Page 37 of My Summer of Magic Moments

She pulled herself away.

‘You look lovely.’ He sounded slightly nervous.

‘Thanks,’ she answered, giving a mental air-punch – phew, she’d got the outfit right. She then found herself at a loss for words, feeling shy and wondering what she was doing here. So much for keeping a low profile.

She followed Ed through to a spacious lounge. The room had French doors that opened out onto his garden, overlooking the beach and the sea. The furniture was off-white wood, and the soft furnishings various shades of blues, greys and cream, suggesting the sea and sky – perfect for leading you through to the beach. There were various knick-knacks of boats and shells – all very tasteful, but not quite what you’d expect a man on his own to choose. Mind you, she remembered it was his family’s second home, so maybe a mum and sisters had been involved, or even an interior designer had come in and done the lot. He’d probably be able to afford it, probably had the right contacts through his trade – didn’t architects earn a lot?

‘Right, well, would you like a glass of wine? White, red?’

‘White would be lovely, thanks.’ She settled herself onto one of the stripy blue and cream sofas, sinking into its cosy cushions. His Labrador bounded through, wagging her tail exuberantly and settling down beside her for a rub.

‘Hi, girl. You okay?’

The dog lay upside down for a tummy tickle.

‘She likes you.’ He smiled. ‘She’s called Bess. I hope she’s okay out here. I can put her away if you’d rather.’

‘No, she’s fine. Aren’t you, Bess? Just wants a bit of affection, don’t you girl?’ She knew the feeling.

‘Well, I hope you like seafood.’

‘Sounds good to me.’ She’d try just about anything – she’d never been a fussy eater, except when the chemo stole her appetite. But her appetite had made it back good and strong recently.

‘And thanks for the bread, it will go lovely with the langoustines I got today.’

‘Mmm, I’ve never tried those before.’

Ed headed off down the hall to fetch the wine. Claire heard the pop of a cork. Soon, he was coming back through, his voice getting nearer. ‘They’re like a big prawn really.’

‘They sound great.’

‘Would you like to sit outside?’

She smiled, having seen all the preparations he’d made earlier. ‘Yes, that would be nice.’

He swung open the French doors and Bess followed them out. The sun was low in the sky, making the sea glow gold and pewter. A few last tourists were packing up their wind-breaks, rolling up towels, and a dog-walker was striding by. But soon it would empty. Claire loved this time of day, when everyone went home and it felt like it was just their two little houses left in the whole wide world.

It was a touch chilly in the gentle sea breeze; she was glad she’d brought her cardie and slipped it on as she sat down.

‘Sorry, is it a bit cold out here?’

‘No, it’s fine. It’s lovely, in fact.’ The view was beautiful – she didn’t want to leave it.

He lit the chiminea that was near their table, and it wasn’t long before the warmth of the coals reached her bare legs and sandalled feet. Bess settled down beside it happily.

‘So.’ He sat back in the other chair, resting his long legs out before him. ‘How have you been? Back to work and everything?’

She couldn’t remember how much she’d told him; about the cancer, but she knew he was aware that she’d been off work. ‘Yes, I’ve been fine. I’ve enjoyed going back to work. Luckily, I was full of new ideas and energy, and my column with the newspaper’s going pretty well.’

‘So the break here did you good.’

‘I think it did.’

‘I took a look at your column in the Herald and some of the stuff you’d written before.’

Whoa. So he’d looked her up. Then it wasn’t just she who’d been thinking of him. She’d drawn a blank though: googling Ed from Edinburgh + architect hadn’t given her any clues.

‘Yes, I’ve been reading some of your cancer blogs. You’ve had a lot to cope with, haven’t you?’