Paige didn’t like leaving her sister in this frame of mind, especially as she still had no idea what was wrong. She had no choice though. She needed to sort out her designs for the forthcoming season. ‘I’ll see you on Saturday morning. Try to behave while I’m away.’
‘Yes,’ Clem said, giving her a hug. ‘I have the keys right here and memorized the security codes. I know what I’m doing. Now bugger off.’
Chapter Thirteen
Paige couldn’t believe it was already early June and the last night of her trip. Her feet ached from walking around the large warehouses where she’d been taken to inspect the leather her supplier was proposing to use in her next designs. She turned on her mobile to check for any messages from Olly. She had phoned Clem each day and been relieved to hear that as far as they were concerned, the shop was selling everything at a speedy rate.
‘I think it has something to do with the ghoulishness in the customers.’ Clem told her. ‘Every last one of them asks about the fire and is trying to find out any gossip about what happened.’
‘I don’t mind what reason they have for coming in to the shop,’ Paige said. ‘As long as they buy something while they’re there.’
‘Just you make sure we have enough stock,’ Clem laughed. ‘We’re starting to run a bit low, and there isn’t too much left in the storeroom to bring out to replace everything I’m selling.’
Paige was sure her supplier would send her order on time. He always did, she thought with relief as she swiped the tip of her finger across the screen to open her phone and retrieve her messages. The first was from Sebastian.
‘Dinner? Will collect you, Sat @ 8. Seb.’
Paige’s heart immediately thumped a little faster. Then thinking how confident he must be that she would accept his invitation, she couldn’t help feeling a little annoyed. She sat and thought for a moment. She was going to have to get used to having him around at De Greys, so maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to go out with him and at least talk? She pressed her keypad, ‘OK, where?’ she typed.
Her phone bleeped almost immediately, making her jump. ‘Wherever u like.’
Paige had no idea where to suggest. ‘Will leave it up 2 u. C u Sat. P.’
‘Saturday it is.’
Paige pushed her reservations about Seb to the back of her mind. She was determined to enjoy herself, justifying their meal out together by telling herself that if nothing else, maybe one prospective client might approach her to ask where she had bought her footwear. Paige pushed the thought that she was kidding herself out of her mind, as soon as it popped in there.
‘It’s been great,’ Clem assured her. Paige noticed as Clem placed her case behind the counter that her sister was still wearing her green boots with aplomb.
‘I’ve bought your perfume,’ Paige said, handing her sister a box of Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir.
‘Thanks, Sis.’ Clem took the black-edged box from Paige, gave her a hug, and put it into her bag.
Paige took out the small brown envelope holding her sister’s wages for the week and handed it to her. ‘Clem, this is also for you. Why don’t you pack up and go home? I’ll stay here and close up the shop.’
‘I will, but only if you’re sure. Aren’t you shattered after your flights home?’
‘Not really. I’m used to travelling. I won’t be long,’ she said, looking forward to spending a little time in her shop.
‘Great thanks. I don’t need telling twice.’ Clem pulled on her jacket. ‘It’s been exhausting this week. I don’t know how you keep this up month in and month out.’
‘Necessity.’ Paige said, smiling as she took her place behind the counter and began clicking the mouse to start working through her sales list.
Satisfied with her checks, she locked up the shop, but could not shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
‘Olly,’ she murmured. Always impatient to fill her in on any gossip she may have missed, he never failed to contact her as soon as she returned from a trip. She sent him a message asking him to come and see her. Five minutes later, and she still had not heard from him.
Paige decided to make her way home without him. He always let her know if he wanted a lift anyway, so maybe he was simply staying away from the shop to avoid Clem. Despite her best intentions, she knew it was completely out of character for him. She pushed her worries about Olly to the back of her mind, although it would be comforting to have a quick chat with him before going out and know he was OK. Olly must have his reasons for keeping away. She checked her watch and gasped. She needed to start getting ready for her date with Sebastian.
Not knowing where he was taking her was a bit of a clothes problem. What should she wear? She didn’t want to put on jeans, and appear as if she hadn’t bothered, or a dress and look like she had taken this offer of dinner too seriously.
‘Bugger,’ she grumbled, throwing down a red cotton dress. ‘Why can’t I ever find anything decent to wear?’
Paige ran a bath. Now, that should calm me down, she thought, watching mandarin and basil fragranced bubbles cover the surface of the water. Pinning up her dark hair, she stepped in and lay back.
‘You look lovely,’ said Sebastian as he watched her open her front door.
