Finale~2

COOKS POV:

Cook leaned over the bridge railing, staring down at the shitty little boat swaying in the water below. The rope tying it to the dock looked like it could snap if the wind picked up. Fitting, he thought. Effy stood a few steps behind him, silent as ever, a cigarette dangling between her fingers.

It had only been about two weeks since they'd taken off, though it felt longer. They didn't plan it—it just sort of happened. Effy needed to get away, and Cook couldn't stand another second in Bristol. Nobody really wanted either of them around anymore, not after all the chaos they'd caused. So, they left.

Still, Cook couldn't help but wish it was Tess standing there instead.He wished she hadn't said no. but he knew that she would have hated this just as much as Effy was- though she would be more vocal about it. That's what he missed the most, her voice, her laugh, the silence that wasn't awkward. Effy didn't say much, and when she did, it wasn't like it mattered. He knew she'd rather be with Freddie anyway. Not that she'd ever admit it.

Effy flicked her cigarette into the water. "Where are we going?" she asked, her voice flat.

Cook smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "To meet my dad."

She raised an eyebrow, finally stepping up to the railing. "That your big plan?"

He nodded toward the boat. "You wanna meet him?"

Effy glanced down at the rickety thing and then back at him. "I think you need to meet him first."

—

Cook didn't know what he'd been expecting when his dad opened the door, but it sure as hell wasn't the overly warm reception he got. Cook Sr. had grabbed them both by the hands—Effy looking as stiff as a board the whole time—and dragged them straight down the street to the nearest pub like it was Christmas morning.

Cook Sr. strode in like he owned the joint, chest puffed out and voice booming.

"Ladies and germs, the fucking Milky Bars are on me!" he bellowed, throwing his arms wide. "Drinks all round, yeah? Ah, Jesus. Everyone, the fruit of my looms. My fucking son." He clapped Cook hard on the back, nearly knocking him forward. "And this is his very lovely lady friend."

Cook groaned. "She's not my lady friend, Dad."

Cook Sr. winked, clearly unfazed. "Sure." Then he turned to the bar, slapping the counter with a grin. "Pints and shots over here, monsieur, and make it snappy—my mouth's as dry as a nun's."

They took a seat at a table before Cook sr. nodded over to a cop asleep at the bar "Have a view at the only copper for 40 miles, eh? Do what you like. Smoke inside. Ash on the fucking floor, see if anyone bats an eyelid. In fact..." He leaned in with a conspiratorial grin. "Piss on it. There's a couple of old boys who would pay top dollar to see that. This ain't Kansas anymore, Toto. Out here you are free as fuck."

Cook raised his pint in a mock toast. "A-fucking-men."

"Right, here we go." Cook Sr. gestured at the bartender, a wiry man with a face like sour milk.

"You get one round on account of your lad being here," the bartender—Donald, judging by the name tag—said flatly.

Cook Sr. scoffed, already halfway through his first pint. "Donald, how am I meant to clear my tab, eh? Your wife's away so much I hardly get a chance to see her."

Donald's face darkened. "That's 345 pounds... 23 pence."

Cook Sr. mimicked his voice mockingly, waving him off. "'That's 345 pounds... 23 pence.' Dick." He turned to Cook with a dramatic sigh. "The only thing that matters to shitheads like him is money."

Cook nodded, his grin wide. "It's a fucking disgrace, Dad."

"I mean, there's got to be more to life than that, am I right?" Cook Sr. declared, throwing his arms out wide like he was on stage.

Effy, who had been silent up until now, raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Cook smirked, answering immediately in sync with his dad. "Fucking."

"Shagging" Cook Sr. roared with laughter, clapping him on the back again.

He pointed at Cook, his grin splitting his face. "Ah-ha-ha! Great minds, Son. Great minds. Everyone knows the best things in life are free."

Cook raised his pint again. "Never a truer word, Dad."

Cook Sr. took a long swig, his eyes glinting with something that almost looked like pride. "Can't believe it. This." He gestured between them. "Mm? Feels all right, don't it? Me and you, back together. At last." He spread his arms wide again, his grin turning almost manic. "I'm like a dog with two dicks!" He turned his attention to Effy, who was nursing her drink in silence. "There's nothing more important than blood. Eh? Isn't that right, princess?"

