Free All At Sea by Pepper Ellison Page A

to find Fifi first. I have to do that first.
    Now. I have to do it right now.
    Now.
     
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 7.15pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    OK I found her, and she told me about the wedding, and she was so excited I couldn’t tell her it was over. I said I was surprised and needed time to think about it. We’re at that place where you threw the drink at me. She’s getting bubbles.
    I know I said I was going to call it off with her regardless, and I am, but it would help if I could see you. Where are you? Can you come straight away?
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 7.16pm
    —North Shore Youth Hostel—
    Yeah, I can come. Pineapple Pete’s, right? Be there in twenty. Welcome back, Kody.
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 7.47pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    OK, so are you with Lachlan? Like, are you with him now? Because he walked in with his arm around your waist. It’s kind of important. Can you think of any way we can talk privately? Can you see me sweating?
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 8.07pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    Yes. I’m with Lachie. I’m in the bar right now with Lachie. I’m ten feet away from you drinking a Shirley Temple that the bartender made for me specially. You’re looking at me as if you’ve seen a ghost while trying to look like you’re not looking. Both our hands are shaking and we’re rudely texting in front of our dates and making excuses to them.
    A new client.
    My friend’s having a crisis.
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 8.28pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    Your friend IS having a crisis.
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 8.37pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    Fi looks nice, don’t you think? Two days in the sun and she’s golden. Do you like her toes? We went for pedicures earlier. Look how we match. Hibiscus Petal with DuraShine Top Coat. *wiggle, wiggle.* She’s getting a French manicure later this week. She thinks it will really set off the ring.
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 9.10pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    What is going on with you and Lachie?? Why are you being cagey about it?
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 9.17pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    Lachie asked me to be his girlfriend on our way in. It’s been two years since someone’s called me that.  We were standing outside under the palm trees and a Chinese lantern was swinging just over his shoulder. The words sounded nice coming out of his mouth so I told him yes. We get along and have fun and there’s no drama. He likes the kissing, too. He’s good at it. See?
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 9.21pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    I don’t understand what’s going on with you. Why are you being like this?
    I’m not kissing Fifi, she’s kissing me. I can’t not kiss her back. I have to a little bit, given the circumstances. But the good news is she was talking about not sleeping together until the big day. I’m not going to sleep with her and then dump her.
    But you are kissing Lachie. You are actually kissing him right in front of me on purpose.
    I really need to talk to you.
     
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 9.26pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    And how exactly is the not sleeping together thing going to work? Her bubbles are kicking in and she’s going to be ripping your clothes off within the hour. She wants it bad. It’s been a while. You better switch her to Shirley Temples, like now.
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March 9.39pm
    —Pineapple Pete’s at Coconut Bay Resort—
    Can you stop doing that? Please? It’s physically hurting me to watch. I need to find some way to go back through all your messages because I’ve missed something. Are you with Lachie? For real? After everything I have said to you about not being with Lachie? Can you just tell me? Quickly? Now?
    I’m going out on the deck.
     
     
    Thursday 13 th March