‘Then I’d like to understand why you chose to ignore me then when you saw me at the shop last night.’
When the hell had he seen her? He shook his head and shrugged. ‘I don’t recall seeing you.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘You didn’t go to the village shop yesterday evening then?’
Village shop? He thought back but didn’t recall seeing her there. Then he remembered thinking he had heard someone saying his name. ‘You called out to me?’
‘Sort of,’ she said sulkily.
‘Lettie, I’m so sorry,’ he said, mortified to have blanked her. ‘I didn’t realise it was you otherwise I would have stopped to chat.’
‘I should know by now that I’m pretty forgettable as far as you’re concerned,’ she said so quietly he only just heard her.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ He reached out to touch her arm, but she flinched away from him.
‘It’s nothing,’ she snapped. ‘Anyway I’m not sure why I’m making a big deal of it.’
She was hurt and he wasn’t surprised. He would have been too if she had done the same thing to him. He couldn’t understand why he hadn’t seen her, then it dawned on him. ‘I was on my way to go surfing.’
She began sweeping again. ‘I’ve no idea what that’s got to do with anything.’
‘You don’t understand.’
‘Obviously not.’
‘I had taken off my glasses.’ Relieved, he added, ‘I never wear them when I surf. I must have taken off the ones I was wearing, my better ones, when I changed. I have another pair in the car for driving, just so I don’t forget them.’ He wasn’t sure why he added the last sentence but supposed he didn’t like her to think he was irresponsible to try and drive without being able to see properly.
He realised she was looking at him with a thoughtful expression on her face.
‘You’re short-sighted?’
‘Very.’ He risked an apologetic smile. ‘I had a lovely time with you the other night, Lettie, and I would never just ignore you. I’m sorry I hurt your feelings.’
Her cheeks reddened. ‘It’s fine. I probably shouldn’t have overreacted like that.’
Relieved they were friends again he risked stepping forward. ‘Can I make it up to you over a walk on the beach with our dogs, maybe tonight?’
‘I’m afraid I already have plans.’
He wondered if her plans were with Joe, but knew he had no right to ask. ‘Maybe another time.’
She rested the broom against the side of a stall. ‘You mentioned Thistle was with you. Shall we go and see him?’
‘I think we better had,’ he said relieved she had calmed down. He laughed hearing the dog’s whining that had now intensified into a loud bark.
28
LETTIE
Lettie gave Spud a cuddle and took hold of his collar so that he wouldn’t charge at poor Thistle when he was let out of Brodie’s car. She led the way out of the barn trying to hide her delight that Brodie hadn’t intended blanking her at all. Now that she thought of it, he did look slightly different but it hadn’t occurred to her that it was because he wasn’t wearing glasses.
She stopped to let Brodie go ahead to let Thistle out of his vehicle, watching as he attached a lead to the dog’s collar, which she noticed seemed to be a new one.
‘I like the pale blue,’ she said. ‘The colour suits him.’
‘I’d like to take credit for it,’ Brodie said as Thistle jumped down. ‘But it was Bethan who fitted him with one.’
‘She’s chosen well.’
