Page 114 of Never Too Late to Date

Vicky’s voice trailed off when she saw who was walking along the beach. He wasn’t due in today, so what was he doing here? A little voice told her he lived just a bit further up the beach and was entitled to walk wherever he wanted, but she dismissed it.

At the sight of him, Dolly broke away from the food and raced across the sand in his direction.

Vicky watched from afar as he scooped her little dog up in his arms and twirled her round, while she yelped in delight, little hussy.

Seamus stood and waved.

‘Ah, it’s Alex. Let’s invite him over for a drink.’

Vicky remained silent, and Maeve’s eyes lingered on her a little too long. She mustn’t let the cat out of the bag; she had to behave normally.

Alex seemed a little disconcerted too when he arrived at the table.

‘Oh, it’s you.’

‘Yes, it’s me. Did you think Dolly had taken to roaming the beach on her own?’

She had to get her sharp tongue under control.

‘Well, I’d hope not. That would be a little irresponsible, given she’s still in recovery.’

Maeve and Seamus were watching this tennis match of words, looking from one to the other in confusion.

Seamus picked up the carafe of wine.

‘Would you like a drink, Alex?’

‘No, thanks. I’m driving to the clinic later.’

Alex locked eyes with her and looked down at the empty plates strewn over the table.

‘Are you celebrating something?’

Maeve threw her a querying look, but Vicky managed to shake her head without Alex seeing.

‘No, the opposite. We’re commiserating. I’ve just broken the news about Bruce to them, so we decided to drown our sorrows.’

Was she imagining the judgement in his eyes at the nearly empty carafe? It was just a couple of glasses in the sunshine, for pity’s sake.

‘I see. I really think we should go out again tonight, now we know the poisoner’s back in action. He, or she, probably won’t expect us to be lying in wait.’

Vicky snorted.

‘It won’t be a she; I can guarantee you that.’

‘You seem very sure. So, are you up for it? It seems fairly urgent to me.’

Maeve and Seamus had stopped talking to each other and were waiting for her answer. He’d put her in a difficult position. To refuse to go out searching with him would make her look as though she didn’t care. It was a master class in manipulation.

‘Yes, that sounds good.’

‘Right. See you at the sanctuary at nine.’

With that, he was off up the beach, and she had to physically restrain Dolly from following him.

When Seamus tried to pour more wine into her glass, Vicky put her hand over the rim.

‘Not for me, thanks. Especially if I’m out patrolling tonight, I’m going to make a move, but please, stay a while and enjoy the peace.’