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“You mean they’re inseparable, and fate seems to be keeping it that way,” Maya said, chuckling. Maya liked that Sam had referred to her as a friend and not a ‘mum from school.’ Ortheirresponsiblewomanwholetmydaughtergohomelookinglikeaneightiesrockchick. They were past that by now. ‘Friends’ sounded good.
In the background, Heather mumbled something about whether it was the girls’ fate that was drawing them together, and Sam frowned at his sister, which made her shrug apologetically.
“I’m Charles, Sam’s father,” the older man said, holding out his hand, and Maya shook it.
“Hello.”
“We’ll catch up properly later, I’m sure,” Charles said, giving a sly wink. “For now, I’ve got the washing up to contend with, or Rosie will have my guts for garters.”
“I will not!” Rose had overheard and whipped him playfully with the tea towel she’d pulled off his shoulder as they left the room. They were both chuckling, and the banter could be heard continuing between the two of them.
Sam rolled his eyes. “They’re always like that.”
“It’s nice.” Maya liked how they could laugh still. They reminded her of her mother and father. They’d also been together for years and hadn’t lost that love.
For a moment, silence fell as they tucked into their cooked breakfasts. Heather and Tom were immersed in dealing with their two young daughters, although Maya was sure she’d caught some sort of eye contact between the couple, silent messaging. It made Maya self-conscious with Sam. Were Heather and Tom reading something more into their relationship? They were just friends. Besides, Maya was dating Pierce, and Sam was obviously going out with the stunning brunette from the gym.
“I didn’t realise you came from Cornwall,” Maya said, eventually. She wasn’t sure if the silence was comfortable or not, and she felt she needed to fill the gap in case.
“Yes, but I moved away as soon as I started my engineering course at uni, and I never really returned.”
Maya nodded as she listened. “So, the big question is, can you surf?” She dipped her toast into her runny egg.
“In my younger days I wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t a natural like Joe.”
“Will we see how good you are this weekend?”
“Good God, I hope not. That water’s freezing at this time of year.” He chuckled, the smile reaching his eyes.
“Shhh … don’t tell the kids that.” Maya had to stop thinking about how attractive she found him. KeepthinkingofhimasChloe’sdadandnotSam. Itshouldwork.
“Oh, they won’t care.”
“Hello, everyone, good morning!” a man joyfully boomed as he entered the room.
“Uncle Joe!” Heather’s daughters shrieked excitedly. Chloe ran to give him a hug.
Joe was a younger version of Sam and Charles, wearing an unzipped, fading Animal hoodie over a Rip-Curl T-shirt. He was also wearing khaki shorts and flip-flops as if it were the middle of summer. The sun may have been out, but it wasn’t that warm. He already looked tanned. Whereas Sam always appeared smartly dressed, working in an office, it was unlikely that this man even owned a tie, or a shirt with a collar.
He kissed Heather, shook Tom’s hand, ruffled each girls’ hair, then turned to Sam.
“This is Joe, my brother,” Sam said, though the man needed little introduction. He was quite obviously Sam’s younger brother — equally as dark and good-looking. Where Sam had flecks of grey, Joe had very little. His hair was a little longer, in typical surfer style. He looked like a man who had never been stressed in his life and had a constant tan. “Joe, this is Maya.”
“Hi, Maya.” Joe shook Maya’s hand. “Sam didn’t say anything about bringing a lovely lady with him.” He winked, nudging his brother.
“Oh, no, um, I didn’t come with Sam.” Maya stumbled over her words. “We’re just friends. I booked a room here without realising the B&B belonged to your parents.”
“Oh, right, well, life is funny like that.”
“Chloe and Amber are in the same class at school,” Sam said.
Joe grabbed a chair that wasn’t being used from the kids’ table and sat down with Maya and Sam. “Any more coffee in that pot?” Heather handed him a spare cup and saucer from their table.
“I’ve roped you in to take Lewis and Amber, as well as Chloe out surfing today,” Sam said, once Joe had poured his coffee.
“The more the merrier. Fancy a dip, Maya?” There was a twinkle in his eye.
“Oh, no, I’ll watch from the water’s edge, if that’s okay?” Joe’s flirtatious manner left Maya flustered. Sitting with two such good-looking men was making her nervous. “Someone needs to take the photos.”
