She didn’t like to say that he did too.
‘Did I say something?’ He smiled.
She realised she had shown her amusement on her face and immediately shook her head. ‘No, not at all.’ She thought quickly, not wanting to show him how attracted she was to him. ‘I was just wondering how many I’ll manage to collect in the brief time I’m on the island. Quite a few, I should imagine.’
He laughed. ‘I wouldn’t blame you. I’m always collecting them. Always have done. We used to find them in our back garden a lot of the time when I was a kid.’
Intrigued, she asked, ‘Did you live next to the beach then?’
‘I grew up living at Hollyhock Farm It might be up the hill from a beach and far enough for a decent walk to get there, but it’s also close enough to hear the sound of the waves when I’m lying in bed. The shells were brought to our garden at some point though because we kept chickens.’
She wasn’t sure how that made sense. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t understand why having chickens means you’d have seashells.’
He thought for a moment, then said, ‘It’s to do with the calcium in them. It helps them produce healthier shells on the eggs they lay.’
Melody had never heard such a thing.
Zac laughed. ‘I know, it sounds odd but I recall Mum telling me that having seashells for chickens to peck at helps them lay healthier eggs. It’s like them being given a supplement, I guess.’
‘I never knew that.’ She sighed and gazed out to sea. ‘I’ve only been here a short time and I’m already learning so many things.’
‘I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.’
‘I am.’
Zac looked at his watch. ‘We should probably turn back here,’ he said. ‘We should be thinking about supper and I don’t want to be a lousy host and not make sure Patsy has something to eat.’
‘I suppose so,’ she said, feeling guilty towards her grandmother that she would rather stay on the beach with Zac. ‘I was enjoying myself.’
‘So was I.’ He smiled at her. ‘Maybe next time we can plan our outing a bit better and give ourselves more time. Maybe stop off somewhere for a coffee or snack? What do you think?’
She loved the idea. ‘That sounds good to me.’
‘Great. Maybe once the festival is over, we can take off to one of the smaller islands for a day.’
‘Like Herm or Sark?’ she asked. Melody smiled at him. Why hadn’t she thought to come and visit this place and its friendly locals before now? She had been missing out on so much. If only she had thought to come here before meeting Rhys and having to face all the nastiness that her marriage with him had brought about.
She had relaxed so much already since her arrival on the island but knew she had a long way to go before feeling more like her old self again. She looked around at the wild landscape and listened to the birds and sea, and she knew she had made the right decision agreeing to join her grandmother and come here.
11
ZAC
The following day Zac met up with Callum for a late breakfast down at the beachside café in Ouaisne Bay. He had tried to suppress his disappointment that his best friend had taken a liking to the woman he was attracted to but so far wasn’t doing a very good job, if the scrutiny of his friend’s gaze was anything to go by.
He and Callum rarely went for the same women, which was a relief as far as Zac was concerned. He took another bite of his sausage and egg burrito. Ordinarily Zac loved coming here and eating this delicious food, but today he was struggling to find his appetite. Not wishing to let Callum know how badly his message had affected him, Zac focused on his food. It was too good to waste.
Callum set his cutlery down on his plate, turning his attention from his tortilla. ‘What is it?’
Pretending not to understand, Zac shook his head. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
When Callum didn’t say anything Zac looked at him. They had been best friends for too long for Zac to be able to fob Callum off that easily. He placed his burrito into the bowl.Callum was a good bloke and Zac knew almost certainly that all he would need to do to deflect his friend’s interest in Melody was to let him know how he felt. And he had considered doing that. Many times over the past few hours. But his conscience wouldn’t allow him to be that selfish. What if Melody wanted to spend time with Callum? What if she preferred Callum to him? What right did he have to get between two people who had feelings for each other? None, that’s what.
‘Zac,’ Callum snapped. ‘I can tell something’s bothering you. Is it something I’ve done?’
Zac shook his head. ‘Of course it isn’t.’
‘Why don’t I believe you?’ Callum squinted in the bright morning sunlight before shading his eyes with his hands. ‘Lend me your cap or your sunnies, will you?’ Zac took off his cap and handed it to his friend to put on. ‘That’s better. I can see properly now. So, come on, out with it. What’s bothering you?’
