I give a big mental sigh and bite back my smile. ‘In that case, I suggest you get the Chamber of Commerce to send me a memo requesting I wear something less see-through, and I will adjust my outfits accordingly.’
He’s backing out of the shop. ‘Great. Got you. I’ll get on to that right away.’ A second later his head comes round the door. ‘You might want to lock this? In case anyone else surprises you.’
I stare at him. ‘Anyone else will read the notice and respect the request not to come in, Lando.’ He’s still lingering. ‘Anything else I can help you with?’
His eyes narrow. ‘I see you haven’t had any spills yet. Be careful with hot drinks. I’d hate you to scald yourself.’
I let my smile go. ‘Thanks for your concern but we’re drinking gin not coffee.’
Back in the office I open the cookie tin, bite into a biscuit and let the sticky sweetness of the white chocolate and brown sugar melt onto my tongue.
I’m not sure I’ve ever been this forthright with Lando. I’ve always spoken my mind, just not with such abandon. If the wedding shop is giving me self-confidence, it can only be good. Because with what’s coming my way with the beach hut, I sure as hell am going to need it.
JULY
28
The Harbourside, St Aidan, Cornwall
Hidden gems
Thursday
Acouple of days later, Mum is doing the school pick up and I’ve been at the shop helping Tia sort out the dresses for tomorrow’s alteration appointments. As I walk back via the harbourside I notice Flo’s pushchair parked outside Lando’s cottage next to a pile of kid’s shoes.
I give a silent curse, knock on the door, and seconds later Lando opens it.
‘Is Mum here?’
Rather than reply he turns and leads the way through the hall, and before I have time to think, I’m in his light airy living room staring at Mum, who is perched on his sofa with Flo on her knee, sipping a mug of tea, and at my daughter, who is scrambling over the kitchen island.
‘What’s going on?’
Mum gives a sheepish shrug. ‘We bumped into Lando on our way home, and he asked us in to see the cottage.’
The previous times I’ve been summoned here I was so stressed that I barely had time to notice the details. Now I have more time to look closely, it strikes me the freshly painted cream walls and sofas must have cost an arm and a leg.
‘Bart’s done a good job.’ The effect is only spoiled by the designer chairs being rammed together against the kitchen island. ‘I expect it was even nicer before the kids demolished it.’
I can’t believe how cosy and at ease they all look or that if I’d taken the short cut home instead of calling at my car, I’d never have stumbled across them. There’s even a plate of chocolate hobnobs on the coffee table!
Lando rolls his eyes. ‘They were adamant about this hidden tunnel search.’
I despair for him. ‘You don’t have to agree to everything kids ask, Lando. I seem to remember you made a very effective escape last time we visited.’
Lando shrugs. ‘That was before we got to know each other better.’
I don’t believe what I’m hearing. ‘Since when have you lot been best mates?’
Nemmie jumps forward. ‘He promised us at the beach hut.’ She falters. ‘It’s good when people do what they say.’
‘Where was I when this was going on?’ I was constantly checking there was distance between them that day. It’s not just the furniture either: the rugs have been rolled to one side, and Dale is emerging from the cupboard under the stairs.
He scratches his head. ‘You spent a lot of time inside the hut talking to people, Maeve. You can’t blame the rest of us for making connections.’
Nemmie nods. ‘Especially useful ones like this.’
I raise my eyebrows. ‘So have you found any evidence of smugglers’ passageways?’
