‘That’s why I love it.’ Madison giggled. ‘Relax, Connor. Once Dee’s special drink kicks in you might even sing along.’
Connor smiled, feeling lighter. Madison was doing it again, crawling under his skin, making him feel things he had no control over. Despite his better judgement, his reservations about Seth and what every sensible bone in his body screamed, he knew he couldn’t fight the feelings anymore – he was in very real danger of falling for her again.
Thirty-Four
‘I can’t believe I agreed to this,’ Connor muttered, as Jesse placed another dust sheet on the floor of the cafe. It was early, but people would be arriving in the next half hour ready to help with the painting. Connor had been out of bed for twenty-four hours but still felt weak. At least now he was well enough to work – thanks to Madison.
The cafe counter had been covered with old clothes, and on top was a mass of paint pots, brushes and aprons that Madison had found in Dee’s kitchen drawers.
‘We need help to finish up. We’re running out of time,’ Jesse explained, as the door upstairs slammed, and Madison and Amy walked down. Jaws bounded across the floor to greet them, his tail wagging frenetically.
‘I’m ready to help,’ Madison said, coming to join them. Connor had only seen her the day before, but his heart still leapt as she approached. He nodded at the counter.
‘Everything is out. I thought you could all start in the corner over there?’ He pointed to the left of the room, opposite the kitchen, where the bulk of the tables would sit beside the bar. ‘Jesse and Georgie have painted both bathrooms, half the kitchen, and prepped all the walls in the cafe. How many helpers are you expecting?’
‘I spoke to Julie and she’s drummed up at least six customers from Tips & Toes, so with us, probably eleven.’ Amy avoided looking at Jesse, who sat watching her.
‘When are they arriving?’ Connor asked.
‘Soon.’ Madison inspected the paint pots. ‘You chose yellow!’ She sounded delighted.
Connor looked embarrassed. ‘Seemed fitting as we’re on Sunflower Island. And since it’s dark down here I figured the colour needed to be bright.’ Plus, when he’d got to the builder’s yard this morning he hadn’t been able to bring himself to pick up the grey paint like he had for the bathroom and kitchen – instead he’d filled his basket with yellow. Was that more of the Madison effect?
‘Do you have any music?’ Madison’s eyes danced around the room as she walked the length of it, spinning suddenly in the middle so she could take in her surroundings. ‘It’s like a dance floor when it’s empty, isn’t it? We had a disco here once, didn’t we, Amy?’
Her friend laughed. ‘When your aunt closed it for a spring clean – I remember. Your uncle piled all the chairs and tables to one side and you made me meet you in the dark. I’m sure Dee knew what we were planning, because she left out loads of snacks.’
‘And torches.’ Madison chuckled.
‘I always had the best times with you.’ Amy sighed. Connor could imagine it, could see young Madison dancing in the darkness, swaying to the music and losing her head. What would he have been doing at the time? Working, studying, keeping things tidy and right – staying out of his father’s way while becoming just like him? Dammit, he wanted to kick the idiot he’d become. Thank God Madison had arrived to help him see the light.
‘There’s a speaker in the corner – I’m not sure if it works.’ Connor watched as Madison headed towards it.
‘It does,’ Jesse said, stirring paint in one of the pots and watching Amy with a thoughtful expression. ‘Georgie and I have been using it. It’ll work off your phone.’
‘I’ve got some tunes to get us in the mood for painting.’ Madison dug out her mobile. ‘I always work to music, don’t you?’
Charles Robertson had favoured classical when he’d been decorating. At a push, a punishing opera. Anything light or lively had been banned. Ever since he’d been working alone, Connor had preferred silence – until now he hadn’t realised how boring that was.
Madison put on a dance track and bobbed to the tune as she picked up a paintbrush. Seconds later she was swiping paint onto one of the walls, her strokes slow and careful despite the frenzied beat.
‘Hello.’ At the top of the stairs three pairs of feet came into view. Seconds later Stanley, Georgie and Sophia were in the cafe, looking around.
‘This is amazing.’ Sophia’s eyes shone as she stared up at the ceiling. ‘Amy told me what you were planning. I had a day off so I came to help. David’s working again.’ She screwed up her face. ‘It’s a shame. He’d get a real kick out of this renovation.’
