by Hannah Ellis
“Who said you’re better than me?”
“Come on, then. Show me what you’ve got!”
He also had good form. After the first couple of balls he relaxed and forgot he had an audience. His swing was effortless. Elizabeth enjoyed watching him and completely forgot how hungry she was until they returned the clubs and ambled over to the restaurant.
The terrace of the restaurant had a fantastic view of the golf course to one side and the English Channel to the other. It was clearly a popular dining spot, as most of the tables were occupied. They were shown to a table and spent a few minutes inspecting the menu before ordering.
They clinked their glasses together when the drinks arrived and chatted easily. After watching Max at the driving range, Elizabeth announced she thought they were an evenly matched golfing pair. Her brain quickly flashed up an image of a relaxed day on the course with him. It was like watching an old-fashioned film reel, the images flicking quickly past. It was something that would never happen, of course. It was already Wednesday and she’d be back to real life soon.
“What’s wrong?” Max asked when the food arrived.
She smiled quickly. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
“You’re a terrible liar,” Max said. “Something’s bothering you.”
She shook her head. “Honestly, I’m fine.”
“You’re lying to me a lot today.”
“When have I lied to you?”
He popped a mouthful of lamb in his mouth and chewed slowly, watching her with amusement. Finally, he swallowed and said, “Crazy golf.”
She was about to protest, but instead her face creased with laughter. “Okay. That might have been a lie. But just a white lie!”
“You’ve never played crazy golf, have you?”
“No,” she said.
“I’ll probably never believe anything you tell me ever again.”
Elizabeth’s laughter fizzled out. She couldn’t help but think about the fact that she’d be home again soon and there’d be no more joking around with Max. Coming to Devon alone had caused her so much worry, and now she was worrying that time was going too fast. She shifted her focus to her food and tried not to think about it.
“Do you play often?” she asked a few minutes later, as they watched a couple of golfers strolling along the fairway in the distance.
“No,” he said. “I used to play with my dad, but he died a few years ago.”
“Sorry,” she said softly.
His eyes met hers and his warm smile returned. “Thanks. We were really close. And all my favourite memories of him seem to be from times at Hope Cove. I keep wishing Mum wasn’t selling the cottage.”
“It must be hard.” Again, she wondered why he didn’t buy the place himself. He hadn’t answered when she’d asked him before but somehow she didn’t feel she should probe him on the subject.
He sat up straighter. “Sorry. I’m not the most cheerful company, am I?”
“I don’t mind.” She was enjoying finding out more about him.
They bumped shoulders regularly as they ambled along the narrow path on the way home. Conversation was light and even silly. Elizabeth couldn’t remember laughing so much in ages. They stopped for ice cream at South Milton Sands. The beach was packed – no wonder, on such a beautiful day in the school holidays.
When they finally reached the little bay that Elizabeth had come to think of as theirs, the sun hung just above the horizon. The path wound down to the small beach and they had to watch their footing.
“The water looks fantastic,” Elizabeth said.
“It does,” Max said. “Fancy a dip?”
She gazed out at the tranquil water, sorely tempted.
“I’ll get my swimsuit,” she said.
Her phone rang five minutes later, as she was heading out of the back door in her bikini. It was Phil. His presentation would be over, and hopefully he’d be more relaxed. She reached for the phone, then hesitated. Quickly, she replaced the phone on the kitchen table, leaving it to ring, and went outside.
Chapter 18
Elizabeth shivered as she waded slowly into the water, eventually working up the courage to submerge herself. Her breath caught as the cold water enveloped her and she waited for her body to get used to it.
“It’s fine after a few minutes,” Max assured her. He dived under the water, and she followed as he swam further out. “Definitely good for your poor aching muscles,” he said when he reappeared. “I can’t believe you talked me into painting the windows.”
“It wasn’t me! It was all Conor’s idea.”
“You backed him up!”
“It was fun.” She swam around him. “You enjoyed it too. Admit it.”
He stood up in the water. They’d swum out a fair distance, but the water was still only up to his chest. “Okay. It was fun. I’m glad you helped.”
