‘Mind if I sit here?’
‘Be my guest,’ he said, staring out at the sunset’s burnished colours.
‘Can I just double-check that that wasn’t some big stunt upstairs?’ Darla knew she was grasping at flimsy straws but was still hoping it was a misunderstanding.
‘Not a stunt,’ he said. He snorted out a breath. ‘To think we spent ages trying to work out how best to split up and then we end up doing it in the absolutely worst way possible. I feel awful. Poor Barry.’ Cameron looked into the cabin behind him where Barry and Pete were roaring with laughter at something.
‘I think he’s okay,’ said Darla.
‘Thank goodness he is. That man has been through enough.’
‘You’re fond of him aren’t you?’
‘Yep.’ He leaned back and puffed out a deep sigh. ‘This whole thing hasn’t been anything like I thought it would be. It was meant to be just an additional gig to earn me some extra money. But it’s turned into . . .’ He looked up to where Ros was standing on the flybridge gazing into the night. ‘It’s ended up becoming such a mess.’
‘If it’s any consolation, I feel shat on too,’ she said.
Cameron laughed. ‘I’m not sure it is, but thanks anyway.’
‘At least I’ve got Elliott and you’ve got Gina,’ said Darla.
‘I guess,’ said Cameron as a chorus of ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ broke out inside.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
After Ros finally escaped the boat and had made sure Barry was home safely, she returned home to a silent apartment. Cyril was lying on the sofa and all was quiet so she assumed Cameron had gone to bed. Perhaps that was for the best. Another confrontation would likely not solve the problem.
After little sleep she stirred to the sound of a door closing. She dragged herself fully awake. How could she be wide-awake half the night and yet come morning she was in a deep sleep? She pulled on her dressing gown and left the bedroom. Straightaway she realised Cyril had gone from the sofa, as had the throw and Cameron’s cactus. His bedroom door was ajar. She took a deep breath and tapped on the door. There was no response.
‘Cameron. Do you want a coffee?’ she asked, stepping tentatively inside. The room was empty and anything of Cameron’s was missing. She walked over to the kitchen area where a sticky note was stuck on the worktop, which read: I’m sorry things ended the way they did. Having slept on it I think you’re probably right that a clean break is for the best. So I’ve cleared all my stuff out. Wishing you all the best for the future – Cameron. PTO
She picked up the note and turned it over. PS. For the record I don’t regret the relationship contract, only how it ended.
Ros went to check his room again. The bed was stripped, the cupboards empty apart from his Cookie Monster T-shirt abandoned on the topmost shelf. She pulled it down. She still didn’t understand why he wore T-shirts featuring children’s characters but it was oddly one of many things she was going to miss about him. In a bit of a daze she went to get washed and dressed.
Ros put the kettle on and had to stop herself from automatically getting two mugs out of the cupboard. He’d gone and it was going to take some getting used to. Despite what everyone seemed to have assumed she’d not confirmed that she was taking the new job. She looked around her apartment; with the plants and Cameron’s things gone it had a sparse feel to it that she’d not noticed before. Or maybe it had not bothered her until now. There was nothing else here for her apart from her dad. She had genuinely believed her taking the new job would be best for everyone, not just her.
She had been upfront about her father’s condition with her potential new boss so would have been able to return to the UK when needed and had planned to come back once a month. But now she was unsure if that was enough and not just from Barry’s perspective but also from her own. She had a dilemma and as she’d upset all her friends she had nobody to talk it over with.
She’d not realised how long she’d been staring into her drink until the entry door buzzed and she put the cold mug down and went to answer the door.
‘Hey, Cabbage, can I come up?’
‘Sure,’ she said and she buzzed Barry in.
When she opened the door, Gazza was first inside pulling the lead free from Barry’s hand. The little dog did a lap of the apartment, clearly looking for someone. He returned to Barry with his lead bumping along sadly behind him and he flopped down with an audible huff.
‘That yours?’ asked Barry, pointing at the Cookie Monster T-shirt she was wearing.
She scratched her neck self-consciously. ‘It’s Cameron’s.’
‘And he’s not here,’ said Barry, scanning the place.
‘No, he moved out first thing. I don’t know where he is.’ She’d been wondering most of the morning where he would have gone. ‘Can I get you a drink?’ she asked, tipping her cold coffee away.
‘Err, a cuppa would be nice thanks.’ Barry got out his mobile. ‘Cameron is in Matlock.’
Ros cocked her head at him. ‘What makes you think he’s gone home?’
‘Pete likes his social media and he’s not following many people so if someone posts he usually sees it.’
‘Who posted?’
‘Cameron posted a picture of the Heights of Abraham and said, “Home sooner than planned.”’
She was relieved to know where Cameron was, although that only lasted a moment. If he’d gone home, he’d likely be with Gina. She made the drinks. ‘Did you want a biscuit or anything?’
‘No, the tea is fine,’ said Barry.
Ros checked the cupboard. Cameron had left something behind: one last bag of Hula Hoops. She took them and the drinks over to the sofa. ‘Did you enjoy the party?’ she asked.
‘I had a terrific time. Don’t know why we haven’t done something sooner. We’re all hoping to meet up every couple of months either for a coffee or lunch or maybe even a barbecue.’
‘Nice.’ Ros stuck her hand in the crisp packet and pulled out her finger with a Hula Hoop on the end. She considered it briefly before eating it off her finger. It wasn’t a miracle cure but Cameron was right: it was more fun to eat them like that. She had a few more, then became aware that her dad was watching her. ‘Sorry, did you say something?’ she asked.
He smiled. ‘No, I was remembering you doing that as a child.’
‘Did I?’ Ros was surprised. If she had eaten them like this, it was long forgotten.
