Page 102 of My Kind of Happy

‘Just that, like you I’ve been muddling along on my own for a couple of days.’ His eyes lost their shine for a moment. ‘But it’s nice to do something positive and it’s good to be useful.’

He ran the back of his fingers along his jaw and the rasping sound caught my attention.

‘You’ve stopped shaving again!’

He grinned sheepishly. ‘Apparently some women like bearded men. In general.’

Hearing him quote my words back to me gave me a little thrill but I was careful not to read too much into it. If there was a spark between Sam and me I wanted it to have the best chance of staying alight, which meant taking it slowly.

‘But do you like it?’ I said softly.

He thought about it, scratching his chin. ‘I do. It suits my mood. Unkempt and scruffy. Although it’s getting to the itchy stage. Feel.’

I stepped closer until I could feel the heat from him. I brought my hand to his face; the rough hair prickled my fingers and woke up all sorts of sensations I hadn’t felt for a while.

‘It’s not unkempt and you’re not scruffy.’ You’re lovely.

Sam’s hand covered mine and the connection between us sparkled like a million stars. A small part of me worried about what was happening, but the other part was thoroughly enjoying the moment.

A harsh laugh from the doorway made us spring apart. Pandora folded her arms and smirked.

‘I’d say get a room, but you already have one.’

‘Pandora?’ Sam’s jaw dropped and he glanced at the clock on the wall. My eyes followed suit. It was still only eight o’clock. Today was endless.

‘Well, well, well,’ she drawled. ‘It’s like déjà vu. I thought I recognised you earlier in reception, Fearne, I followed the cloying smell of flowers to find you, but I must say, I didn’t expect to see you here, Sam.’

Sam exhaled impatiently. ‘Your dad owns the lease on the florist business, that’s how Fearne and I know each other. There’s no déjà vu about it. We had nothing to hide when you saw us together on Saturday and this time …’ His blue eyes glinted defiantly. ‘And this time, it’s none of your business what I do.’

‘Whatever.’ She pursed her lips. ‘I came for the Edelweiss thing. More fool me. I thought it sounded like a fab idea: natural beauty products, combined with a yoga studio. Because whether you believe me or not, I am serious about setting up my own wellbeing business.’

Sam planted a hand on his forehead and groaned. ‘Great. So we’ve just lost a grand?’

‘A thousand pounds?’ I gasped. No wonder the guests were so annoyed about being denied their breakfast.

‘Someone else who witters about money.’ Pandora gave me a withering look. ‘You two are a perfect match. Are these flowers going spare?’

‘They’re for sale,’ I corrected her swiftly. ‘The large arrangement is seventy-five and—’

‘For a few lousy flowers?’ she shrieked. ‘I’d rather have new shoes.’

‘Pandora.’ Sam’s voice was low. ‘The money for Edelweiss: spending that sort of money without consulting me—’

‘Oh, stop fussing.’ She stalked further into the room, peering at everything sniffily. ‘Of course we haven’t. As if you give me enough money to come to something innovative and exciting like this.’

Sam and I exchanged bemused looks. So exciting and innovative that it was actually a scam.

He shook his head in disgust. ‘So, your dad paid?’

She stopped strutting and fiddled with a huge rock of a diamond earring (surely that couldn’t be real). ‘Daddy doesn’t know anything about it. Probably best if it stays that way for now. The whole thing is very disappointing and they’re being totally unreasonable about the hotel room.’

‘What hotel room?’ Sam stared at her. ‘Are the kids with you?’

‘No.’ She stiffened and then walked swiftly towards the door. ‘They’re with my mum.’

‘OK,’ he relaxed. ‘Fine. But please let Sybil know that I’m collecting them from the school bus and taking them to my mum’s tonight?’

Her make-up couldn’t conceal her blushes. ‘They’re with my mum in Lanzarote. Or at least they will be by lunchtime.’