‘Not bad,’ she said, raising her eyebrows. ‘I wonder if Simon wants to share this with you.’ She gave a little chuckle.
‘Stop it! You’re such a tease.’ It was kind of Simon to do this, though. The camp bed was OK to sleep on, but this would be a lot comfier.
Val stood up. ‘Now show me this bathroom you keep harping on about.’
***
Harry pulled up outside his house, reversing his pickup onto the drive. He wanted to think of another excuse to meet Maddy at Wisteria Cottage, but thought it best to leave her be. If he crowded her, she’d push him away. He’d hung around there long enough, hoping she’d come home from the gallery earlier, so he could see her. What was he like? Maddy would think he was a stalker if he continued like this. He’d thought of lighting another bonfire, but the other night had put his nerves on edge. He’d forgotten what the smell of smoke did to him. He’d buried his fears, and in the end, it had been such a good night, sitting there toasting marshmallows and laughing with Maddy, it felt worth it.
Across the road, he could see a man dressed in jeans and a baggy grey T-shirt on Maddy’s driveway stroking Sookie’s head. She was weaving around his legs in her feed-me-human way.
‘Can I help you?’ Harry said as he crossed the road to join the man outside Maddy’s house. The man looked up at Harry. Knowing where her bread was truly buttered, Sookie trotted over to Harry, and he picked her up.
‘I’m looking for Maddy,’ the man said. He had a similar accent to Maddy, so Harry assumed he was from Bristol. Shorter than Harry, the man had dirty brown hair with a long fringe that he flicked across his face using an annoying movement of his head. He dropped a cigarette on the ground and stubbed it out with his trainer. ‘Do you know where I can find her?’
‘Are you a friend? What’s your name?’ Harry observed the scruffy man. He looked like he needed a bath, a shave and a good night’s sleep. The long drive from Bristol to Cornwall couldn’t have been that bad.
‘Yes … yes, I am.’
‘She’s had a house fire and has had to move out.’ And should be staying with me.
‘Do you know where she’s moved to?’
If this guy was a friend, wouldn’t Maddy have told him where she was staying?
‘Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?’ Harry said, still stroking Sookie’s head, who was getting restless in his arms. She wanted feeding.
The man looked at Harry, narrowing his eyes. ‘It’s Connor.’
Harry’s instincts confirmed, he replied, ‘Sorry, Connor, she didn’t say where she was staying, only asked me to look after Sookie. Next time she calls, I’ll tell her you dropped by. Okay?’
Connor shrugged, hanging his head. ‘Don’t bother, I’ll get hold of her.’
Harry watched Connor walk back off down Annadale Close. He’d parked his car further down, as if he’d not wanted Maddy to notice his car. Strange.
Inside his house, and after he’d fed an impatient Sookie, Harry dug out his phone and sent a text Maddy.
Hey, you’ve had a visitor. Connor. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell him where you’re staying.
***
Maddy sank deeper into her bath and sighed. She loved this roll-top bath. One day she’d own one just like this, she promised herself. Valerie was long gone, and Maddy had run a bath and was soaking in bubbles up to her chin. She always forgot to use less bubble bath in Cornwall. The softer water made the bubbles go further. Unfortunately, she couldn’t fully enjoy it and relax, though. She was churning over Harry’s earlier text. Why was Connor in Cornwall? Harry had confirmed he hadn’t told Connor where she was, but this didn’t mean he wouldn’t turn up at the gallery tomorrow. She toyed with the idea of texting Connor. Maybe she wouldn’t have to meet him then.
She chickened out. Refreshed from her bath, and feeling tired, the last thing she wanted to do was contact Connor. Sitting in the lounge, on one of the folding garden chairs Harry had left, Maddy sipped a glass of red wine and read her book. Well, tried to; she was fascinated watching the sun set over the ocean in a dramatic cloudy sky. She took plenty of photos with her phone to use for another painting.
The double bed proved more comfortable, but it didn’t aid her restless sleep.
The next day, Maddy’s heart was filled with a dread every time the bell over the door chimed in the gallery. She was on edge expecting Connor to enter, regretting not texting him the night before. It was a windy day, coming straight off the sea, so the door had to remain closed, otherwise they’d have propped it open and the bell wouldn’t have been ringing.
