‘Oh, just Jed being friendly … and curious,’ Cat replied, watching him make his way back to the bar and begin offloading glasses into the dishwasher.
‘I gather your reluctance to come in here earlier was because you spotted Luke over in the corner,’ Jodie said, watching him over Cat’s shoulder.
‘I didn’t particularly want to run into Tanya,’ Cat admitted. ‘I know a year has passed but there are some things I’d still prefer to avoid while I’m here.’
‘Cat,’ Jodie said crossly, ‘as everyone has been telling you since you arrived, she isn’t here. She never was. But he is …’ She bit her lip. ‘Forget it, drink up your cider.’
Cat made a face as she picked up her glass. This was supposed to be a pleasant ending to Raphael’s tour of Carrenporth and here was Jodie determined to spoil it by dredging up subjects she’d rather not talk about. She wondered what had happened during her year away. If Tanya really wasn’t around any longer did that mean Luke was with someoneelse? Is that what her half-spoken comment meant? Em hadn’t mentioned anything, but then she wouldn’t have. In her misguided and blinkered way she was determined to bring them back together come hell or high water. Another girlfriend? Well, Em would soon have her out of the way. She was one determined lady.
Her thoughts skidded to a halt as the door opened and a girl walked in. Dressed in jeans and a matching denim jacket, her thick red hair was tied back in a ponytail. Cat studied her for a moment; she looked familiar.
‘Hey, this cider is pretty good.’ Raphael grinned as he set his glass back on the table but the comment was lost as Cat watched the girl head straight for Luke.
‘Is that thebutyou were talking about?’ she asked, feeling an unexpected pang of jealousy as the girl fell easily into Luke’s arms and was rewarded with a kiss.
‘If the gossips are to be believed. Personally I’m not so sure.’
‘How long?’
‘No idea.’ Jodie frowned, her eyes like Cat’s, fixed on the new arrival. ‘As I said, it’s merely gossip. Her name is Mia Boscawen and she’s—’
‘Cadan Boscawen, the boatbuilder’s daughter. Yes I know who she is,’ she snapped. ‘Aunt Em told me he worked there but I had no idea he was cosying up to the boss’s daughter as well.’
‘Hey, what’s up with you?’ Jodie gave her a nudge. ‘You don’t want him, leave him alone.’
Cat exhaled loudly and stared into her glass. ‘No, you’re right, I don’t.’
Movement at the bar made her look up. Luke and Mia were leaving to a chorus of goodbyes. She noted the way his arm hung loosely around her shoulder. That was me once, she thought, then quickly wiped away the memory as the door closed behind them.
The next morning after Ruan, Étienne and Raphael had escaped for a round of golf, Cat decided it might be a good opportunity to catch up with her grandmother. She found her in a quiet corner of the hotel gardens, seated under a large beech tree, reading. As she approached she saw Jenna look up.
‘Hi there, everything okay?’ she asked, as she found her leather bookmark, marked her place and closed what Cat noticed was a thriller written by one of the guests who had stayed atChamps de Lavande while she was there.
‘Yes, fine. I’m at a bit of a loose end this morning. The men are out, Jodie is busy, so I thought it might be an opportune moment for a catch up. Sorry, I can see you’re reading.’
‘Oh, I think I’m all read out for now.’ Jenna set her book to one side and moved along the bench, patting the empty place next to her. ‘Come and sit down.’
‘Is it any good?’ Cat nodded towards the book as she settled beside her.
‘Not my usual thing. But yes, not bad …’ she picked it up, thumbed through it and smiled ‘… for a freebie.’
‘Ever thought of getting a Kindle? You know a whole library in one small tablet?’
‘I’m an old-fashioned girl, I like books.’ Her grandmother gazed at the cover and ran an affectionate hand over it. ‘Anyway, how’s Italy? Are you enjoying your stay with Étienne?’
‘Yes, I love it and I’m fluent in Italian now,mia cara nonna.’
‘Well, I’m impressed, but not nearly as impressed as I am with Raphael.’ Jenna’s blue eyes danced with mischief. ‘Where did you findhim?’
Cat smiled at her grandmother’s expression. With his curly jet-black hair and soulful brown eyes he was totally gorgeous … and of course there was that accent.
‘I didn’t. Étienne did. He’s the son of a friend, another hotel owner. Raphael is working at Fiore Del Lago as Events Manager. I’m his assistant.’
‘Wish I was forty years younger, I’d give you a run for your money.’ Jenna gave a sly wink.
‘I think his fiancée, Sara, might have something to say about that.’
‘He’s engaged? Oh, Cat, how disappointing. And I thought there was a chance you were together. Oh, wait though,’ she raised a finger, ‘I forgot, there is someone—’
