‘Its fine. Was there something else?’
She considered his question for a couple of seconds. ‘Only that I’m pretty sure I’m right about how you two feel about each other, despite your denials.’
‘Why, what does Daisy say?’
Fi raised her eyebrows, ‘She’s my friend and you’re the bosses’ son; you think my loyalties will lie with you?’
‘No, of course not,’ he said, amused by her retort and comforted that Daisy had such a loyal friend.
‘I’m joking.’ She pulled a face, leaning a little closer to him and checking that no one was nearby to hear what she was about to say. ‘I can see the way she looks at you, but she insists there’s nothing going on. I’d believe her if I didn’t keep catching you both checking out each other. It’s like you’re both trying to hide your feelings and I’ve no idea why.’
He didn’t like the thought of displaying his feelings so obviously, but Fi had a point. ‘We have unresolved issues, that much I can tell you.’
Fi snorted. ‘Well, that tells me nothing. I’d ask Daisy, but she’s always telling me to mind my own business.’
Gabriel couldn’t help liking this bubbly girl, even though she was at times a little noisy for someone working on reception, and she rarely remembered to keep her thoughts to herself. ‘I’ll pop back later when she’s here. There’s something I need to speak to her about.’
‘OK, I’ll tell her.’
‘No, please don’t say anything. I don’t need her finding a way to keep busy elsewhere. I have to speak to her today.’
‘Fine, I’ll keep my mouth firmly shut.’
He doubted that was possible, but smiled and left her to deal with a guest who’d arrived with his wife and two small children.
He sat in his room in the Martello tower and spoke to four contacts, two of whom said they’d consider putting forward his funding request to the following month’s board meetings. Then, Gabriel typed up several letters to other corporations and contacts, followed by emails to a few more. Finally, sealing the envelopes closed, he placed stamps on them and left his room to walk to the postbox down the road. He was on his way back past the terrace at the front of his grandmother’s house when he thought he heard movement down at the end of the garden behind some bushes. He stopped walking and peered in the direction of the sound to try and see what it could be.
‘Bloody thing.’
It was Daisy. His heart pounded to hear her voice so unexpectedly. He didn’t relish what he was about to say to her but was relieved to be able to do it away from any of the staff and guests at the hotel. He went inside the house and poured two glasses of orange juice for them, then went back out to join her.
He watched silently for a few seconds, not wishing to give her a fright or interrupt her while she concentrated on her painting, like he had done at Beauport. Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated, her tongue poked out between her lips as her fine paintbrush made a line on the canvas. She stopped and turning her head, yelped.
‘I didn’t realise you were standing there,’ she said. ‘How long have you been watching me?’
‘Sorry,’ he said, holding out a glass of juice for her. ‘Your work looked intricate and I didn’t want to startle you.’
Her expression softened. ‘It’s driving me nuts,’ she said. ‘I can’t seem to get this bit of shading right.’
He moved closer and studied the painting. ‘It’s stunning,’ he said, seeing his grandmother’s view of the beach below her home.
‘Thanks, but it’s not quite right yet.’
‘It looks pretty good to me.’ He took a sip of his drink and watched her do the same. ‘Have you completed many paintings now?’
‘A few, but not nearly enough for a collection.’ She placed her brush down.
‘Look, I wanted to apologise for the other day. It didn’t quite turn out as I’d wanted it to.’ He wasn’t sure that had come out as he’d intended, either. ‘That is…’
She smiled. ‘It’s fine, I know what you mean.’ She finished her drink and passed him the empty glass. ‘I should really get on as my shift starts at noon.’
He knew he had to speak to her now, before she discovered his departure from someone else. ‘Daisy, can we take a brief walk, maybe on the beach?’
She frowned. ‘Can’t it wait? I really do want to get on with this while I can.’
He pictured his mother discussing him leaving the next day and knew that if he didn’t want to ruin what friendship he still had with Daisy, he had to tell her now. ‘Sorry, I know, but there’s something I need to tell you and I’m afraid it really can’t wait.’
‘Fine, come on then.’ She didn’t look too pleased, but he was glad she’d agreed to listen to him.
