by Georgia Hill
‘The complete nut-job!’
‘Can’t disagree with you there, Em,’ Tash said.
‘Will you have to go to court?’
‘Maybe. I’m prepared to.’ Tash felt her voice waver and was glad of Kit’s solid, warm bulk next to her.’ She shook her head. ‘But I don’t want to spend any more time talking about that waste of space. It’s over.’ She grinned determinately at Jed. ‘Any more of that delicious champagne? What a brilliant idea to toast the race with it.’
‘I thought, as it’s the most glorious evening, it seemed the thing to do,’ he replied, with a charming smile and topped up her glass with the last of the bottle.
‘You not having any, Millie?’ Tash asked, seeing their host’s glass full of homemade lemonade. ‘Going back to work afterwards?’
Millie blushed. ‘I just fancied something long and cool as it’s such a warm evening. And no, Petra is working out brilliantly as the new manager. She’s amazingly efficient. I’ve given myself the night off. I never thought I’d like having someone else running Millie Vanilla’s but it’s actually great.’ She laughed and gave Jed a sidelong glance. ‘Maybe I’m getting lazy in my old age.’
Jed pulled his wife close and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Jeez, Mil, you’re the least lazy person I know. And now, with all you’ve got on, it’s about time you delegated.’
‘Amen to that,’ Tash sipped her champagne. ‘Listen up Millie. One thing I’ve learned over the last few weeks is to make time for the things and the people you really want.’ The group lapsed into silence, too tired from the run in the heat to make much attempt at conversation.
The sun had long since dipped into the sea, the collection buckets had been gathered in and the crowds had returned to enjoy another balmy evening on Berecombe seafront. Families drifted across in front of them, scattering giggling children who skidded along on the sandy concrete.
Tash took in a deep breath as she watched them. ‘It’s been quite a month.’ Then she changed the subject and added, ‘Does anyone know how much the fun run raised?’
‘In the region of three thousand, I think. Good result,’ Ollie supplied.
‘Trust you to know that.’ Emma grinned at him. ‘But hey, forget about the run, Tash, did you really knee Arsehole Adrian?’
‘Yup and I couldn’t care less. It’s finished. He’s so out of my life as to be falling off the edge. And, if he dares to come anywhere near me, I’ll just knee him again.’
‘Trust me,’ Kit put in. ‘I’ve seen Tash in action.’ He grinned. ‘You don’t want to get the wrong side of her.’
Emma pointed her champagne flute at him. ‘You’re telling me! Don’t forget, I’ve worked with her for the last four years.’ Realising her glass was empty she stared into it hopefully.
Jed took the hint. ‘I’ll go and get another one, shall I?’
‘And I’ll get that plate of canapés I made,’ Millie added and stood up. ‘Although I might spare you the brownies Biddy provided.’
The others looked at her questioningly.
‘Haven’t you heard? She’d only gone and put marijuana in them. Supposed to be good for arthritis, allegedly. Went down a storm at the WI until they realised. Arthur is furious with her.’
Emma roared. ‘No wonder I was so giggly when I ate the ones she dropped off at the office!’
Millie shook her head. ‘Nothing Biddy does surprises me. Says she got the weed from her younger sister. Apparently Angela is the black sheep of the family. I can’t even begin to imagine what that means. Emma and Ollie, can you give me a hand bringing the food out?’
Emma looked up in surprise. ‘Just how much food have you made, Millie?’
Ollie cleared his throat. ‘I don’t think that’s what Millie meant.’ He nodded meaningfully at Kit and Tash sitting close together.
‘Oh. Ah. I get it.’ Emma scrambled off the bench. ‘Yes, some food would be good. I love those mini filled Yorkshire puddings you make.’
‘Emma, I know it’s the beginning of September but it still feels like summer,’ Millie grinned. ‘I’ve done salmon and watercress tartlets.’
Emma followed them as they walked to the café. ‘Ace. Don’t see the problem with Yorkies in the summer though.’
Kit looked at Tash and smiled gently. ‘Hardly subtle.’
‘Hardly.’
‘You know what? I fancy a walk. Care to join me?’ He stood and held out a hand.
‘I’d love to,’ Tash answered, taking it.
Chapter 41
They walked to the end of the harbour wall, where it curled back round on itself until it faced the town. Tash left her hand in Kit’s, enjoying its warmth as it enclosed hers. She was so tired and dreamy from the champagne that she felt she was floating. Or maybe it was the beginnings of happiness? They found a dilapidated bench at the very far end of the harbour and sat down. As Kit leaned back, it creaked under his bulk.
