He hadn’t thought about it before, but she looked so intense waiting for him to answer that he chose his words carefully. ‘I know I’ve met you when I needed a reminder to take time to enjoy my surroundings rather than have my head in reports all day.’
She contemplated his words and nodded. ‘Good. I’m glad I’ve given something back to you.’
It wasn’t how he’d hope she’d remember him, but he liked her too much to chance offending her. If she saw him as a friend, then he would have to keep his attraction to her under wraps for the time-being. ‘I hope you won’t mind me calling on you when I come to Jersey?’ he asked. Maybe, he thought hopefully, he might have thought of a way to approach the problem of what to do about her concession in De Greys by then.
‘Why not?’ she said, smiling at him.
Chapter Five
Why not indeed, she thought as she helped her mother manoeuvre into her father’s Jaguar a few weeks later. Paige stepped into the back of the car. Her mother would be shocked if she knew how that lunch together and a romantic evening overlooking the moonlit bay had led to Paige daring to admit, if only to herself, that she was relieved her wedding had been called off.
Sebastian might not have even kissed her yet, but they’d spent an incredible couple of weeks in each other’s company and she couldn’t help missing him. An unforgettable holiday spent with a handsome stranger. Her very own Brief Encounter, almost. The thought made her feel deliciously mischievous.
She peeked at his last text on her phone. ‘Looking forward to seeing you soon.’ Paige stroked the inexpensive coral pendant Sebastian had insisted on buying her as a souvenir on the last day of their trip. She couldn’t wait to meet up with him. Sending the occasional text or email was one thing, but seeing him in the flesh after a few weeks apart was making her a little anxious. What if he didn’t feel the same way about her as she suspected she did about him?
‘I hope you’re not on your Blackberry,’ her mother moaned. ‘You’re always fiddling about with that thing.’
‘I was only checking if I had any messages, Mum,’ said Paige, quickly dropping it into her bag.
‘Do slow down, George,’ Marion shouted, her shrill voice slamming through Paige’s thoughts as her father swung his Jag round the narrow roads down to the restaurant at The Encore Hotel. ‘This is a twenty mile per hour speed limit along here.’
‘Not until the next bend it isn’t. Tell you what Marion, you worry about Paige’s phone and let me get us to our meal before they begin serving the next sitting.’ He squinted at Paige through the rear-view mirror. ‘What’s all that pinging noise? I hope you’re not sending messages to that chap your mother said you were carousing about with in Italy?’
‘I wasn’t carousing about with anyone, whatever that means,’ laughed Paige.
‘George, just concentrate on your driving and stop nagging. She’s a big girl, and more than capable of looking after herself. We’re going to be late if we’re not careful, and I’d like to try and get to the restaurant in one piece.’
‘You two are the reason we’re bloody late. What the hell do you women find to do anyhow?’
Paige wished she’d been able to meet up with Sebastian before she had to take her parents to the anniversary lunch she’d booked for them, but supposed he couldn’t help being stuck in meetings. That was what he was visiting Jersey for, after all.
‘I had, but Paige was dithering as usual.’ Her mother checked her lipstick in the mirror on the back of the sun visor.
‘Thanks, Mum.’ Paige leant forward between the two front seats. ‘Let’s not worry about being too late; it’s only the three of us anyway. Clem would have loved to join us, but it’s very expensive flying back from Brighton just for one lunch.’
‘Of course, it is,’ her father said, probably relieved he hadn’t been asked to pay for his younger daughter’s flights once again. ‘We’ll have a splendid lunch.’
‘Yes.’ Her mother reached her arm back between the front seats, patting Paige awkwardly on her knee. ‘It was very generous of you to arrange this surprise for us, darling.’
‘I’m happy to do it,’ Paige said.
‘After all,’ continued her mother. ‘It can’t be easy for you.’
‘Marion,’ the warning in her father’s tone was unmistakable.
Paige sighed. ‘It’s OK, I haven’t forgotten it’s Jeremy and Gretchen’s wedding today. I’m fine though, honestly, Mum. You mustn’t worry about me.’
‘They arranged everything bloody quickly, if you ask me.’
‘We didn’t, George.’
He ignored her. ‘Just think, it could be worse,’ her father added, pulling into a parking space and turning off the ignition.
‘I can’t see how,’ her mother groaned.
He got out of the car and walked round to open the front passenger door, stopping as Paige stepped out from the back seat. He took her by the shoulders. ‘It could have been you marrying that idiot.’
Paige gave an involuntary shiver at the reminder. She leant forward and kissed her father on his ruddy cheek. ‘Thanks.’
