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‘What is it, Abigail?’
‘Nothing.’ She turned to face him. Whatever came out of these tests, she wouldn’t let that happen. Oliver wasn’t going to lose his inheritance. ‘Now, would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’ She paused when she realised the time. ‘Do you have to head back?’
‘No.’
‘Then would you stay for dinner?’ She’d asked, then realised she didn’t have any food in. ‘Sorry, but I haven’t been shopping. It might have to be a pizza delivery.’
He smiled. ‘I’d like nothing more than to spend the night with you. Er, evening, I meant spend the evening with you.’
Perhaps dinner wasn’t a good idea after all. Besides, there was no mobile reception here; how was she going to order take out?
‘I know what you’re thinking! There’s no mobile reception here, and you haven’t got a landline.’
‘Rein check?’ suggested Abigail.
‘I’ve got an idea.’ He got out of his seat. ‘I’ll knock next door at Albert’s and use his phone.’
‘NO!’
Oliver was already out of his seat and striding to the door. He turned around and looked at her in surprise.
Abigail hadn’t meant to shout at him. It wasn’t just the thought that he might mention the DNA test to Albert, but what Albert might mention to him – the baby she had so foolishly blurted about to the old man earlier. Oliver had to be told, but she wanted to tell him herself. Just not tonight.
‘Look, I’m tired.’ Abigail wasn’t faking it. It had been an emotional day, meeting Oliver again. She felt worn out. In hindsight, dinner wasn’t the best idea. She breathed a heavy sigh. ‘We can do dinner another time.’
‘Is it because of what I said? It was a slip of the tongue. Make no mistake, I do want to spend the night with you. But as I said before, I can wait. I will wait for you, Abigail.’
She wondered if he’d feel the same way when he found out she was pregnant. Abigail looked past him, through the open doorway to the lighthouse. She just didn’t want to find out tonight that her little fantasy, in which she and her son lived happily ever after with Oliver, would always be just that – a fantasy.
Oliver got his coat down from the coat hook. ‘You do look tired, Abigail. I’ll head off.’
‘Rein check?’ she asked for the second time.
Oliver slipped on his coat and walked over, kneeling down by her chair. ‘May I kiss you goodbye?’
Abigail looked into his brown eyes and desperately wanted him to stay. She leaned forward, arms around his neck, and they kissed. When he drew back, he frowned.
She searched his face. ‘What is it?’
‘We must get a landline sorted out here. I don’t like it that you’re here on your own and there’s no access to a phone.’
It hadn’t bothered her before, but now she had the baby to think of. ‘You’re right. I’ll get that sorted.’
‘In the meantime, there’s always Albert next door. He’s got a landline.’
She frowned at that remark. Oliver had no clue his aunt had owned the lighthouse, too.
Oliver smiled a knowing smile, touching the crease lines in her forehead. ‘Look, I know he’s never been the most approachable person, but there is another side to him, once you get to know him.’
Abigail didn’t want to get to know him. They weren’t friends. He had answers about Daphne, about Toby, that would save all this trouble of doing DNA tests, but he just wouldn’t tell her. Even after finding out the reason she wanted the truth – that she was having Toby’s child.
‘You promise you’ll get one installed.’
‘Yes.’
‘Good.’ Oliver stood up and walked to the door again. Ulysses followed him.
Abigail stood up and followed the dog. ‘No, Ulysses, it isn’t walkies.’