Effy just stared at him, her expression unreadable. Cook watched her, noting the way her fingers tightened around her glass. But she didn't say a word, just took a slow, deliberate sip.

Cook Sr. didn't seem to notice, too busy basking in his own theatrics. Cook, on the other hand, felt the knot in his chest tighten. Things had gone surprisingly well so far—almost too well. 

----

The station was quiet in the early morning, shrouded in a damp chill that Tess couldn't shake. Her eyes burned from lack of sleep; she'd barely closed them all night, her thoughts running wild about what Cook would say when he saw her- if he said anything at all. Would he even care? He didn't seem pretty pleased the last time they had spoken.

Freddie arrived first, his hood pulled up and his hands stuffed deep into his pockets. He looked as tired as she was.

"Morning," he muttered, his voice low and groggy.

"Morning," Tess replied, awkwardly avoiding his gaze.

They stood in silence for a moment before JJ came bounding toward them, practically skipping. His energy felt like a slap in the face compared to their half-asleep states.

"Guys! Big day, huh? Train's almost here. I checked the timetable three times—no, four. Just to be sure. Oh, and I brought snacks! Are you guys hungry? I've got biscuits, crisps—"

"JJ," Freddie cut him off with a tired grin, "it's too early for this."

"Save the enthusiasm for later J," Tess mumbled, pulling her coat tighter against the cold.

JJ didn't seem fazed and kept yammering on about snack options until the train finally pulled into the station. Tess exhaled in relief as they boarded, quickly finding an empty booth. Tess slid in first, Freddie followed, and JJ bounced into the seat across from them, still brimming with excitement.

The train rumbled to life, and Tess leaned her head back, staring out the window at the grey countryside as it blurred past. After a moment, she turned to JJ. "So, what's the plan, JJ? You've got one, right?"

JJ paused, fiddling with the zipper on his bag. "Well, um..."

Freddie raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you haven't thought this through."

"I didn't think this far ahead," JJ admitted, looking sheepish.

"What?" Tess said, sitting up. "Seriously? You're the one who always has a plan!"

"I know! I know," JJ said, throwing his hands up. "I just thought—catch a train, get to Cook and Effy, figure it out as we go. That's spontaneous, right?"

Freddie let out a soft laugh, rubbing his eyes. "This isn't a holiday JJ"

JJ frowned. "I'll figure it out ok"

Freddie shook his head. "It's fine, it's not the first time we've winged it."

Freddie glanced at JJ, who immediately perked up. "Like that time Cook wanted to sneak into that festival. Remember?"

Freddie groaned. "Don't remind me. We didn't have tickets. No plan. Cook just said, Trust me."

JJ grinned. "And then we ended up scaling a fence—"

"Which led straight into the security tent," Freddie finished.

Tess tilted her head. "How did you even become friends with him? You're all so different."

Freddie shrugged. "I guess Cook kind of decided we were friends. We didn't really get a choice."

JJ chimed in, " They were friends first, I came later."

Freddie thought about that for a moment, then said, "You and Katie are kind of like that too. You're so different."

"True," Tess said with a small laugh. "I guess that's why we work."

The train rattled on, the dull hum of its motion filling the cabin. An hour had passed, and the initial buzz of conversation had dulled into a companionable quiet. Freddie was slumped against the seat, half-asleep. Tess had her earphones in, staring blankly at the passing countryside, while JJ was engrossed in some card game he had spread out on the table between them.

Freddie stirred and stretched with a groggy groan, blinking himself awake. He glanced at JJ. "What are you doing?"

JJ didn't look up, arranging his cards in a precise pattern. "It's a game I invented. Like Solitaire but better. More challenging."

Freddie smirked. "Sounds thrilling."

JJ beamed. "It is!"

Freddie shook his head with a quiet laugh before glancing at Tess. Her expression was distant, her knee bouncing slightly beneath the table.

"You alright?" he asked, his tone careful but direct.

Tess pulled out one earphone but didn't turn to him. "I'm fine."

