by Georgia Hill
‘Of course I have! And once they realised their appalling mistake, the kennels rang around everyone they knew.’ Nadia spread her hands wide. ‘It’s August. Everyone’s on holiday. Everywhere they tried was fully booked.’
‘It’s outrageous,’ Keith began.
‘Darling,’ Nadia warned. ‘Think of your blood pressure.’
‘But we’ve got to go in an hour. You know what security’s like nowadays, it takes forever to get through it.’
‘They’ve not been the same since the new owners took over. Basil and Jenny were so good.’ Nadia drank her coffee and then pulled a face. ‘Ugh. No sugar. I must have yours, Tash.’
They swapped mugs. ‘I’ll have to have him,’ Tash offered.
Nadia stared at her daughter. ‘But you can’t.’
‘Why not?’ She gave the dog a hug. ‘We’ll get on just fine. Don’t you trust me?’
‘Of course I trust you,’ her mother snapped. ‘But you work twenty-four hours a day.’
‘Mum, calm down. Think of your blood pressure. I’ll find a way to work round it. He can have a basket in the back of the office and stay in the car when I’m on a viewing.’
‘In this heat? He’ll suffocate! You’ll have to have all the windows open. And make sure he wears his doggie seatbelt.’
‘I can probably take him in with me to the clients I know well. But if I have to leave him in the car, I’ll make sure I park it in the shade and with the windows open, I promise. And put his seatbelt on.’
‘And what about Adrian?’ He father put in, meaningfully.
There was a tense pause. Adrian’s antipathy to Benji was legendary – but Tash had already decided. It was give and take in a relationship. She’d given in enough times over the last few weeks, Adrian would have to compromise on this. ‘Adrian will understand,’ she said. ‘And, after all, it’s only six weeks.’
‘Well, I suppose you could try a few kennels later in the month,’ Nadia conceded. ‘Things go quieter after the bank holiday. But make sure you ring me so I can approve. I’m not having my baby go anywhere I don’t know.’
‘I promise.’ Tash grinned. ‘Hadn’t you better think about getting organised? You don’t want to leave too late, you know what the traffic’s like at this time of year. Don’t worry, I’ll wash the mugs and lock up. And yes,’ she added, as her mother began to fuss. ‘I’ll pop in every couple of days to get the post and water the garden.’
Chapter 19
Adrian’s reaction to her arrival home with a dog and all the bits and pieces her mother had insisted Benji needed was predictable.
‘If you think I’m having that thing mess up my house,’ he blustered, ‘you’ve got another thing coming.’ He blocked her in the hall.
Tash knelt and put a protective hand on Benji’s back. ‘He’s perfectly house-trained, has just been clipped so he won’t shed that much, and I always thought it was our house, Adrian?’
‘The mortgage is in my name.’
‘Well, if that’s how you feel about it, I’ll just go and live at Mum and Dad’s for six weeks.’
‘No. No, don’t do that.’ Adrian subsided. ‘But honestly Natasha, what were you thinking? How can you look after a dog?’
‘I’ll just have to work around him.’ Tash looked down at Benji who was looking confused and scared at the loud voices. ‘It’ll be fine,’ she said confidently, trying to convince herself. ‘And look, Ade, if it’s really impossible, I’ll investigate kennels and dog-sitters.’
Adrian backed away and looked down at the little dog in disgust. ‘I suggest you do that. God, I hate dogs. Dirty, smelly, flea-ridden things.’
‘Don’t listen to a word, Benji. We both know if you had even one flea my mother would hang her head in shame. Come on, let’s put your basket in the utility, shall we?’
‘In the house?’ Adrian roared. ‘Hasn’t it got an outside kennel or something?’
‘If you force my mother’s dog to sleep outside you’ll have her to answer to,’ Tash answered serenely and sensed him shudder. He was always very careful around her mother. ‘I’ll take him out of your way later this afternoon, don’t worry.’ She put the basket in the corner by the radiator and tidied away Benji’s many toys and brushes in a cupboard. To do so she had to put all the washing powder boxes and conditioners on the counter top. ‘Well Adrian will have to live with the place looking untidy for a few weeks,’ she whispered to the dog. ‘Won’t he?’
