AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘HowwasCrete–’ they said in unison.
‘Sorry.’Pete’sface flushed again.Hepushed his specs up his nose.
‘Whatwere you about to say?’
‘I’msorryIdidn’t get back to you sooner.’
‘That’sall right.Miasaid you’d been toCrete.Didyou have a good holiday?I’venever been.’
‘Ohyou should.Marvellousplace.Lotsof ruins,Knossosand such.Andthe walk through theSamariaGorge, although ifI’mhonest it was far too hot to do much other than lie on the beach.’
‘Soundsperfect after a busy school year.’
‘Itwas, it really was.’
Theywere interrupted byEleanorbringing their food and drinks.
‘Delicious.’Daisyspeared a sliver of salami. ‘Look,I’vefar too much here, would you like to share?Ihadn’t realised it would come with bread too.’
Shepushed the platter into the middle of the table and then froze as a familiar voice with a strongBirminghamaccent could be heard.
‘Ohhonestly, babes, dunno why you wanted to come here.Theydon’t even do proper food.’
RickandMintypassed their table.Anoverpowering cloud ofOpiumperfume floated with them.
Rickstopped. ‘Hi,Daisy.’
‘Rick, hi.’Shefelt his eyes flicker from her toPete.Ashe didn’t move on, she introduced him. ‘ThisisPeteFletcher.He’sa teacher at the primary school.’
Mintythrust a possessive arm throughRick’s, tugging him closer to her.
‘Goodto meet you,Pete.Andthis isMinty.’
Mintyglared. ‘We’vemet.Sortof.Whenyou got my boyfriend to rub cream onto your back.How’sthe sunburn?’
‘It’smuch better, thanks.’Daisyrefused to feel guilty but cringed inside.
Mintytugged onRick’sarm. ‘Comeon, kiddo.We’vegot things to talk about.’
‘Havea nice evening.’
‘Ohwe will.’Mintywaggled her head. ‘Youcan be sure of that.’Shestrutted off on a pair of sky-high white stilettoes.
RickgaveDaisya long penetrating look and followed.Thankfully, they disappeared into the bar.
Daisystared after them.Theymade an odd couple, not seeming at all compatible.SeeingRickhad brought back the physical reaction she’d had when he’d massaged the aftersun into her back.She’dtried hard to persuade herself it had all been innocent.She’dtried hard at forgetting how it had made her knees buckle and her heart race.Herheart had skipped into a tango at seeing him again.Dressedformally in black shirt and trousers, he’d looked pale and exhausted.She’dwanted to scoop him up, give him a cuddle and let him pour out his worries.Itlooked as if he had a few.Awareher feelings for him had shifted into new depths she forced a shrug and turned back toPete, aware he’d been saying something. ‘Sorry, what did you say?’
‘Isaid, have you tried theCornishYargcheese?It’sreally tasty.’
Feelinga rush of gratitude that he hadn’t asked her to explain, she smiled at him warmly. ‘Ihaven’t butIwill.Now, tell me all aboutCrete.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
Aspart of her promise to herself to create a better work-life balance,Daisytook to strolling along the promenade at daybreak to the harbour and back.Usedto early starts anyway, getting up an hour earlier in the summer was a joy when the town was still sleepy and the sunrise painted everything pink.Apartfrom one or two dog walkers, there were few people about and she relished the peace and solitude.
Asshe walked along today, with the sea calm and still and quietly murmuring to her left, the sun tickled the back of her head promising another hot day to come.Ithad been an incredible summer so far.Aheatwave had broken through the cold rainy spring with endless hot sunny days with warm balmy nights.Profitswere slightly down but trade always dropped off in the summer months.Ifshe could secureWebFloriststatus she was sure it would treble trade at least – she had a lot riding on that decision.Besides, come autumn, people’s thoughts would turn to decorating their homes once more with fresh flowers.Daisydeliberately closed her mind off to worrying about the shop.Instead, she reflected on the date withPete.
Shecould hardly call it a date.They’dgot on.She’deven sharedthe story of the embarrassing aftersun incident as a way of explainingMinty’sfrostiness.Luckily,RickandMintyhadn’t stayed long.Daisyhad seen them leaving only about thirty minutes after they’d arrived.Oncethey’d gone she’d been able to relax.Petehad seen the funny side and they’d gone on to talkGreece, teaching, his plans for the long summer holidays and that they’d see each other atJagoandHonor’swedding.Daisywould hardly miss him,Peteexplained, as he andBenTownhamwould be ushers.