‘Don’t fret, I’ll be here too, if he does show his face,’ Valerie said, giving her a comforting rub on her back. Maddy wondered if it would be okay to open a bottle of wine to take the edge off her nerves. Living at Wisteria Cottage meant she didn’t need to drive anywhere that day. But it probably wouldn’t help her artistic productivity, so she thought better of it. Valerie supplied copious amounts of tea instead.
Maddy was out the back washing her brushes when the doorbell chimed again. Valerie had popped to the Spar; they’d run out of milk. All that tea.
‘Be with you in a minute,’ Maddy called as she shook out the brushes and then dried her hands.
‘Okay,’ a male voice called back. Maddy froze. She recognised the voice, but it wasn’t Harry’s. She realised she would truly welcome hearing Harry’s voice right now. Taking a deep breath, she entered the gallery, still holding the towel she’d been using to wipe her hands on. She relaxed a little seeing the guy standing there admiring a painting.
Not Connor — Simon.
‘Hey, what can I do for you?’ Maddy said, plastering on a smile. She still felt suspicious. Why was he here? Had something happened up at the cottage?
‘Thought I’d call in as I was passing.’ He walked towards her, smiling in the cheeky way he carried off so well. He was dressed in his work clothes, his black T-shirt and khaki shorts covered in dust. What flesh was revealed, was tanned golden. ‘How was the bed?’
‘Great, thanks. You didn’t need to do that,’ Maddy replied. She hadn’t seen Simon this morning to thank him as he hadn’t arrived early like the other builders.
‘Someone was giving it away. It was their spare bed, and they don’t need it anymore,’ Simon said, casually stuffing his hands into his pockets. ‘Hey, while I’m here, would you fancy that drink tonight?’
‘Tonight?’ Maddy paused. Think of an excuse. ‘Oh, I can’t do tonight … Valerie invited me to dinner,’ she said, as Valerie entered the gallery holding a two-pint poly bottle of milk.
‘Did I?’ Valerie said. Luckily, she quickly realised Maddy’s glare was a cry for help, although her response was hesitant and unconvincing. ‘Yes, I did. Sorry, I was forgetting what day it was. Yes, Maddy’s coming for dinner tonight.’ Valerie turned to Maddy. ‘But you don’t have to, dear. You know, I’ll understand if you get a better offer.’
‘No, I don’t want to muck you about. You said you’d made something special.’ Maddy glared at Valerie again. But their telepathic communication was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the doorbell chiming again — and Maddy’s discomfort reached a whole new level as Connor walked through the door. She couldn’t believe how scruffy he looked. Had he been sleeping rough in Cornwall?
‘Maddy, I need to talk to you—’
‘I have nothing to say to you. Get out. Go home, Connor.’
‘Please, Maddy, you’ve made a mistake.’
‘It’s over, Connor. I’m sorry.’ Maddy stepped back.
‘Look, mate,’ Simon stepped in front of Connor before he could come any closer, ‘Maddy doesn’t want to talk to you, so I suggest you make it easier on yourself and leave.’
Connor looked at Maddy pleadingly, but she shook her head. She had nothing to say to him. Her relationship with Connor was over. Anything she said would be going over old ground, scratching at old wounds. With a few more pleas, but Simon standing firm, Connor made hesitantly for the door.
Once Connor had left, Maddy let out her breath, realising she’d been holding it in. Her body was shaking, the adrenaline of confrontation and fear flowing through her. Valerie gave her a hug.
‘You all right?’ Simon asked, his hands on his hips and a worried frown on his face.
‘Yes, thanks, I’m fine.’
‘Who the hell was that?’
‘No one important,’ Maddy shook her head at Simon, ‘look, thanks for doing that.’ Maddy felt awful now for fobbing him off about the drink, but she still didn’t want to commit to anything. ‘Can we put the drink on hold? This time of year is really busy for me, I need to make this gallery work,’ or she would be returning to Bristol, or having to find a ‘proper’ job, ‘I need to put the hours in painting, I’m working late most evenings, so I just can’t commit to anything at the moment.’
