‘But it will cost you money to stay here and the job doesn’t pay much.’ Given what it had cost him to travel to Devon she was quickly working out Guillaume was going to be heavily out of pocket. She had her hands on her hips as she watched him closely.
He scrunched up his shoulders and laughed childishly. ‘There is no fooling you,’ he said, wagging his finger playfully. ‘I ’ad a little win on zee horses.’
Daisy raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘A little win?’
He chortled. ‘Okay, it was a good win. I thought I should use it to put things right between us.’ Daisy looked sceptical. ‘Come on Day-zee, I am trying to do the right thing ’ere. I could give you the money or I could be more use to you by working the bar for free.’ He raised his shoulders theatrically. Could he be any more French?
Daisy sucked in a breath. She couldn’t actually see a downside with the exception of her being in close proximity to a handsome and charming Frenchman for a couple of weeks. All she had to do was keep her hands off him. Surely she could manage that?
A couple of days of working with Guillaume and she was already having lascivious thoughts about him. Daisy was taking an afternoon break back at Sea Mist Cottage and preparing herself for another evening shift in close proximity to her ex by dunking a digestive and mulling over the memories of his body when the digestive broke and disappeared to the bottom of her tea. ‘Cock-a doodle-doo!’ she hollered.
At the same time Aunt Coral arrived home. ‘Hello,’ she said looking as if she was trying hard not to laugh at Daisy’s choice of expletive. She really needed to stop saying that. ‘Here’s the money I owe you.’ Aunt Coral handed her an envelope.
Daisy’s brow furrowed as she picked up the package, her eyes widening at the wodge of twenties inside. ‘What do you mean the money you owe me?’ Was this how Alzheimer’s started?
‘The money I borrowed from the bar,’ added Aunt Coral, but Daisy was still looking blank. ‘For the washing machine. The cashpoint was out so I called in to Locos but you were at the Cash and Carry and Mr Burgess opened the safe. It took him four goes you know, his arthritis is shocking poor man. Anyway we’re all square.’ Aunt Coral started to get out the chopping board appearing oblivious to the fact that all colour had drained from Daisy’s face.
Daisy licked her lips and wished her throat didn’t feel as dry as Ottercombe beach in July. ‘How much did you borrow?’
Aunt Coral looked surprised the conversation was still continuing. ‘One hundred and fifty. It’s all there.’
‘I’m sure it is. It’s just …’
Aunt Coral was watching her with a small knife poised. ‘Are you okay?’
Daisy blinked. Okay was the last thing she was. ‘I need to go out.’
‘What about your cuppa?’ asked Aunt Coral, picking up the mug.
‘You have it,’ called Daisy, grabbing her jacket and heading out the front door.
Aunt Coral took a swig of the tea and then recoiled at the grittiness of the floating biscuit. ‘That’s disgusting!’
What a nightmare, thought Daisy as she strode purposefully towards Max’s flat. She felt awful, everything he’d said about her jumping to conclusions was true. She had automatically believed it was Max and his vehement denial had only solidified her belief. She was deeply in the wrong and now she had to eat humble pie.
Daisy knocked on the door, folded her arms and then unfolded them and then shoved her hands in her pockets, this was mortifyingly uncomfortable. A shadow appeared at the door. When Max opened it his annoyance at his visitor was evident in his eye roll.
‘I’m here to apologise.’ She could see into the small bedsit and was surprised by how neat and tidy it was and how unlike the bachelor pad she had imagined. It just went to show how wrong you could be about people, which was something she was learning in spades today.
‘Go on,’ said Max, looking vaguely interested.
‘Aunt Coral has just given me this back.’ She pulled the envelope of money from her pocket and showed him as if presenting evidence.
‘Coral’s the thief? Now there’s a turn up,’ said Max, but there was no humour in his voice.
‘Apparently the cashpoint was out and Old Man Burgess gave her the money from the safe but nobody passed on the message to me …’ She shuffled her feet awkwardly and regarded Max, hopeful of forgiveness.
‘That’s it?’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, with an uneasy smile. ‘I just …’ Her shoulders dropped. ‘I’m really sorry, Max.’
‘It’s all back to normal. Just like that is it?’ The sarcasm was plain.
‘The job’s yours if you want to come back.’
‘I thought your boyfriend had taken over?’