He hugged her. ‘Frankly, my darling, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve had a lucky escape.’
‘I can’t help agreeing with you,’ she admitted.
Sebastian still couldn’t believe that she had a shop in De Greys. Then again, he remembered, St Helier was a small town and didn’t have large shopping malls like the towns he was used to in England. The odds of this happening on an island where De Greys was one of only two larger stores housing small franchises were stacked against him. He should have been honest with her, but after the time they’d spent together in Sorrento, he wanted to figure out a way to make things right before she discovered exactly who he was. He couldn’t help worrying that the longer he took to tell her, the worse her reaction might be.
He turned the pages of the board information pack in front of him, unable to concentrate on what his accountant was saying. He was not going to lose this woman. He’d already fallen in love with her, and if she discovered he’d known about her predicament and not mentioned anything, he was almost certain she would never forgive him. He needed to think. And fast.
He realized the other board members were waiting for him to speak. He focused for a second. He then pointed out an anomaly he’d picked up the previous evening when giving the report a final once over. Distracted by this additional information, the other attendees of the meeting began talking at once, giving him the chance to think about Paige. Knowing she was nearby had been a continuous distraction, and he couldn’t wait for an opportunity to see her and discover whether he’d imagined their deep connection in Sorrento.
His phone vibrated. He picked it up from the table in front of him, hurriedly checking it. Paige. ‘Just arrived at The Encore.’
She was here. He waited for his financial director to finish speaking and pointedly checked his watch. ‘It’s 1 p.m. and the hotel staff are probably waiting to bring in the sandwiches, I suggest we take a short break for lunch.’
The others in the room nodded their agreement. ‘I’ll see you all back here in a few minutes. Linda, please give the hotel manager a call.’
‘Xav Wilson?’ she asked, picking up the phone.
‘Yes, that’s him. Let him know we’re ready for refreshments.’
He’d just left the room intending to speak to Paige in the bar, when he spotted her walking across the reception area towards the Ladies. Quickening his step, he soon reached her and tapped her on the shoulder. She swung round, looking as pleased to see him as he was to be with her again. ‘Seb.’
He relished the look of joy on her face it confirmed his hopes that she did have feelings for him. ‘Hello. Did your parents like their surprise anniversary lunch?’
She nodded. ‘Mum loves it here. She panicked about what she was going to wear, of course, but was thrilled that I’d booked for us to eat here today. How was your morning?’
‘This place is out of town,
so it’s perfect for private meetings. Sir Edmund was easily persuaded to come here. You look stunning, by the way.’
‘Thank you.’
She seemed a little shy. Paige went to say something else, but he’d waited far too long already to kiss her. Pulling her closer to him, he tilted his head down, but before their lips touched someone coughed behind him. ‘Yes. What is it?’ he asked trying to mask his frustration. ‘Ah, Xav,’ he said, when he spotted who had spoken. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.’
‘No, I’m sorry, Mr. Fielding,’ Xav said, looking awkward at interrupting their intimacy. ‘Luncheon has been served, and I’ve been asked to let you know that they’re waiting for your return.’
‘Thank you. Please tell them I’m on my way.’ When Xav had left and they were alone once again, he pulled an apologetic face. ‘I’m going to have to go.’
‘It can’t be helped,’ she said smiling up at him.
He stared at her making a mental note of every glorious detail. After the last few weeks, it was hard to believe she was finally in the same room as him. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t finished with these meetings yet, everything was delayed after a few hiccups this morning. I doubt I’ll be able to catch up with you before you leave here today now.’
‘Don’t worry,’ she said, her voice quiet. ‘I won’t get much of a chance to leave the table once my mum starts talking anyway.’
He couldn’t help smiling at her. Despite wanting more than anything to stay, he couldn’t delay the meeting any further. ‘I’ll give you a call later, if that’s OK? We can arrange something then.’
Was that disappointment on her face, or could it be his guilt making him question her feelings? He cursed his busy itinerary.
Having reapplied her lipstick, Paige hurried back to her table. At the end of the meal, she swallowed the last spoonful of crème brulée and leant back in her chair. ‘That was delicious.’
‘It was, darling. Thank you for treating us today, it was a generous gift and much appreciated.’ Her mother took a large sip of her Pinot Grigio. ‘George, stop mumbling to yourself.’
‘What?’
Her mother narrowed her eyes, giving Paige a pointed look. ‘Don’t you have something to say to your daughter?’
‘Yes, I do, as a matter of fact.’ He frowned. Paige wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he was about to say. ‘How do you know Sebastian Fielding?’ he asked, taking her by surprise. He wasn’t smiling, she noted.
