‘Madison, that route’s been closed off for almost a year.’ Connor sounded exasperated. ‘There was a big storm last winter and we had a lot of rock falls.’
‘I… I wasn’t expecting to walk this today, I thought we’d do yoga.’ She closed her eyes, pushing down the panic in her chest. ‘You can call me stupid later. I’ll probably even agree with you. For now I need to know how to get off the beach before our guests all drown.’
‘Where are you?’
‘Not far from the old entrance.’
Connor sighed. ‘Keep going. There’s a way up in about ten minutes. It’s difficult to find if you don’t know it’s there, so I’ll come and show you the way. And Madison…’
‘What?’
‘Run—’ Madison’s phone died, and she frowned at the black screen before pointing up the beach.
‘There’s another exit. Someone’s coming to guide us out.’ She rushed over and overtook David, who’d slowed right down. He looked tired and his cheeks were bright red. ‘Are you okay?’ she asked.
‘Fine,’ he puffed. ‘I wasn’t expecting to have such a workout today.’
‘Sorry.’ Madison swallowed the guilt. ‘We’ve got about ten minutes left – as long as we’re quick we should be fine,’ she bluffed. The water was almost lapping their boots. They’d probably be paddling by the time they saw Connor. She only hoped he’d be easy to find because now she didn’t have a working phone.
Why did she do this? Connor was right: she was more suited to jumping on a ferry or plane than looking after other people. She’d only been home a few days and she was already making trouble. Amy and Dee would be livid when they found out what had happened, and all of their new guests were going to cancel. How long would it be before Amy and Dee were whispering behind her back, wondering when she was going to leave?
Madison continued to march. What was probably only minutes later, but felt like a couple of hours, she saw Connor emerge from the cliffs, flanked by Jaws. A vision in jeans, work boots and a dark leather coat.
‘You made it,’ Madison gasped, just stopping herself from throwing her arms around his neck. Only the fact that the others were there stopped her – that and the deep frown decorating Connor’s face.
He glanced at the water, which was now millimetres from their feet. The beautiful wide sandy beach had become a tiny strip of sand. ‘Cutting it fine, Ms Skylar?’
‘Who wants predictable?’ Stanley patted Madison on the back in a gesture of solidarity that made her feel a million times better. ‘Life’s far more exciting with a hint of danger – walks too.’
David grunted and pointed behind Connor. ‘Is that the way? These are new boots. I don’t fancy getting them wet.’
Connor nodded without smiling. ‘Just behind the tree. It’s narrow and rocky so take it slow or you’re liable to fall. If you wait I’ll guide you.’
‘I’ll be fine.’ David shook his head and indicated to Sophia that she should follow. Stanley went with them, leaving Madison standing alone with Connor. Now they were safe and there was no one there to watch, her emotions got the better of her and a tear slid down her cheek.
‘I’m sorry.’ Madison shook her head. ‘I wasn’t expecting the walk. I jumped in, thought I could do this. I was wrong. Amy and Dee will be so annoyed.’
‘Why?’ Connor searched her face. ‘You got everyone to safety, saved the day – seems to me no one is blaming you for anything. Your guests looked relieved and happy to be off the beach. Speaking of which, the sand’s almost gone. We should move before I get my boots wet.’
He pointed to a wave as it moved in close enough to lap at their feet, and ushered her to the safety of the cliffs. The track was hidden by a tree they had to duck behind. After that the route was obvious.
‘If they don’t blame me it’s a miracle. I’m not the right person for this,’ Madison grumbled, as she negotiated the rocky path upwards. It was steep but dry, and even in the dimming light it was easy to find the way.
‘Are you giving up, Madison? One setback, is that all it takes?’ Connor probed, watching her.
‘I wasn’t saying that. It’s just…’ Madison almost tripped but Connor caught her coat on the way down and steadied her. ‘See, I’m supposed to be guiding these people and I can’t even stay upright.’
‘You’re doing just fine,’ Connor encouraged. ‘You got ahead of yourself. Didn’t plan. So next time do better.’
‘If there is a next time,’ Madison muttered.