‘He’s not my boyfriend and it’s only temporary. Do you want your job back or not?’ She wasn’t going to beg.
‘No, thanks. I don’t want to work somewhere I’m not trusted. You can stick your job,’ he said, and firmly shut the door in her face. Daisy gave a slow blink, she deserved it but it didn’t make it any easier to take.
That evening Guillaume turned up on time wearing a crisp white shirt, fitted black trousers and oozing mystique. Tamsyn was quickly charmed despite Daisy giving her a multitude of warnings.
‘OMG! He’s scrummilicious,’ declared Tamsyn, excitedly clapping her hands together. ‘And it’s so romantic that he’s tracked you down.’
‘Shh,’ said Daisy, steering her out of earshot. ‘That’s as may be but he’s off limits.’
‘Why?’ asked Tamsyn, her childlike face tilting to one side.
‘Because … he’s … you know …’ Daisy pursed her lips and looked at Tamsyn.
Tamsyn nodded and then it changed to a headshake. ‘No, not really,’ she said, looking perplexed. ‘You and Max can’t seem to get it together even though you row like a married couple.’
‘Er, no we don’t.’ Daisy was indignant.
‘Er, yes you do,’ said Tamsyn in a mimicking tone. ‘Anyway Ghee-Home looks super sexy, I’d fill my boots if I were you.’
Daisy had given up trying to help Tamsyn pronounce his name correctly as it had ended up with Tamsyn looking like she was doing some particularly strenuous facial exercises whilst making what had sounded like whale noises so ‘ghee-home’ was the best they had been able to achieve.
‘Thanks for the advice but I’ve been there before, remember? It ended badly and I have no desire to repeat the exercise.’ But the truth was she did have desire. It was there zinging away every time she looked at him; her disloyal body was filled with longing for Guillaume and there was nothing she could do to switch it off.
Chapter Ten
It was surprising how easily Daisy fitted back into a routine with Guillaume. It was true they had been together for a while and familiarity imprints itself on your psyche. Despite all the things he had done wrong in the past she still liked him as a person and he was working hard now. If only he had worked hard in Rouen things could have been different, she thought. She still cared for Guillaume and still fancied him rotten but she didn’t love him – she was sure of that. But he was fun to be around, easy on the eye and helped take her mind off the mess she’d made with Max.
Daisy hadn’t seen much of Max since her apology and she’d tried to convince herself he was not worth bothering with but the truth was she missed not seeing him around. She had heard on the grapevine Pasco had got a job at the caravan park and was staying on site; at least the railway carriage was safe from that particular squatter for the time being. Daisy knew she was better off without any of the Davey men in her life muddying the waters but sometimes it was easier said than done.
As they finished late on Saturday night Guillaume poured Daisy a Clotted Cream gin, her favourite to drink neat, and slid it along the bar Wild West style. Daisy caught it just in time. ‘Would you like to do something relaxing with me before I leave at the end of next week?’ he asked, his voice sounding sexier than ever. Daisy’s mind jumped to the bedroom and she bli
nked away the X-rated images rampaging through her brain.
‘What did you have in mind?’ She took a long taste from her drink enjoying the buttery richness whilst watching his every move.
‘A boat ride?’ He inclined his head. ‘There is something mesmerising about the sea. Its rhythm. Its powerful thrust.’
She felt a shiver run down her spine and it wasn’t the gin making her jiggle uncomfortably in her seat. ‘Er, I don’t know. I think it’s best we keep work and … other things separate.’ She was proud of herself. This was the right thing to say. She looked up and Guillaume was right in front of her and getting slowly closer until his lips were almost touching hers.
When he spoke his voice was husky. ‘I disagree.’
‘You kissed him?’ screeched Tamsyn, looking appalled.
Daisy hesitated. ‘You said he was sexy and, I quote, “I’d fill my boots.”’
Tamsyn shook her head. ‘Well, I’ve thought about it now and this is a man who wrecked all your hard work and broke your heart. Do you have no self-respect?’
Daisy was taken aback by how vehement Tamsyn was. ‘That’s all in the past. He’s being helpful now. Shouldn’t I make the most of him?’
‘No, you shouldn’t. Men like him will always come out on top, which leaves only one place for everyone else.’
