Pippa shook her head slowly. ‘I-I don’t know Declan. Why has she extended her stay here?’
‘Business? Isn’t that what she came to England for?’
‘Yes, that and to catch up with Oliver.’
‘Why don’t you ask him?’
Pippa baulked. ‘What?’
‘Invite Oliver for a morning walk on the beach again with your dogs. You told me you haven’t been on a walk with him in days. Invite him on one after the lunchtime shift.’ Pippa bite her bottom lip unsure. ‘Think of Ginger. He’d love to see Jess again.’
Pippa crossed her arms and tried to stop the smile snaking across her lips. ‘Using blackmail to pull at my heartstrings is a bit low, Declan.’
‘But it’s working, isn’t it? I can already see your mind ticking away behind those green eyes of yours, planning how you are going to ask him.’
Pippa nodded with a smirk and looked out at the luscious view again. ‘You’re right. This place helps...I’ll be coming here again.’
***
Pippa’s stomach wasa flutter all throughout the lunchtime rush. It was busier on the bar than in the kitchen and even though she’d wanted to hide away with Declan in the kitchen, she’d been forced by the need to help Oliver behind the bar.
Thankfully, Ava rarely came in at lunchtimes and so the crackling tension Pippa thought had been lost between them, which appeared to be on top form today, was only apparent to her...or so she thought until Reverend Townsend popped into the pub.
‘Good afternoon to you two lovebirds. I heard the doggy competition was a real success. But I also heard that Brett is selling up. I really hope the new owner will continue hosting the competition.’ He laughed and shook his head. ‘Meals served in dog bowls—genius idea.’
Pippa pointed a finger between Oliver and herself. ‘We’re not a couple, Reverend Townsend...remember us telling you on the beach.’
The Reverend frowned. ‘Yes, I remember. It’s just that—’ he shook his head, ‘—never mind... Is Brett about?’
‘He’s out with Aunt Morgan.’
The Reverend tapped the counter of the bar and smiled ethereally. ‘Never mind. I’ll call back later.’ He winked. ‘It will give me an excuse to sneak a pint of beer.’ He turned away from them and waved a backward wave. ‘Cheerio.’
Pippa and Oliver looked at each other and burst into fits of giggles. It was the tension breaking moment Pippa had wished for all lunchtime. ‘What are you up to after this shift?’
‘I’m going to the estate agents.’ Pippa tried not to let her disappointment show on her face, but she’d never had a very good poker one. ‘Why?’
She shrugged. ‘Oh, I just thought it would be nice for Jess and Ginger to meet up for a walk again.’
‘I’ll go tomorrow instead.’
Pippa nodded. ‘That’s great. Shall I meet you on the beach at eight?’
Oliver’s mouth twisted into a grin, and he shook his head. ‘No. I mean I’ll go to the estate agents tomorrow. Jess would love to meet up with Ginger. She’s been cooped up for days. I’ve been so busy I’m afraid to admit I’ve slightly neglected her.’
‘You should have said. I’d have been more than happy to take her for a walk with Ginger.’
Oliver cocked his chin towards the door leading into the kitchen. ‘I thought you were too pre-occupied.’ Pippa’s mouth dropped open. Oliver shook his head. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean that. I-I just have a lot on my mind, trying to get things in order to buy this place.’
Pippa shook her head. ‘It’s fine.’ Her heart was thudding at twice the speed it was a minute ago. Had she been mistaken, or had Oliver just shown he was jealous of her spending time with Declan? ‘Shall I meet you on the beach at four?’
Oliver nodded with a thin-lipped smile. ‘Yes, I’ll bring a couple of balls.’
Pippa’s cheeks heated. She was glad he wasn’t a mind reader. Only God was privy to the vision that just flashed in her mind.
***
Dusk was quickly drawingin when Jess came bounding down the beach, barking excitedly when she spotted Ginger frolicking in the surf. Ginger stopped what he was doing when he heard her and raced at full speed towards her. They greeted each other momentarily before racing off doing zoomies. Pippa looked on with an enormous grin. How could she have kept her beloved pet from seeing his friend? Their time on Earth was preciously short as it was.
