After breaking up for the summer holidays from their small community school when she and her brother were children, the long hot summers had been spent making sandcastles on the beach, and exploring the rocks and caves close by. While she’d had picnics on the soft sand with her friends, her brother had opted for beach bar-b-ques. There had been maypole dancing, orienteering, and plenty of rambling days in their teens.
Pippa’s smile curled higher remembering those happy memories as she looked around. These added aesthetic adornments would make childhood for any children living there even more magical than hers had been.
She would have been rooted to the spot for a while longer, taking in the charming beauty of the beachfront if it hadn’t have been for Ginger tugging her towards the cafe. ‘Okay, okay. I’m coming.’
As she opened the door, Ginger enthusiastically pushed his nose in the gap and barged in his shoulders, flinging the door open and tugging Pippa in after him. She was only two steps into the cafe when she banged into someone’s hard chest, almost knocking the wind out of her.
Her apology was already leaving her lips before she untangled herself from the person. ‘I’m so sorry. It was my do—’
Pippa stared up into dark brown eyes that had a familiarity about them, yet she didn’t recognise the handsome face they belonged to because a thick black beard and moustache covered most of it.
‘Pippa?’
Pippa frowned and squinted her eyes. ‘Sorry, do I know you?’
‘It’s Oliver...Oliver Oney.’
Pippa felt her cheeks instantly flush with heat.
Oliver.
Why hadn’t she recognised him? She was mortified. They had dated in high school, but their relationship had only lasted for nine months and ten days before he’d dumped her. She still had the calendar buried away somewhere in her bedroom marked off with a love heart for everyday they had dated. She’d carried a torch for him for the rest of her time in school. Right up until she’d left six form for university.
But no matter how many boys she’d tried talking to, or the odd date she was made to go on by her university friends, she’d never been able to get over Oliver—no one ever lived up to him.
When she’d finished university a much more confident young woman and returned to Seagull Bay with a newfound determination to get to the bottom of their break-up, and maybe try to re-ignite their old romance, his parents had divorced and he’d gone to live with his father in America.
She’d been devastated. He was the one who got away. She’d dated on and off over the years and even thought a brief relationship with the lovely Dan from the next village over might have burned hotter than it did—maybe even develop into something deeper. Alas, it never did, so her career became her new love.
But Oliver—she’d often thought of him over the years—especially as shenever didfind out why he’d broken up with her.
‘Oh, Oliver...I-I can’t believe it’s you. You-you look so...mature.’
Oliver grimaced and then grinned. ‘Is that a polite way of saying I look old with this facial hair?’
Pippa shook her head vehemently. She hadn’t noticed at first, but he had a slight American drawl. It was quite mysterious and dare she say it—sexy. ‘No, not at all... It’s been such a long time since I saw you last. How many years has it been?’
‘Sixteen,’ Oliver quickly offered. Pippa gasped. Oliver shrugged and smirked. ‘I-I’ve got an excellent memory.’
Ginger yanked on the lead. ‘Okay boy, I’m coming.’
Oliver pointed down at Ginger. ‘Lovely colour. I have a black Labrador.’
Ginger tugged again. ‘Thank you. Maybe I’ll get to see your dog while I’m back home?’
‘Bitch!’
Pippa’s eyebrows shot up. ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Sorry if that sounded rude. I meant she’s a girl dog—a bitch, not a dog. My girl is called Jess.’
‘Ohhh, right...erm, that’s a lovely name.’ Ginger whined and tugged again. ‘I’d better go. He’ll have my arm out of its socket soon if I keep him from eating.’
Oliver nodded and smiled. She couldn’t help but notice how his dazzling smile made her pulse race. ‘I hope to see you very soon, Pippa.’
Pippa thought to herself,thank goodness God decided to put hearts inside bodies, otherwise Oliver would be able to see how much he’s affecting mine right now.
She smiled, nodded and then headed for the counter, feeling very hot all of a sudden, which was strange because she had been shivering outside a moment ago.
