‘Can we drop in at The Hideaway, so I can let Dee know where I’m going? She worries and I don’t have my mobile,’ Madison explained.
‘Sure.’ Jesse steered the Morgan through a narrow, leafy lane and they were at The Hideaway within ten minutes. When they arrived, Madison hopped out of the car with Connor’s coat, but before she got to the front door it swung open.
‘Two more guests booked in today – they’ll be arriving this evening.’ Dee beamed, her face filled with excitement. ‘You’ll have a full house on your walk tomorrow. Apparently, they’d booked into Lake Lodge, but changed their minds after hearing about your adventure walks. I didn’t know where you’d got to. I’ve been dying to share the news.’
‘I went for a walk to Connor’s. How did they hear about The Hideaway?’ Madison grinned.
‘Georgie was chatting to someone in the pub. They asked when the Grand Opening is, too. Stanley thinks it would be a good idea to drop some leaflets around the island when we’ve confirmed the date, and he’ll upload something to social media too. If Georgie can get people interested with just a chat, imagine what real publicity could do.’ Dee’s cheeks glowed at the mention of Stanley. ‘While I’ve caught you, there’s a quiz at The Moon and Mermaid on Saturday – we were thinking of making up a team. I’ve got someone to cover here, so Amy and I can go with Stanley. Do you want to join us? We haven’t been out since you arrived home.’ Dee’s eyes flicked to the Morgan. ‘See if Jesse can come? It’s about time we did something to throw him and Amy together.’
‘Do you think that’s wise?’ Madison asked, imagining them in a public place.
‘No. But things have been so good here recently and Amy is enjoying her job more. It’s worth a try. Sometimes relationships needs a little help to get back on track.’ Dee looked at Madison intently.
‘I’ll ask. Would you pop this inside for me, please?’ Madison handed Connor’s coat to Dee, ignoring the comment, which was obviously aimed at her. ‘Jesse’s taking me for a spin, but I’ll be back in plenty of time for the walk.’
‘Don’t get lost.’ Dee smiled indulgently. ‘Things have changed so much since you came home. I don’t want to lose you again.’
‘I’m going nowhere,’ Madison promised, heading to the car. When she climbed in, Jesse fired up the engine again and they drove out of the driveway. After a couple of minutes, they passed The Moon and Mermaid, where Finn stood on a ladder, erecting a banner advertising the quiz across the front of the pub.
‘We’re organising a team,’ Madison said, as they joined the road that would take them across the island into the main town. The sky was brightening and sunshine peeped between the clouds. ‘Do you want to come along?’ She took a chance. ‘Invite Connor and Georgie too?’
‘I’ll ask. Georgie’s usually up for anything, but don’t count on Connor. Is Amy going to be there?’ Jesse didn’t take his eyes off the road, but Madison saw his hands tighten on the steering wheel.
‘Yes. Dee’s arranged cover at The Hideaway.’
‘Then count me in.’ Jesse nodded. ‘Amy won’t be happy, but it beats being ignored. Besides, I’m not planning on leaving her alone with Finn.’
Madison sat back, content to stay silent. ‘This is a beautiful car,’ she said eventually. ‘Last time I saw you, you were driving a battered old Ford.’
‘It belonged to my grandfather,’ Jesse said as they hit the main Sunflower Island High Street, passing Merlin’s Travel Agents, The Red Velvet Bakery and the nail bar, Tips & Toes. ‘We used to be close, until he had a big falling out with the rest of my family – I never saw him after that.’
‘What happened?’
‘He fell for a woman half his age. Drove a rift in the family that never healed.’ Jesse shook his head. ‘I was only ten, but I missed him for years. I couldn’t believe it when he left me the Morgan. This car means the world to me.’
‘Does Amy know that?’
‘I’m not sure.’ They hit traffic and drew to a gentle stop outside Magic Charm Jewellers. ‘Amy loves that place,’ Jesse said sadly. ‘She was always looking in the window. I never thought to ask her why… I can’t believe I was so stupid.’
‘I remember her admiring an emerald ring once,’ Madison said. ‘You know her favourite colour’s green?’
Jesse’s laugh was empty. ‘I do now…’ He paused. ‘Did you mean it about the thing with Finn not being serious, or were you just trying to make me feel better?’