JJ, still focused on his cards, chimed in, "She's probably worried about Cook."

Tess whipped her head around. "Am not."

JJ shrugged. "Are too. It's written all over your face."

Tess groaned, leaning back in her seat. "Shut up, JJ."

Freddie frowned, watching her. "I'm worried too"

She hesitated, chewing on the corner of her lip. "I'm just... trying to figure out why Effy's so worried about him.It must be bad right?"

Freddie sat up straighter, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's Cook. Trouble finds him, but he always finds his way out of it too. He's like a bloody cat with nine lives."

"But how many has he got left?" Tess muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

JJ looked up from his game, his expression surprisingly serious. "Effy wouldn't have called if it wasn't bad. Unless she's the one who needs saving" he added casually

Tess nodded, her fingers fidgeting with her earphone cord. "Exactly. That's why I'm nervous. I mean, what's so urgent? How dangerous can a shitty small town get?"

Freddie sighed, leaning back. "It is when Cooks there."

JJ cleared his throat. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. Right?"

Tess let out a dry laugh. "Right."

The train began to slow, the station coming into view. JJ shuffled his cards back into a neat pile, his usual energy resurfacing.

"Alright," he said, standing and stretching. "Phase 1 of the mission is officially complete!"

---

EFFY'S POV:

Effy sat on the edge of the boat, her feet dangling just above the water. The world around her felt muted, like everything was happening in the distance, too far out of reach. Club lights still flickered in her mind, but the noise was quiet now, replaced by the soft lapping of the water against the hull. Cook was passed out asleep inside.

The night was heavy with silence, and then, Cook's dad appeared—half-shrouded in the shadows, standing at the edge of the boat. Effy didn't look up, but she could feel his gaze on her, the weight of it pulling her in.

"Full moon," he muttered, his voice low and rough. "When the full moon rises... gods and monsters will come out to play." He took a drag from his cigarette, blowing the smoke into the night air.

Effy let out a short, fake laugh, her lips curling into a sarcastic smile. His expression shifted into something smug, but she killed it as quickly as it came, leveling him with a cold, unblinking stare.

He didn't falter, leaning in closer "So, how does it feel? Eh? To have everyone want you? That Donny's desperate to get into your pants. Are you gonna let him?" He leaned in a little closer, his eyes glinting. "What about me? You gonna let me into your pants?" He said, placing a hand on her thigh.

Effy froze, her breath catching, but she didn't pull away—not yet. Her gaze flicked over the water, her jaw tightening.

He smirked, clearly enjoying her silence. "Yeah. Too pretty for your own good. That's why you destroy everything you touch."

Effy's lips curled slightly into a smirk, but she didn't look at him, just kept staring out into the dark. "Look who's talking," she said flatly, her voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckled softly, a sound that was too sharp to be genuine. "I'm Guns N' Roses, love. I've got an appetite for destruction."

The words hung in the air like smoke, choking and heavy. Effy didn't respond. She let the silence stretch, twisting the tension tighter.

Finally, he broke it. "So, what's my boy doing here anyway? Running home to daddy. Must've been something good."

Effy exhaled slowly, the chill in the air starting to bite at her skin. She glanced back at the boat, at Cook's still form inside, she knew this wasn't his home. "He got rejected by this girl, she told him no, so now he's all bitter." she said, her voice distant. "We aren't good for anybody anymore."

"That was his first mistake eh? Falling for some girl. Why settle for one when you can have hundreds, eh?" He laughed menacingly

Effy let out a short laugh, bitter and dry. "She's too good for him. Always was." She finally looked at him, her expression unreadable. "That's the real problem- she finally noticed."

For a moment, he seemed unsure how to respond, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Then he shrugged, blowing smoke into the dark.

"You're all just pieces on a board, Effy," he said, his voice low and cryptic. "But the game's rigged. Doesn't matter if you're winning or losing—you'll all end up the same."

Effy didn't answer. Without a word, she stood, stepping off the boat and disappearing into the shadows, her footsteps fading into the night.

As she walked away, his voice called out, sharp and haunting.

