by Karen Clarke
‘You shouldn’t have hung them without asking me.’ It was meant to sound lightly scolding, but came out as ‘ungrateful brat’.
‘He didn’t mean any harm.’ Maggie put down her chunk of shortbread and gave a protective bristle. ‘My son always acts with the very best of intentions. Surely you can see that he would never knowingly hurt anyone?’
Danny’s smile had fled and he was drumming the table with his fingers. ‘Cassie’s right, Mum,’ he said, before I could react. ‘I should have asked first.’ His gaze met mine and I was shocked again by how full on it was. He was the sort of person who gave you his full attention, whether you’d asked for it or not. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, with apparent sincerity.
I felt a creep of shame. ‘No, I’m sorry.’ I pushed at my itchy wrist with my fingertips, trying to hold his gaze. ‘You actually did me a favour. It’s just a bit embarrassing, seeing them there, that’s all.’
‘Were you like that boy on a programme we watched the other Sunday?’ Maggie picked up her shortbread and took a generous bite, apparently prepared to forgive me for insulting her son. ‘He’s only thirteen and has been painting since the age of six, and is some sort of genius,’ she said, wiping her fingers on a napkin. ‘He’s got his own website and his work sells for thousands, all over the world. His parents work for him, framing and packing his paintings, and he’s already a millionaire.’
‘Oh god, no, I was nowhere near that good,’ I said, rearranging the tiles I’d drawn out of the bag to spell wankers. I quickly jumbled them up and placed an ‘e’ at the end of Danny’s ‘hat’ to spell ‘hate’. Brilliant. ‘It was just a hobby, like my brother was into computers.’ And now he was going to be teaching other people about them. As well as being a father. It still made my head a bit swimmy to think about that. ‘I’m actually an event planner,’ I said. ‘I worked for a big company in London, and now I’m hoping to set up on my own.’
‘In London?’
‘Um, yes.’ I tried to pull up the image I’d had in my parents’ kitchen, of myself as an understanding boss, being interviewed for a magazine, living in an apartment near a park. ‘I’ve been looking at some properties online,’ I fibbed.
Maggie looked impressed. ‘I expect it costs a lot more to live there now than it did when I was training to be a nurse at King’s, before I met Danny’s dad.’
Crap. ‘Oh, er, yes, it’s ridiculously pricey. I’ll probably share too, with… someone.’ Adam flew into my head. Maybe he could help me find somewhere. He might even let me stay at his Canary Wharf apartment, while I found my feet!
The thought died as quickly as it had flared. Even if he wasn’t seeing someone else by now, it would be far too embarrassing to get in touch after the way I’d cut him out of my life.
‘What about New York?’ Danny said silkily, and I remembered too late what I’d said the night before.
‘Possibly.’ I concentrated hard on the board in front of me. ‘I haven’t decided yet.’
‘Your job sounds like hard work,’ said Maggie. ‘But rewarding.’
‘Actually, it can be a bit shallow.’ The words had leapt out without warning, as I thought about the clients with more money than sense, spending hundreds, sometimes hundreds of thousands, on having a good time, when people were starving in the world. ‘Well, not always,’ I amended, aware of their curious gazes. There’d been plenty of occasions – the fundraising events – that were immensely satisfying, and I’d loved seeing someone’s face light up when they realised all the stops had been pulled out to create an experience they’d never forget. ‘It’s fun, but a lot of responsibility,’ I said at last, when I realised Maggie was looking at me with interest. ‘Not as worthwhile as, say, being a nurse.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Maggie said darkly. ‘It wasn’t a barrel of laughs.’
‘No, I guess not.’
‘And there’s no reason why you can’t change career, if you don’t like it,’ she added.
‘I do like it.’ I wondered what Danny had said. Probably something to do with my paintings. ‘I couldn’t become an artist,’ I said, though neither had suggested I should. ‘It takes years to get to a level where you can make a living, and there are plenty of artists around already, especially in this neck of the woods.’ I was thinking of the long list I’d seen online, and Connor Daley’s furious face. ‘Loads of them probably don’t make it, and I can’t afford to be one of those. Not that I was considering it.’