‘If you give up now, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. Seems to me you came home to make changes. You either make them or you don’t, but if you let one setback stop you from achieving what you set out to do, well… you’re not the woman I thought you were.’
Madison turned suddenly, stopping on the pathway so she could face Connor. The light was dimming, her guests were miles ahead and she really should hurry, but she couldn’t, not until she got to the bottom of what he’d said. ‘The woman you thought I was? You’ve always considered me a waste of space, a drifter – a flibbertigibbet, you once said. Even now you’re expecting me to jump on the ferry and disappear.’
‘Because of your history. But is it only me who believes you’ll leave, Madison? Seems to me if you’re looking for your biggest critic you should look closer to home.’ Connor fixed his eyes on her in the dimming light, almost as if he couldn’t tear them away. ‘I don’t know what you’re planning to do next. You’re as predictable as lottery numbers. But I know you came home to do something, and you’ve said you want to stay. If you only stick around when things go right, you’re going to spend your whole life moving on every few months. Which is exactly what you’ve done so far.’
‘I don’t want to be in the way. I never wanted to be a burden.’
‘Who said you were a burden? Do you think only those who are perfect measure up and get to stay? Because those are very high expectations to live up to, even higher than mine.’
‘Well, you are perfect…’ Madison was only partly joking. ‘Just look at you.’ She waved a hand, feeling her cheeks flush. ‘You look like that even when you’ve been working all day. You’re always on time, you’d never get lost because you’d probably have stayed up into the early hours planning your route. You’ve never messed up anything in your life.’ Her heart hammered.
Connor laughed. ‘Aside from every day of my life since I was born, according to my father. And you did actually meet my sister today?’
Madison reddened, remembering her conversation with Georgie. Yet another example of her screwing up.
‘Because I’m sure Georgie shared my list of faults,’ Connor continued. ‘She adds to them regularly – number one is the time I forgot to pick her up from the ferry.’
‘She told me about that,’ Madison admitted with a laugh. ‘She didn’t share the others, but we’re planning on going for a drink later.’
‘Ah.’ Connor’s smile faded. ‘I expect you’ll get the full lowdown then.’
‘Not if you join us.’ Madison indicated that they should continue walking before one of her party came looking for her. It was definitely dusk – she could barely see the path now as they picked their way through the rocks. She might even have to ask Connor to drop the walkers back at The Hideaway when they got to the top. Madison knew her way home from Connor’s house but it wasn’t an easy route in the darkness. She almost tripped again, and this time Connor grasped her hand before she ended up flat on her face. He held on, leading her quietly upwards. She didn’t comment, too afraid that he’d drop it or pull away, but having him touch her felt strangely right.
‘I’ve still got a couple of hours’ work to do tonight,’ Connor began. Had his voice deepened? They reached an easier bit of the path and Madison reluctantly let go of his hand as they got closer to the guests waiting at the top.
‘Doesn’t socialise, spend time with his sister or do yoga. You’re right, those faults are endless. Perhaps I’ll help Georgie add to them later,’ Madi
son joked.
‘Okay.’ Connor shook his head, turning back to look at her with a slight smile. ‘In the interests of keeping my list of faults short, I’ll come… for a while. But I’ll have to get back to work afterwards or I’ll fall behind.’
‘Sure,’ Madison said, knowing she was lying. Because once she had Connor Robertson where she wanted him – away from work, relaxed, with at least one drink inside him – she’d do everything in her power to keep him there.
Eighteen
Connor walked into The Moon and Mermaid with Georgie and looked around, trying not to notice the time, or think about how much he still had to do before going to bed. The place was full, and a quiet tune played in the background, making him think of dancing and the kinds of careless days and nights he’d never had.
‘Madison!’ Georgie screeched, racing across the pub to greet her. Connor tried not to notice the way Madison looked. She’d changed out of her walking gear into jeans that made her lean legs look endless, and a pink shimmery top that dipped just low enough to expose lightly tanned skin. ‘You came.’ Georgie swung Madison up into a big hug as Connor went to the bar.