‘Yes, sure, I understand, really I do. Let me know when you’re free, yeah?’ Simon smiled, and Maddy nodded, albeit hesitantly. ‘Better get back to the cottage, otherwise the boys will be wondering where I’ve been. Only popped down to grab more milk,’ he said, pointing to the milk Valerie was still holding. It sounded more like an excuse. As Simon left the gallery, Maddy watched which way he went, to see if he really was going to the Spar for milk. He turned right out of the gallery, which could mean he wasn’t lying. But then he’d need to turn right to walk up the footpath to the cottage anyway.
Oh, why was she caring about this, whether Simon wanted milk or not? Connor had turned up, and she was grateful he’d been there to shoo him off.
‘Why don’t you want to go for a drink with Simon?’ Valerie asked, wearing a puzzled expression. ‘He’s hardly unattractive … And he must be fairly well off if he runs his own business.’
Maddy rolled her eyes, and she laughed, glad to be distracted from the thought of Connor reappearing in her life. Would it sound odd if she said it felt like she’d be being disloyal to Harry?
‘He’s very charming, but I do get the impression he’s a bit of a ladies’ man.’
‘And Harry?’
Maddy shrugged. ‘What about Harry?’
‘You don’t think he’s a ladies’ man?’
‘I think Harry would be loyal and trustworthy. One woman would be enough for him. Simon, I’m not so sure about.’
‘You could just have a little bit of fun, and play him at his own game. He did provide a double bed.’
‘Val! Even if I did, it would always backfire on me.’ She’d fall for the guy, and he wouldn’t fall for her. Maddy grew attached too quickly. ‘Besides, I really am busy.’ And she already liked Harry too much.
Again, proof that she grew attached too quickly.
Chapter 18
The days flew by and the school summer holidays were only around the corner, so Maddy needed to make the most of this busy period. She needed the gallery stocked with artwork and affordable pieces. She had lived at Wisteria Cottage (as she liked to call it) over a week now and had managed to avoid Simon most evenings. He hadn’t suggested going for a drink again. Which suited Maddy, because working so hard in the gallery, she was returning late, eating late, and falling into her bed exhausted, after a long soak in the magnificent roll-top bath, with a good book. So she hadn’t really been lying on that score.
She also hadn’t heard from Connor again, much to her relief.
‘Another cuppa?’ Valerie said, waving a mug in front of Maddy, breaking her concentration and making her look up from the painting she was working on.
‘Oh, yes, go on then,’ Maddy said as her mobile started to ring. With a frantic rummage, she fetched it out of her bag and then frowned at the caller ID. ‘Hello, Harry.’ He never usually called Maddy, only texted her. He still kept in regular contact with her, even though she wasn’t staying at his place any more.
‘Hey, I’ve been into Padstow and bumped into the restaurant owner where we dropped your paintings off.’
‘Oh, right. Roy Trewyn?’
‘Yes, and he asked when we were going to visit his restaurant, so I’ve booked us a table for seven tonight.’Maddy glanced at her watch. It was half past four. Her I-don’t-like-to-be-late OCD’ wrangled with her nerves. ‘Is that too early for you?’
‘No, that’s fine.’
‘I thought I’d better call in case you stayed on late at the gallery, as it’s a Sunday. It is okay, isn’t it? Otherwise, I can cancel it.’ Harry sounded doubtful.
‘No, no, don’t cancel,’ Maddy said, trying to sound more positive. Dinner with Harry … in a restaurant … why did she feel nervous? ‘Valerie won’t mind locking up.’ Valerie appeared with Maddy’s cup of tea and raised an eyebrow upon hearing her name mentioned. She put the mug down on the small table beside Maddy’s easel but didn’t linger. She was good at not prying.
‘Great,’ Harry said. ‘Shall I collect you from Wisteria Cottage? We can catch the ferry over to Padstow from Rock.’
‘Yes, that would be great.’ Maddy hung up and then realised she had nothing at Wisteria Cottage to wear, all her dressier outfits were at home or at Harry’s. Did she have time to dash home?
‘So who was that?’ Valerie stood wearing a puzzled expression.
‘Harry. He’s booked us a table at Roy’s restaurant in Padstow.’
‘Has he now?’ Valerie seemed pleased with this information judging by the mischievous twinkle in her eye. She rubbed her hands together gleefully.