"You'll see, love. You'll all end up destroying each other."

---

Freddie, JJ, and Tess walked further into the small town. The place looked tired—run-down buildings with faded paint, boarded-up windows, and the occasional mutt sniffing at discarded wrappers on the pavement.

Freddie glanced out the window, his lips curling in disgust. "What a shithole."

JJ, ever the optimist, leaned forward, clutching a crumpled piece of paper with an address on it. "Well, this was the area code," he said, scanning the street. "So what do you reckon? Shall we... have a look around town, do you think, try and find that phone box?"

Tess snorted jokingly, "Thought you'd figured out a plan by now, J."

Freddie came to a stop in front of an old brick building. "No. We'll stay here."

JJ frowned, confused. "How do you know they'll be here?"

"They're coming," Freddie said firmly, his eyes fixed on the grimy brick building in front of them. Above the door, chipped letters spelled out Dockers Club. "OK? They have to."

Tess squinted at the peeling paint and a crooked wooden sign that swayed slightly in the wind. Yeah, they'd been here. No doubt.

The trio found a spot on a low brick wall outside the club and sat down. The minutes dragged by. Tess swung her legs idly, JJ fiddled with his Rubik's Cube, and Freddie stared into the distance, his jaw set. Every so often, Freddie's eyes would flick towards the pub door, scanning for any sign of Effy or Cook.

It felt like hours before something finally happened, but not what they expected.

"Uh... what the fuck are they doing?" Tess asked, sitting up straighter.

Around them, townspeople had started trickling in, hauling out tables, chairs, and banners. They moved like clockwork, barely acknowledging the three strangers perched on the wall.

JJ tilted his head, watching a burly man hammer a wooden post into the ground. "It looks like... some sort of race?"

A woman passed by with an armful of flags, brushing so close to Tess she had to lean back. Behind them, people were setting up stalls with homemade signs that read sausage rolls and pints.

Tess eyed the food stand being assembled nearby, her stomach growling at the sight of a fresh tray of sausage rolls. She elbowed Freddie lightly. "I'm nicking one of those if they don't hurry up."

"Get one for me too," Freddie muttered, though his attention was fixed on the preparations.

The townsfolk moved around them as if they didn't exist, carrying crates of bottled drinks and arranging markers for what now looked like a starting line. JJ was right—it was definitely a race.

Tess leaned back, crossing her arms. "So, what now? We sit here while they set up a bloody fun run?"

Freddie didn't answer, his gaze fixed on the crowd assembling. She rolled her eyes and stood up. "Right, I'm going for a whizz then," she said, not waiting for a response. She needed to get away for a minute—anything to clear her head. She headed to the grimey pub and went to the equally disgusting bathroom before heading back out.

As she stepped back outside, the afternoon sun hit her face, but something made her stop in her tracks.

There, standing just outside the crowd, was Cook. He hadn't seen her yet, but she froze, her feet planted to the ground, unable to move. He was standing with Freddie and JJ, his body tense, his voice sharp.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Cook's voice rang out, cutting through the noise of the town.

Tess couldn't hear JJ's response, but she saw Cook's face twist in irritation.

"Do I look like I'm in trouble?" Cook snapped. "I'm fucking ten times better than you've ever been, you pair of miserable, boring shites."

Tess winced. She wanted to walk away—she really did. But something held her there, her heart hammering in her chest as she watched Cook's anger unfold. Then, Cook's eyes locked onto her. His expression shifted, just for a moment, but his voice stayed cold.

"You brought her?" He took a step forward, his gaze hardening. "What the fuck, man! Nah, nah, nah, nah. This ain't happening."

Tess felt a lump form in her throat. She hesitated, but then walked toward them, her feet dragging. "Hi..." she said, quietly, almost unsure of herself.

"Don't fucking hi me, man." Cook's voice was low and cutting.

She felt the weight of his words hit her like a slap, he was avoiding eye contact at all costs.

Freddie, spoke up. "Where is she?"

Cook's eyes darkened, his jaw clenching as he looked at Freddie. "Oh, right. That's why you came. Fucking hell. You sad man."