‘I meant it.’ Madison smiled when his expression brightened. ‘Amy loves you, but I think she’s looking for more…’
‘More what?’ The traffic started to move and Jesse edged the car further up the High Street.
Madison cocked her head. ‘I suppose you need to show her what she means to you.’
‘How do I do that?’
‘If you really want her back, that’s what you need to figure out.’
‘I guess I will…’ Jesse nodded, looking thoughtful.
Thirty-One
‘So, there’s a lot of people to talk to and I need you to focus.’ Stanley handed out leaflets to Madison and Georgie as he looked up the High Street. He glanced at the clipboard in his hand and ticked something off. ‘I want you both to do this side of the High Street – see if shop owners will display leaflets about the Grand Opening. We want a lot of guests at this event if we’re going to make a big enough splash. I’ll see if I can interest the Sunflower Tribune in the story. I know they do articles on local events and I’m wondering if we can drum up coverage. Meet back at The Red Velvet Bakery in a couple of hours?’
‘Sure…’ Georgie said slowly, as Stanley headed in the opposite direction. ‘I’m still not sure why we’re doing this now when the cafe isn’t even finished,’ she confided in Madison. ‘The Grand Opening’s in less than a fortnight and Jesse and Connor have been working day and night for the week, but I’m not sure they’re going to finish in time. I might not be talking to Connor, but I’m worried he’s working too hard. I offered to help, but he refused – he said he’s happy to do it with Jesse.’
‘I’m sure they’ll be fine.’ Madison glanced down the High Street, trying to ignore the churn in her stomach that was telling her they might have bitten off more than they could chew. Had she pushed Connor into this? He’d been working so hard she’d barely seen him. And despite repeated attempts to drop off his jacket over the past five days, they hadn’t talked. Maybe he was still upset about Seth? She’d explained that things between them were over, but Connor seemed to be avoiding her anyway. ‘It’s only painting.’
‘Weeks of painting.’ Georgie frowned. ‘Take it from one who knows. And then there’s still all the furniture to put back, stock to buy, licences to sort. And what about the main event – your legendary ice cream sundaes?’
‘Amy’s sorting the paperwork – the licence is already in place,’ Madison explained, hoping her friend had managed to renew it. ‘She’s hired a man with a van to pick up the furniture from storage – and the stock will get delivered the day before. I’ve talked to Laura and she’s happy to sell her ice cream to us on a regular basis. I’ve arranged for the first batch to arrive just after the freezers, and I’ve already paid for it.’ By dipping into her emergency travel fund – this was worth it. ‘I just need to create a menu and print it out. We’ll be fine.’ Madison looped an arm through Georgie’s, sounding a lot more confident than she felt. ‘As long as we can get enough people to come along, which is why we need to hand out these leaflets.’
They wandered down the High Street. The first shop they came to was Magic Charm Jewellers, and they both stared inside. An emerald ring, just like the one Amy used to admire, twinkled in the centre of the display, reminding Madison of her conversation with Jesse – would he ever figure things out? And how mad would Amy be tomorrow night when he turned up at the quiz?
‘I’m not sure I’ll still be here for the opening.’ Georgie stared blankly into the window. ‘I’ve been here for two weeks and nothin
g’s resolved with Connor. He won’t see things my way, and he’s working most of the time, or heading off for meetings that I know nothing about. I’ve tried talking to him about the business. But last time he said if I was planning on travelling, he wasn’t sure why I cared. In some ways he’s becoming more like our father. I’m worried – he’s closing himself off. I’ve never seen him act this distant before.’
‘Is he okay?’
‘Who knows? It’s not like Connor communicates.’ Georgie drew a broken heart on the window of the jeweller before rubbing it out.
‘What are you going to do?’ Madison asked.
Georgie shrugged. ‘Leave. It’s not like Connor wants me around, and it’s not like he listens when I talk to him.’
‘So you’re giving up?’ Madison squeaked. ‘Does that mean you’ve already booked your ferry?’
