‘Aye, sadly, it does,’ he says softly. ‘But...I don’t know... it seems to me that you’ve got such a strongrelationship, you and your dad, that talking about all that real stuff is nevergoing to damage it.’
‘Weshouldtalk about her, I know. But that’s easiersaid than done. I’m terrified that Dad blames me for her leaving and I supposeI’m worried that broaching the subject after so long would open up a horrible canof worms that would forever come between us.’ I shrug. ‘We could never unsay it,you know?’
He nods sadly but doesn’t reply.
With an effort, I paste on a smile. ‘But anyway, as I said,because it’s always just been the two of us for the past twenty-odd years, wearereally close. Best pals. And we’re fine. We really are. I just...I suppose I just wish Dad could move on and find some happiness. You know? ButI can’t see him signing up to one of these dating sites.’ I give a bark oflaughter at the thought.
‘Maybe you should sign up for him?’
‘No way. He’d kill me.’
We exchange a smile and I shake my head. ‘Hey, I’m reallysorry to be dumping all this on you.’
‘Och, don’t be. It’s fine. Dump away.’
‘Thanks.’ I smile shyly at him. ‘It’s your fault, anyway.’
He laughs. ‘How’s that, then?’
‘You’re too easy to talk to. I can see how you’d be reallygood with clients.’
He gives a sheepish smile. ‘Aw, shucks.’
We drive along in silence for a while. Then Logan says, ‘Areyou okay?’
I nod. ‘I’m fine, honestly.’
‘So where to now? Home?’
My heart does a funny dive in my chest, but I smile and say,‘Erm, I guess so.’
‘You look to me like you could do with strong drink.’ Hegrins. ‘Or a triple espresso at the very least.’
‘Actually, I’m a hot chocolate girl.’ I smile, feeling alittle lurch of hope. I’m not ready to say goodbye to Logan Mackay quite yet...
CHAPTER FIVE
Logan nods, thinking for a moment. ‘I’ve got an idea.Been to Barnham Books yet?’
‘That place in Little Havlock? No, they’ve just opened,haven’t they?’
‘Back in October. Apparently, they’ve transformed the oldrailway station into a proper book lovers’ paradise, filled with second-handbooks, and I think that you, as a soon-to-be-début-author, need to pay it avisit.’
‘Ooh... I do like the sound of that.’
‘So shall we?’
‘What, right now?’
‘Why not?’ He shrugs. ‘Unless you need to get back to yourwriting.’
I think about this. Normally, I’d be wanting to do justthat. But today feels different...
‘Actually, I’ve been meaning to check the place out formyself,’ says Logan as I hesitate. ‘You can walk right to the top of the old clocktower at the station. You can see the whole town from up there, apparently.’
I nod. ‘Quite appropriate, since your current job involvespromoting the Swan Hotel’s rooftop café.’
‘Exactly. So... are you up for it?’
