Read Online The Girl from the Sea: A gripping psychological thriller by Shalini Boland - Free Book Online

step towards him.
    ‘It’s me, Jack.’
    ‘Sorry, do I know you?’ I hunch my shoulders and flush at the thought of not recognising a possible friend or acquaintance. He must think I’m so rude. I’ll have to explain my amnesia.
    He gives me a smile, his head tipped to the side in a gesture of sympathy. ‘I heard what happened, Mia. The police have been here, and we saw it on the news. The beach and your amnesia. How terrible.’ He’s standing right in front of me now. Tall, with a rower’s body, dark hair and blue-green eyes.
    ‘I . . . Yeah.’ God, what an idiot. I literally can’t think of anything to say. At least he knows what happened, saving me having to explain everything.
    His smile broadens. ‘I’m Jack Harrington, club coach and fellow rower.’ He holds out his hand and I shake it. ‘I’m guessing you can’t remember me?’ he says.
    ‘Sorry, no.’
    He puts his hand on his heart, steps back and pretends to be offended.
    ‘But if it’s any consolation,’ I say with a hesitant smile, ‘I can’t remember anyone, or anything, so it’s not just you.’
    ‘Okay, I’ll let you off. Do you want a cuppa? I was just locking up, but we can go back upstairs and sit on the deck for a while if you like?’
    ‘No, that’s okay,’ I say. ‘Thanks for the offer but I’d better get back.’ I don’t know why I turned him down. A chat and a cuppa with a former-friend sounds like it could be just what I need, but I’m a little tired and off-balance.
    ‘No worries,’ he says. ‘Another time, maybe?’
    ‘Sure. That would be great,’ I say. I make a move to leave, but then I turn back. ‘Apparently I used to row here.’
    ‘Only every day,’ Jack says with a grin.
    I have a thought. ‘Maybe . . . Do you think I could book in a session some time? I might need help remembering what to do, though.’
    ‘Of course. Give me a call, or better yet just drop by. I go out most mornings around 7 am.’
    ‘Great. Thanks so much. I lost my mobile so I don’t have anyone’s numbers, but I’ll definitely drop by one morning.’
    ‘Look forward to it. Good to see you, Mia. Take care.’
    ‘Bye.’
    I walk away feeling more optimistic. He seemed like a nice guy. Easy to talk to. Hopefully, I’ll remember how to row. Maybe it’s like riding a bike – something you never forget. It seems like something I might really enjoy.
    Maybe the old me is starting to resurface? Meeting old friends, getting back to my old hobbies, rediscovering my house, my town.
    Maybe.

 
     
    Chapter Ten
    Sitting on the balcony with a tuna salad and a glass of dry white wine, I sigh with pleasure at having an evening to myself to relax. I gaze out over the river, at the boats going by – the sail boats, canoeists, pleasure boats, rowers. Funny to think that I’m actually one of them. That I used to spend so much of my time out on the water. Maybe I will again.
    A loud ringing makes me jump. A phone. Must be the landline. Its shrillness sets my pulse racing. Who could it be? Piers? I want to ignore it and carry on sitting here with my thoughts. But what if it’s important?
    I swallow a mouthful of salad, but it’s still lodged in my throat as I make my way inside towards the intrusive sound. I don’t even know where I keep the phone, but I locate it quickly enough, on the breakfast bar.
    ‘Hello?’
    There’s a pause, and then ‘Mia, is that you?’ A woman’s voice, with an east-coast accent, maybe London or Essex.
    ‘This is Mia,’ I say.
    ‘Are you okay? Cara saw a post about you on Facebook. Said you lost your memory. Is it true?’
    ‘Sorry, who is this?’ I ask.
    Silence on the other end of the line. Whoever it is has tried to cover the mouthpiece and is talking to someone else. I make out the muffled words: ‘She asked me who I am. Maybe it’s true.’
    ‘Hello?’ I say.
    ‘Sorry, I’m here,’ she replies. ‘Mia, don’t you recognise my voice?’
    ‘No,’ I say. ‘That post you saw on Facebook