‘I can’t bring myself to do it. My course tutor has emailed to ask when I’m coming back to uni. To be honest, jumping on a ferry seems so much easier than having to make a decision…’
‘In some ways it is,’ Madison admitted. ‘That’s what I’ve always done, but I wonder now if that was the best solution. Running from something that’s hard to fix or painful is easy. The problem is, one day life catches up with you – or you get bored of running.’
‘You think I should make it up with Connor and finish my course?’ Georgie sounded cross. ‘You’re meant to be the free spirit. I was relying on you not to give me any advice.’
‘I call it learning from experience. I think you should figure out exactly what you’re running from before you make a decision.’
Georgie let out a deep breath. ‘That’s a good question, but I’ve already figured it out. Every time I come here, Connor looks tired and wrung out. Even having you around hasn’t changed that. Dad was the same. If I do the course and come home, is that my future too?’ She screwed up her face. ‘He’s so unhappy, but as soon as something comes along to change that –’ Georgie raised an eyebrow at Madison – ‘he finds an excuse to push it away.’
‘No one’s life is mapped out, Georgie. We all get to make choices. Maybe yours will be better than your brother’s and your dad’s? You don’t have to become like them.’ Madison checked her watch. ‘We’ve only an hour and twenty minutes to drop these leaflets off – if we don’t, Stanley may murder us. Let’s talk about this again later.’ Madison opened the door of Tips & Toes, the nail salon she and Amy used to visit together, and a familiar wave of chatter surrounded her as she walked inside. The owner, Julie Harris, jumped up from her chair.
‘Madison Skylar. You’re back!’ Julie exclaimed, giving Madison a hug before grasping her hands to examine them. Julie had beautiful long fingers and pointy, sparkly pink nails. ‘And not a moment too soon. I heard you were home for a visit. I can’t believe it took you so long to come and see us.’ She tugged Madison towards a chair. ‘And Georgie Grayson, what a treat.’ Julie gave Georgie a hug too. ‘Do you want your nails done?’
Georgie nodded and they both sat down. Madison put the pile of leaflets on the table beside them.
‘You’re opening The Hideaway Cafe again?’ Julie scanned a leaflet as she picked up a bowl, filling it with soapy water and asking Madison to dip her fingers in it. Beside them, a woman with blue hair did the same for Georgie. ‘I used to go when I was younger. The grapevine’s buzzing with gossip. I hear The Hideaway’s been quiet because of Lake Lodge, and you’ve been helping to turn things around. That new owner has been undercutting everyone on Sunflower Island, even me.’ Julie’s eyes widened. ‘The spa is offering manicures at half price. It’s no way to treat local businesses – that man should be careful or he’ll have no friends. I’m already hearing tales about people refusing to book in there because of the way he treats people on the island.’ She sighed, gently pulling Madison’s fingers from the water and drying them. ‘I’ve also been told you’ve been spending time with a certain builder…’ she continued. ‘Connor’s a looker, but his father was a heartless man and they say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – you’d better be careful of that one.’
‘Connor’s nothing like he seems.’ Madison jumped to his defence. ‘He’s dedicated to his job, that’s all. He’s really… nice, once you get to know him.’
Julie’s eyes sparkled and Madison wondered if she’d just been teasing her. ‘Nice, eh… I suspected as much.’ Julie filed Madison’s nails and continued to probe like an expert interrogator. ‘Tell me about your plans for the cafe.’
‘We’re planning a Grand Opening in a week and a half. That’s why I came. I wondered if we could leave some leaflets? We need as many people as possible to attend. I want the place to be heaving when my aunt and uncle return.’
‘I’ve a soft spot for The Hideaway, a lot of us do. Leave as many leaflets as you like, and count me in as a guest. Whatever you need, I’ll be there for you.’
‘Thank you.’ Madison’s eyes filled. ‘You’ve no idea how much your support means.’
‘Ah, love.’ Julie squeezed Madison’s shoulder. ‘We look out for each other on Sunflower Island. And you’re part of the family – always have been, doesn’t matter how many times you leave.’
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ Madison promised. Whatever happened with Connor or The Hideaway, she was home for good and she was never leaving again.