‘So you finally decided to visit.’ Finn tipped his head and studied Connor without smiling. ‘You here for a drink, or that ear?’
‘A drink – if the ear’s obligatory I’ll be off.’
Finn laughed. ‘The ear’s optional, but don’t dismiss it entirely – you may need it one of these days. As for the drink, what’ll it be? Actually, don’t tell me, let me guess – bitter, maybe Castling? It’s brewed in Castle Cove, which isn’t far from here, and I know how you like to stay local.’
Connor shook his head. ‘I’ll have a Coke – I need a clear head. I’ve accounts to do later.’
‘Give him the bitter, please, Finn,’ Georgie interrupted from behind, patting Connor on the back. ‘One won’t kill you and I doubt even a barrel of the stuff would keep you from your paperwork. Two Pink Flamingos to go with it, please – one for me and one for my lovely new friend, Madison.’
‘Good to see you again, Georgie.’ Finn leaned across the bar to give Connor’s sister a kiss that was dangerously close to her lips.
‘And that alone was worth the trip here.’ Georgie giggled, making Connor roll his eyes. Seriously, was everyone losing their heads today?
‘I aim to please.’ Finn flashed a wicked smile in Georgie’s direction as he poured the drinks and handed them over. Connor pulled out his wallet but Finn shook his head. ‘That round’s on the house, because it’s your first visit and I’m hoping it won’t be the last. From the amount of interest you’ve attracted from the locals, I’m guessing takings will be up tonight.’
‘I aim to please.’ Connor echoed Finn’s words, picking up his beer and following Georgie as she headed to the table by the window that Madison had already nabbed.
Connor sat down as Georgie put the drink in front of Madison. He tried not to stare at the pink gloss Madison had applied to her lips, or the way her cheeks still glowed from the walk. ‘I’ll buy the next round,’ Madison promised. ‘I owe you for rescuing us today, Connor, and I’m not sure I thanked you properly.’
‘You only put me an hour behind.’ When Georgie tutted, Connor added, ‘Besides, Jaws appreciated the time out. Did Dee and Amy forgive you for almost drowning your guests, or have you booked your ticket off the island?’
Madison shook her head with a wry smile. ‘Would you believe Stanley and Sophia loved it – they said it was the most fun they’d had in ages. It was only Sophia’s boyfriend, David, who wasn’t impressed. Although he cheered up over dinner because Dee cooked roast lamb. Stanley wants to rename them “adventure walks”– he reckons people will enjoy the hint of adventure. Tomorrow he’s asked if I can just follow my nose.’
‘I can’t promise to be available to find you every time you run into trouble. Too much—’
‘Work. Brother, you’re so predictable,’ Georgie interrupted, shaking her head as Connor picked up his pint.
‘I’m thinking it might be sensible to have a secret plan,’ Madison admitted. ‘Perhaps I can get us lost a couple of times on the way to spice things up. I’ll try to keep rescue missions to a minimum.’ She paused. ‘Thank you for coming to our rescue today. If you hadn’t, we might have been swept out to sea.’
‘That’s okay.’ Connor took a sip from his pint so he didn’t have to say anything else. Madison’s intense brown eyes and the quiet intimacy of the conversation made him feel awkward and a little embarrassed – not to mention doing things to his body and mind he hadn’t felt in a long time. The music in the pub changed, growing louder, and Connor scanned the room. Somehow, despite living on the island his whole life, he’d never been here before. The place felt friendlier than he’d expected and it was very busy. A man Connor vaguely recognised cleared glasses from a table beside them. As he passed them, his face lit up.
‘Madison!’ He approached, juggling four pint glasses and three beer bottles between his thumbs. ‘It’s Tom.’ He nodded at Connor, his expression guarded. ‘I think we met on the dock when you picked up Madison.’
‘Tom! How’s the trip to Sunflower Island?’ Madison asked. ‘This is Georgie, Connor’s sister – she’s visiting too.’
Tom grinned. ‘Nice to meet you. Being here’s brilliant. I’m enjoying the wildlife and scenery, and the locals are friendly – I’ve picked up some work here in exchange for a room.’