JJ tried to step in, his voice softer now, pleading. "Guys, this isn't how it's supposed to—"

"How did you find me?" Cook interrupted, his eyes narrowing.

"She called him," JJ said, referring to Effy. "But... just stop this, right? Listen to me, please."

Freddie stepped closer, but JJ was already pulling away. "JJ, stop it."

Cook's voice dropped to a dangerous level. "Fuck off, JJ." His words matched JJ's as they both spoke at once.

"Oh, OK, then," JJ muttered, spinning on his heel. "You know, flipping... flip the both of you, then. Fuck-turds!"

Tess watched as JJ stormed off, frustration in his every step. "JJ wait!" She called after him, but he was already gone.

Her attention snapped back to Cook, who was still glaring at Freddie. He didn't even look at her now. His focus was entirely on Freddie.

Tess spoke up, her frustration boiling over. "You guys are so hard on him! Can't you see what this is doing to him?"

Cook, without looking at her replied, "Stay out of this Tess, it has nothin' to do with you"

Freddie scoffed, "I think it has everything to do with her-" but he was cut off

But Cook cut him off with a sharp command "Enter the race."

Freddie blinked, clearly thrown off by the unexpected demand. "You what?"

"Enter the race," Cook repeated, his stance widening as if daring Freddie to refuse.

"You're a child," Freddie muttered, trying to push past Cook's challenge.

Cook didn't flinch. "You're a pussy. Come on, let's fucking settle this."

"In a race?" Freddie couldn't hide his disbelief.

Cook shrugged, his eyes cold. "You got any other ideas?"

Cook's footsteps echoed as he walked away, his back turned to them, leaving the tension hanging in the air like smoke. Tess watched him for a moment, her chest tight with a mix of anger and confusion.

She turned her attention back to Freddie, her frustration boiling over. "Don't you fucking dare do it Freddie" she snapped. "What are you fighting over? What's so important that you have to let him drag you into this shit?"

Freddie glanced at her, his face set in a hard line. "It's not about him, Tess." His voice was strained, like he was holding back something, but his hands were shaking. "I have to do it alright? This is the only way it's all gonna end"

Tess blinked, taken aback by the last part. "What? You think this is gonna change anything?" Her voice cracked, the frustration pouring out. "You're better than this, Freddie. Don't let him get to you. It's just a fucking race, for God's sake."

Freddie looked away, his jaw clenched. "I don't have a choice, alright?"

Tess stared at him, the words hitting her harder than she expected. "You don't need to prove anything to him. You don't need to prove anything to anyone."

But Freddie wasn't listening. He turned on his heel, walking off toward the starting line, his strides heavy with determination.

"Fucking idiots" She muttered, walking back to the wall. Nothing else she said would make a difference.

She could hear the voices of the crowd growing louder as they prepared for the race, but the noise felt distant, like it wasn't even real. Nothing felt real anymore.

---

Donald, the announcer, stood at the front, his voice booming over the crowd as he hyped up the race. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Solstice Steeplechase!" he shouted with a theatrical flair that made Tess cringe. "Many have attempted the challenge. Few have succeeded. It's winner-takes-all, and everyone else can fuck off."

Tess watched as Donald raised his arms dramatically, and the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and laughter. That was when she saw him.

Riding in on a motorcycle with his two cronies trailing behind, Donny Donaldson made his grand entrance. He was wearing ridiculously short running shorts, a neon-colored headband, and running gear that looked like it belonged in a bad 80s workout video.

Donald beamed proudly, his voice still carrying over the crowd. "Allow me to introduce the reigning champion, my son, Donny Donaldson!"

And then, Effy appeared. She walked slowly from behind the crowd, her face unreadable, her eyes meeting Freddie's.

Before Tess could process much more, she noticed someone else running onto the track—JJ. He was breathless, but determined, and without hesitation, he ran right in between Freddie and Cook, standing between them at the start line.

Tess's heart skipped a beat. Was he really going to join in? Did he think this would solve something?

Donald continued his spiel, his voice loud and insistent. "Not since the first time Kriss Akabusi graced us with his presence, have we had outsiders in the race! So I'd better explain the rules. Once round the village. First one back here is the winner. Oh, and if you drop your elder, you're out, and, er, we give you a bit of a shoeing, lads."