Thirty-Two
Connor sneezed as he entered The Moon and Mermaid, walking behind Georgie – who still wasn’t talking to him – and Jesse, who’d inexplicably dressed up in his smartest T-shirt and jeans. The pub was heaving, and tables covered every inch of the floor. The bar was ten people deep and Connor groaned, glancing back at the exit. His head ached and his throat felt sore – he wasn’t in the mood for this, wasn’t even sure why he’d come. Finn had asked, Jesse too, then Madison had dropped off his coat while he’d been at the builder’s yard, leaving a flyer about the quiz in one of the pockets. He’d screwed it up and put it in the bin, before finding the leaflet an hour later on his bed, carefully smoothed out. Probably Georgie’s doing.
And now he was here, wondering why the hell he hadn’t thrown it away again.
‘Madison!’ Georgie screeched, marching across the pub at speed, creating a pathway through the hordes of people. To the left of the bar Stanley, Amy, Dee and Madison sat at a table piled with drinks, crisps, bits of paper and pens. Madison hugged his sister before looking up at him with a grin, making something in Connor’s chest hum.
‘I’m glad you made it. We’ve already chosen our team name. We’re the Sunflowers,’ Madison murmured, tapping her fingertips on the seat beside her. She wore a pair of fitted jeans tonight and a red T-shirt that hugged her curves in all the right places. Connor’s eyes dipped to the delicate skin on her neck, remembering how smooth it had felt when he’d been kissing her, before he realised what he was doing. He still felt wary, despite Seth leaving and Madison’s assurances about their relationship being over. He’d been avoiding her, but somehow wanted to be around her again, if for no other reason than to find out how she felt.
‘Why are you here?’ Amy asked loudly, interrupting as Jesse pulled out the chair next to Dee.
‘I was invited,’ Jesse replied. ‘You know I love quizzes… We always used to make a great team.’
‘That was before,’ Amy growled, glaring at Dee.
‘Besides, there’s nowhere else on Sunflower Island I’d rather be right now,’ Jesse added, staring at her. Amy had dressed up tonight, in a green top that seemed to make her skin glow. When Finn came to kiss her hello, Jesse glared.
‘I can think of at least one place,’ Amy grumbled, flashing a false smile at Finn, then picking up her cocktail and swallowing a mouthful without elaborating.
Before Jesse could ask what Amy was talking about, Tom the barman came to kiss Madison on the cheek, making Connor’s insides twist. ‘Madison, I’m so happy you’re here. Let me know if you need any help tonight – I’ve got an inside track to the answers.’ Tom wink
ed as he cleared their empties and headed for the kitchen.
At the bar, Finn picked up a microphone and hopped onto a chair so he could shout above the music. ‘I’m glad to see you all here at our monthly quiz night. Some of you, I know, have never been.’ Finn waved his microphone in the direction of Connor. ‘So I’ll give you a brief introduction. Tom – my lovely new assistant – will be available this evening for drink refills and food orders. Keep them simple, people. The chef’s sick and Gillian from The Red Velvet Bakery has agreed to cover, so it’s pasties, pies or sandwiches to go with your Pink Flamingos tonight.’ A couple of people cheered and Finn waited for them to settle. ‘Coincidently, the first round is on food and drink. Ten questions: if you want me to repeat any, wait until the end.’
As Finn asked the first question, Dee took a piece of paper and began scribbling. ‘I think we’ve got this round sorted, folks.’ Stanley grinned, sipping from his pint as his eyes stayed firmly on Dee, who must have been aware because her cheeks flushed pink.
‘Did you get your coat? I dropped it off yesterday.’ Madison eased herself closer to Connor so she could be heard above the crowd. ‘I’m sorry I held on to it for so long – I kept hoping I’d catch you.’
‘I’ve been busy.’ Connor sipped his pint, ignoring his sore throat and the way awareness skipped across his skin.
‘Georgie says the painting in the cafe kitchen and bathroom’s coming along – I know you’re doing the main room next, but she mentioned there was a lot of it. Do you need any help?’
‘No.’ Connor shook his head, thinking about the work David was planning to offer him at Lake Lodge. It would be difficult to fit it all in, but if he started early and finished late, he should be able to manage it. He certainly didn’t want Madison hanging around, messing with his head again – he’d learned that lesson the hard way. ‘Jesse and I have it covered.’
The Little Guesthouse of New Beginnings: A gorgeously feel-good and heart-warming romance to escape with Page 19
