The Beach Party: A completely gripping psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist by Amy Sheppard

Author:Amy Sheppard [Sheppard, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
ISBN: 9781803147406
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2022-08-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

As soon as they arrived at the bar, Danny lunged toward me, pulling my body into a rough hug that lifted me from my seat.

“Kitty Kat,” he sang loudly. A brief nickname from school that had quickly disappeared. He smelled awful, like stale sweat and beer. As I half hugged him, I felt the dampness of his body. I saw Jude’s face over his shoulder, smiling apologetically. Sophie, who had been chatting to the new barman, turned to watch. Jude gently tugged on Danny’s arm until he released me.

“Easy, Dan.” He laughed. At that moment Danny noticed Sophie sitting there. His eyes lit up as he lurched toward her with his hand outstretched.

“How do you do… I’m Danny,” he slurred, his large body swaying. Sophie glanced over to me to confirm that this was the Danny. The Danny who’d organized the beach party. The Danny she wanted to speak to.

“I’m Sophie. Nice to meet you,” she answered, looking up at him from under her eyelashes. Danny tried to say something, but his jaw just moved up and down as he drunkenly gawped at Sophie’s face.

Jude laughed. Danny’s attention was suddenly caught by a group of women sitting a few yards away from us. Their laughing could be heard clearly, even above the noise of the music. Danny licked his lips and started dancing over to their table. The women shrieked with delight. Sophie looked from me to Jude, before grabbing her bag and heading toward the toilet.

“I heard you were back. How are you?” he asked. Jude took Sophie’s barstool and dragged it closer to me. As he sat down our knees touched. I felt a familiar jolt of electricity pass through my body.

“Good. Really good,” I lied. My mouth had gone dry, and adrenaline was working its way down my legs. “I heard you have a baby.” I cocked my head to the side. It was supposed to be flirty, affectionate, but the words just sounded accusing. I studied his face, trying to see if I’d thrown him off guard. He returned my look, silently connected for a few seconds.

He nodded. “The rumor mill is in full working order, I see.” He looked over his shoulder to a table tucked around the side of the bar. I followed his stare. Sitting with their heads bent close together were Tara Haywood and Polly Newcoombe. Watching us. Whispering in the darkest corner of the room. I had no idea they were there. Jude turned back to face me. “If you mean Mia, then yes, she’s mine.” He was calm, not at all off balance. I was lost for a reply, so I focused my attention on stirring the cocktail in front of me.

“If you mean are me and Meg together, then no.” He moved his face a fraction toward mine. I could see him out of the corner of my eye as I gently stabbed at a wedge of orange. Jude turned toward the bar and raised his hand slightly to get the barman’s attention.

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