Page 29

Amelia watched Tara’s sharp, inquisitive gaze as they crested the hill, the sea breeze tugging at their clothes and setting the wild herbs swaying around them.

Amelia felt a prickle of unease. Tara’s energy was relentless, like water wearing down a stone. Every glance, every question was another chip at Solhaven’s carefully constructed walls.

And hers.

‘Here we are,’ Amelia said as they reached a patch of wild herbs growing on the hillside. She crouched, brushing her fingers over the soft, fragrant leaves of a plant. ‘This is yarrow. Good for teas, and we use it for minor cuts or bruises. And over here—’

‘Tea?’ Tara teased, crouching beside her with a grin.

Amelia froze for a beat too long before forcing a chuckle.

‘You had to know I was gonna bring it up sooner or later,’ Tara grinned wider.

Amelia flushed, feeling the prickly heat rise up her neck. She sat back on her heels, trying to decide whether to explain or brush it off.

‘Oh, come on,’ Tara pressed, her eyes gleaming. ‘You can’t leave me hanging. What happened?’

Amelia sighed, her shoulders slumping. ‘Fine. But only because you’ll dig until you find out anyway.’

Tara smirked, sitting cross-legged like she was settling in for a fireside tale.

‘I was sixteen,’ Amelia began reluctantly. ‘It was the summer fete, and my grandmother wanted me to contribute something. I wasn’t much good at baking or crafts, so I thought, “Tea. Everyone loves tea.”’

‘So far, so wholesome,’ Tara said.

‘Yes, well,’ Amelia muttered, plucking at a blade of grass, ‘I didn’t realise that the herbs I picked weren’t what I thought they were. I’d seen my mother use these purple flowers in infusions before. But I accidentally picked something... else.’

Tara’s grin widened, delight in her eyes. ‘How much else are we talking?’

Amelia sighed again, heavier this time. ‘Enough that by the end of the fete, the entire island was out of their minds. People were seeing colours, hearing music that wasn’t playing. Gregory claimed he spoke to the spirit of the island itself. I don’t recall much myself, but I did wake up in the goat shed.’

Tara’s laugh burst out, uncontainable and delighted. She doubled over, clutching her stomach. ‘Oh, Amelia, that’s amazing. You accidentally drugged the entire island!’

Amelia buried her face in her hands, her voice muffled. ‘It was mortifying. My grandmother was furious.’

Tara’s laughter turned into a snort as she tried to stifle it, utterly failing. She leaned back on her elbows, her face alight with amusement.

‘It’s not funny,’ Amelia grumbled, though a reluctant smile was trying to slip onto her lips.

‘It must have been like bloody Woodstock around here,’ Tara said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

Amelia didn’t know what that meant and didn’t feel the need to.

‘But it doesn’t sound like anyone was hurt,’ Tara concluded.

‘No,’ Amelia admitted. ‘It didn’t leave that type of wound. But it did mark me. That’s when people stopped taking me seriously. And they think I’m a fool because of it.’

Tara’s laughter softened, and her expression shifted to something gentler. ‘Amelia, everyone does stupid things when they’re young. You were sixteen. You made a mistake.’

Amelia glanced at her, the words unfamiliar and difficult to absorb. ‘That’s not how it feels. Not here. People remember. They whisper.’

‘Well, that sounds shi… rubbish. But I don’t think you should give a da… care what they think.’ Tara leaned forward slightly, her tone earnest. ‘And with the alcohol ban, it was probably the only chance anyone on this island has had to have a good time. They should be thanking you.’

‘But it seemed to curse me,’ Amelia said quietly, picking a sprig of yarrow to busy her hands.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Ever since then, I’ve always been so clumsy, so…’

Tara tutted. ‘Oh, I get it. Everyone started treating you like an idiot, and it made you so self-conscious that you started tripping over yourself even more.’

Amelia blinked at her, the sprig of yarrow stilling in her fingers. ‘That’s precisely it!’

Tara shrugged easily. ‘Classic self-fulfilling prophecy.’

Amelia’s gaze fell to the yarrow, her lips pressing together. ‘But even if it wasn’t true before, I think it’s become true.’

Tara frowned. ‘People love to shove you into a box and decide that’s all you are—it makes it easier for them to deal with you. And once they’ve put you there, it’s a nightmare to climb back out. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You’re smart, bright, and funny, Amelia. And you’re certainly not lacking in grace. I mean, you were gliding around in that seaweed while I was falling about like a complete tit. They might not see it because they don’t want to, but anyone meeting you for the first time sees it plain as day.’

Amelia wanted to dismiss Tara’s words, to brush them off as someone who didn’t understand Solhaven or the weight of expectations. But there was something in Tara’s voice—genuine, warm—that made her pause.

‘But what about the robber?’ Amelia asked. ‘He just took everything.’

‘How was that your fault?’ Tara asked, exasperated. ‘That could happen to anyone on the mainland. And does. Regularly. Look at it this way: you handled the mainland a sight better than I’m handling this.’

Amelia felt something loosen inside her, a tiny knot of tension she hadn’t known was there until it began to release. ‘Thank you,’ she said softly.

‘Anytime.’ Tara gave her an encouraging smile, the kind that felt almost too much, too kind.

Amelia turned back to the herbs, hoping to steady herself.

‘So,’ Tara said lightly, her teasing edge returning. ‘If I suddenly start being able to hear colours, should I blame the yarrow?’

Amelia let out a small laugh despite herself. ‘I think you’re safe with the yarrow.’

They worked side by side in companionable silence for a while after that. The wind carried the scent of the sea and herbs, blending with the faint sound of gulls crying in the distance. Amelia couldn’t shake the odd, uncomfortable warmth spreading through her. It was probably just the sun, she decided firmly. Though it wasn’t particularly strong today, it must have been enough to set her off. That, or the exertion of showing Tara around the island. She wasn’t used to so much company or conversation all at once.

A bell rang in the distance. ‘Oh, church!’ Amelia said. She was fairly certain she would have to drag Tara there by the scruff of her neck.

But Tara jumped up before she did. ‘Church?’ she said, oddly alert. She grabbed Amelia by the hand and yanked her up.

‘You want to go?’ Amelia asked, confused.

‘Why not? It’s part of Solhaven life, right?’ Tara said.

They set off, Amelia struggling to keep up with Tara’s pace.