words, having to tell Nicole her sister hated them, both of them, that too was a conversation too far right now.

Jeremy handed a piece of paper to the tourist couple. "These are available. I'd recommend the third on the list. It's up the hill, so it has the best views. You're lucky there's places still available, what with Feast starting tomorrow."

The couple thanked him, Jeremy waiting for their departure. "What can I do you for peeps?" he said, smiling at Ros, his expression changing to one of concern on seeing Waverly's tearful eyes.

"I'm calling a power hug," Ros replied.

"Do we need Robin?"

Ros nodded.

Waverly turned to Ros. "What's a power hug?"

"Solidarity. One of us is sad, so we hug it out."

She stared at Ros. "You know."

"You two are so right for each other it's untrue," Ros replied, rubbing her arm. "Just took you both a little time to get there." Ros turned to Jeremy. "Is he coming?"

Jeremy nodded. He pointed to the door.

They followed him downstairs, out onto Jetty Street to a modernised fisherman's cottage directly opposite the bookshop. Number 4 Jetty Street. He let them in, the three climbing the steep stairs to the top-floor flat, Jeremy playing host by offering them tea or coffee.

In all her years in the village, Waverly had never been inside any of the cottages along the street. Robin's arrival a minute or so later had her wondering why she was here now. He approached, his arms wide. She accepted his warm hug, which had the effect of releasing the water from her eyes, sniffing on Robin's shoulder.

"That's it, let it all out," Robin advised, his voice reassuring, his arms safe.

"I'm sorry," she said after several minutes. She sniffed loudly, Ros handing her a handful of tissues.

Led to the couch, Jeremy held out a peppermint tea. "You okay?" he said, nervously offering the drink.

She nodded. "Thank you."

"So, wanna tell us," Ros asked, rubbing Waverly's back. "You don't have to, if you don't want to."

"My sister," she began. It hurt to say it, hurt to think she would have to say it.