Daisy opened her mouth, but Tamsyn was already leaving. ‘There are worse places to be than underneath Guillaume!’ shouted Daisy, but Tamsyn didn’t look back.
Only four months left to go then she could take the money, sell Locos and get the hell away, she thought. She stomped into the kitchen making Bug take a little interest. He stretched and a small trump escaped.
‘You have it easy,’ she told him. ‘If you like someone you sniff their bum and if you don’t you growl at them. See, it’s easy.’
Bug sat down in front of her and tilted his head on one side as if he was listening.
‘It’s confusing being a human. Maybe I should apply doggy logic. Who do I like or, in doggy terms, whose bum do I want to sniff?’ Daisy recoiled at her own words. ‘Actually, let’s not apply doggy logic at all or I’ll be on my own forever.’
She needed to make some decisions. Guillaume wasn’t planning on staying long, which was good and it also left a small opportunity for a brief fling. She had to concede that the thought greatly appealed to her. However, if she did have a brief fling it could make everything complicated. Bug was still looking at her. ‘Right, first decision is I’m NOT going to have sex with Guillaume,’ she said, emphatically.
‘Oh, well that’s lovely,’ said Aunt Coral from the doorway, making Daisy jump. ‘I thought you were talking to someone.’ She scanned the room.
‘I thought you were at work?’ Daisy stared at Aunt Coral feeling the familiar sensation of her cheeks flooding with colour.
‘Sorry. I didn’t go in today, I had a migraine. I was snoozing upstairs when I heard the door slam.’
‘Right. Cup of tea then?’ Daisy sprang to her feet and started to busy herself. Despite her embarrassment at least she had sorted one thing out, now all she had to do was tell Guillaume the kiss was a one off and nothing else could come of it. Easy.
‘What do you mean you still want me to hire a boat?’ Daisy was tired, it had been a long shift at Locos and she still had to finish up. Guillaume seemed irritated with Daisy for not wanting to restart the relationship and now he was going on about boats.
‘I want to see more of the coastline.’ He gave a firm nod.
‘Then walk the coastal path. It goes all the way around to …’ Daisy paused to think. ‘It goes a really long way.’
‘No, I need a boat.’ He shook his head firmly. ‘You must know someone.’
Daisy knew a couple of the fishermen but she didn’t think it was likely they would let her borrow their boat. ‘Just ask in the pub. Monty will know who to speak to.’
‘Will you ask for me, please? My English is not good.’ Guillaume gave her a wide-eyed look.
She chuckled. ‘Your English is better than some of the locals.’
‘Putain!’
Daisy knew this was a swear word and she held up her hands.
‘I am sorry,’ said Guillaume, trying to grasp her hand across the bar but she managed to whisk it away just in time. The less physical contact they had, the less likely she was to reverse the no-sex decision. ‘I am trying to do something nice for someone special.’ His eyes were pleading. ‘I just need a boat.’
‘Do you need someone to skipper it?’
He shook his head. ‘No, I can drive it. I just need it for a few hours to see—’
‘The coast. Yeah, I get it,’ she said, thinking the opposite. ‘Leave it with me and I’ll ask around.’
‘Thank you Day-zee.’ He gave her a kiss on each cheek and she felt her resolve crumble a little.
‘What sort of boat?’ asked Monty, looking like one of the fishermen had hooked his top lip and was about to reel him in.
Daisy shrugged. ‘Something small and motorised.’
‘I know a guy who’ll know.’ Monty waved someone over. Daisy turned around to see Max standing with his hand still on the door. She huffed. Really?
‘Actually, Monty, I don’t think that’s such a …’ she started, but Max had now joined her at the bar. ‘Hi,’ she said turning away and beginning to fiddle with a beermat.
Monty was pouring Max a pint. ‘Daisy here is after finding a boat. I figured you’d know of one she could borrow.’
Max finally looked at Daisy. His features appeared hardened and it saddened her. ‘What for and for how long?’ mumbled Max, appearing reluctant to join the conversation.
‘Just sightseeing. Guillaume wants it for a couple of hours to see the sunset.’
‘You going with him then?’
Daisy hadn’t decided yet. This was clearly what Guillaume wanted – a chance to rekindle their affair. If she went it was definitely going to test her no-sex rule to the limit. ‘Yeah,’ she said, wondering if Max cared about her going off with Guillaume. ‘It’s the kind of spontaneous crazy romantic thing he comes up with.’ She found herself tilting her head in an overly girly gesture.
