He shook his head. ‘No thanks, I’ve got a meeting in town this morning. That interview I told you about.’
‘Thought you must have,’ said Kate, looking him up and down approvingly. ‘Not often I get to see you wearing a suit.’
‘Yeah. Hopefully it’ll only be for the interview. They texted me yesterday about it.’
‘That’s great.’ She turned around, leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. Dan could tell she thought he was hiding something. He looked away. Not much got past his mother. ‘So, did you enjoy your bike ride with Augi?’
‘Er, yeah, it’s a good ride… through the park.’
‘Mmm.’
He could feel her eyes on him. ‘Anyway, I’d best be off.’ He grabbed a piece of toast from the table. ‘Thanks, Mum. I’ll see you later.’
‘Right-oh.’ She had clearly decided not to give him the third degree. He was thankful for small mercies. ‘Good luck with the job,’ she added.
‘Thanks.’
The door clunked shut behind him.
Wellington had put on a spectacular day — both weather-wise, with the sky and harbour a brilliant calm blue, and meeting-wise. He couldn’t have asked for a better interview. His work experience had got him the interview and his ability to get on with people had secured it for him. In the end, he’d felt like he was interviewing them.
It seemed Lucy had been right. He didn’t have to worry. The consultancy agency welcomed him with open arms and had an eye on a specific case for him to work on. They just had to finalise the details. The case interested him very much.
He’d been bridging the gap between government and large private organisations all his working life. The difference was that now he wouldn’t be working for private industry. No, now he’d be working for the good guys. Everyone.
If he hadn’t felt so lousy after his argument with Augi, he’d have been on top of the world. But, as it was, the achievement was tinged with a hollow feeling.
It was only on his drive back north to MacLeod’s Cove that the emotional turmoil he’d managed to blot out during the interview returned.
Just the memory of Augi’s face — one moment open and emotional, the next closed to him — drove pain into his heart. He knew his feelings for her were quite different to his ex, and he equally knew that the idea of a woman keeping secrets set off a loud, clanging warning bell deep inside him.
By the time he arrived at MacLeod’s Cottage he felt defeated. He sat for a moment, his head in his hands, going over the words they’d fired at each other. It was ridiculous. He felt so much for her, and he was pretty sure her feelings for him were strong. If only she’d allow herself to admit them.
Suddenly there was a bang on his car door. He looked up to see Lucy staring at him.
‘What are you doing?’ she called out, her voice muffled.
He sighed, picked up his phone and got out of the car. ‘Hey,’ he said.
‘Well? What were you doing?’
‘About to come inside. What were you doing?’
‘Trying to figure out what had happened to my stupid brother to make him put his head in his hands and sit in a stationary car.’
He walked around the car, determined not to answer.
‘Hey, Dan! What happened?’ said Lucy, running to follow him up the garden path.
‘Nothing to concern you.’
‘It concerned you, so it concerns me.’
He swore under his breath. Why did he ever think coming home would be easy? He continued up the path and opened the door and entered MacLeod’s Cottage.
‘Hey, Mum!’ he called out.
‘I’m in here,’ Kate replied.