The moment was interrupted as four elderly women, all wearing varied workout gear, waddled toward the competitors. They each picked a rider.

"Elders, assemble!" Donald shouted,taking this very seriously. "Choose your riders. Elders, mount."

Tess was officially certain she had stepped into the weirdest town she had ever been to. But there was no turning back now. She just hoped they would make it through this ridiculous race in one piece.

The countdown started, and Tess felt the tension spike.

"On your marks..." Donald called out.

Freddie's eyes were on the ground, his expression unreadable as he adjusted his stance, ready for whatever came next. Cook, on the other hand, appeared unbothered, a smirk plastered across his face as if this was just another game to him.

"Set..." Donald's voice trailed off, and with a swift motion, he shouted, "Go!"

The race was on.

The competitors and their elderly riders took off, the crowd roaring in excitement. Tess stood frozen for a moment, watching as Freddie, Cook, JJ, and Donny barreled down the path, the absurdity of it all sinking in. She couldn't help but laugh at the stupidity of it all.

Effy was standing a few steps away, hands shoved in the pockets of her jacket, her face unreadable. Tess hesitated before walking over.

Effy glanced at her, a faint, almost nervous smile tugging at her lips. "You still mad at me?" she asked, her voice quiet.

Tess raised an eyebrow. "I don't know, Eff."

Effy shrugged, looking anywhere but at Tess. "You came to help. Why?" she asked.

Tess exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. "You asked, didn't you?" she replied dryly. "And I was basically forced to by JJ"

Effy gave a small, almost wistful nod. Tess couldn't help but soften, despite the oddness of the situation.

"So," Tess began, deliberately shifting the subject, "Why'd you leave?"

Effy's expression flickered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with a shrug. "I had to get away, so did he."she said, her voice almost defensive. "Nothing happened,"

Tess didn't push further, but her gaze drifted over to the other side of the road, where a man shouted, "Come on, son!" Tess's brow furrowed. "Is that...Cook's dad?"

Effy's gaze followed Tess's, and for a split second, her face turned cold. She didn't answer right away, but when she did, her voice was laced with something bitter. "Yeah, that's him."

The man—Cook's dad—was grinning over at Effy, his eyes lingering a bit too long. Effy raised her hand, two fingers in her mouth, and Tess's eyes widened as she saw Effy flick a rude gesture in his direction. The man scowled, his grin faltering.

"Ugh," Tess muttered, shuddering at the sight. "What a creep."

Effy rolled her eyes, clearly unfazed by the man's reaction. "Yeah, he's shit. It explains it a bit though, why Cook's the way he is." She trailed off, her voice distant.

Tess sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "He looks like a complete tosser"

"He is," Effy smiled

Tess hesitated, then added, "Your mum, and Tony miss you, you know."

Effy's eyes softened slightly, but she tried to play it cool. "Really? Didn't seem like it"

"Effy, they didn't know where you were." Tess sighed "He's been worried about you, Tony"

"Isn't he away? With your sister" she asked, changing the topic.

Tess gave a half-smile. "Yep all of them. And we're stuck here, dealing with... well, everything." She shrugged, her voice catching a little.

Effy nodded, understanding passing between them, unspoken and heavy. "Yeah." She paused, her eyes flicking back to Cook on the other side of the road. "Cook's been missing you," she said quietly. "I can tell."

Tess scoffed, "I highly doubt that, the way he reacted before"

"He's just scared." Effy whispered

"Of what of me?" Tess laughed awkwardly

Effy just shrugged, giving her that signature smile.

Tess and Effy stood side by side, watching the scene unfold. Cook, JJ, and Donny came around the corner, their legs pumping hard as they raced towards the finish line. Freddie was nowhere in sight.

Tess furrowed her brow. "Where's Freddie?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Effy shrugged, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the runners. "They look ridiculous," she muttered, clearly unimpressed with the spectacle.

Tess snorted, her gaze drifting back to the race. "I don't know why they're even doing this." but the crowd seemed to be enjoying it.