Her heart rate increased when he looked at her. His eyes were so blue, it was hard not to stare at them. “Are the sunsets here always this stunning?” she asked, changing the subject. As she stood on the seabed, her left foot landed on a jagged shell and she hopped for a moment until Max reached out to steady her. She held on to him while she reached to brush the shell from her foot. When she regained her balance, she realised how close they were and hastily moved away.
“It’s absolutely stunning,” she called to him as she swam, remarking again on the sunset. She had to say something to break the tension. At that moment, with his hand on her arm, all she’d wanted to do was kiss him. And that was why she’d had reservations about going out for lunch with him. She enjoyed his company far too much.
How on earth had she convinced herself that it was okay to spend all her time with him? And go swimming with him at sunset? What had come over her? She was always so in control. Always rational and logical. But since she’d arrived at Hope Cove she’d been anything but.
They swam for a little longer until Elizabeth started to shiver and Max insisted they go and warm up. “The towel was a great idea,” Max said as Elizabeth wrapped herself up on the beach. “You could’ve brought me one.”
“You’re a big boy,” she said. “You need to learn to look after yourself.” She cringed at her choice of words, given that he was standing in just his wet boxer shorts. He was no doubt smirking, but she carefully avoided eye contact. Why had her brain gone there? It was only an innocent comment. She was losing the plot.
They walked quickly up the beach, slowing when they reached the path.
“I’m going to get the fire going, if you want to come over for a drink,” Max said.
“That sounds great.” Actually, it sounded perfect, but she knew she should decline. It would definitely be inappropriate to spend the evening in front of the fire with him.
“I’ll get showered and come over,” she said after a pause.
The warm shower was bliss, and she slipped straight into her pyjamas when she got out. Her senses had returned. She knew she couldn’t go over to Seaside Cottage. Something had shifted and everything felt wrong. She shouldn’t be spending all her time with Max when she was engaged to Phil.
Phil! She remembered the phone call she’d missed and felt awful. She’d ignored his call to spend time with Max. What on earth was going on with her?
His phone only rang once before Phil answered.
“Sorry,” she said. “I was on the beach and only just saw your call.”
“Don’t worry. I haven’t been home long.”
“How was the presentation?”
“It went well,” he said. “I think things are calming down again so hopefully next week will be quieter. It’s a big relief to get that over with. When are you back? Friday? I thought about driving down but I’ve still got a few things I need to do in the office tomorrow.”
“That’s fine. Don’t worry.” She hesitated. “Actually, I was thinking about coming home earlier. Will you have time for dinner with me if I drive back tomorrow?” That would be the sensible thing to do – go bac
k home to her fiancé where she belonged.
“Probably,” he said. “But don’t feel that you’ve got to rush back for me. We can have dinner on Friday night.”
“Traffic will probably be crazy on Friday too,” she mused, trying to talk herself into it.
“Come tomorrow, then.”
“I think I will. By the way, you’ll be very proud of me; I’ve not checked my work emails once.”
“Wow,” he said. “That’s impressive. What’s keeping you so distracted?” His words were light and jokey but the question unnerved Elizabeth and she felt a rush of guilt.
“Just the beach and the sunshine,” she replied quickly.
“I bet there’s no internet,” Phil said. “Is that why you want to come home early?”
“I wanted to see you,” she said, sounding tenser than she’d intended. “But if you’re going to tease me, I won’t bother.”
“Don’t be daft. I want to see you too. Come home tomorrow.”
“I’ll let you know when I’m setting off.”
They wished each other goodnight and hung up.
She looked out of the window and down into the garden of Seaside Cottage. There was a glow from the living room window and she imagined the fire – and Max. She considered going over for a drink. She’d said she would, after all. Max would be waiting for her. Instead, she picked up the phone again and called Karen.
“I need you in serious and sensible mode,” she said firmly.
“Okay,” Karen said. “What’s up?”
“It’s the guy in the next cottage,” Elizabeth said. “Max. I have a crush on him.”
