Page 81 of Goldilocks

Laurence was tucked away in the cabin, practising driving and bringing them in.

“Ease up the throttle another bit,” Sam instructed. He stepped into the cabin to find Jasper examining his sword, his tail wrapped around his legs several times over since he kept bumping into everything otherwise. “Fionn is on the pier. He looks like he wants to talk to me, and I have a feeling it might take a while. Do you think you could, uh, bring Jasper along to yours for a bit?” Sam eyed the tail again. “Jasper, you’re going to have to put this on.” He grabbed a sweater from his trunk. “And try to wrap your tail around your stomach. If you can.”

Jasper looked far from impressed, but he obeyed, put on the sweater and wrapped his tail around his stomach so that it looked as if he had, well, a snake wrapped around his stomach roughly six times.

Laurence snickered, then coughed to hide the laugh.

“Goldilocks will be around if you need him,” Sam said. “Jasper, I’ll come by and grab you later.”

Jasper’s lips pressed hard together, but without complaint, he nodded his agreement. Sam promised to make it up to him later.

“And stay tucked in the back there,” Sam added, starting to feel like a nag. “Sorry I don’t want to play twenty questions with Fionn, which I’ll have to if he sees you.”

Jasper did just that, tucking himself onto the trunk furthest at the back.

Dozens of gulls circled above the pier, and a huge hopeful herring gull broke away from the flock and circled low above Sam’s boat, peering at his deck for any sign of bait or fish to scavenge.

The pair of herons that made their home at the pier year-round joined the circling gull above Sam’s boat, and, despite Sam being on deck, the pair flew down to land on a closed fish box. They peered at the closed box, seeking any crustaceans or exposed crab or lobster they could steal, and on finding none, they took off into the sky and moved on.

Laurence slowed the boat as he approached his spot, and Fionn stood waiting. Laurence killed the engine, their pace just right to slide them into Sam’s usual spot. Sam waved away Fionn, who was waiting for him to toss him a rope to tie off. “The boat isn’t staying.”

Laurence peeked out from the cabin.

“Thanks,” Sam said. “I’ll swing by as soon as I’m done here.”

“Take your time,” Laurence said back. He glanced at Fionn, scowled, and before Fionn could say anything, Laurence shut the door to the cabin. Sam climbed onto the dock, accepting the hand Fionn offered.

“What’s up?” Sam asked.

He started walking down the dock, and Fionn fell into step with him.

“Are you the reason I’m banned from the cafe?” Fionn accused.

“Probably.”

Fionn grumbled something under his breath that Sam didn’t quite catch over the sound of Laurence turning on the engine. He pulled away, and Sam paused long enough to check he didn’t scrape the hull. When it was safely clear, Sam resumed walking.

“The guards called me in earlier to talk to them,” Fionn said.

“About the break-in?” Sam asked.

“About my boat,” Fionn said. “They got a tip that you were on it. Messing with it.”

Sam missed a step, found his footing, and whipped around to face Fionn. “What?”

Fionn had a little frown marring his mouth and a peeved look.

Sam met his eyes, growing more tense by the second. “I didn’t go near your boat. I’ve never been on it in my life.”

“I know,” Fionn said, and his brow scrunched as if he was confused as to why Sam said that in the first place. “I know you wouldn’t do that,” he said, sounding genuine. “Said as much to the guards. Point is, at this rate I’m probably never going to know who sunk my boat. If they’re listening to any old idiot calling in and reporting untrue things like that…” Fionn sighed.

Sam’s tension relaxed somewhat. “Do you know who reported that? Maybe someonedidsee someone on your boat and mistook them for me?”

“They wouldn’t tell me. I just wanted to give you a heads-up, seeing as they’ll probably talk to you about it next. I already said it wasn’t you and not to be stupid, but they weren’t really listening,” Fionn explained. “I wanted to text, but even if I had your number, you can’t –anyway.” He cut off abruptly.

“Thanks for the warning,” Sam said.

“Anyway, I have to go.” Fionn dug out his phone from his pocket and whatever he saw on his screen had him scowling. “Dad’s been on me about this and that, and I’m late for our family call. Ugh.”