Benji sniffed his basket suspiciously then waddled into it, turned around three times and settled down with a sigh of recognition. Tash’s heart melted. He’d looked so lost all morning. He was spoiled, stubborn and lazy but it wasn’t his fault he’d been made temporarily homeless. ‘We’ll go and see the Red Arrows later, shall we? That’ll be fun.’
Chapter 20
Adrian sulked all afternoon so Tash clipped on Benji’s lead, called out a cursory, ‘Off to walk the dog. See you later,’ and left without waiting for an answer.
She made her way down the steep lane to Berecombe seafront and followed the crowds to the beach. Benji trotted along happily as if glad to be doing something. As she neared Millie’s café, she heard her name being called.
‘Tash, we’re over here. We’ve got a good spot.’ It was Emma.
Tash eased her way along the congested promenade, to where Emma, along with her boyfriend Ollie, was sitting at a bench on the extended terrace in front of Millie’s bookshop. ‘Wow, the town’s rammed isn’t it?’ Tash squeezed herself onto the bench next to Emma. ‘Hi both.’
‘Hi Tash,’ Ollie replied, pushing his dark fringe off his eyes. ‘Red Arrows always bring in the crowds. Car parks full by eleven this morning, apparently.’
Emma rolled her eyes. ‘He likes to know boring things like that.’
Tash smiled and picked up Benji to put on her lap. Emma wasn’t always very nice to her boyfriend. Ollie was a saint to put up with it.
‘Won’t be boring when you’re complaining about having to walk back up the hill. You’ll be glad of a lift,’ he answered placidly.
‘Got you there, Em.’
‘Nah. I’m at my physical peak. Fun runners be afraid. Be very afraid. I’m going to win.’
‘Aren’t you supposed to be raising money for the RNLI?’ Ollie asked. ‘Thought that was the point.’
‘And I can aim for first place while I’m at it.’ Emma poked him in the ribs with an elbow and gave Benji some fuss.
Tash looked at her suspiciously. The girl was flushed and her eyes were over-bright. Maybe it was just relief at finishing work for the weekend. She and Emma took turns at manning the office on Saturday mornings. ‘Why can’t I sit on the bench on the other side of the table?’ she asked. ‘It’s a bit squashed with you two and the dog.’
‘Kit and Amy have gone to get drinks and some food, I hope. I’m starving. Busy morning in the office. I didn’t have time to eat. Phone never stopped and the grockles were in trying to buy their dream home by the sea.’
‘Oh.’ Tash felt herself blush. She wasn’t sure how to react to seeing Kit again. ‘Good that it was busy.’
‘Yeah, it was manic. To top it all, that Biddy came in. I gave her the draft details of the Morrisons’ bungalow. She seemed interested. Gave me some more of her brownies. It’s the only thing I’ve managed to eat all day.’ Emma craned her neck. ‘Oh good, here they are. Hope they’ve got some of Millie’s sausage baguettes. They’re delish.’
Ollie waggled his eyebrows at Tash. ‘In the peak of physical health and eating sausage baguettes.’
Kit stepped over the bench and straddled it. ‘Great buzz in town and I love that café. I’ve got the coffees and Millie’s special cherry and almond cake and Amy’s got the sandwiches.’ He put the pink tin tray with the flowery mugs down on the table. ‘Will that do you, Emma?’ He clocked Tash. ‘Oh, didn’t see you there. Hi Tash.’ He began to stand up. ‘I’ll go back and get you something, shall I? What do you fancy?’
Tash looked up at
him mutely. ‘You,’ she wanted to say. Instead she smiled. ‘I’m sure there’ll be more than enough.’
Amy perched next to him. ‘Think there’s enough to feed half of Berecombe here. Millie’s portions are huge.’ She began to dole out sandwiches. ‘Only one sausage baguette left so that’s yours Emma. I’ve got tuna mayo. Hand-carved ham and mustard, Ollie and Kit? You can share my tuna if you like, Tash. I won’t eat all of it.’
Amy would be able to eat the entire picnic, Tash was sure. But like a lot of chubby women, she was too self-conscious to eat too much in public. Tash knew the signs. She’d been like it once. ‘That’s really kind, Amy, thank you. It’s great this, isn’t it? I love the Red Arrows.’
Emma looked at her through narrowed eyes. ‘You’re in an unusually good mood. And why have you got Benji?’
Tash tightened her hold on the dog as he got a sniff of ham and sausage and wriggled. ‘Parents flew out to Portugal this morning and the kennels cocked up. He’s staying with me for the duration.’