Or would he be pricing it up in his head, Connor wondered, figuring out how to get his pound of flesh that much cheaper? Or trying to sabotage their efforts so they didn’t get the cafe open in time. Jeez – guilt gnawed in his chest. They needed to get the cafe open, to stop the sale in its tracks before Madison found out.
‘Are you hoping to paint the whole cafe this afternoon?’ Sophia asked.
‘Whatever we don’t do today we’ll finish tomorrow. You didn’t need to come.’ Madison put her paintbrush on the side and went to greet everyone, hugging them warmly. ‘But I’m glad you have.’
‘What’s the plan?’ Georgie asked Connor.
‘Can you do the edges? If you could work in teams – Madison, Amy and Stanley over there. Georgie, Jesse and Sophia in that corner. When everyone else arrives they can join you.’ Connor went into the kitchen so he could continue where he’d been painting before he got sick. He could hear the music pounding in the other room and found himself swaying in time, wondering what the hell had got into him. Maybe I’m still delirious. He picked up the paintbrush and began to paint. Five minutes later, someone prodded him in the back.
‘Reporting for duty, friend.’ Finn’s green eyes sparkled as he inspected Connor’s work. ‘I’ll tell you now, I’m only here because Madison asked. That and because I was promised at least one slice of Dee’s chocolate cake. Was the yellow a deliberate choice, or did someone see you coming?’
‘Madison likes yellow,’ Connor bit out.
‘So the wanderer’s struck again. I’m glad you changed your mind,’ Finn admitted. ‘Love happens to the best of us apparently.’
‘To you?’ Connor asked, ignoring Finn’s assumption and picking up a spare brush from the counter so he could hand it to him. If the man was in his space, he might as well do something useful. ‘There will be cake later, but only for those who paint,’ he ground out, turning back to the wall and dabbing more yellow onto it.
‘I was in love once. Not something I care to repeat.’ Finn sighed, shrugging off his jacket and heading to the opposite end of the cooker. ‘I’d advise you to steer clear of engaging your heart, but that look on your face tells me I might be too late.’
‘If you’re looking for conversation, perhaps you should go find Amy?’ Connor grumbled.
Finn laughed. ‘From the looks I got when I arrived, Jesse will stab my eyeballs out with a paintbrush if I go anywhere near her. Besides, Amy’s not interested in me – she’s head over heels with the boy-child. I wonder if he’ll ever grow up and figure out how to win her back.’ Finn handled the brush like an expert, finishing the edges around the cooker in no time.
‘And you know that how?’ Connor asked, intrigued. He’d never been able to read people, had no idea what they wanted unless they asked. It was a skill Madison had in spades.
‘The curse of the barman: I’ve seen it all before. Amy wants commitment. She needs a sign from Jesse that he’s going to put her above everything else. If he can’t do that, I’m not sure he’s worthy of her.’
Connor shook his head. ‘I’ll take your word for it.’ He looked up to find Finn watching him. ‘I hope you’re not about to share some of your sage advice with me.’
Finn smiled wickedly. ‘Since you’re making me paint, I figure you deserve it. Give Madison a chance – the girl’s a gem and you don’t deserve her, but
she seems to like you anyway. Let your hair down, allow someone in. Don’t become your father. I can see signs of life emerging. Don’t let all those years of living with a bastard win. Oh, and come to the pub again. I was right: takings were up when you came. Try a Tuesday, that’s always a slow night for me.’
Connor laughed, a quick short bark that surprised him. What was happening to him? ‘I’ll think about it.’ He shook his head and leaned forwards to paint again as the song in the other room changed, flipping over to a lively dance track he’d probably heard before but didn’t recognise. ‘But only if you finish painting at least one of these walls.’ Content, Connor continued to paint, surprised by the warm feelings these people were bringing out in him. So used to being alone, to keeping himself locked in, it was a revelation to be surrounded by a crowd. They were chatting, some dancing, transforming the dull brown walls into something colourful and bright. And Connor could see the place changing, see light emerging, as if somehow just having Madison down here had brought out the sun.
And if she could change a place like this, a dusty old cafe in need of an update, perhaps she would do the same for him?
