‘Right,’ said Christine, ‘I’d better get prepared. I have a corkscrew perm.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘I thought I’d seen the last of them in the eighties. Then I have a lovely old dear wanting me to dye her hair baby pink.’ She shook her head gently with a smile as she reclaimed her mug, and left the tearoom.
Marcus was still chuckling when he filled the kettle with fresh water.
ROWAN BREEZED INTORuff to Regal, Atlas’s lead in one hand, and his other arm bent behind his back.
‘Hi G.’
‘Hello, Rowan. What do you have th—’
Rowan’s eyes widened and he shook his head, but it was too late, Marcus had seen.
‘What you trying to hide? Come to show me a broken vase or something? I’m not bothered what Atlas broke doing his zoom—’
Rowan withdrew his arm, and with it, a beautiful bouquet.
Marcus adored flowers, and planned on having the borders surrounding the small front garden, a rainbow of colour next summer.
‘They’re beautiful,’ he gasped.
‘They’re from Atlas. He wanted to thank you for his new cushion by the fireplace.’
Marcus laughed. ‘I didn’t know you were also a dog whisperer amongst your other talents.’ Marcus held up a finger. ‘Actually, I also have a gift for Atlas.’ He placed the bouquet down and opened the drawer beneath the counter where the appointment book was kept.
He presented Atlas with a rosette. It read,Quiet Courage, in blue lettering. He clipped it onto Atlas’s collar.
When he stood up straight, Rowan was grinning and shaking his head. ‘You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?’
Marcus smiled. ‘I’ve had it for weeks. I was even contemplating having one made foryouwhen I gave it to him.’
Rowan’s brow shot up. ‘And what would it have said?’
Marcus grinned sheepishly. ‘Best at showing up.’
Rowan’s head fell back and he roared with laughter. ‘You never fail to amaze me, Marcus Mitchell.’
Marcus reached past Rowan for the door. ‘Come on, I’ve got a piña colada calling my name.’
Stepping out into the high street, Marcus and Rowan walked side by side, Atlas falling into a natural gait in between them.
Veronica was up ahead, handing out leaflets to holiday makers as they passed by. ‘Come and find out about the historic spooky goings on in Seagull Bay. From haunted hounds to unrequited love. The first tour starts at seven—’
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Marcus and Rowan. ‘Hello, you two. Fancy coming on another tour? You never got to hear the new part I added about the haunted hounds, the section I made up for the dog competition.’
‘Sounds fun. Will you be starting it at Keeper’s Lane again? Marcus asked.
Veronica nodded, but her forehead furrowed. ‘Hopefully.’
‘That response doesn’t sound very positive,’ Rowan said. ‘Why are you unsure, it worked well for the tourwewent on?’
Veronica pulled a face. ‘Someone has bought The Lantern. I didn’t even know it was up for sale.’
‘That shouldn’t affect your tour, Veronica. It’s not as if you take people inside The Lantern, you only stand outside it.’
Veronica looked thoughtful. ‘That’s true.’ She beamed a smile at Marcus and Rowan. ‘Let me know about that tour, because I’m already nearing capacity.’
Marcus nodded. ‘Will do.’
They continued towards the pub, walking past the happy faces of holidaymakers, staying at Seagull Bay in the latter part of the summer.
