Clemmie’s beaming. ‘There’s no one I’dratherhelp out, Floss. If I lend you a few bits, you’ll look like the real deal by tomorrow.’
I catch my breath. ‘I don’t want to betooauthentic!’ Blondies are one thing, customers are something else entirely.
Sophie sniffs. ‘No worries on that score, this part of the village is deader than Elvis – paying footfall is non-existent.’
I smile up at her. ‘That’s a perfect fit for me. We both know I have zero business ambition and even less aptitude.’
While the rest of them have striven for success, achievements have passed me by. My rule with work was it had to be fun, and even though I had responsibilities at The Circus, in everyone’s eyes I was still only a waitress.
Nell nudges me. ‘Never say never, Florence! No experience, and you did fine delivering Arnie over there.’
My hopes and dreams are in tatters and I know I should wrap this up before anyone drops any more bombshells. ‘If you’ve got to hurry Arnie home, Clemmie, that’s fine – we can catch up more when I call round for the props.’
But Clemmie’s oblivious, staring out across the dunes.
Plum taps her knee. ‘What’s so interesting, Clems? If Chris Hemsworth is in a High Tides hot tub, don’t keep it to yourself!’
Clemmie’s craning her neck. ‘Floss, over there by the glossy new beach huts…’
Nell’s rubbing her bump again. ‘I may be nine months pregnant, but I still know a hottie when I see one – not that I’m objectifying.’
Plum stands up to get a better view. ‘Nothing like Chris, but the calibre is equally high.’ She laughs. ‘Someone here must be doing something right, he’s heading this way and he’s waving!’
Clemmie’s voice rises in excitement. ‘Itishim, Floss, isn’t it? That’s Kit who phoned the ambulance!’
I can’tbeginto imagine what he’s doing here, but it fits with the general downhill trajectory of the afternoon. Giving up on men has been easy so far, so I’d rather not see one who makes it feel hard.
I look up and catch Sophie’s eye in an effort to make up. ‘How would it be if I promise to give you first refusal if ever I sell this place?’
Let’s face it, I’m not going to be here for ever, it’s only until I sort myself out. In reality, it isn’tifI sell, it’swhenI sell, and Sophie knows that as well as I do.
A curious look of satisfaction spreads across her face. ‘Thanks, Flossie, that makes me feel a lot better. I can definitely work with that.’
I wasn’t expecting these undercurrents of animosity to come out with the first cup of tea! There I was, wafting around, talking about coming back for family support, and I should have brought my boxing gloves.
But it could be about the transition. Before I was a visitor. Now I’m a resident, and the territory has shifted.
But now for the next job of the afternoon: finding out what the hell Dr Love2Love is doing in town.
3
The Hideaway, St Aidan
Happy returns
Tuesday
‘Did Ian Somerhalder lose his way onThe Vampire Diariesset and get teleported to St Aidan?’
As Plum leans round the veranda corner post for a better view of Kit my lips are pursed, but the others chorus their agreement.
It’s not only that the guy is so well put together. He might be looking a little overdressed with his sharp trousers, snowy shirt and dark tie, but his smile and laid-back warmth literally radiate as he strolls towards us. I only hope the audience stifle their shrieksbeforehe comes into earshot.
It’s ridiculous for me to feel the kind of attraction that pulses through my body in thousand-volt bursts as I watch him skirting the picket fence. He’s the man who made my wedding ring, and he was engaged himself at the time too, both of which take him right off the table.
As he swings up onto my sand deck my involuntary gasp is huge. Then one whiff of his aftershave blows every bit of my hands-off resolve off the beach.
Somehow I manage to say, ‘Hey, it’s you! Who’d have thought? Guys, this is Kit.’
