The night is as illusory as a memory, light reflecting oddly and dreamlike off the water, moving edges blurred, the humming glow of the mainland hazy in the far distance. Above and behind us, the mechanical whirr of the scrambler and waltzer. Wildflowers jitter in the occasional breeze, and the salt in the air is so thick I could lick it. My breath whistles loudly in my ears. I am alive. I don’t have to be – perhaps shouldn’t be – but I am. All at once, watching Liam and Peyton try to trip each other up on the tide, hearing Ellis’s feet shuffle on the rocks, I become aware of the story of my life folding out in front of me. There’s so much good, I understand, as easily as breathing. Why can’t it always be like this?

‘So, I think I figured out who Lenore is,’ Ellis says, breaking the spell.

‘You did?’

‘Well, I thought maybe I remembered the name but I wasn’t sure. Her full name’s Lenore Worthy. She’s a musician too – or at least used to be, I guess.’

‘That’s a motive. Jealousy, money. She lives here?’

‘I think so.’

‘Think? I thought everyone knew everyone around here.’

And I remember by the pain in his eyes. ‘Everyone except us, I guess. People keep their distance.’

‘Right. I’m sorry.’

‘Anyway. I was looking at the census information and I think I have an address.’

I punch him lightly on the arm. ‘All right, sir. Look at you, investigating.’ Ellis smiles shyly. I am aware of a few others scattered along the shore – not that they’re paying any attention to us, but to be safe, I say, ‘Let’s talk about this later.’

‘OK, sure. That works actually b-because I have something to show you.’

‘What?’

‘It’ll be better if you see it. But my mom can’t know. We can meet at the N-No-Names? At n-nine at night tomorrow?’

I nod. ‘You’re on.’

Peyton tires herself out after only thirty minutes or so, and she and Liam go to leave. As we’re saying our goodbyes she regards Ellis and me and says, ‘You guys look so cute. Couple of little cuttlefish,’ and takes a picture.

‘I do sort of want to swim,’ Ellis says after they’ve gone. ‘It’s just that Liam always tries to dunk me.’

I snort. ‘I’m not totally sure if I can swim.’

‘Want me to show you? All you have to learn is how to float.’

We wade out, past the point of the breaking waves, until the water is just bobbing and lulling and my toes are barely scraping the bottom, catching occasional sharp bits of shell.

‘B-basically, we’re two-thirds water anyways, so we’re, like, designed to float, and it helps if you’re taking deep breaths too, b-because it’s easier the more oxygen you have in you.’