‘Me for one,’ said Oliver.
She raised an eyebrow and took a sip of her champagne. ‘I don’t believe that for one second. I think it would take more than an angry chef to scare you.’
‘How about a hurt one?’
She took another sip. She needed it. ‘Hm. You think I’m hurt?’
‘I know you were. Maybe not now. But after our night together… And I’m really sorry about that.’
She looked around quickly, hoping no-one had overheard that. She seemed safe. Everyone was busy.
‘Yeah, you said before. You’re sorry if I was upset.’
‘No, I mean I’m sorry I led you to believe I was someone I wasn’t. I’m sorry I tried to use you.’
Lucy was speechless. She hadn’t expected that.
‘I want this project to go ahead and I knew your influence could make things easier for me. Lucy,’ he inclined his head to her so that only she could hear, ‘I thought I could use you like I use everyone else in my life. But I was wrong. And I’m sorry.’
‘Me, too.’ She rose and walked away, ostensibly to get some drinks, but in truth, because she didn’t know what to do with his apology. It shifted something — and she wasn’t ready for anything to shift.
Did he mean that he’d had a change of heart about the entire project, or simply that he regretted tricking her because he desired her? She hadn’t a clue. And right now, surrounded by friends and family, with confusion raging through her head and heart, she couldn’t have talked about it, even if she’d wanted to.
She grabbed some beers and a cooler with the champagne. ‘Top up anyone?’
Dan nodded and accepted a beer.
‘Thought you were more of a champagne man since the US?’
He nodded towards Sam with whom he’d been talking. ‘It’s got to be beer in front of my mate here. He’d think I’d gone soft.’
‘Too right,’ said Sam glancing at them briefly before looking back at the barbecue and turning the kebabs over carefully. The fat and yoghurt mix hissed on the hot coals. ‘You can’t go all posh on me, mate. God knows we’ve got enough in-comers into MacLeod’s Cove doing that.’
Dan cleared his throat and raised his eyes in a not-so-secret message to Sam who focussed studiously on the barbecue. Lucy sighed, knowing exactly who they were referring to. She put down her glass of champagne, wrestled the top off a beer and took a long swig. She was more a beer girl at heart. She turned to watch Oliver.
‘Yeah, sorry about bringing one here.’
‘No worries,’ said Sam, as if she’d brought home something horrible into the house. ‘It’s not your fault. You’re just trying to fight for our community.’ He glanced at Oliver. ‘I know Kate thinks that if Oliver spends more than a few minutes with us, he’ll be converted. I’m afraid she’s barking up the wrong tree there. Oliver Perry-Warnes sings to his own tune. No-one else’s. I’d steer clear of him, Lucy. He’s trouble.’
‘You’re preaching to the converted,’ she said taking another slug of beer and looking out to sea. ‘I think I might go for a swim later.’
Jen put her arm around her shoulders. ‘No more beer if you want to do that. Let’s eat.’ She leaned in closer. ‘And watch Mum try to tame the dragon.’
Lucy huffed a small laugh, linked arms, and they took the cooked kebabs to the family.
* * *
As soon as she could after lunch, Lucy slipped away. But she hadn’t gone a dozen paces over the sand when she heard someone following her. She turned around.
‘Mind if I join you?’ Oliver asked.
She should, but instead she shook her head. ‘No.’ She waited until he’d caught up before they set off across the wet sand toward the shoreline. ‘So, has Mum persuaded you about the delights of family and heritage and history?’
‘She, er, certainly talked about it, with examples.’
‘Oh, yes, she’s good on examples. Classic teacher.’
‘I noticed you kept your distance.’