Still, no one spoke, and I started when Danny’s fingers skimmed my hand as he stretched out to change ‘hate’ into ‘chateau’. ‘Not a bad score,’ he said, licking the tip of his pencil before writing it down. It was as if I hadn’t spoken.
Maggie pushed back her chair. ‘Too much coffee,’ she said with a little smile as she rose, smoothing her hands down her jeans. ‘Can you point me in the direction of the ladies’ room?’
When she’d gone, I cast my eyes around, surprised to find it was gone eight thirty, already. People were laughing and chatting, absorbed in their games, and Meg and Tamsin were engrossed in conversation behind the counter.
‘I should take some photos for the website,’ I said.
‘The rain’s stopped.’ Danny spoke at the same time. ‘Would you like to go for a walk?’
‘What?’ I paused in the act of diving for my bag and looked at him. ‘Now?’
‘When you’ve finished here.’
A list of excuses ran through my head: I’m tired, I need to get home, I have to order some new business cards, but all that came out was, ‘Where?’
‘Along the coastal path.’ His eyes crinkled into a smile. ‘I want to show you something that—’
‘Will win me over?’
His smile widened. ‘Maybe.’
‘It’s getting dark.’
‘There’s a full moon tonight.’
‘How do you even know that?’
He gave a modest shrug. ‘I wanted to time it right.’
‘Can’t you just tell me what it is?’
‘Hardly,’ he said. ‘Where would be the drama in that?’
It was a fair point, and I was intrigued, in spite of myself. ‘I’ll think about it,’ I said, adopting a lofty tone. ‘But, business first.’ I fished my phone out of my bag. ‘Photos!’
He grinned. ‘Make sure you get my best side.’
As I moved around the café, checking no one minded me taking their picture, I snapped away, careful to get everyone’s heads in, laughing when Meg and Tamsin each picked up a pair of iced cherry buns and held them in front of their chests in a parody of the Calendar Girls.
‘That won’t make the website,’ I warned, turning to take a shot of Danny and Maggie, heads touching as they leaned across the table and grinned for the camera. Maggie’s teeth were as white and straight as her son’s, and I found myself wondering what his dad looked like.
As I quickly scrolled through the photos, checking everything was in focus, I felt a draught stir my hair as the door opened, and heard a female voice, say, ‘There she is.’
‘Tilly! You’re late.’ I turned to see her coming towards me, casual as ever in ripped skinny jeans and trainers, her cropped hair hidden beneath the hood of a grey zip-up top. ‘I found him wandering outside,’ she said, doing something funny with her face that seemed to imply intense sexual excitement. A man had followed her in. She must have acquired a boyfriend, which seemed unlikely, given how vociferous she’d been about being single just two days ago. But …stranger things had happened.
‘I know you said it was early days, but I didn’t realise you hadn’t even told him where you lived,’ she was saying.
‘What?’ I couldn’t get the gist of her words – or why she’d stepped aside like a hostess introducing a guest. My gaze slid to the man behind her, waiting patiently for me to speak, his dark-chocolate eyes glimmering with suppressed amusement… my hand flew to my throat.
It was Adam.
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘W
hat are you doing here?’ I stuttered, a smile breaking over my face. ‘I was literally thinking about you just minutes ago!’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ He raised an eyebrow, channelling James Bond. ‘I came to find you,’ he said.
‘That’s so romantic.’ Behind me, Meg didn’t bother lowering her voice.
‘You mean, he didn’t know where you lived?’ Tilly was flicking glances back and forth, as if trying her best to see us as a couple. Adam looked too polished for the café, like a visiting Hollywood actor in his heavy, double-breasted coat and well-cut suit. His dark hair waved neatly back from his forehead, and a thick, gold watch peeked out from beneath his cuff. He exuded money and good breeding, and the part of my brain still functioning was impressed that I’d chosen someone so clearly out of my league.
‘It’s quite a story,’ he said. I’d forgotten how lovely his voice was – deep and warm, and just the right side of authoritative. It sent a little shudder down my spine. ‘Shall we sit down?’
‘Aren’t you going to introduce us?’ Tilly clearly wasn’t letting us off the hook.
‘Adam Conway,’ he said to her, switching on his charming smile.
