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“Yeah. Like the sea.” I put some space between Sterling and me, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. “Are you staying close by?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder towards the farm before turning back to him.

“You could say that,” Sterling replies, his eyes following mine. “You live alone up there?” He tips his chin and I immediately shake my head in reply. I don’t need this stranger knowing I’m all alone in that big house.

“Ah, no. I um…have a housemate. He’s a…police officer.” Jesus fuck, Caspian, could you sound less believable?

Sterling nods, a grin still on his face. “Alright then. Well, maybe I’ll get to meet him sometime.”

“Maybe. Though I doubt it. He’s a bit…shy.” I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from outwardly groaning at how awkward I sound.

Sterling chuckles, and the sound makes those stupid butterflies in my stomach take flight. I rub a hand over my chest, wondering why I’m having so many reactions to this stranger.

“Pity. I’ve really enjoyed meeting the locals. Everyone is very welcoming.”

“Where is it you’re from?”

“Here and there,” Sterling replies with a shrug.

Frowning, I say, “You’re super evasive with your answers.”

He shakes his head, a smile tugging at one corner of his lips. “Maybe you’re not asking the right questions.”

What the fuck does that mean?

“Riiiight,” I start, dragging out the word. “I’m going to go. I have things to do. I’ll leave you to it.”

“It’s been a pleasure,” Sterling replies. He takes a step forward and I mirror the action, taking a step back. A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have said I was easily intimidated and I like to think that I’m not – but the run in with Eugene has me on edge, plus the last few nights I’ve felt incredibly unsettled. So yes, maybe I am a little intimidated by this stranger.

Although, as I stand here looking at his broad shoulders and his wicked grin, I can’t say it’s entirely a bad thing. Like somehow my body is mixing up fear and excitement. I would almost say it’s a nice feeling, if being scared could feel nice.

My throat tightens and warmth blooms where it shouldn’t be blooming when I give him a once over. Then I nod, turn on my heel and head up the beach towards the farm. In the distance, my car is parked outside the farmhouse in the same spot I’ve used for years. Pops’ old van is behind the barn – another point on my list of things to sort out. Pausing, I move my head from side to side, taking in as much of the farm as I can from my spot on the beach. Goosebumps spread over my skin as a wave of trepidation hits me.

“Sterling?” I turn back around and find him on his haunches with a handful of sand in his palm, grains of it falling between his fingers.

“Yes?” He looks up at me with green eyes so vibrant they appear to glow in the dying sunlight.

“Where is your car?”

He drops the sand and straightens to his full height. My mouth goes dry, and the trepidation grows with each second that he’s silent.

“I don’t have one.” He shrugs, dusting his hands on his trousers. “I walked.”

He walked? All the way from…wherever he’s from?

It’s not impossible to walk here from Newbridge Village, I think to myself, trying to brush away the unease. Just because locals rarely do it – there’s no direct pedestrian route, so you have to go over a hill and through one or two farms – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.

“Okay. Um…well, goodnight, Sterling.”

“Goodnight, Caspian. Stay safe.” I narrow my eyes at his last words. Sterling grins, turns and points to the sea. “There’s a storm coming.” I follow his direction and sure enough, there’s thick, dark grey clouds hovering in the distance.

“Just great,” I mutter under my breath. There hasn’t been a storm since…the last one and the thought of sitting through it alone makes me feel sick.

“They scare you?” Sterling asks. He doesn’t step closer, maybe aware that I’m already on edge.

“No,” I lie, then turn my back on the stranger and make my way off the beach. I stop at the barn and check that the sheep are all safely inside. Applesauce and Rhubarb are both inside too. I put out a little more food, then shut and lock the barn door behind me. When I step outside, the sky has darkened further, the clouds moving rapidly off the sea. There’s also a smell in the air, one I’ve noticed a few times this past week, and I wrinkle my nose, making a beeline for the main house.

Once inside, I lock the front door, engaging both the locks and then double checking them, too.

Because of the storm.