Page 49 of The Summer That Changed Us

Finn gazed at her, his eyebrows raised. Robyn tried to read his expression; was it shock or fear? The lack of accompanying smile wasn’t encouraging. Maybe Claudia was right, perhaps he was worried about hurting her. If so, it was up to her to convince him otherwise.

‘Hello handsome,’ she murmured as she stepped towards him; she could feel the thud of her heart speeding up with every beat.

‘Hello beautiful,’ he replied. ‘What’s Claudia talking about?’

‘About us. About how jealous she is that we can have a relaxing candlelit bath together without anyone interrupting us.’ She slipped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against the full length of his taut, lean body. She reached up to his ear and whispered. ‘Want to see what’s under my jumper?’

He laughed and leaned back. ‘Bloody hell, Robyn, it’s a bit early, isn’t it?’

She felt her courage beginning to wane, but held tight, pressing her lips fiercely to his. ‘Nope. It’s the perfect time.’

He kissed her forehead and groaned. ‘I’d love to. But I only popped in to tell you that I’ll be working late at the yard and then Callum’s asked the lads to meet for a drink to wet the baby’s head. Is that OK?’

‘Sure, but you don’t have to rush off, do you?’ She gave him a smile which she hoped was seductive, took one of his hands and pressed it to her breast. ‘You won’t hurt me.’

Robyn held her breath, hoping that this would be the moment which reconnected them. For a second or two neither of them moved or spoke; her pulse was loud in her ears and her stomach fluttered with nerves as she willed Finn to relax. But he was stiff with tension.

‘I want to, but … ’ he stuttered, dropping his hand. ‘I can’t. I’m sorry.’

Robyn was devastated. ‘Finn, what’s wrong?’

‘Nothing, honestly!’ He gave her a smile which didn’t meet his eyes and kissed her roughly. ‘I need to get back to work, that’s all.’

She watched him leave, her heart in tatters as he strode away. She couldn’t help feeling that she was losing him. Or maybe she’d lost him already.

Chapter Nineteen

Katie had kept an eye out for Barney passing by to give him his refund, but then, over a week after Amber’s visit, in he walked.

‘Hello, ladies.’ Barney hesitated at the door as everyone turned to stare.

Katie’s heart surprised her by giving a little leap at the sight of him. It was probably because of his story, she thought: losing his wife, bringing up his daughter by himself and the adorable way he’d wanted Amber’s first bra experience to be special.

‘Hello again,’ she said, willing her face not to betray how nice it was to see him.

She and Nula were both with customers. Nula’s customer was a holidaymaker in her fifties, trying on swimwear, while Katie was helping Mel, the hairdresser. Much to Katie’s delight, Mel had dashed in between clients looking for something to boost her confidence. She’d started internet dating and was meeting someone in real life for the first time later.

‘I’ll be right with you,’ said Nula, practically tripping over her own tongue.

‘Actually,’ he said, rubbing the back of his neck, ‘it’s Katie I’ve come to see.’

‘Oh.’ Nula gave her a look which said that she’d kept that one quiet.

‘I’ll be right with you,’ said Katie.

‘No rush.’ He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around, whistling softly under his breath before noticing Mel. ‘Oh, hey.’

‘Hi,’ Mel simpered, shoving the lacy thong she was inspecting back on the rail, and whispered to Katie. ‘That’s my hot new neighbour. How do you know him?’

Katie felt her face heat up. ‘I don’t. Well, other than as a customer. His daughter, I mean,’ she added, at Mel’s raised eyebrow.

‘Men are so lucky,’ Mel said with a sigh, with a side-eyed glance at Barney. She held up a pair of control briefs, testing the strength of the tummy panel. ‘They simply pull on their old boxers and go. While we women have to shoehorn ourselves into all sorts of things to look good.’

‘Not on my watch, you don’t,’ said Katie, taking the big knickers out of her hands and replacing them with a pair of Brazilian knickers which were far more appropriate. ‘You’ll leave here with underwear as soft and comfortable as a second skin.’

‘These?’ Mel huffed. ‘With my mum-tum?’

Barney smiled. ‘I feel like I might be wading into treacherous waters by joining in, but I’ll just say you look wonderful to me.’