Max frowned harder. ‘When?’
‘Um, sometime within the next week, but otherwise I don’t think it matters.’
‘Leave it with me,’ said Max.
Daisy hovered. ‘Is that a leave it with me and I’ll be in touch shortly or …’ She didn’t want to finish the sentence with ‘or a leave it with me but I’m not planning on doing anything for you ever again’.
Max turned slightly, he was still frowning. ‘It’s a leave it with me because I need to speak to a couple of people and I’ll let you know as and when.’
‘Okay, thanks.’ She managed a small smile. Monty passed Max his pint and held his hand out to be paid. Max looked from Monty to Daisy and back again.
There was a slight pause before she sprang into action pulling a note from her pocket. ‘Oh, let me get that.’
‘Thanks,’ muttered Max begrudgingly and he moved away from the bar.
Daisy shoved her hands in her pockets along with her change and, feeling awkward, she disappeared up the stairs to the guest rooms above. She knocked on Guillaume’s door. She could hear him inside having a muffled conversation in French. The talking stopped. ‘Who is it?’ he asked.
‘Daisy.’
There was more muffled French and then the door opened. ‘Come in Day-zee. It is wonderful to see you.’
‘No, you’re okay thanks.’ She leaned against the doorframe. ‘I’ve got someone looking for a boat for you. Have you checked the weather forecast?’
‘Pardon?’ He looked confused.
‘If we’re taking a boat out at dusk we need to make sure the weather is going to behave itself. We want a calm sea and good visibility. You don’t want to have to call out the lifeboat to rescue you.’ She chuckled and quickly tried to dismiss the image of Max on the inshore that had popped into her mind.
/> Guillaume raised his chin a little as if trying to see her from a slightly different angle. ‘I need the boat on Thursday.’ He swallowed and then smiled broadly. ‘I think Thursday is good weather.’
‘That’s not a lot of notice but I’ll see what I can do.’ She turned to leave and he grabbed her hand, making her jump.
‘Thank you,’ he said staring deep into her eyes, which for once didn’t have her thinking passionate thoughts, this time she just felt uncomfortable and she couldn’t think why.
‘You’re welcome.’ She carefully pulled her hand free and hurried downstairs, through the door and into the hubbub of the bar. She headed for Max’s usual spot to find he now had company.
‘Hi,’ said Daisy, feeling as out of place as a lamb chop in a fruit bowl.
Jason stood up and banged his leg on the table in the process. ‘Ow. Hello Daisy. Lovely to see you. And you do look well.’ Jason however looked like he was possibly going to have some sort of seizure as a result of the levels of embarrassment currently flooding his system.
‘Stop wittering, Jason,’ said Tamsyn. ‘Join us,’ she added, gesturing for Daisy to pull up a chair. Max was giving Tamsyn a sideways look but she was ignoring him.
‘No, you’re all right,’ said Daisy. ‘Any chance of getting a boat for Thursday?’
Max sipped his pint. ‘What’s the rush?’
‘Weather should be okay on Thursday and he’s planning on leaving here soon.’
Max failed to hide his delight at this statement. ‘He’s not stuck around long, has he?’
‘Can you get a boat for Thursday or not?’ Daisy’s tone was cool. She knew exactly what Max was implying and she wasn’t going to rise to it. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
‘Like I said I’ll make some calls and—’
‘Fine. I’ll wait to hear from you then.’ Daisy turned back to Jason and Tamsyn. ‘Sorry to interrupt your evening. I guess I’ll see you sometime.’
Daisy spun around and left. She couldn’t help feeling upset that she hadn’t been invited out for a drink. Sure they had asked her to join them, but it was an afterthought forced by toe-curling levels of embarrassment. They had made their choice and they had chosen Max. If she’d thought about it rationally of course they were always going to choose Max. They all grew up together, they were friends long before she came back to the bay. She was the interloper, and however close she and Tamsyn had become she would always be the outsider. Daisy sniffed and blinked. She wasn’t going to cry. Shedding tears served no good purpose other than to let others see your weakness. No, she wasn’t a crier, she thought, as she roughly wiped away a tear.
Ottercombe Bay – Part Three Page 9
