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‘Thatwas quick.’
‘Itwent to auction andIwas a cash buyer so all the paperwork went through at warp speed.’
‘Impressive.’Daisyhitched up her beach bag onto a sore shoulder.
‘Beenon the beach?Lovelyday for it.WishI’dknown,Iwould have joined you.’
Upto that momentDaisyhad been content with her solo trip but his words washed a wave of loneliness over her so acute she thought she’d pass out.Sheswayed.Afamily passed by and the teenager bumped into her, making her collide withRick.
Hishands grasped her shoulders. ‘Hey, you okay?’
Shewinced at his touch. ‘Toomuch sun,Ithink.Ispend my days in the shop and whenIget the chance,Ioverdo it.’
‘Look,Iwas heading that way anyway, but why don’tItreat you to a cold drink at theSeaSpray?Youcan cool off a little and rehydrate.’
Daisynodded.Shewas light-headed.She’ddefinitely had too much sun.Refusingto let herself think about any other reason for her sudden dizziness, she allowed him to lead her to the café.
Tracywas about to close but, seeing as it wasDaisy, flipped the café’s sign to shut and directed them to a table at the back, where it was against a cool wall and out of the direct sun. ‘Whatyou wants, maid,’ she said in her strongCornishaccent, taking inDaisy’sflushed face, ‘is a pint of my home-made lemonade, followed by tea, followed by cake.’
Ajug of iced lemonade, misty with condensation and two tall glasses filled with ice were swiftly deposited on the table. ‘Getthat down you, my lovely.I’llbe back with the tea and cake d’rec’ly.Don’thurry now.Takeyour time if you don’t mind me tidying up around you.’
‘ThanksTracy.’Daisytook off her straw hat and fanned herself.Shealready felt much better and a complete fraud.Sheknew it hadn’t been too much sun.Farmore likely the close proximity ofRicklooking swoon-worthy in a white linen shirt and khaki shorts.
Hepoured them both lemonade and pushed a glass towards her. ‘Sipslowly,’ he ordered.
Daisyfelt a thrill engulf her.Itwas nice being the one being looked after, she even quite liked being ordered about.Shockedat her lack of inner feminist – she really didn’t recognise herself anymore – she concentrated on drinking.Thelemonade slipped down her throat cool and tart.Nectar.
Tracybrought over a tray laden with a giant cerise-pink teapot, two huge mugs and a plate of cakes. ‘OnesIhaven’t sold, soIbrought you a selection.They’donly go to waste.Iinsist on freshlymade each day.Beenso hot all folks wanted was cold drinks and ice creams.Youwant to get some cream on them shoulders, ourDaisy.Theylook awful sore.’
‘Iwill.Thanks,Tracy.Didn’trealise how thirstyIwas.Thelemonade hit the spot.’
Tracynodded sagely. ‘Alwaysdoes.I’llleave you in peace.Ifyou needs me,I’min the kitchen cleaning up.’
Shedisappeared through the kitchen swing door and the strains ofBillWithers’s‘LovelyDay’could be heard as she switched onBayRadio.
‘Oneof my father’s favourites,’Ricksaid, as he listened for a moment.Hepicked up the teapot with difficulty. ‘Thisthing weighs a ton.’Heposed. ‘ShallIbe mother?’
Daisygiggled. ‘Thinkthat’s a biological impossibility but yes please.’
‘Shame,Ialways wanted children.’
‘Doyou?’Daisysurveyed him over the rim of her glass.Inher experience it was a rare man who admitted to wanting children.
‘Ohyes.I’mthe youngest of four.Allmy sisters are much older and soIwas spoiled rotten.I’dlike a whole brood; it was great growing up in a busy household.Whatabout you?’
‘Youngestof three.Oldertwin brothers.’
‘No,Imeant, would you like children?’
‘Isuppose.’Daisydidn’t want to get into it.Ithurt too much. ‘I’dlike cake more.’
Hepassed her the plate to choose. ‘Éclair.Victoriasponge.Somekind of flapjack or a chocolate brownie.’
Daisyhelped herself to the slice of sponge.Theyate in silence.Whenshe got to the chasing-crumbs-around-the-plate stage she sighed and wiped her mouth and sticky fingers with a serviette.Shestared at the brown stains, horrified.Goodgoing,Daisy.Youmust have had chocolate ice cream all around your mouth.Whatare you, five?
Rickwatched her through thick dark lashes, his expressionveiled. ‘You’vemissed a bit,’ he said, his voice strangely hoarse.Hebent and rubbed at the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
Daisythought her insides would combust.Theystared at one another for a long second.Hehad the deepest, warmest, most chocolatey brown eyes she’d ever seen.Acowlick of thick dark hair flopped over his forehead and she longed to caress it back.Shecaught the scent of his hot body underlaid with his subtle sandalwood aftershave and felt her eyes cross as she concentrated on his mouth.Whatwould it be like to kiss him?Backingoff, she stuttered out, ‘Thanks.Imust look a right mess.’