‘Good to meet you, Adam.’ Her hand disappeared inside his. ‘Tilly Campbell.’
When he’d let go, she smiled demurely and said, ‘I’ve come to have a look at some paintings.’ Her eyes grew wide as she looked past Adam’s broad shoulder to the wall behind him. ‘I want to know everything,’ she said to me in a whisper as she passed.
Left alone with Adam, I began to panic sweat, as the enormity of him turning up out of the blue began to sink in. ‘Would you like a drink?’
‘I’d love a beer, but I’m guessing that’s not on the menu.’ He pulled at the knot of a grey-and-blue striped tie that was probably silk.
‘No, I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘We could go to the pub.’ I cringed, recalling what Tilly and Meg had said about the state of the Smugglers Inn but, luckily, Adam was shaking his head.
‘Actually, I’ve been cooped up in the car for hours and wouldn’t mind some fresh air,’ he said. ‘Shall we take a walk? There’s a full moon, it’s quite spectacular.’
Suddenly reminded of Danny, I spun round to see him clearing away the board game, while Maggie stared at her phone. He didn’t look over and I couldn’t tell whether or not he was deliberately avoiding my eye. ‘I’d love to,’ I said. ‘But why are you here, Adam?’ Remembering I’d blocked his number, nerves rushed to the surface. ‘I thought we’d broken up.’
‘Well, you broke up with me, if I remember correctly.’ He thrust his hands in his coat pockets and tilted his head. ‘Thing is, I can’t stop thinking about you.’ It was a line straight out of a romance novel, but somehow didn’t sound corny. ‘How about we go for that walk, and have a chat?’
I still couldn’t quite believe he was there, but my racing pulse, throbbing cheeks and madly itchy wrist said it was true. ‘Give me a second,’ I said, and quickly crossed to the counter.
‘He wants me to go for a walk,’ I said urgently to Meg.
‘That’s… nice?’ She looked unsure of my tone. ‘He’s gorgeous, Cassie. You’ve chosen well.’
‘Shouldn’t I stay and help you close the café?’
‘Don’t be silly, we can manage, and Tilly will help.’ She shot me a smile. ‘He’s obviously dying to spend some time with you.’
As her eyes danced over him, I knew I couldn’t tell her I’d broken up with him – not when I’d implied a couple of days ago that we were dating. And, now I thought about it, I didn’t want to tell her. ‘Right. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow,’ I said, aware of Adam waiting, and that he’d driven for hours to see me.
‘Oh, Cassie, I can’t come in tomorrow.’ Meg pulled a regretful face. ‘Remember, I’m allergic to cats.’
‘Oh god, Meg, I’d totally forgotten, I’m sorry.’ She’d once picked up a stray tabby on the school playing field, and was sent home when her eyes swelled shut.
‘Don’t worry.’ She waved a hand. ‘I’ve earned overtime this evening, and I’m working some extra hours on Friday.’
More money I would have to cover, so Mum and Dad wouldn’t be out of pocket. It was a good job I’d earned some today, from my paintings. ‘Thanks, Meg,’ I said. ‘I’ll see you some time on Friday, then.’
Grabbing my bag and coat, I started making my way over to Adam, who watched my approach with a look of such open pleasure that I had to refrain from looking over my shoulder to check that Scarlett Johansson hadn’t wandered in. Danny was helping Maggie on with her leather jacket, and finally caught my eye.
‘I’m… sorry,’ I said, slowing down. ‘I didn’t know Adam was coming, and…’ My voice petered out.
‘You should have told me you were seeing someone.’ As direct as ever, only this time his gaze was sharper, as though seeking something he’d missed. Maggie didn’t look at me.
‘I’m not seeing him, I… he’s just… someone I met.’
‘Right.’ He picked up the Scrabble board and tucked it under his arm. ‘Thanks for a nice evening.’
‘We can go for that walk tomorrow, if you like.’ I wondered why I was bothering when I’d already stressed that he was wasting his time with me, and Adam was here in the flesh, clearly keen to rekindle our fledgling relationship.
‘No worries,’ Danny said, handing Maggie her bag. ‘I’ll see you in the morning when I drop off the cats.’
