Espresso • Love Island 2024

Chapter Eight

Ciaran hummed something absentmindedly under his breath, a failed attempt to stop himself from stuttering nervously under Emmie's watchful eye. She had just asked him why he was so distant, why he had given her every reason to want to be coupled up with him, right up until today.

Truthfully, the rugby player didn't really know what to say.

He was somewhat of an avoidant person-whenever something seemed too good to be true, to him, it probably was, and therefore he avoided that situation almost entirely.

"I want to get to know you, but what I've already established with Nicole is something that I want to pursue as well."

"You're saying this, but your actions say otherwise. You've spoken to me maybe twice in the past two days that we've been coupled up and not one word of those conversations even validated what you're saying now."

Ciaran sighed and rolled his eyes but nevertheless, let the girl in front of him speak.

"I don't expect you to get down on one knee and propose to me on the first day. All I want is to be able to trust your word."

"That's fair... Everything I've said is true and I'm sorry if I've given you a reason to not believe that." He took a deep breath and another sip of his wine, and continued to talk.

--- beach hut ---

"I feel so conflicted and the last thing I want to do is hurt either of those girls." He sighed and threw his head back.

"I don't know - "

Emmeline interrupted him before he could finish his sentence.

"Look, we're both entitled to get to know other people, regardless of being coupled up or not."

Ciaran nodded as Emmie spoke, agreeing with the words spilling out of her mouth.

"There needs to be transparency, communication and effort on both sides. I really like you and to be honest, Sam has gone up in my rankings too, but I'm not going to sit around and jump between you both."

"And I understand that."

Emmie nodded and drank the last of her wine with a small, inaudible sigh.

"I'm glad."

Across the villa, Mimii whispered something to Ayo before getting up from her spot next to him and heading over to the bar where Sam was having a chat with some of the other islanders.

"Hiya, is it alright if I have a quick chat with you Sam?"

The hairdresser nodded and followed after Mimii with a confused look.

The Londoner smiled at Sam as she noticed the apprehension radiating from him.

"Don't worry, I'm just here for the goss." She joked, earning a smirk.

They moved closer to the firepit, now lit and casting a warm glow over the stone and wood. Mimii's tone softened.

"So, I've gotta ask... is Emmie in your top three right now?" Mimii raised her brows and nudged his shoulder.

Sam chuckled nervously. "Yeah. Top two, actually."

Mimii let out a low whistle. "You better bring your A-game then. Ciaran's playing hot and cold, and I think that's going to wear thin on Emmie real fast."

--- glam room ---

Upstairs, Harriet sat in front of the mirror, her lips pursed in frustration as she reapplied her lipstick for the third time.

Patsy leaned against the vanity, arms crossed, eyes on her friend.

"You alright?"

Harriet gave a tight smile. "Peachy. Just tired of pretending Emmie's some angel when she's not."

Patsy nodded slowly. "She's got the boys wrapped around her finger. Ciaran, Sam... next it'll be Ayo."

Harriet laughed dryly. "She moves mad. And everyone acts like it's confidence. If I did what she's doing, they'd be calling me fake."

Their conversation was cut short by Samantha poking her head in.

"Girls, Maya's just walked in. She's got a text."

Harriet's stomach dropped. It wasn't recoupling night, but anything involving Maya meant twists.

--- garden ---

Maya stood in her iconic strappy black number, glowing under the villa lights as all the islanders gathered.

"Islanders! You've all had a few days to settle into your couples... but tonight, one of you will be heading out of the villa."

Gasps. A couple of hands shot over mouths. Ciaran shifted on his feet, his jaw tight.

Maya continued, "The public have been voting for the most compatible couples. The bottom three will be revealed now."

Emmie's heart pounded. She locked eyes with Mimii, who gave her a discreet nod.

"First couple at risk... Harriet and Ronnie."

Harriet stiffened. Emmie glanced sideways, her face unreadable.

"Second... Nicole and Ayo."

Whispers broke out. Nicole grabbed Ayo's hand, squeezing tightly.

"And the final couple at risk... Patsy and Sean."

Maya waited for the chatter to die down.

"Islanders, you must now decide who among these three couples will be dumped from the island tonight. The decision will be made by the safe couples."

Emmie exchanged a look with Samantha and Mimii. This was a test of loyalty, of where friendships truly stood. And one Harriet had no idea she might be on the losing end of.

--- later that night ---

Back at the beanbags, Ciaran found Emmie again. His nerves had resurfaced.

"Thanks for backing me when we voted," he said quietly. "I saw it."

Emmie tilted her head. "I didn't back you. I backed what I thought was fair."

He nodded slowly. "Still. I want to show you that I mean what I say. No more hiding behind other people."

Before Emmie could respond, Harriet emerged from the villa, glass of wine in hand, and headed straight for them.

"Hope I'm not interrupting," she said, all fake smiles.

Emmie crossed her arms. "I'm sure you do."

Harriet looked at Ciaran. "Can I borrow you for a sec?"

He hesitated. Emmie didn't break eye contact with him.

"Sure," he finally said, and followed Harriet toward the daybeds.

Emmie watched them go, her face unreadable.

"He's still deciding," Samantha said, walking over with Mimii in tow.

"Or being pulled in different directions," Mimii added. "You can't let that shake you, Ems."

Emmie took a long sip of her wine, then exhaled.

"He can figure it out. I'm not chasing anyone."

And with that, she stood up and made her way toward the kitchen, her head held high, refusing to let the chaos around her decide her worth