‘You’re spoiling me.’
Sam went to the fridge and took out a chilled bottle of wine. After pouring them both a glass he gestured towards the open back door. Jimmy had already run outside ahead of them.
‘It’s a beautiful evening and I can’t stay indoors on an evening like this.’
Verity followed him outside. ‘Look at that view. The sea and the horizon line are such a pretty colour today.’
‘It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?’
Verity liked the way his eyes shone at her as he said that. She was sure he didn’t just mean the view.
Just beyond the gate was a beautiful small cove with unspoiled shallow blue waters. Verity walked towards the gate and stood next to Jimmy.
‘I couldn’t imagine having this at the bottom of my garden. You have a beautiful cove, whereas out of my bedroom window I have a wonderful view of a coffee factory.’ She chuckled. ‘But not for the next six months. Aww, look at that.’ In the middle of the cove’s tiny beach was a bistro table and chairs, the table covered in a white tablecloth with a couple of plates and glasses on top. ‘What a pretty setting. Are you expecting company?’ She nudged his elbow playfully.
‘I was hoping.’ Sam opened the gate. ‘Come on.’
Jimmy ran out of the gate straight to the water’s edge, and charged through the shallow waves. Sam walked onto the sand and pulled out a chair. ‘Welcome to Cosy Nook Cove.’
‘Your own cove! It’s like something a millionaire would have.’
‘It’s always been part of the cottage.’
Verity sat down and looked out across the water. Sam sat down opposite her and took a sip of wine. ‘Are we friends again?’ he asked. ‘I don’t like the thought of us not talking.’
She nodded then smiled. ‘We’re friends, and for the record, I don’t either.’
‘I wasn’t sure whether you’d come back after this morning.’
‘I’m not one for holding grudges, and I could smell that lasagne all the way from the cliff top. I’m not an idiot, I wasn’t going to miss out on that, now, was I?’ She grinned.
‘I’m sorry again about that. I should have used a different word.’
‘You’re forgiven. Even more so when you feed me.’
Suddenly, Sam looked alarmed. ‘Oh my…the lasagne!’ he exclaimed, standing up quickly. ‘It was ready ten minutes ago.’
Verity watched Sam hurry through the gate back into the kitchen before he reappeared holding a tray loaded with lasagne, garlic bread and a fresh green salad.
‘Dinner is served.’
With Jimmy now lying in the shade by the rocks, Sam served up the food.
‘I think I may come again, if I get this kind of treatment.’
‘You’re welcome anytime. What are your plans once the van is fixed?’
Verity picked up her knife and fork. ‘I’m going to stay for a few days while I help with the puffin census, then see how I feel. As you know, Ava, my friend, isn’t going to make it to Amsterdam and I was only going so as to escape heartache and find myself.’
‘And how’s that going?’
‘Very well,’ she replied. ‘A week ago I’d have never envisaged I’d be sitting here with a handsome man, having dinner in a private cove. My old life already seems a distant memory. It’s funny, actually, I’ve come to realise I never really knew my ex at all. You watch documentaries about people leading double lives but you never expect it from someone you actually know. And if he can lie that easily all the time, I can’t see him ever changing his ways. Good luck to both of them, I say. And what about you? Have you ever had someone special in your life?’
‘Once,’ he admitted. ‘An experience never to be repeated.’
Sam looked out across the water, avoiding Verity’s eyes.
‘You may feel different when a new someone special walks into your life.’