‘Cats?’ Suddenly, Adam was beside me, his expensive cologne filling my senses, making my head spin.
‘Oh, I’ve been organising some events for the café while I’m here, for my parents, remember I told you they run a café,’ I said, zipping into professional mode – if professional meant babbling like an idiot. ‘I’m turning it into a cat café for a day, though it may happen more often if it’s a success, which I hope it is, as that’s what I do for a living, ha, ha.’
‘Hey, that’s a great idea.’ His openly appraising glance sent a heatwave through my body. He was so big and shiny, I couldn’t help comparing him with Danny, who seemed smaller somehow, though they were more or less the same height. Danny was watching me closely, a small smile tilting his mouth, and I wondered what he was thinking. ‘You ready?’ Adam offered me his elbow, like an old-fashioned gentleman, and I took it self-consciously, aware of at least four pairs of eyes tracking our steps to the door.
It felt blissfully cool after the heat in the café, and letting go of Adam’s gym-hardened arm – I’d felt his muscles flexing through his coat – I led the way round to the coastal path, which was bathed in silvery moonlight.
‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ Adam said, pausing to tip back his head. ‘You don’t see a sky like this very often in the city.’
‘It’s lovely,’ I agreed, aware of him in a new way. Going out in London, we’d always been surrounded by other people: in a restaurant, where the waiters had known him by name; the exclusive bar, where he’d ordered a bottle of champagne that cost more than a month’s rent on my flat; the Italian bistro, where the overly attentive waiters had barely left our table. Even cloaked in darkness at a preview of the latest James Bond – Adam was a massive fan – we hadn’t been alone.
Leaning my head back, too, I gazed at the inky sky, which was littered with stars that dazzled my eyes like sequins, and wished we were back in London and knew each other a lot better.
‘How did you find me?’ I said, as we walked a little way down the path. His leather shoes were made for pavements, not rain-slippery paths close to the edge of a drop that, while not high enough to kill, might at least result in a broken limb.
‘It would have been easier if you hadn’t blocked my number.’ I glanced up to see a smile touch his eyes. They looked almost black in the moonlight, while the rest of his face was cast in a ghostly glow. I could only imagine what I must look like. ‘I wondered why you didn’t reply to my text messages,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t realise you’d blocked me until I tried to call you.’
/> ‘I’m sorry about that.’ My whole body cringed, even as I absorbed the fact that he’d kept trying to contact me. ‘I’ve had a lot going on,’ I said, lamely.
‘I remembered you saying you’d been raised in Devon, but that was all. I called your work number in the end, and your colleague told me you were staying up here for a while, with your parents.’
Nina. ‘She’d shouldn’t really have given you my address.’
‘I promised her I wasn’t a psychopath.’ There was a smile in his voice. ‘She explained you’d left the company and were looking for a new challenge.’ I mentally thanked her for not telling him I’d been fired. ‘I just wish you’d talked to me about it.’
‘I didn’t think it was fair for us to get in any deeper when I was in, a, er, a state of, um… of flux,’ I said, though ‘in a state’ would have been more accurate.
‘You never even let on that you were thinking of leaving. I had no idea.’
Oh god, this was awful. ‘It had been in the back of my mind for a while,’ I lied. ‘I’d gone as far as I could at Five Star.’ I really needed to stop saying that – especially as it wasn’t even true.
‘So, it wasn’t that you didn’t like me?’ His tone was warmly teasing.
‘Oh, no, I mean yes, no, of course it wasn’t… I mean, I really do.’ I was wildly overcompensating.
‘Well, that’s a relief, because I really like you.’
‘Oh,’ was the only word my racing mind seemed capable of producing.
‘Your parents seemed to like me, too.’
My head jolted round. ‘You spoke to them?’
‘Well, obviously I went to the address I’d been given, and they told me you were working this evening.’
I tried to imagine him rocking up on my parents’ doorstep, and the look on their faces when they answered the door. An actual man, asking to speak to their daughter. A film-star handsome man, wearing a coat and suit that probably cost more than the combined contents of their wardrobes. I imagined they’d been suitably awestruck. I hoped they’d been fully clothed.
