‘You’re turning me down because of paperwork? Can’t it wait until the morning?’
‘I’m afraid not. I completely forgot about it. My fault; too much else on my mind at the moment. Believe me,’ he’d given her a quick kiss on the lips, ‘I can think of nothing better than you curled up next to me. But duty calls. Come on, let’s get you home.’
After he’d dropped her off she watched until the tail lights of the Nissan disappeared into the darkness wondering how much longer this disruption to their lives was going to go on.
Soon after, the calls stopped. Luke didn’t mention why and she didn’t ask. She gathered the contract must be in the bag so his services were no longer required. And tonight, this very special night of the year for Carrenporth folk, she would have him all to herself without any interruptions.
She could smell cooking as she reached the top of the steps leading down to the sand where the Dixon’s surf shack and beach restaurant were situated. It was just after eight and already people were milling around, buying burgers or a beer and finding themselves somewhere to sit. The whole place had undergone a complete transformation. A boarded dance area had been created and extra tables and chairs from the restaurant brought outside. Multicoloured lights hung from the buildings and a DJ was setting up in a domed event shelter just to the left of the steps.
The centrepiece of the evening, a large bonfire, sat a little away from the gathering and was piled with driftwood and broken pallets. Traditionally at midnight everyone gathered around to watch Ruan set it alight. This year, in his absence, Nathan was doing the honours. It represented a closing of the door; a reminder that although September usually promised warm days, the summer was over. Cat had already been working on the brochure for the hotel’s Christmas lunch and New Year’s Eve dinner dance, and with Siobhan back on Monday things should settle down to normal; whatever normal meant in a busy place like the Tarwin House Hotel, she thought with a wry smile.
As usual, for this annual event, Nathan had closed Ship2Shore for the evening and volunteered bar staff for the barbeque. Currently he was working alongside them, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, his dark hair falling in his eyes, as he and his team dealt with the gradually building queue of drinkers. Cat ordered wine and, after being shooed away by Benita after asking if she could do anything to help, settled herself down in a quiet corner to people watch. There were several families she recognised and a group of catering and housekeeping staff enjoying a drink and some lively conversation. She saw Jordan and his entourage arrive, Chantelle holding tightly onto his hand as if she was scared to let him go. She had heard rumourshe was back with her and wondered how Marika had taken to being dropped. She had little sympathy. The girl had been too cocky, too confident. She wondered where she was this evening, knowing at least it wouldn’t be here so soon after the break up.
It was after nine before Luke arrived, apologising for his lateness.
‘Don’t tell me your soon-to-be customer has resurfaced?’
‘Actually, I had a puncture,’ Luke replied quietly, ignoring her jibe.
‘You could have phoned.’
‘Well I’m here now,’ he said, his fingers touching her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her. Then, taking the empty glass from her hand, he left to get her a refill. After he had disappeared in the direction of the bar she felt bad for being so bitchy. He’d had no intruding calls for over a week. Why couldn’t she relax?
Returning with her wine and a beer for himself, they chatted, mostly about the evening and what it represented to the locals. Had he attended earlier gatherings, she asked? Oh yes, he’d been there, he assured her.
‘I saw you here many times,’ he said, staring out into the darkness, ‘with your father and Nathan.’ He turned back to her and smiled. ‘Evie was never keen to bring me along. But I used to wait for a while after they’d gone and make my own way here. I’d wait until the bonfire was lit and then head for home.’
Once more Cat felt sad for all Luke had suffered during his stay with his uncle and aunt. Evie was a vicious creature but, despite all her cruelty, in the end Luke had flourished. Reaching for his hand she smiled thoughtfully.
‘What are you thinking about?’ he asked.
‘Evie. Such a dreadful woman, but she didn’t win in the end, did she? Look at what you’ve accomplished, despite the odds.’
‘Very true. Are we likely to see her this evening?’
She nodded quietly. ‘Gareth told Nathan they might be along later. I think they were going out to dinner somewhere first. To be quite honest, this sort of event isn’t Evie’s scene, you know, pulling off your shoes, letting your hair down and dancing barefoot in the sand.’
‘No, never in a million years,’ Luke replied, and she could see from the amusement in his face he was also trying to picture such an unlikely event.
‘Talking of dancing …’ He reached for her hand. ‘I think it’s time you and I got out there and made some moves, don’t you?’
By ten past ten the dance floor was full. The evening had cooled and Cat pulled on the sweater she’d brought with her. Jodie had joined her for a while and they moved to one of the benches in front of the restaurant where a gas patio heater took the edge off the nip in the air. As Cat sipped her wine she heard Jodie laugh.
‘Oh, just look at Luke, clowning about out there. He’s carrying the Pengelly twins on each arm and making them laugh. Looks right at home, doesn’t he?’ she said, with a wicked twinkle in her eye. ‘Ah, he’ll make a great dad.’
‘Jodie, stop it. You’re way ahead of yourself,’ Cat scolded, watching the two little girls cuddle into his shoulders. It was clear they were enjoying every minute of the way he was slowly waltzing them around to the music.
‘But you two are meant to be, I know it.’ She waved a finger at Cat and grinned. ‘You, him, and at least four kids.’
‘Four?’ Cat almost choked on her wine. ‘You are joking?’
‘Well, maybe three.’
For a moment Cat wondered whether she should mention anything to Jodie about the mysterious phone calls. Although what was there to say? The calls had gone away. Luke’s delay had been caused by a puncture. And anyway, Jodie would probably tell her she needed to have more patience, saying Lukewas getting himself established at Arcadia, gearing up to take on his new role as Director. And you didn’t get those sorts of jobs, especially from someone like Gareth, without having to put yourself out sometimes. As she was still deliberating, Nathan arrived and took Jodie off to dance.
Alone, Cat continued to sip her wine and watch Luke. Jodie was right, he was good with kids. The two small girls, who’d had special permission to stay up for the barbeque, absolutely loved him. She was a little surprised when he stopped suddenly and lowered them both to the floor. The music was still playing and she wondered whether he’d decided to take a break because they were making his arms ache. But no, she gave a silent groan as, after seeing them back to their parents, he slipped a hand into his back pocket and pulled out his mobile. He studied the screen for a moment, frowned and then slid it back into his jeans.
‘Luke,’ she called out to him, trying to attract his attention as he left the dance floor.