‘How do you know I was talking to him?’ She tried to recollect what she and Sebastian had said to each other.
‘I passed the ladies a few moments ago and couldn’t believe it when I saw you both by the entrance. How long have you known him? In fact, why didn’t you tell me you knew him when I told you about the suspected takeover of De Greys?’
‘Sorry?’ Paige struggled to work out what he meant.
‘You appear to know him rather well.’
Paige had no idea what her father was talking about, but could see he expected an answer. ‘It’s fine, you’ve no need to be concerned. We met briefly in Sorrento.’ She thought for a moment. ‘I didn’t know you knew his name.’
‘He’s well known; Sir Edmund Blake’s right-hand man.’ He glanced around, as if to check no one was listening to what he was about to say. Then, leaning forward, he lowered his voice and added, ‘I’ve been chatting with a chum from my Chamber of Commerce days, and he’s certain they’re going to make a bid for your shop.’
‘My shop?’ Paige asked, incredulous that her father should think anyone would want such a tiny enterprise.
‘For pity’s sake, I don’t mean Heaven in Heels,’ he sighed. ‘He reckons they’re about to make a move to buy the company that owns De Greys.’
Paige let this piece of unwelcome information filter through to her brain, certain that Seb would have told her if he was going to do anything connected with her business. The implication that the man who had treated her so thoughtfully on holiday, who had almost kissed her earlier, could be arranging a takeover of not only her business, but the place where many of her friends worked, was too incomprehensible to process. How could he keep something like that from her? She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and took a few sips of water.
‘You seem bloody upset about someone you only just met.’ George narrowed his eyes.
‘I’m worried about my concession. Surely if they buy the store, then they’ll probably want to make changes,’ she said remembering Sebastian’s words about businesses being surplus to requirements. ‘I could never afford to find another place situated so well in the town as De Greys. Are you certain that they’re buying the place?’ Paige couldn’t believe this was happening, just when her life seemed to be getting back on track so perfectly.
‘Almost one hundred per cent. My informant has his fingers on the pulse in Jersey’s financial world, and bugger all gets past him. I doubt he’s wrong about this.’ He patted her hand. ‘Are you all right? I don’t think it’s anything too awful for you to concern yourself with, although that Fielding chap hasn’t earned his reputation by being soft-hearted.’
‘Sebastian Fielding,’ she whispered trying to take in her father’s unwelcome revelation.
‘Yes, one and the same. You want to watch yourself with him. They say he hasn’t got a conscience, and you’ve had enough to deal with recently without becoming involved with him.’ He studied her for a moment. ‘You look rather pale, maybe it’s time we made a move and went home.’ Without waiting for Paige to answer, he waved discreetly to her mother. ‘Marion, I think it’s time we left.’
‘No,’ argued Paige, desperate to hear more and not wanting them to leave early on her account. ‘This is my treat to you and Mum.’
‘And it’s a thoughtful one too, sweetheart, but you look tired. You’re always working so hard. It’s supposed to be your day off and I don’t want you overdoing things, especially with the uncertainty about your shop.’ He looked over at her mother. ‘Marion, come along.’
She took a deep breath and stood up to follow her parents down the pathway to their parked car. As she passed a window Paige was attracted by a movement. Glancing inside, she caught Sebastian’s attention. He nodded, but Paige turned away. How could he have spent so much time with her without telling her what he was about to do?
Paige hardly heard the conversation between her parents during the short journey down the back lanes towards Bonne Nuit Bay, where her cottage nestled among towering pine trees so common in Jersey. She replayed her conversations with Sebastian in her head. He would have said something if he’d known about Heaven in Heels being in De Greys? Wouldn’t he?
‘You sure you’re all right?’ her father asked, as she closed the rear car door behind her.
‘Positive. I’m just a little tired; it’s been a busy week at the shop.’ She gave him a reassuring smile. ‘Now you drive home carefully.’ She waved at them as they drove off, glad to be home again, and alone with her thoughts.
As soon as she closed her front door, Paige leant against it, finally able to allow her tears to flow. She wanted to curl up into a ball and, what? What did she want? She went to the kitchen and ripped off a square of kitchen towelling, blowing her nose. Sebastian, that’s what.
‘Sod him,’ she cried, running up to her room and discarding her restricting outfit before dragging on her most comfortable pair of tracksuit bottoms and a sweatshirt. Her life was one long disappointment after another. She thought Jeremy dumping her had been upsetting. She realised with a start that this was far more painful. She realized for the first time that what she'd felt for her ex hadn't been true love, and perhaps she had found something closer to it in Sorrento with Sebastian.
The Jersey Scene series box set Page 37