At this, Verity exchanged a loaded look with Pete, who nodded towards Cooper.
‘What’s going on between you two?’ asked Cooper.
‘I could save you a trip to the estate agents,’ said Verity, ‘as I’m actually looking for accommodation. I’m currently living in my travelling van and even if I don’t get the job, I’d make a brilliant tenant.’
‘What are the chances of that?’ said Cooper looking at them both.
‘I’m heading back up to Cliff Top Cottage with Pete. Maybe I could have a look around?’ Verity asked hopefully.
Cooper delved into his pocket and retrieved a set of keys, a huge smile spreading across his face. ‘I’ve already read your references and I’m sure we can come up with a fair rent.’
‘Thank you!’ She took the keys. ‘I know I’m going to say yes before I’ve even seen it. I’ll bring back the keys when I meet you for the vote result at three p.m., if that’s okay with you?’ Cooper nodded and Verity took off. She didn’t even wait for Pete – she was just too excited to see the flat and couldn’t believe how neatly her life was falling into place.
As she rushed towards the cliff top she heard Pete shouting, ‘I thought you were waiting for Sam?’
‘I’ll catch up with him later!’ she called over her shoulder.
‘New home and an interview. Could this day get any better?’ Verity murmured to herself, determined not to let Sam’s cold reception ruin her happy mood. As soon as she’d checked over the flat her plan was to find Sam, on the pretence of checking in on Jimmy, before helping out Pete with the cottage.
Five minutes later she was standing outside the surgery. She waved at Nathan, who was pottering about in his garage. She unlocked the door and stepped inside. The flat was open-plan with a living and kitchen area, and at the back of the room were bifold doors. Verity opened them and found herself on a small balcony. People would pay millions for a view like the one before her, the sea stretching for miles and the cliffs guarded by thousands of puffins. She couldn’t believe she was standing here. She had been lucky that Cooper mentioned the flat to her before anyone else, and she thanked whatever higher power was looking after her for putting her in the right place at the right time.
The bedroom was a decent size, with built-in wardrobes and a dressing table. A door led to the bathroom. It was everything she needed to settle into her new life. Verity could already picture herself walking the small distance to work and sitting out on the balcony with a glass of wine in the evening. She could easily make the flat feel like home. She couldn’t wait to negotiate a rent with Cooper.
Full of excitement, she locked the door of the flat and headed back to the bay, which was a hive of activity, full of rowing boats and kayaks, children running in and out of the water, tourists set up for the day with picnic blankets and windbreakers. She noticed The Island Hall was locked up and Betty wasn’t standing guard outside the door anymore, which probably meant the islanders had voted. Sam too was nowhere in sight, and since there seemed to be no activity at The Sea Glass Restaurant, she assumed he must be keeping Jimmy company.
Five minutes later, feeling a little apprehensive, Verity knocked on the door of Cosy Nook Cottage. Seconds later the door opened. She gave Sam a huge smile. ‘And how’s the patient?’
‘He’s asleep.’ He made no effort to invite her in.
‘Umm, okay,’ she replied. ‘Is everything okay, Sam? I’m feeling a little tension. Have I done something to upset you?’
Sam was quiet, and could barely meet her eye. He inhaled. ‘Verity, I can’t do this.’
Even though Verity knew in her heart what Sam was trying to tell her, she still needed to understand why. ‘Do what?’
‘This.’ He wafted his hand between them both.
Verity forced a brightness into her voice she wasn’t feeling. ‘Can we talk about this? I really don’t want to be in a situation where it’s uncomfortable when I see you, like it feels now.’
Sam sighed and opened the door. Verity walked in and Sam gestured towards the sofa. ‘Would you like a drink?’
She shook her head. ‘Don’t go waking up Jimmy.’
Sitting at the other end of the settee, Sam looked pensive.
Verity decided to begin. ‘I know you said it was nothing more than a bit of fun, but I’m confused because your actions towards me suggest that it’s not just that. The way you looked at me when we were together…I could see you cared.’
The second she’d laid eyes on Sam she’d been captivated by his smile, his sparkling eyes, the way he dressed – the whole package. The connection she’d immediately felt between them had taken her by surprise. She was prepared to do anything to make Sam admit that he felt it too.
‘I do care but…’
There was silence.
‘What’s stopping you from letting go? Why have you built these gigantic walls around yourself? I’m not that bad, you know.’
He smiled. ‘I know you’re not, and that’s the problem.’
‘Huh? So you’d like me to be horrible?’