‘Which you’ll be losing if you don’t get back to work,’ Finn joked, as he delivered drinks to a table beside them.
Tom laughed. ‘I’ll get back to it, boss. I’ll call you.’ He nodded to Madison. ‘Maybe we can go out?’
‘Sure,’ Madison said lightly.
Connor fought a wave of jealousy and sipped his pint again.
‘So, Madison, tell me more about the places you’ve travelled to. Connor’s kept you a secret for far too long,’ Georgie began.
Connor thumped his glass back onto the table, slopping some of the dark liquid over the sides, as annoyance and a dose of disappointment shot through his system. ‘You told her?’ he asked Madison, incredulous.
‘No… not exactly.’ Madison blushed, looking vulnerable. ‘Georgie asked and I didn’t want to lie.’
‘What’s the problem?’ Georgie looked back and forth between them.
‘I didn’t want her putting ideas into your head,’ Connor ground out, wishing he’d just picked his sister up himself instead of asking Madison.
‘My ideas are my own, whether you approve of them or not – and Madison’s not to blame for what I’m about to say either, so you can wipe that irritated expression off your face,’ Georgie snapped, before downing her Pink Flamingo in one. ‘Okay, so here goes. I’ve decided I’m definitely dropping out of university, Connor… I’m sorry, but I don’t want to move to Sunflower Island and I don’t think the building trade’s for me. I want to travel, and as you know I’ve a chance to leave now. I know it’s not what you want to hear and I don’t want to hurt you, but that’s it…’ She looked a lot less confident than her words had been.
‘You what?’ Connor processed what she’d said, trying hard to hold on to his temper. He didn’t know who to be most angry at now: Madison for indulging his sister’s whims, or Georgie for having them in the first place. ‘That’s not what we agreed – you said you’d wait.’ He tried to temper his angry tone but failed miserably. ‘You wanted to live here.’ He shook his head, fighting back the sinking feeling that he was always going to be alone in this. Alone in trying to turn the family business around, alone in proving how wrong his father had been. His whole life stretched out before him, the day-by-day grind, the loneliness of doing everything himself. And the money he’d spent on Georgie’s tuition fees, on living expenses – he could barely think about it.
‘It’s only, what, four more months until the end of term, Georgie?’ Madison started, her tone a little unsure. Connor wanted to tell her to stop talking, but for some reason he let her
continue, waiting to see what she’d say next. He rested his pint on the table and watched.
‘Yes,’ Georgie harrumphed. There was no other word for it but Connor could see his sister was about to embark on one of her legendary moods.
‘So what’s the hurry?’ Madison asked, surprising Connor so much he continued to stay quiet. He wasn’t used to anyone having his back. And he definitely hadn’t expected Madison to try to talk Georgie out of travelling. ‘Can’t you finish this year? Wait and join your friend in the summer?’
‘I don’t want to wait,’ Georgie whined. Connor could see the mood building. In a minute he knew his sister would probably storm out of the pub and head home. ‘The world is out there now for the taking, studying is boring and I’ve no idea what I want to do with my life.’
Madison shrugged. ‘You’ve years to find out. If you get this degree your options are open. Seems to me you might owe your brother something too.’
About six thousand pounds by all accounts, but Connor didn’t say anything. Instead he sipped his beer, wondering if Finn had slipped something into it and he was hallucinating that Madison was on his side. At the bar someone put on ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ from Mary Poppins, and a crowd of drunk young men began to sing along.
‘Oh, I love this song.’ Madison smiled as she watched them.
‘My friend is going soon,’ Georgie interrupted, sounding less confident.
‘So join him later.’ Madison leaned forwards so they could hear her above the singing. ‘The world will still be there, but the opportunities you have now won’t. I can only tell you about my own experiences. I’ve travelled to a million places, I’ve lived a million lives, but I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere. Imagine what you could do with a degree. What you could build. Giving up on things, dropping out, won’t help you find your place in the world.’
The Little Guesthouse of New Beginnings: A gorgeously feel-good and heart-warming romance to escape with Page 12