I’m not sure exactly what I’ve won, but it feels significant. I have to admit his buns could be the saviour for the shop. On the downside, it’s going to mean working with Miles most days, which on current form promises self-destruction within minutes rather than hours. As for all these new complications and revelations, I’m more confused than ever.
I grin at him. ‘You’ll have to work out how much you’re going to charge me for the pastries.’
He gives me a nudge. ‘And you’ll have to say how much you’re going to charge me for using your kitchen.’
I look at Pumpkin and Fudge, their lead ropes loosened, wandering a stride ahead of us.
‘We’ll have to work out where the animals fit in too.’
Miles’s head is tilted as he watches them. ‘I’m no expert… but does Fudge think Pumpkin’s a dog?’
I shake my head. ‘Dogs rely on their noses, and Pumpkin definitely smells like a horse.’ I run forwards, bury my face in his neck and take a deep breath. ‘It’s very distinctive. Like a cross between a farmyard and a hay field.’
Miles gives a shudder. ‘I’ll take your word on that.’
I laugh and drop back to walk beside him again. ‘So are you good to take Fudge out by yourself from now on?’
‘Hell no!’ He looks even more appalled. ‘I don’t mind beach walking on my own, but if I add in a dog, I feel like everyone knows I’m faking.’
I bite back my smile. ‘So how is our master businessman going to troubleshoot this one?’
His face relaxes. ‘That’s easy. We’re going to keep walking with you and Pumpkin.’
If I write anything in the sand today, it’s got to befml.
Every time I chalk up a point for Team Scarlett, within seconds he gets me back.
There’s one thing he may be overlooking. ‘How is your woman friend going to feel about all these walks along the beach without her?’
He gives his usual exasperated sigh. ‘Okay, let’s clear this up. I don’t have a woman friend in that way. It’s just a terrible mess. The reason I’m running and holed up here.’
‘Miles?’
‘I’ll shut up now. That’s already too much for my confidentiality clauses.’
‘So who owns Fudge?’ If I’m spending so much time with the dog, it’s best to know.
Miles sends me a shamefaced glance. ‘He belongs to my mum.’
‘Your mother?’ My mouth is hanging open again.
Miles closes his eyes. ‘Another situation, another restricted area, another black hole information exclusion zone.’
I make my voice light. ‘Another day with the Appleton family in St Aidan.’ And the shocks just keep on coming. I’m staring at the horizon trying to play this down. ‘That’s fine by me. With so many no-go areas, I’m looking forward to some very peaceful walks.’
Except it’s not fine. None of this is fine at all. And with every new twist it gets worse. I’m going to have to push forward and try to find a way to pull myself out of the mess.
34
The Net Loft, St Aidan
Picture frames and shopaholics
Wednesday
Miles needn’t have worried. Sometimes the reality isn’t as bad as whatever you’re dreading, and ten days into our improvising we haven’t had any major disasters to take him out of his comfort zone. So far, he’s making the dough for the pastries at the cottage and doing the shaping and cooking at the Net Loft, while simultaneously negotiating with the council to get the hygiene rating there fast-tracked.
Once the trays with new glass domes on the Net Loft table are filled with pastries and the next batch has been made, he looks after the shop, while I drive back to the cottage with boxes of pastries and take Pumpkin out to find custom along the beach. When those buns are gone, Pumpkin goes back to his field and I go back to take over at the Net Loft.
