Marcus put on his brightest smile, though Tammy’s observations had been right—he was tired. ‘That’s very generous of you, Tammy. Thank you.’
‘And what can I get for you this morning?’
‘A double espresso and egg on toast with brown sauce, please, Tammy.’ Tammy nodded as she wrote down the order. Marcus presented his debit card. ‘Is it okay to put a poster on the noticeboard about the competition?’
Tammy lifted the card machine and took Marcus’s payment. ‘Of course it is. Your sandwich shouldn’t be long. Declan is just finishing an order for the lifeboat rescue crew, Jack should be along any moment to collect.’
‘Thanks.’
Marcus unravelled the poster he’d printed last night, a job that had taken far longer than anticipated after searching for his hidden printer from a pile of boxes he’d yet to sort through and unpack—yet something else on his ever growing list of to-dos.
Tacking the poster onto the corkboard, he stepped back to admire his handiwork. The doorbell tinkled and Jack, the head crew member from the lifeboat rescue crew walked in. He smiled when he saw Marcus, his eyes going straight to the poster. Marcus watched his eyes scan left to right as he quickly read it. When he had, he turned his attention back to Marcus. ‘So the rumours are true, Marcus.You areorganising this year’s dog competition—and changing locations too. If organised well, the beach should prove to be a great choice. Have you consideredholding stalls there as well? I’d really like the chance of holding a beach safety stall if you do?’
Marcus hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, but Jack’s idea was generous.
He shook his head. ‘I must admit, that hadn’t even crossed my mind. Maybe I should encourage a resident meet-up to exchange ideas.’
‘That sounds like a really good idea. Let me know if you decide to do it, and I’ll be there.’ Jack dipped his head and headed to the counter.
Marcus spotted an empty seat by the window, and decided to wait there. The sun was already high in the sky, which was a wonderful baby blue colour, with not a cloud in sight. It was the promise of another scorcher, and again, Marcus knew he wouldn’t get a chance to see or appreciate it. He had a day booked with nail clippings, ear cleanings, bathing, brushing... His head spun just thinking about it, and today, he would have to do it alone. Panic began to tighten his chest.
Reading the text message again while he waited for his order, Marcus sighed.
Morning, Marcus, I’ve woken up with a fever, sore throat and a banging headache. I know you are fully booked today, but do you mind if I stay in bed this morning, and come in this afternoon?
Good morning, G. Don’t you even dare to attempt to come in today! You stay in bed and get yourself better. Don’t worry about R to R, I’ll manage, just dose yourself up, so that you can get a decent sleep. And if you are still feeling poorly this evening, just drop me a text so I can rearrange appointments for tomorrow as well. Sending you a great big hug. ??
Jack walked past him carrying a large cardboard box, crammed with paper sandwich bags, the smell of them waftingup Marcus’s nose, and his stomach involuntarily rumbled. ‘Don’t forget to let me know if you hold that meeting, Marcus.’
Marcus nodded. ‘I will, Jack.’ His eyes absentmindedly followed Jack outside, and then went back to the scene outside the window, back towards the beachfront.
Marcus caught sight of a figure approaching the tearoom, a dog by his side. But the figure hesitated when the dog tried to pull its owner away. Was that...? Yes it was. Rowan’s large shoulders and Atlas’s erect stance were unmistakable.
Marcus watched Rowan as he searched for something, then he guided Atlas to a quiet place further away, obviously not wanting to force his pet into the tearoom. Marcus watched him for a moment longer as Rowan settled against the harbour wall, Atlas close to his legs on high alert, watching Ben as he sorted out his fish cart.
Tammy appeared by the table. She placed down a cardboard coffee cup and a paper bag. ‘There you go, Marcus. Have a wonderful day.’
‘Thanks, Tammy.’ He glanced over at Rowan and then back to Tammy. ‘Any idea what Rowan usually orders?’ Marcus looked back to see if Rowan was still there. He and Atlas hadn’t moved.
Tammy’s brow knitted together, and she followed Marcus’s gaze outside. ‘Oh. Is that his name? I do recognise him. He came in here last week, but he didn’t have the dog with him.’ Tammy paused. ‘Erm, yes. I do remember his order, because it was unusual. He ordered four sausages in a bag, and a sausage sandwich. I think he had tea too, but I honestly can’t remember if he took sugar or not.’
‘Can you make the same order again, please, Tammy, and give me a couple of sugar sachets too, just in case.’
‘Of course. Declan has just cooked up a batch of sausages, so it will only take a minute. You wait there, and I’ll bring overthe card machine and a bag to put both your orders in when the other one is ready.’
Marcus smiled brightly up at Tammy. ‘You are a star.’
THANKFULLY, TAMMY HADalso given Marcus a cardboard holder for both the drinks. He carried it carefully towards Rowan, checking inside the bag to doublecheck he’d put the sugar sachets inside.
Rowan was focused on watching Ben, but Atlas’s head shot forwards to look at Marcus. Atlas had either heard Marcus coming, or had smelt the food coming their way. ‘Good morning, Rowan.’
Rowan’s head turned and his brow shot up, surprised to see Marcus. ‘Good morning.’
Marcus approached tentatively, holding out the tray. ‘Yours is the one with the blue lid. I have sugar in the bag, along with a sausage sandwich, and a bag of sausages. I’ve got egg on toast today.’
Rowan reached for the offered cup. ‘Thanks... How did you know my order?’
Marcus laughed merrily. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not some sort of weird stalker. I saw you head for the tearoom, but then walk away when you realised Atlas didn’t want to go in. I asked Tammy, the tearoom owner, if she remembered what you ordered last.’