‘And how does Adrian feel about that?’ Emma’s eyes went huge. ‘He hates dogs. Won’t it mess up his perfect shag-pile?’
‘Adrian’s fine with it all,’ Tash lied. ‘And we don’t have shag-pile, as well you know,’ she said stiffly. She felt Kit’s eyes on her and her face heated. ‘Let’s dig in, shall we? I’m hungry too.’ She accepted the half a sandwich Amy offered. ‘Bookshop not open today?’
‘Millie’s given me a couple of hours off.’ Amy blushed. ‘Patrick’s covering. He’ll do a lot better than me. Knows much more about books.’
‘I’m sure that’s not true.’
‘I’ll go back in once it’s over. The Red Arrows bring a lot of people into town and I’ve done a display of books about them and stuff,’ Amy added eagerly.
Tash warmed to her. She’d thought the girl was a bit of a milksop when she first met her but she came alive at the mention of books. ‘I’m sure that will go down well.’
The cheers from the crowds on the beach told them something was beginning to happen and a roar of planes swooping in low over the cliffs behind them, followed by trails of coloured smoke, told them the Red Arrows had arrived.
Chapter 21
Kit accompanied Tash and Benji back along the prom. The crowds were gradually dispersing but there was still a buzz about the place. Cars inched along the road, heading out of town, windows down, music blaring.
‘I love it when it’s like this,’ Tash said. ‘All happy faces and suntan lotion, buckets and spades and sandy feet on the prom.’
Kit scuffed his feet through a puddle of sand on the hot concrete. ‘Certainly half the beach along here. Have you always lived in Berecombe?’
‘Yes. Berecombe born and bred. I couldn’t ever imagine living away from the sea.’
He followed her gaze to the sea, a vividly deep blue, glistening in the hot sunshine. ‘I take your point.’
‘What about you?’ Tash steered Benji past a yappy dachshund. He was getting tired after his long walk, and grumpy.
‘Oh, lived all over the place. Grew up in Bristol, trained in London, ended up here.’
Tash looked up at him. He wasn’t giving much away. ‘And no girlfriends or wives lurking in any of those places?’ She bit her lip, horrified that the question had slipped out.
‘I was married once. Briefly. A long time ago.’ He flashed a grin at Tash. ‘All ended amicably I’m happy to say and she’s now living in the States with her new husband.’ He laughed. ‘And much happier.’
‘What happened?’ Benji dragged her to a bin where he sniffed with interest. Tash leaned against the railings separating the prom from the beach below, letting the dog explore. She lifted her face to the sun, drinking it in. It really had been the most glorious summer. Then she realised what she’d asked. ‘I’m so sorry. That was nosy.’
Kit joined her, his shoulder resting companionably against hers. ‘It’s not rude at all. Just curious. We met when we were dental students. Rushed into something too young too soon. I think Melanie was fully-formed at twenty-two but I most certainly wasn’t. She’s still a friend and having a lovely life with another dentist. Howard is a great bloke.’
‘You’re very calm about life, aren’t you?’ Tash wasn’t sure how she felt about Kit having an ex-wife somewhere. She knew she had no right to be jealous but she was. Great swooping waves of jealousy filled her. She stamped down on them. ‘You’re very—’ she searched for the right word ‘—zen, aren’t you?’
Kit laughed. ‘Am I? I suppose I am. Takes a lot to get me riled.’
Tash turned and leaned her elbows on the railings behind her. She held her hair out of her eyes and looked at him. ‘Tell me then, Kit Oakley, what gets you riled?’
He scuffed his feet again, maybe embarrassed. ‘Oh, I don’t know. Injustice, cruelty, unfairness. That sort of thing.’ He looked up and locked gaze. ‘I hate to see animals mistreated. And I hate to see people unhappy.’ Reaching out a hand, he put it on her arm. ‘I hate to see you unhappy, Tash.’
‘What makes you think I’m unhappy?’ It came out as a strangled whisper. His touch was hot on her bare skin. She longed to tell him everything. Ached for the comfort of his strong hold. For the feel of his body on hers. He was very close. She was mesmerised by his mouth and the urgent need to kiss it. The crowds melted away. There was only her and Kit and the hot sun drilling down. The moment crystallised. She reached forward and gave in to impulse. His lips were firm and warm and welcoming and she wanted to drink him in.