‘Don’t jump to conclusions. He bumped into Roy earlier this afternoon. He asked Harry when were we going to pay him a visit, and so Harry booked a table for tonight.’
‘So you’ve got a date with Harry? Finally!’ Valerie beamed. ‘Maybe Simon has helped give him the push he needed.’
‘Well, push or no push, I don’t have anything to wear at the cottage, so I need to go home first.’ Maddy would want to shower, straighten her hair – plus it might take her twenty minutes to decide what to wear. She had a date with Harry.
Date?
Well, whatever it was, friends dining out together, she wanted to look nice. Roy Trewyn’s restaurant wasn’t some chippy in Padstow where you could buy a pasty. It was fine dining, up there with the other restaurants that gave Padstow its name – only a tiny bit more affordable. She’d want to wear a dress – which would probably need ironing.
‘Why don’t you treat yourself to something new out of the boutique next door?’ Valerie said airily.
‘I don’t know …’
‘Maddy, you deserve a treat. Spend a little of what you got in commission from Roy as a reward.’
Admittedly, Maddy hadn’t bought anything new in ages.
‘You’re right, Val. Sorry, I’ve got no time for the tea then.’ Maddy threw her phone into her handbag then gathered up her paint brushes to clean. ‘I need to shop.’
‘Yes, for a date with Harry.’ Valerie sounded more excited than Maddy. She beamed from ear to ear.
Maddy shook her head, still busying herself with tidying away her paints. ‘No, not a date …’ The painting could stay on the easel for when she returned tomorrow. ‘It’s just dinner.’
‘Yeah, yeah, well, don’t worry about here. I can lock up. And Josie can stay on for an extra hour, can’t you?’ Josie, who was talking to a young couple about a painting, nodded. ‘And leave those,’ Valerie pointed to the paint brushes Maddy had dumped in the sink out back, ‘I’ll clean them.’
‘Thank you.’ Gathering everything she needed, Maddy gave Valerie a kiss on the cheek.
‘But don’t get too drunk, as you’re opening up tomorrow, remember?’ Valerie said. ‘I’ve got an optician’s appointment, it’s been booked for weeks … but I can always cancel—’
‘No need to cancel. I can open up.’ Maddy headed for the door. ‘And I’ll tell you about my evening tomorrow.’
‘Yes, I’ll want to know all the details.’
‘There won’t be any details. This is just Harry. I’m talking about the restaurant, the food.’
‘If you say so.�
� Valerie winked. ‘Have fun. Oh, and remember – wear matching underwear!’
***
It didn’t take Maddy long to choose a dress in the boutique. She’d been coveting one for a couple of weeks now. She even took Val’s advice and bought underwear too. And of course, she needed shoes. She had nothing at the cottage except day to day wear. Back at the cottage, she jumped into the shower, shaving legs, underarms, and giving her body and scalp a good scrub.
It’s not a date.
Maddy had the bedroom windows wide open to cool the bedroom down. No matter how cool the shower was, she’d still emerged feeling hot and flustered. She dried herself off and moisturised from top to toe. Her legs actually looked quite tanned – at least they weren’t as white as they were during the winter months. Achieving this look took time, using high SPF sun cream and cheating with some self-tanning lotion – Maddy didn’t go brown overnight, and could easily burn if not careful. But with some colour on her legs, she opted not to wear tights – too hot. Once the body lotion had been absorbed, she pulled the dress over her matching powder pink underwear. It didn’t matter that no one would see the matching underwear, it was a girl thing – it had to be done for a night out.
Harry would not be seeing her underwear.
Looking in the mirror in the bathroom, Maddy dried her hair, then straightened it, giving it a sleek style enhancing the subtle layers she had cut through it, and applied her make-up. With a quick spray of her perfume, she heard a knock at the front door. Was that the time already?
Maddy answered the door.
Wow! He really shouldn’t do that to her.
Harry looked the smartest she’d ever seen him, wearing a light blue shirt and a complementing tie that brought out the blue in his eyes, and stylish black trousers – which she just knew his bum would look fabulous in when he turned around. Do not check out his bum! He couldn’t look more handsome if he tried.
‘Wow.’ Harry said, his eyes widening.
Meet Me at Wisteria Cottage Page 16