Connor heard the sound of footsteps as more people arrived. He recognised Gillian from The Red Velvet Bakery and a couple of familiar faces from the builder’s yard. Beside them, surrounded by a team of women, Julie from Tips & Toes beamed at the group and picked up a paintbrush.
How did Madison do it? Bring so many people into her world, create connections like she’d known them forever? Madison greeted the new crowd as though they were family, handing out brushes and directing them into different corners of the room. And Connor held back because he didn’t know how to do anything else.
‘She’s quite something when she’s got the bit between her teeth, isn’t she?’ Finn said behind him. ‘I can understand why you’d fall for her.’
Before Connor could respond, the door slammed again and Dee lumbered down the stairs, holding a huge tray laden with plates of food. There were sandwiches and crisps, pies of various colours and sizes, carrot and chocolate cakes, a bowl of strawberries and another with sliced cucumber and tomatoes. ‘I brought the workers food.’ She grinned at the crowd. ‘And doesn’t it look busy in here? There are a couple of others who texted me earlier and said they’d be coming to help. I’ve got urns of tea and coffee, which I’ll bring down in a minute. This is amazing.’ Her eyebrows rose. ‘Really amazing – I never expected so many of you to turn up.’
‘We’ve got Madison to thank for it,’ Connor admitted. ‘I’ll help with the drinks.’ He followed Dee up the stairs, closing the door to the cafe behind them. ‘We need to tell Madison, Dee. I feel like a liar. I got a text from David this morning saying the plans to sell up are progressing.’
They picked their way along the leafy pathway around the main Hideaway building, heading into the side door that led to the kitchen. ‘I know.’ Dee shook her head. ‘But it’s only a fortnight until the Skylars are home – who knows what they’ll decide once they see how much progress we’ve made. I’m feeling bad myself, but perhaps things will change once they return? They adore that girl. Maybe Madison being here to stay might change their minds?’
Four large flasks sat on the kitchen counter, as well as cups and containers of milk and sugar. Dee placed them into a couple of large carrier bags and handed one to Connor. ‘Selling up was always a last resort. Jack didn’t want to do it but when Sandy got ill, he knew they wouldn’t have the energy to turn The Hideaway around. Now bookings are up and the place is thriving, maybe they’ll decide to hang on?’
‘And in the meantime we continue to lie?’ Connor muttered, knowing there was little choice.
‘I’d rather call it withholding the full picture,’ Dee said, stroking a hand through her bob, looking guilty. ‘Or doing what’s right. Besides, if we tell Madison now, how do you think she’ll react?’
‘Badly. I know I would.’ Sighing, Connor headed back to the basement with Dee. His only hope was that Madison would never find out.
* * *
‘Have you seen Amy?’ Jesse joined Connor in the kitchen two hours later and looked around the room, frowning when he realised they were alone. ‘She was in the cafe ten minutes ago and now she’s disappeared. So has Finn.’ Connor shook his head and for the first time, he saw fear in Jesse’s expression.
‘Amy’s not interested in Finn. If they left together, it’ll be a coincidence. I know he had to get back to the pub for a delivery,’ Connor explained.
Jesse blew out a long breath and picked up a brush, swiping it across one of the walls. ‘Every time I see Amy I get more confused. It’s like she’s looking at me, expecting something – and I don’t know what.’
Connor shrugged. ‘Mind-reading isn’t one of my superpowers, but Amy’s dropped enough hints about you not paying enough attention to her for even me to pick them up.’ Connor continued to paint as Jesse went quiet, wondering why he was getting involved. But somehow over the last few weeks he’d realised that holding back, not connecting with people, was a miserable way to live.
‘She has?’ Jesse looked confused. ‘I don’t understand… I know she loves Pink Flamingos, and her favourite colour’s green.’ He paused. ‘Because Madison told me.’ He grimaced before nodding. ‘I don’t know the date, but I remember we met on the first day it snowed, six years ago in December, just after I moved here. I know because when the snowflakes settled in her hair they glittered and she looked like an angel.’ He swallowed. ‘I’ve never told her that.’
‘Why?’ Connor asked, even though he already knew the answer.