The pace picked up suddenly, and the tension in the air was palpable. The runners were just meters from the finish line, and the crowd was on edge. Donny and Cook were neck and neck, shoving each other out of the way as they struggled to gain an edge. Their dads were right beside them now, yelling in their faces, urging them on. Cook looked more determined than he had at the start, his jaw clenched, his eyes fixed on the finish line.

Tess's eyes flicked over to JJ, who had been falling behind at first but was now walking with purpose, clearly building up strength as he moved. He was slowly, steadily gaining on the others.

Then, Tess spotted Freddie, his face twisted in nervous concentration. He was standing opposite them, clearly he had given up.

But her attention quickly shifted back to JJ, who was suddenly overtaking Donny and Cook. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Tess couldn't help but laugh. Effy was grinning beside her, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Go on, JJ!" Effy cheered, her voice full of genuine excitement.

But Cook wasn't having it. His voice rang out in frustration, cutting through the chaos. "JJ, NO!" he shouted, the desperation in his voice clear. But it was too late. JJ surged ahead, crossing the finish line first.

The crowd went wild as Cook's dad looked even angrier than Cook himself. He stared down at Cook with a burning glare before walking off, his footsteps heavy. Cook was left standing there, his chest heaving with frustration.

Tess quickly glanced away, not wanting to stare at the aftermath. She shook it off and turned to Effy, who was still laughing.

"That was brilliant," Tess said, a smile tugging at her lips.

Before they could say anything more, JJ came bounding toward them, a wide grin on his face. "Did you see that?" he exclaimed, clearly buzzing with excitement. "I won!"

---

The pub was alive with energy as everyone crowded around JJ, celebrating his unexpected victory. Laughter and cheers filled the air, the music blaring in the background. Tess and Effy stayed close to each other, the awkwardness between them now gone.

But across the room, Cook was sulking by the bar, nursing a drink. He looked out of place amidst the celebrations, his usual cocky demeanour nowhere to be found. His eyes met Tess's for a brief moment, and for a split second, it felt like nothing had changed, like they were back to that familiar tension before everything spiralled. But just as quickly, it faded, and Tess snapped out of it, glancing away.

She turned to Effy, her voice curious. "Why's he so pissed off about it? I mean, other than his bruised ego."

Effy shrugged, her gaze flicking over to where Cook was standing. "He made a deal with his dad and Donny. If Cook won, his dad wouldn't have to pay back the debt he owes to Donald. But if Donny won, they'd get Cook's dad's boat."

Tess's eyes widened with realisation. "Ohhh, that explains it," she muttered. "So now Cook's lost out on the deal...and his dad."

Tess sympathetically looked over to him but the atmosphere shifted suddenly. Cook, looking livid, stormed across the pub with a determined stride, heading straight for JJ, who was still surrounded by his admirers.

"You fucking dick!" Cook bellowed, his face twisted in anger. "You've lost my dad's boat, i've lost her— I've got fuck all now, you—"

JJ didn't flinch. Instead, he grinned. "This is the Wushu Finger Hold," he said casually, grabbing Cook's finger with surprising precision. "I learned it in a book. Of a film."

Cook's eyes went wide, but JJ kept his hold tight, twisting Cook's finger in a way that made him wince.

"J, let's just leave it now..." Freddie said, stepping in, but JJ wasn't done.

He grabbed Freddie's finger too, locking him in the same hold. "I'm pretty sure if I apply the correct pressure, your eyes pop out." JJ's voice was serious, and Tess couldn't help but whisper to Effy.

"Is that real?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Effy's grin spread across her face. "I hope so," she whispered back.

Freddie looked horrified. "J, my eyes aren't going to pop out."

JJ raised an eyebrow, squeezing just a little tighter. "Do you really want to take that chance? Let's not air our dirty laundry in public, boys," he said, with a mischievous glint in his eye.

With that, JJ pulled Freddie and Cook out the back, still holding onto their fingers in a way that made Tess wince. The door swung shut behind them, and for a moment, the pub was left in a stunned silence.

Tess knew this trip wouldn't be straightforward but this was weirder than she had imagined.