A Thousand Salt Kisses Forever (Third Book in Salt Kisses series)

A Very Different Rumour

I reached my jetty and pulled my body up onto the wood. It was now getting light, and I needed to get dressed quickly.

I had left Llyr a mile back and he had pointed me in the direction of my house and instructed me to swim straight ahead. I had swum as fast as my tail would take me, and fortunately, had encountered no watch-mer on my journey.

Now, I peeped over the jetty and into the rowing boat where I had left my things. My heart skipped a beat. They were not there. Oh, who would have possibly stolen them?

I stood up quickly and looked around. Did that evil Portia return and take it? She might have thought there were photos of Llyr and the mer on there. Oh, how I hate that girl.

I exhaled angrily and stood up, water cascading over my bare, bikini-clad body, making a puddle by my feet. I looked up at the house and realised, I would have to go back like this.

I wiped the water off my body nervously with my hands and walked up the jetty, ascending the Ocean Stairway towards the back lawn. I felt the little crunches of the frost on my feet as I stepped on the grass, and realised how terribly strange it was not to be able to connect this with my body temperature.

I reached the door and frowned. How was I going to open it without a key? It had been in the back pocket of my jeans! Crappity crap!

I tried the handle and to my surprise, it opened. I stepped into the kitchen, smiling with relief, and quietly closed the door behind me. I turned and then I froze.

Mum and Dad were sat at the kitchen table, their expressions drawn, and their skin tone pale. They looked exhausted like they had been up all night. In the middle of the table were my phone and my clothes.

"Crystal!" my Mum whispered standing up and coming towards me. Her eyes were glassy and as she looked me up and down they filled with worry. She quickly took off her dressing gown and put it over me.

"Darling, you must be freezing!" she croaked, rubbing her hands up and down my arms as though to warm me. "Have you really been out swimming?" she whispered, her panicked eyes flittering to the damp hair that clung to my face, "At this time?"

"I'm fine, Mum," I said calmly. A few months ago this would have been horrifying but today, I was engaged, and I was more ready than ever to tell them the truth. I didn't want them to worry a second longer.

"Darling," said Dad getting up, his face plagued with worry, "it's okay, we know. We know."

I looked at them both and swallowed. They knew?

"We've heard a rumour Crystal," said Mum, putting her arm around me. "A rumour that concerns you."

Oh, thank God. They've heard the isle gossip about Llyr and I. This may not even be as hard as I thought it would be. They are already broken in.

"It's true," I said, looking at them both. How I wish they didn't look so sad. It was breaking my heart, but I knew I had to explain. "There are merfolk and I am with one."

They stared at me, silently, and my dad's jaw hung open. Okay, maybe it was more shocking actually hearing it from me.

"I'm in love with him," I continued. "It's serious, don't worry, we've known each other for many years, he's wonderful and, I-we're engaged," I blurted. "Oh, and I'm a mermaid too now."

My father exhaled and put his hand to his head. "Oh God, it's true," he said.

"Yes, it's true!" I cried. "But it's okay, I've never been happier."

"Oh really?" shouted Dad, before turning and walking away, trying to calm himself. I didn't understand anymore.

"Crystal, we heard about what happened when we were in France this summer," said Mum.

"Yes," I said, bewildered. "Yes, I went under the sea. I found him and I got him back."

My Dad cried out again and I jumped. I suddenly wondered if we talking about the same rumour.

"We heard about the hospital," Mum pressed, peeling the hair away from my face. "Darling, we know about your breakdown."