‘Thank you.’ Paige said, glad she had decided to wear a pair of tailored navy trousers and a red silk top she had originally bought to wear on her honeymoon. She stepped outside, locking the door behind her. ‘So, where have you decided to take me?’
‘I’ve booked a table at the Pink Pots, unless you’d rather try somewhere else?’
‘No, I like the sound of the Pink Pots,’ Paige said, as he sat down next to her and started the engine. ‘I’ve not been there before, but I’ve heard wonderful things about the food and the atmosphere.’
‘It’s run by a friend of mine. Well, she’s more of a business partner. She’s spent years running restaurants for other people and decided to make a go of her own place. I’m sure she’ll do well. She deserves to.’
‘I think it’s good when friends can support each other’s ventures,’ she said.
He couldn’t mistake that jibe and didn’t blame her for it. ‘Have you ever thought of branching out and leasing an entire shop, rather than limit your sales to an area in a department store?’ He slowed down to let another car pass by in the narrow lane, glancing at her as he waited for her to answer.
Paige looked confused. ‘I’d love to, but I still need to build up some collateral first.’
‘They’re your own designs, aren’t they?’
‘They are,’ she said, looking flattered that he would know this about her. ‘I’ve been commissioning Spanish contacts to make my drawings into the shoes and boots I’ve been selling for the past two years, but I still can’t help feeling a bit of a fraud, as if I’m only impersonating a designer.’
‘You’re no fraud, Paige,’ he said, admiring her honesty. ‘I’m not a connoisseur of women’s shoes, but they look great to me. You appear to do a roaring trade, so they must be what the customers are after.’
‘Thank you. They’re beginning to sell well. You’re right, I’d love my own shop someday, but it’ll have to wait a bit longer, especially now I’ve had this set back.’
‘It doesn’t have to be a negative change, you know.’
‘I agree, but I wouldn’t be able to afford a larger shop than the space I’m renting now.’ She relaxed further into her seat and looked away from him out of the side window.
She obviously didn’t intend to continue discussing the possibility of her moving from De Greys. Maybe now wasn’t the time to push the subject. After all, he mused, it wasn’t as if he’d decided if she would have to move yet. Maybe he’d be able to find a way for Heaven in Heels to stay in the store, and then all this anxiety on both sides would have been for nothing.
He took her hand in his. ‘Paige,’ he said, wanting things to be better between them.
‘No, Sebastian.’ She pulled away. ‘Don’t say anything
. We both know we can’t carry on like we did in Italy.’ She glanced back at him the sadness in her green eyes unmistakeable.
‘I don’t see why it has to be like this,’ he said keeping his voice level, even though he wanted to shout at her in frustration ‘And I’m sorry you feel so adamant.’
‘I believe you’re a good man at heart,’ she said. ‘And maybe, if our circumstances had been different, we could have been able to carry on seeing each other.’
‘Be a couple?’ He sighed heavily at the thought of never being with her again.
‘Yes, but I think that after tonight, it would be best if we had a clean break from each other. It’s probably the best way forward for both of us.’
‘Maybe that’s the case for you, but I don’t happen to agree.’ He tried to hide his frustration.
‘Can you think of another way to resolve our differences then?’
Sebastian pulled into the restaurant car park next to the beach, bringing the car to a halt. ‘It’s not in my nature to give up on something I believe in,’ he said to her as he turned off the ignition and unclasped his seat belt. ‘I will find a way to make this work for us both.’
Paige waited for him to open her door. ‘I can’t see how,’ she said as he took her hand and helped her outside. The smell of the hot sand in the warm summer air was soothing.
‘You’re here,’ shouted Sara. He could never get over how such a petite woman could have such a loud voice. ‘What do you think?’ she asked, her hands outstretched.
‘If you want me to comment on the doll-sized dress you’re barely wearing, I’m not going to.’ He laughed.
‘Spoilsport. You’re looking as dashing as ever.’ She gave Sebastian a peck on the cheek before holding out her hand towards Paige. ‘Hi, I’m Sara. I hope you’ll have a wonderful evening at The Pink Pots, even though you’re with this reprobate.’
‘I’m sure we will,’ Paige said.
Sebastian leaned his head closer to Paige. ‘She’s joking,’ he whispered.
‘I’m not.’ Sara winked at Paige. ‘I’ve reserved our best table for you.’
‘I expect nothing less.’ Seb placed a hand on Paige’s back, ushering her through a granite archway.
‘This is amazing,’ Paige said, staring at the driftwood framed paintings and windowsills topped with oddly shaped shells, as they walked past. ‘Are they yours?’