In front of them, across the still dark sea, Berecombe’s lights twinkled against the velvety night. The only sound was that of the waves washing softly against the harbour wall. Few ventured this far along the harbour at night and, apart from an optimistic gull strutting amongst the crab pots, they had it to themselves.
Tash found Kit’s hand again and held it tightly. ‘It’s been quite a day.’
‘It’s been quite a month. And I still haven’t finished Wuthering Heights.’
Tash managed a laugh. ‘Neither have I. Poor Cathy and Heathcliff. Emily Brontë deserves to be read to the end.’
‘Think I’ll listen to the Kate Bush version. I’ve heard it summarises the salient points.’
‘Amy will never forgive us, but I might too.’ She blew out a breath. ‘Think I’ve had enough of brooding anti-heroes and blasted heaths. Funnily enough, I’ve really gone off domineering men.’
‘Hardly surprising.’
‘Kit, I really appreciate all you’ve done for me. Letting me stay at the farm. Turning up this morning.’
‘Haven’t done anything really. You looked like you were handling that bastard by yourself.’
‘But you were ready to leap in, weren’t you?’
‘Oh yes,’ Kit said in a grim voice, with an edge of violence to it. ‘I wanted to wring his scrawny, cowardly neck.’
Tash stared at his profile in the gloom. She could sense he was rigid with anger. ‘So this is Kit Oakley all riled up?’
Kit laced his fingers between hers. ‘Yup.’
‘You don’t say much, do you?’
‘Nope.’
‘Suits me.’
‘Tash, about me and you. About us, I mean. I know it’s way too soon but I just want you to know I care about you very much and, when the time is right for you, I’ll be there. I can wait. I’m patient. Actually, I’m not feeling very patient about this at all but I will wait until you feel you’re ready. I’m happy to go at your pace. That’s if you want anything to do with men ever again.’
Tash smiled. ‘So, I’m the woman with possibilities but complications?’
‘Of course you were. Are,’ he corrected himself. ‘Always have been. But I know another relationship is probably the last thing on your mind at the moment.’
‘I thought you didn’t say much?’
He turned and rested one arm along the back of the bench. ‘Always the exception that proves the rule.’ He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.
They sat for a while longer, enjoying the quiet. Enjoying being together.
‘I seem to spend a lot of time sitting on benches with you,’ Tash said. ‘In the dark.’ She heard the low rumble of his laughter.
‘Is that a good thing?’
‘I think so. I find you a very … um … calming presence.’
Kit laughed again. ‘Now that’s definitely not a good thing.’
Tash turned to him. ‘Don’t you want to be a calming influence on me?’
‘Not really.’ He put an arm along the back of her shoulders and pulled her close. ‘It’s not
really what I want at this precise second.’
Tash inched nearer. ‘Then what do you want?’
‘This.’ He kissed her. Slow, lingering and with so much underlying, humming passion, it left her aching for more.
‘That was good,’ Tash breathed.
‘Not too calming?’
‘Not calming at all. Just the opposite, I’d say.’
‘Not too much too soon?’
‘Possibly. But I’ll risk it. In fact, I’d very much like you to do it again.’
So he did.
Acknowledgements
Grateful thanks go to Tim at Archway Books in Axminster and lovely Bee and Chris at my favourite seaside bookshop, Serendip in Lyme Regis, for helping with information about running an independent bookshop. Lisa Hill - your insights into the life of an estate agent were much appreciated. Huge thanks to Joanna Quinn from the RNLI’s College in Poole for taking the time to fill me in with what it takes to be an RNLI volunteer. All mistakes are my own. It’s not been the easiest of years to write a book so I must thank everyone at HarperImpulse for their support and patience – and their continuing faith in me. And, as ever, thank you dear readers for buying and reading the books. I hope you love this latest slice of Berecombe cake as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Also in The Little Book Café series:
The Little Book Café, Emma’s Story
The Little Book Café, Amy’s Story
About the Author
Georgia Hill writes rom-coms and historical fiction and is published by HarperImpulse.
She divides her time between the beautiful counties of Herefordshire and Devon and lives with her two beloved spaniels, a husband (also beloved) and a ghost called Zoe. She loves Jane Austen, eats far too much Belgian chocolate and has a passion for Strictly Come Dancing.
@georgiawrites
www.facebook.com/georgiahillauthor
www.georgiahill.co.uk
About HarperImpulse
HarperImpulse is an innovative, award-winning digital imprint. In the four years since launch, we have continually hit digital bestseller lists, hosted the UK’s first online romance festival, published into over ten countries and grown an exciting stable of commercial women’s fiction authors.
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Writers, our vision is to publish the very best in digital-first commercial women’s fiction and we are simply looking for good stories! So, what are you waiting for? To submit, e-mail us at [email protected].
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