‘That was the first thing I thought of when we agreed to do it!’ Anya said, with a grin. ‘I know I’ve long outstayed my welcome, but I’m not exaggerating when I say I feel like you and your parents saved my life when you came to my rescue.’
‘Oh, stop it or you’ll have me crying.’ Chloe gave a sniff and a laugh as she pressed a finger into the corner of her eye. ‘Besides, we didn’t do anything other than give you a safe space to sort things out.’ Reaching out, she gripped Anya’s hand tight. ‘You’ve done a damn good job of rescuing yourself; don’t give that away.’
‘She’s right,’ Kat agreed, placing a hand on Anya’s shoulder. ‘The way you’ve turned things around this past year has been incredible to witness. Inspiring.’
‘Everything okay?’ The four of them looked up to find Rick standing over them, a concerned frown on his face.
Kat supposed their body language – the way they were all huddled around Anya – might look worrying from a distance. ‘Anya was just telling us your good news,’ she reassured him.
Rick’s shoulders immediately relaxed and a huge smile lit his face. ‘It’s brilliant, isn’t it?’ He held out a hand to Anya. ‘I was wondering if we ought to make a move, give Ma and Pa the chance to go to bed if they want.’
Anya rose with a nod. ‘I’d just been thinking the same thing.’
Rick put an arm around her waist and kissed her temple. ‘Great minds, eh?’
Kat and the others stood and they all shared a quick hug before Anya and Rick departed hand in hand. ‘I’m so happy for them,’ she said as she sank back on to the garden chair with a happy sigh. She turned to Issy, who’d sat down beside her. ‘And I’m absolutely delighted for you and Liam too. I’ll stay on at Mum and Dad’s for a bit, give you two some space.’ Though spending another hour at her parents’ was the last thing she wanted, Issy and Liam deserved more time together to celebrate their happy news.
‘No, you bloody won’t!’ Issy exclaimed at once. ‘The flat is your home too. I expect to see you first thing in the morning.’ She glanced across the garden towards where Liam was chatting to his father and the twins. ‘Well, maybe notfirstthing,’ she amended with a knowing grin.
As though feeling her eyes upon him, Liam glanced up and a smile as wide as the ocean lit his face as he spotted Issy. Without hesitation, he crossed the patio and held out a hand to her. ‘You owe me a dance.’
He led Issy to the centre of the patio and closed his arms around her. Kat and Chloe sat back in their chairs and releaseda pair of matching sighs. ‘They’re so happy it’s enough to make you sick,’ Chloe said.
Kat laughed. ‘It is a bit,’ she admitted.
Chloe drained her glass then stood up again. ‘I need another drink. You want anything?’
‘No, I’m fine,’ Kat said. ‘But if you could grab my coat from the utility room on your way back? It’s my big black jacket.’
‘You’ve got it!’ Chloe gave her a little salute then began to weave her way a little unsteadily through the crowd.
8
‘Can I take these?’ Tony Reeves, Jago’s assistant at the harbour master’s office, gestured towards two of the empty chairs beside Kat.
Kat nodded. ‘Of course.’ Anya was gone and she doubted Issy would be back any time soon so it seemed churlish to deny him. He picked them up with a smile of thanks and carried them away.
Kat tugged the other chair closer to hers; Chloe would be back soon. She cast a hopeful glance towards the open back door, but there was no sign of her friend. A few minutes later and Kat was really starting to feel the cold. It wasn’t really possible to shift any closer to the heater, but she did her best. She cast another glance towards the back door.
Where on earth had Chloe got to?
If she didn’t return soon, Kat would have to go and fetch her coat herself. They’d lose their seats, but that was a small price to pay given how cold she was. She folded her arms across her chest, tucking her fingers underneath them for warmth.
‘Is this free?’
She glanced up to see Harry had his hand on the back of the empty chair. He looked cosy in his thick sweater and Kat envied him for it. ‘I’m holding it for Chloe,’ she said, trying to ignore the shiver that ran through her as a gust of wind reminded her how thin her top was.
‘I don’t think she’s going to need it for a while,’ Harry said, casting a wry glance towards the makeshift dancefloor.
Kat followed his gaze, her eyes widening as she spotted her friend dancing in the arms of a tall, blond-haired man with shoulders even wider than Harry’s. ‘Is that Adam she’s dancing with?’ It didn’t seem possible given the vitriol Chloe had been pouring on his head earlier, but there she was smiling up at him like she hadn’t a care in the world.
‘Yup.’ Harry sank into the chair next to her. ‘And they’re looking very friendly, don’t you think?’
Kat certainly did think. Maybe she’d taken Anya’s advice on board about not taking everything as a personal criticism. Still, Kat wasn’t about to speculate about it because Harry would tease Chloe mercilessly given half a chance. ‘They’ve been working together a lot on the hotel project so it’s not surprising they’ve become friends,’ she said, keeping her tone as casual as possible.
‘I wish I had afriendto dance that close with me.’ Harry’s tone was rich with amusement.
Kat rolled her eyes. ‘I’m sure there’s any number of willing volunteers just waiting for the chance to smooch with you, Harry Penrose.’