‘I was afraid,’ Jessie admitted. ‘What if she thought I was stupid? Besides, she should know how I feel about her.’
‘I’ve known you years and I’m not sure I do,’ Connor said. ‘I know you love football, golf, hockey, rugby, and more recently, your car…’
Jesse paled. ‘None of that matters without Amy.’
‘Then I guess you need to show her that.’ Connor turned back to his painting, knowing, as he said the words, that Jesse had already left.
‘Are you alone?’ Georgie joined Connor ten minutes later, immediately picking up Jesse’s brush and dipping it into the paint. ‘This is fun. All those years of decorating with you – and Dad when he’d let me in the same room – and I can’t say I’ve ever enjoyed it. It’s been surprisingly refreshing working with Jesse. And everyone’s doing a good job in there, despite the noise. Mind you, Dad would have had a coronary seeing the place like that.’
Connor watched as Georgie dabbed the brush at the edge of one of the white kitchen cupboards. She was a natural – careful, precise. It was almost like she’d been born to it, which he supposed she had. The music changed and Connor heard laughter in the other room.
‘I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do next.’ Georgie spoke without looking at him. ‘I’ve been dithering… but spending time working with Jesse and Madison while you were sick, having fun at the quiz night last weekend, even being here today, it’s helped me make up my mind.’
‘You’re leaving.’ Connor kept his voice light and his face devoid of emotion. ‘Of course,’ he added, because wherever Georgie went, he didn’t want to lose her. ‘I understand we don’t have the same ambitions. I didn’t get it at first. You need to know you have my blessing whatever you decide, that there’s always a home for you here. I don’t want you to think I’m like Dad – expecting you to be like me.’ He swallowed, his heart beating faster as he tried hard to put his feelings into words, trying to think of the kinds of things Madison might say. ‘But I’ll love you, whatever you choose to do.’
‘Oh, Connor.’ Georgie’s face brightened and she dropped her brush into the paint pot before launching herself at him. ‘I didn’t think I’d ever hear you say that. The thing is…’ She hugged him tighter and Connor found himself wrapping his arms around his sister too. He’d miss her, miss the promise of having her working with him. But if being around Madison had ta
ught him anything, it was that he wasn’t his father, and he didn’t have the right to control someone else’s life. ‘I’ve told my course tutor I want to go back.’
‘Okay.’ Connor closed his eyes before opening them again. ‘Sorry, what?’
‘I’m leaving on the ferry this evening…’ Georgie paused. ‘I’m going to finish my degree.’
‘Okay… Sorry, I don’t understand. I thought you had your heart set on travelling?’
‘I don’t have my heart set on anything, Connor.’ Georgie smiled up at him. ‘That’s the problem. I’m looking for something, but I’ve no idea what. Travelling sounded exciting, but after being here for three weeks, I’m not so sure. Being on Sunflower Island can be amazing – Madison helped show me that. And you being sick meant I had a chance to work at my own pace, and I enjoyed it. If I leave I’m just running away. I need to keep my options open, at least until I figure out what I really want – like you and Madison have. Perhaps I’ll be back here in the end, working alongside you at Robertson & Grayson Builders.’ She laughed when Connor raised an eyebrow at the name change. ‘Or I’ll become a travel bum. Whatever happens, I’ve realised I’m not ready to decide – but running away isn’t going to solve anything. I do know I’m glad I have you as a brother.’
‘I’m glad to have you as a sister too.’ Connor pulled Georgie towards him so he could hug her again.
So Madison had struck again – exactly where Connor had least expected it, letting light in, changing his world – and suddenly, just like that, he knew it was already too late: there was no escape now. He’d fallen for her.
Thirty-Five
‘That’s another booking. Makes five over the last two days. We’re almost full for the next three weeks. Word is spreading, Madison. The man this morning asked specifically about your adventure walks. I’ve no idea how you’re going to keep getting everyone lost, but this is working. I can’t believe you made it happen.’ Amy walked around the breakfast bar in The Hideaway kitchen and gave Madison a big hug, before pulling up a bar stool. ‘If only you could fix my love life as easily.’
The Little Guesthouse of New Beginnings: A gorgeously feel-good and heart-warming romance to escape with Page 21