Page 56 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

‘I need to go and check on Roly, take him for a quick walk before the reading starts,’ he said. ‘He’s in the campervan at the minute.’

Hannah had been wondering where Roly had got to. ‘Fair enough. The reading starts at seven o’clock, so you’ve got plenty of time.’ Frustratingly, her pulse had started racing in the way it used to when she was around him. She only hoped neither he nor Birdie would sense it.

‘You should go with him,’ Birdie chipped in, feigning nonchalance. ‘I’m going to stay here and help, so why don’t you go and get yourself for a nice walk? Some fresh air would do you good.’

Hannah resisted the temptation to say she’d already had a decent quota of fresh air on their walk along the pier and the bottom prom. But before she could answer, Lachie chipped in.

‘I’d be happy with that,’ he said. ‘And I know Roly would be, too – he’s missed you.’

That made Hannah’s heart squeeze. She hadn’t just missed Lachie, she’d also missed Roly.

‘I’ll tell Florrie you’ve just nipped out for a bit.’ The look in Birdie’s eyes told Hannah that to argue would be futile. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to spend time with him, it was more that she was frightened he would sneak into her heart once more. She knew it wouldn’t recover if he did a disappearing act again.

Out on the street, venturing into the crisp air, they found dusk had thrown its cloak over the town. The vintage streetlamps cast their warm glow over the pavements.

The campervan – or rather, Penelope – was parked on Endeavour Road which meant they didn’t have far to walk to it. Roly was ecstatic at seeing Hannah again, his tail wagging so hard you could beat eggs with it.

‘Come on, fella, time for a walk along the prom.’ Lachie fastened Roly’s lead to his collar and the three of them set off at a brisk pace.

It was Lachie who spoke first.

‘Have you made any progress with the pier café?’

‘Not much, but I’m hoping to really set things in motion next week.’ She went on to explain how Alex was going to draw up some plans for her, that Florrie’s dad Charlie was a local builder and had offered to do any necessary building work and that Bear was going to help him.

‘Sounds exciting.’ Lachie turned his head to her and she glanced up at him, his face gentle in the soft light. ‘If you put as much heart and soul into it as you do with Bougie Burgers, you’ll make it a roaring success.’

‘Thank you.’

‘And have you given much thought to the kitchen layout, the restaurant décor?’ His chef’s brain was clearly giving it some thought.

‘I have, amongst all the other things that are occupying my mind right now.’

‘I’d be happy to help if you’d like me to? I’ve had a load of experience of kitchens to know what works and what to avoid.’

Tempted as she was by Lachie’s suggestion, she was still hesitant to accept. Working closely together could be dangerous for her heart.

‘That’s kind, thank you.’ She kept her reply noncommittal so as not to cause offence or encourage him to push her further on the matter. It was evident he’d taken the hint when he didn’t pursue things.

They continued on their walk, chatting and laughing. Hannah found herself feeling surprisingly comfortable with him, though it didn’t stop the red flag from waving at the back of her mind.

Lachie stopped outside The Cellar – the town’s popular local micro-brewery. ‘Fancy popping in? You don’t have to drink beer which is just as well since I’m told the Micklewick Mischief’s lethal.’ He gave her a disarming smile.

‘Sounds it!’ She tried to ignore the flip her heart gave.

The Cellar hadn’t been there in Hannah’s day, but from what she could see as she peered through the window, she decided it looked rather appealing. ‘Yeah, why not? And it says well-behaved dogs are welcome, which I’d say includes Roly.’

‘He has his moments.’

Inside, a wave of warmth rushed at them. Hannah cast her gaze around the room to see it was decorated in a contemporary rustic style, with exposed brickwork, and a line of booths covered in aged leather set down one wall. The highly polished oak bar stood directly opposite the door, its beer pumps gleaming in the light, while an indie/rock fusion played in the background. Though the bar was already busy, Hannah spotted a free table for two in the corner.

‘Hi, guys, what can I get you?’ asked the tall barman with a blond, chin-length bob and a lilting Dutch accent. He had a welcoming smile and happy eyes. And something about him reminded Hannah of Stella.

‘I’m driving later, so can I just get a Coke, please?’ said Hannah.

‘And I’m driving, too, so I’ll have the same, thanks.’

‘Two Cokes coming up.’