‘Some of them are. All the furniture, flooring and decorations are made from reclaimed wood,’ Sara explained, showing them through the busy room to a window side table, close to a roaring fire. ‘We have so many young artists living over here and I like to support them, as I’ve been supported.’ She smiled at Sebastian. ‘Thank you, again.’
‘Stop it.’ He wished she didn’t feel the need to be so grateful all the time. ‘You know I wouldn’t back you if I didn’t think you’d be successful.’
‘He’s not lying either.’ Sara widened her eyes at Paige.
‘I can believe that,’ she said, sitting down opposite him.
Sara handed them each a menu and walked away. ‘It’s wonderful here, don’t you think?’ Sebastian asked, determined to warm the atmosphere between them both.
Paige nodded. She seemed entranced by the orange and golden sunset lighting up the entire bay through the picture window next to her. ‘I love it when those rocks are lit up by the moon.’
‘I thought you’d enjoy this view.’ Seb agreed. ‘I’m so often too busy to notice the natural beauty we have around us in Jersey.’
Sara reappeared before Paige replied, and placed two champagne glasses on the table in front of her guests and an ice bucket perched on steel legs next to Seb.
‘We didn’t order this,’ he said glancing at the chilled bottle of Laurent Perrier Rosé.
‘No, I know, but it’s your first visit here, and without you, I wouldn’t be doing what I love most,’ Sara insisted, opening the bottle with expertise. ‘It’s the least I can do.’
‘Sara, really, it’s not necessary,’ he said, patting one of Sara’s hands.
‘Yes, it is.’ She stared at him for a moment. He wished she didn’t feel quite so grateful towards him all the time.
He noticed Paige tense. Sara must have too, because a moment later, Sara smiled at him. ‘Hey, don’t think you’ll be getting this treatment every time you deign to visit The Pink Pots.’ She tilted her head to one side. ‘It is great seeing you here though.’ She paused for a second or two. ‘Any ideas what you two fancy eating tonight?’
He could see Paige staring thoughtfully at Sara and didn’t want her to get the wrong idea about their relationship. Sara had once made a drunken pass at him, but they’d laughed it off the following day and managed to remain close. Paige seemed to be sizing her up.
As soon as Sara had taken their order and left them alone, Sebastian poured them both a glass of champagne. ‘It’s not quite the same ambiance as in Positano, but pleasant nonetheless.’
Paige picked up her glass. ‘To success,’ she said before taking a drink.
Sebastian watched her trying not to catch his eye. ‘To resolutions.’
Paige glanced up at him. ‘Resolutions?’
‘Whether you believe me or not, I’m going to find a way to resolve this matter, Paige. I’m not in the habit of letting problems get the better of me, and I don’t intend giving up on what we had in Italy as easily as you seem to think I will.’
Paige pulled a face; so he did feel a connection to her in Italy then? She was relieved not to have imagined it. ‘Not even when things have deteriorated as badly as they have between us?’
‘You’re here with me now, that’s a start.’ When she didn’t argue, Sebastian concentrated on keeping the conversation light throughout the rest of their meal. He asked her about her buying trip to Spain and told her about Harley, admitting how much he missed the dog every time he had to leave him behind at his home in London. ‘He always gives me such doleful glances whenever he spots my overnight bag,’ he said shaking his head at the thought.
‘Can’t you bring him over here?’ she asked resting her chin on her cupped hand.
Sebastian took a drink of his cappuccino. ‘I’d love to, but he needs to be where I’m the most settled and right now that’s London. I’m constantly flying back and forth, but over there he’s well taken care of by my housekeeper, Mrs Hutton. She adores him and takes him for his daily walk when I’m not there; feeds him, that sort of thing.’
‘Is he alone much?’ Paige frowned.
‘No, never. Mrs H has an apartment at the house where she stays when I’m away. The rest of the time she goes back to her cottage about a mile away. . I’ve asked her to move in permanently, but she shared her home with her husband for decades before he died, and although she’s happy to stay at my place, she says she’s not ready to sell up just yet.’
‘She sounds dedicated,’ Paige said, looking over his shoulder in the direction of Sara’s laughing voice.
‘She is.’ Sebastian smiled at the thought of his trusted housekeeper. ‘I wanted to bring you here to talk things through,’ he said. ‘But as soon as we arrived, I realised it was a bad choice.’
‘Why? The meal was excellent,’ she said, a little too quickly. ‘I’ve had an amazing evening.’
He shook his head. ‘Me too, but I only meant that I forgot it would be a little too cosy in here for us to be able to speak freely without someone listening.’
‘You don’t like discussing business in public, do you?’ Paige said interrupting his thoughts.
The Jersey Scene series box set Page 44