Adrift by M.A. Hunter

Author:M.A. Hunter [Hunter, M A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-03T16:00:00+00:00

22

TEN YEARS AGO

It’s still early, and when Harry and I arrive at the Student Union bar, it only has a dozen or so people inside. We order a bucket of bottles and grab a booth as far from the main stage as possible. Thursday night at the SU bar is karaoke night, and by the time it starts in a couple of hours, the human-sized speakers will be blasting out all manner of cheesy pop songs and we won’t be able to hear one another speak.

We’ve come here because there’s something I need to ask Harry, and I don’t want to be overheard by any of the others at our house. Also, the drinks aren’t expensive, and I felt like I might need a couple for Dutch courage.

Following my heated argument with Carly ten or so days ago, I didn’t think the atmosphere in the house could get any worse, but I underestimated how toxic things would become once Rhys returned from visiting his parents. The arguments have caused a real divide in the house, and I’m bloody sick of it. Harry has been as loyal as ever, but I know it can’t be easy for him, given he and Rhys are on the same course. Similarly, Fergus doesn’t want to side with Rhys over me, but they’re part of the same lacrosse team, so he has little choice. Woody has convinced Christophe and Rhys that I was the one who placed the dead rat in Rhys’s bed, and I still haven’t determined if it was one of them or one of the others. I have no doubt now that someone is deliberately causing difficulties in the house.

I lift two bottles out of the bucket, twist off the caps, and hand one to Harry. We both grimace at the first sip, because like most of the alcohol sold here, the lager is cheap and imported.

‘Cheers,’ Harry says, raising his bottle and then clinking it against mine. ‘So what was it you wanted to talk about?’

‘The atmosphere at home.’

‘Well, it’s shit, obviously.’

I love how Harry is so direct.

‘Do you think it’s my fault?’

He slams his bottle down and the table wobbles. ‘State o’ you! Christ, no! Listen, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve done nothing wrong. Rhys is a slimy dick who should just apologise and then things can get back to how they were.’

I am still in love with Carly, and I miss her so much. But every time I think about picking up the phone and calling her, I remember how sick I felt when Woody told me what she did. If I can’t forget what happened, how can I ever forgive her? How can I take her at her word if I can’t trust her?

‘Have you heard from Carly?’ Harry asks.

‘She’s still phoning every day, but I think she must be starting to take the hint, as the messages are lessening. Either that or she’s busy at work.’

‘And you’ve not decided to let bygones be bygones yet?’

‘How can I? She kept it from me for so long.

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