Page 86 of Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe

‘But you want something more, don’t you?’ asked Lily. ‘Now you know he’s single.’

‘He’s so lovely,’ she told them. ‘He’s kind and funny and so supportive.’

‘So what’s the problem?’ asked Ella.

‘I’ve kissed him twice and he hasn’t said anything about it,’ moaned Hannah, burying her face in her hands. ‘I made a total fool of myself and he doesn’t feel the same way.’

‘Well, this doesn’t sound like the new Hannah Jackson, does it?’ said Lily. ‘Be brave. You’ve been through so much. And who knows what you might get from all this positivity and success you’ve had recently?’

Hannah found herself wondering what it would be like to date someone like Alex, someone true and trustworthy. She just didn’t know if he felt the same way.

But her friends were right. Maybe it was time to find out.

Because she had moved on at last, she realised. And now it was about finding the true happiness that she knew she deserved.

46

It had been another busy weekend at the water sports centre and Alex had ended up working late to get everything packed away.

He had noticed how busy the Boathouse Café had been as well and by the time they had both finished work, the sun had already set beyond the horizon.

‘What a day,’ Hannah told him as she switched on the dishwasher in the café kitchen. ‘I don’t think I’ve even had a chance to get any fresh air today.’

‘I was just about to take Tiny around the lake to stretch his legs if you want to join us,’ said Alex.

She looked delighted. ‘I’d love to,’ she told him. ‘Let me just put these cakes away and then I’ll be ready.’

As he waited outside for her, Alex was pleased that they were both still able to relax around each other. Neither of them had said anything about the kiss two nights ago. But it had been on his mind the whole time ever since.

They enjoyed a leisurely walk along the track around the lake with Tiny who enjoyed racing in and out of the water at every opportunity.

The heatwave had been building for many weeks now and the grass either side of the hardened track was parched and yellow.

‘I wish we could do this every night,’ said Hannah, as they walked along. ‘Take the time to enjoy the extra light whilst we can.’

‘You’re not enjoying the cocktail evenings?’ asked Alex, concerned. ‘Listen, if it’s too much pressure on you then I’ll have a word with Ben.’

‘Thanks,’ she told him. ‘If it was then I could certainly have a word with my big brother, don’t worry.’

He smiled at her as they crossed the narrow bridge on the furthest point from the hotel.

‘But what I meant was that this is nice being together,’ carried on Hannah. ‘I mean, just the two of us for once.’

Alex’s feet faltered as he registered what she had just told him.

So he stopped to lean against the wooden railing of the bridge to look at her as Hannah came to stand next to him.

About to speak, he was interrupted by Tiny coming towards them as he raced out of the water once more.

‘Don’t you mean just the three of us?’ asked Alex, laughing. But his laughter was short-lived as Tiny came to a halt. ‘No, wait!’ said Alex in a warning tone.

But it was too late. Tiny started to shake his fur free of water which covered them both in hundreds of droplets, causing them both to flinch and, in Hannah’s case, shriek.

Content that he was much drier now, Tiny sauntered away to sit on the other end of the bridge and study the ducks which were paddling nearby.

Alex glanced down at his now wet shirt, still laughing. ‘I seem to spend my entire day being wet,’ he said.

He looked up and found Hannah looking at him with a nervous look in her eyes.