Fully Booked – Part 2. Cressida McLaughlin

reluctantly to his feet. ‘I’ll just show Tim out.’ She gestured for Will to stay where he was.

      She walked towards the door, shepherding Tim in front of her, and then opened it.

      ‘Sorry if I’m intruding on anything.’ He gave her a wolfish grin. She sensed that he didn’t feel threatened by Will, more that he was amused by the situation. His arrogance was unwavering.

      ‘It’s late,’ Robin said, ‘and I’m still getting used to the routine of running the guesthouse.’

      ‘Well done for finding Tabitha’s nephew.’ He whispered it, leaning in close and moving one of her curls off her face.

      Robin flinched. ‘I didn’t find him. God, Tim. You’re so—’

      She stopped as Tim stood up straight and raised his hand, and Robin realised Will was standing behind her.

      ‘I’ll pop round tomorrow,’ Tim said to Will, ‘and you can give me the grand tour.’

      ‘Not so much of the grand,’ Will said. ‘It’s a bit of a wildlife park at the moment. Spiders, mice – there might be a family of jackdaws nesting in the roof.’

      ‘Can’t wait! Catch you later, Robs. Nice to meet you, Will.’ He kissed Robin on the cheek and then was gone – hurrying down the steps and jumping into the polished black Audi, screeching away from the kerb.

      Robin shut the door slowly and rested her forehead against the wood. She sighed, mustered up a smile and turned to face Will.

      ‘I should head up,’ he said.

      ‘You don’t have to, I just wanted to get rid of Tim.’

      Will frowned. ‘You don’t get on? I got the impression you were close.’

      ‘We used to be, but that was a long time ago. Sometimes he can be … full on.’

      ‘I noticed.’ He gave her a wry smile and followed her back into Sea Shanty. Darcy had taken advantage of their absence to stretch out full length along one of the sofas, her paws twitching as she tried to be more courageous in her dreams than she was in real life.

      ‘You don’t have to show him round Tabitha’s if you don’t want to.’ Robin risked looking at him.

      His smile was gentle but amused. ‘He’s a property developer. He’s spent a lot of time in rundown houses, and said he could give me a few pointers, show me what I need to concentrate my time on. Are you OK? You seem on edge.’ He stepped closer to her. He smelt of mint shampoo and buttercream, and the image of him standing in the hall, his torso bare, popped into her head.

      ‘I’m fine.’ She bent to stroke Darcy’s tummy. The more time she was spending with the dog, the more she could feel herself falling for her; her gentleness and her cowardice. ‘Tim and I have a history. It – things are … complicated, after such a long time apart.’

      ‘Oh. Oh, right.’

      ‘Sorry, that came out wrong. I don’t mean that there’s anything between us, now. I – it’s been a long day.’