She leaped back, appalled at what she’d allowed herself to do.
Scrubbing a hand across her mouth, she shook her head in a desperate attempt to clear it. ‘I’ve got nothing to be unhappy about,’ she said through clenched teeth. ‘I’ve got everything I’ve always wanted. A gorgeous house, a good job, a great boyfriend.’
Kit stared at her intently. ‘Who are you trying to convince, Tash?’ he said. ‘Me or yourself?’ He took his hand away and Tash shivered, despite the hot sun. ‘You put on a front. All brittleness and confidence,’ he went on in a hoarse voice. ‘You keep telling us how great your life is but you’re far too thin and you’ve got shadows under your eyes. You look haunted, Tash. You look like you’re being eaten alive.’ He ignored her gasp of horror. ‘You know, you can always come to me if you need to.’
‘How dare you!’ Tash spluttered. ‘What right have you to say that?’ She pulled herself up. ‘You hardly know me.’ She turned to go but Kit put out a hand to stop her.
‘You’re right, I hardly know you but I see what I see. You look like you could do with a friend, Natasha Taylor the estate agent. And when you do, I’ll be there.’
Tash wrenched her arm away. How could she have kissed him? And now he felt he had the right to say these horrible things to her. She’d let him get too close. He’d seen too much and she hated it. ‘I’ve got friends,’ she spat. ‘Plenty of them. I’ve got a boyfriend waiting for me. I don’t need you. I’ll never need you because, Kit, unlike you with your donkeys for company, I’ve got the perfect life.’ A shudder rippled through her. ‘And now, if you’d let me, I’d quite like to get back to it.’ She stomped off, bumping into a family with a Labrador on the way. The dogs’ leads got entangled for a moment, thoroughly spoiling her attempt at a dramatic exit. When she’d freed Benji she looked back to where Kit stood. He’d gone.
Chapter 22
‘Where have you been?’ An ashen-faced Adrian met her at the door. He ran a hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up on end. ‘I’ve been worried sick.’
‘I took Benji out for a walk. Didn’t you hear me? I shouted where I was going.’
‘I didn’t hear anything, Natasha. I had my music on. You’ve been gone for hours, darling.’ He followed her as she took an exhausted Benji through to the utility room and gave him some water. ‘I tried your mobile but you had it switched off. Natasha, I insist you stop fussing over that dog and talk to me!’
‘I told you where I was going, Ad
e. I didn’t hear any music playing when I left.’ Tash blew her fringe off her hot face. She was in no mood to deal with Adrian.
‘Well, of course not.’ Adrian huffed irritably. ‘I had headphones on.’
‘Not much I could have done to make you hear, then.’
‘You could have come into the study. I was really worried, Natasha.’
Tash felt the burn of Kit’s kiss on her lips. ‘Yes, I could have done. Sorry.’ She was exhausted. Still smarting from Kit’s words, she didn’t want an argument with another man and hadn’t the energy for a mental dance around Adrian’s moods. A pang of guilt shot through her. ‘Look on the bright side, I’ve walked Benji further than he’s been in years so he’ll sleep like a baby tonight.’ She took his arm and led him through to the kitchen. ‘How about we make do with a pizza tonight? I’ll make a nice salad and we can open a bottle of Rioja. Have a lazy night in front of the TV.’
Adrian smiled, mollified. ‘That sounds good.’ He took her by the arms. ‘I’m sorry I get so het up. It’s just that I love you so much. I worry about you.’ He wrapped her in his arms. ‘I want to know where you are every minute of the day. Every second. Every millisecond.’
‘I don’t know what you think might happen to me in Berecombe, Ade.’ She tensed for his reaction then, to her relief, felt a ripple of a laugh go through him.
‘I know. I’m a silly old man.’ He kissed her. ‘Did you see the Red Arrows go over? Did they frighten the dog?’
Tash disentangled herself. She hunted in the dresser for a couple of glasses, hiding her burning face behind the cupboard door. Guilt gnawed at her insides. Why couldn’t she just tell him the truth? That she’d bumped into friends and watched the display with them. And then had launched herself at one of them and kissed him. She screwed up her eyes. ‘Yes, I had a good view of the planes. They were fantastic as usual. Be an angel and fetch a bottle of wine from the garage, will you? I forgot to get a new one out.’