Kraken Read Free Page A

his head in against the cool evening. Now the sun was behind the island it was getting colder, even though he was out of the wind.
     
    The main harbor ran like a gash down the center of the island, like an egg with a crack in it. It was long, and narrow enough to swim across, even for a mediocre swimmer. Dozens of shallow bays lined each side, interspersed with high promontories. Aiden cut the speed back so that Will could hear him.
     
    He pointed to port.
     
    “That’s me, in there. You can’t miss it. I’m starting to build a wharf. We’re putting the pilings in next weekend.”
     
    Will nodded. They continued up the harbor, to the very tip, where it separated into two deep v-shaped bays, the water dark yellow from the mud beneath the shallow water.
     
    “Well, this is you,” said Aiden, bringing his boat into a well-built jetty. Will blanched at the sight of the plastic garden mesh on the wharf steps, presumably to stop feet slipping. If well-seasoned islanders needed extra grip it did not bode well for him, in his suede Tod’s high-tops.
     
    “It’s lucky I found you,” said Aiden.
     
    “I don’t believe in luck.”
     
    “You should give it a try some time.”
     
    Will shook Aiden’s hand. The fingers were warm and comfortable against his. Will suddenly wished he had a reason to beg off, but he didn’t want to live with the anxious gnawing still lodged deep under his skin.
     
    “Thank you,” was all he could think of to say.
     
    Aiden helped him up, and then with a wave he was pulling away, disappearing into the gloom. Will wondered if he was imagining the regret in Aiden’s eyes.
     

Chapter Two
     
    At the center of the bay stood a small cottage, warm light already spilling from its windows. The fading end of the day had Will carefully sidling along the length of the wharf. Heavy yellow-billed gulls eyed him suspiciously from the jetty railing as he dragged his bag towards the shore, anxiously eying the water on either side of the narrow wooden walkway.
     
    Once he reached the solidity of land he took a deep breath and eased the strap where it had dug into the sweaty flesh of his hand. The wheels on his travel bag caught on the crushed shells lining the narrow path. He negotiated it uncomfortably, crowded in by tall lilies on each side of the path. Will’s shirt was quickly damp with dew.
     
    The second thoughts started as soon as Will began to climb the few steps to the low porch in front of the cottage, heaving his bag up behind him. What had he done? These weren’t even second thoughts – this was fully fledged regret, taking flight and dive-bombing him in an effort to get him to retreat. Immediately. No. He wanted to do this. He missed Parker, right? He missed him and he was here to tell him that. Before good sense could assert itself, he knocked on the front door.
     
    He heard movement and through the glass panels at the top of the door shadows flitted in the soft yellow lamplight.
     
    The door was opened by a young woman in her twenties. Will’s first thought was that she should be carved in stone for worship on a distant mountain. Even though he didn’t like girls, her luscious dark hair and skin drew him towards her. A warm smile lit her eyes, and her shirt was a little askew. “Hi,” she said, sleepily.
     
    Will’s ever-ready sense of social anxiety was eager to reintroduce itself. He took a step backwards. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry, I’ve got the wrong house. The ferry said Swansea Bay jetty, but— “
     
    “No, you’re in the right place; this is Swansea. Were you looking for Parker?” The woman turned around and called out. “Parker!”
     
    A familiar voice answered, “Did Doug lose his power again, baby? Hang on, I’ve got the storm lantern.”
     
    Up until this moment Will had thought the phrase ‘the blood drained from his face’ was a figure of speech, but as Parker put his arm around the woman and turned toward the door Will felt every capillary