‘He had it coming, that bastard. Ah, here’s trouble.’ He kissed his wife lovingly on the cheek. ‘Right, have a good day, Jilly. My Billy informs me the first ferry is packed, so looks like it’s going to be a busy one.’
Sabrina had decided that as Tinsel Town was to be in effect a general gift shop, she would sell items that would be a fit for holidays other than Christmas. Seeing as Halloween was the one that was approaching, she had great delight in decorating her outside stall with witches’ hats, dreamcatchers and beanies for kids and adults alike with various spooky motifs on them. Charlie had been right: it was an extremely busy market day, probably because of half term, with lots of people taking a break in one of the various holiday lets and others making use of their second homes.
She was just making herself a cup of coffee out the back when Dom called. Before the wedding when his name had flashed up on the screen, she would feel her heart leap a little; today, she felt her shoulders drop slightly. Composing herself for a second, she pressed to answer. She could hear all sorts of noise going on in the background. ‘Darling, it’s me. I’m sorry I wasn’t around yesterday; you know what these work things are like.’
Sabrina sighed. ‘I really needed you, Dom.’
‘I know, I know. But as your message said, it all turned out OK. But, Sabrina, all this really isn’t good for you or your reputation. And I take it you told the police who you really are?’
‘They had found out already.’
‘And you really trust they are not going to blow your cover?’
‘No, I don’t– but until they do, I’m carrying on being me down here.’
‘The press will explode on that when they find out, you know that. Polly Malone being accused of poisoning someone when she’s inside for being accused of murder in your acting life.’
Sabrina could hear Dom whispering to someone. ‘Who’s that?’
‘Oh, it’s just Jessica, telling me I need to go back inside. Look, you need to keep your head down if you don’t want to be found out. It’s an amazing story and if I didn’t care about you like I do, I’d run with that for at least a week. If a rival redtop gets hold of it, I’ll be furious. Come back to London, Sabrina. I can protect you here.’
‘Is the flat free, then?’
‘You know it’s not yet, but as I said, it will be soon. But if you do want to come back next week, I can put you up in a hotel.’
‘Did you really just say that?’ Sabrina’s voice raised a level. ‘Dominic, you said that if I agreed to come back then she’d be out! I am not going to stay in a hotel. That was my home too, you know.’
‘OK, OK, sorry darling, my mind’s not with it out here, so much to do.’
‘Sabrina sighed. ‘Well, get with it, Dom, because you promised me. Anyway, when are you back from Cannes?’
‘A week Friday.’
‘So, it’s a week-long work do?’
‘Well, it is a bit of social as well.’
‘Of course, it is.’
‘Anyway, gotta go. Counting down the days, my sweet. Can’t wait. Me, you, alone at last. I’m planning something super special. Make sure your passport is up to date. Oh, and that wedding underwear I missed– make sure you pack that, too. Ciao darling.’
Sabrina’s– ‘but I haven’t said I’m definitely coming back’, was lost as he hung up.
She went out to the front to be greeted by a couple of excited kids trying on the witches’ hats and Conor holding out a bacon buttie from Frank’s. ‘Thought you might need this.’
She grinned. ‘What would I do without you.’
‘I’ve got to get back, but whilst I remember, Frank is doing a Halloween gig– he does it every year. Has a candy floss maker, so the kids dress up and line up and the grown-ups get his secret elixir from under the counter at a discounted rate.’
‘He’s a good egg, your uncle. One each?’ She smiled at the kids as they handed over their pocket money for the hats, then mouthed thank you to their mother.
‘Just wondered if you fancied helping out, with me?’
‘Sure, sounds fun.’
‘Are you OK, Sabrina? After yesterday, I mean.’ Conor put his hand on her arm. ‘It sure was tough day, for ya.’
‘Yeah, totally fine, but thanks for asking.’ She held his gaze for a split second.