There, she’d said it. It was out in the open. She was recognising the problem and taking control.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Oh! I hate that you want sensible advice…”
“Please,” Elizabeth said.
“Okay, okay. I guess you need to stay away from him.” There was a definite hint of eye-rolling to Karen’s voice, but otherwise it was exactly what Elizabeth needed to hear.
“It’s so difficult. I keep telling myself it’s innocent, but I definitely have a crush on him. He invited me over for a drink this evening, but I shouldn’t go, should I?”
“A drink at his place?”
“Yeah, we went for a swim while the sun set, and he was going to go and light the fire. He invited me to join him.”
Laughter erupted down the phone. “Oh, my God!” Karen shrieked. “I thought you were talking about a harmless flirtation. But sunset swimming? Drinks by the fire? No, you need to stay well away. And this is my actual opinion, not me being sensible because you’ve asked me to.”
“Really?”
“Who am I speaking to?” Karen asked. “This isn’t you. Do not go over there. Drinks in front of the fire after a sunset swim pretty much always end with sex, and you’re not a cheater.”
“I’m not going to have sex with him. It’s just a drink.”
“Fine. But please call Phil and get his opinion on the matter before you go over there. If it’s so innocent, I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Elizabeth rubbed her eyes. Karen was right.
“This is something I’d do,” Karen said, “not you. And I’m divorced, by the way, so that’s a clue as to how these things turn out.”
Elizabeth knew just how badly Karen had been hurt by her divorce, and knew she would never seriously advise anyone to do anything to jeopardise their relationship.
“I know, I know. I just really like him. And it’s so lovely to spend time with someone who isn’t constantly looking at their phone or their laptop.”
“Only because he’s trying to get in your knickers!”
“It’s not like that. He’s a good guy. He’s got a girlfriend. I think they’re engaged.” She’d gathered that much from Conor but hadn’t specifically asked.
“Really?” Karen said. “Stay away from him, anyway. Sounds like he has a crush on you too.”
“Do you think so?”
“Oh, wow. You really like him, don’t you?”
“No,” Elizabeth said sulkily. “I love Phil. I’m just having a crisis.”
Oh, flipping heck, was she actually having a mid-life crisis? An affair with a younger man? A year younger surely didn’t classify him as a younger man. And it wasn’t an affair!
“I’m going to go home tomorrow. See Phil. Sort my head out.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Karen said. “Stay away from this Max guy. You’ll only end up getting hurt.”
“Thanks,” Elizabeth said. It was sage advice that she shouldn’t have needed to ask for. She flopped onto the bed when she ended the call.
For the first time since she’d arrived in Hope Cove, sleep didn’t come easily. Her mind whirred for hours before she finally fell asleep.
Chapter 19
She’d hoped to catch the sunrise on her last day in Hope Cove, but after falling asleep so late, Elizabeth didn’t wake until mid-morning. She packed her bag and then went to say goodbye to Max. She’d make it quick and painless and be on her way.
Did she really have a crush on him? It was probably just the lovely meal and the romantic moonlit swim that made her feel that way. She’d say goodbye to him and get back to Phil. Not a problem. She was cool. She was calm. She was just saying goodbye.
He was in the kitchen making coffee, and smiled when she put her head round the door.
“Morning,” he said. “Sleep well?”
“Yes. I was worn out. I only meant to sit for a minute after my shower and I went out like a light.”
She got the distinct impression he knew she was lying. There was a moment of awkwardness before they spoke at once.
“Sorry,” Elizabeth said. “You go.”
“I was going to say you only just caught me; I was going to head out for a drive since the painting’s finished.”
That was her cue to say she was leaving. Say goodbye, wish him well and get on her way. But her brain and mouth seemed to be having some sort of disagreement.
“You could come with me if you want,” he said. There was vulnerability in his eyes and he backtracked quickly. “But you’ve probably got plans. I’ve taken up enough of your time…”
“No,” she blurted out, “I’d like to come. But I thought you might like some time alone.”
He held a cup of coffee out to her. “Not really.”
“Where are we going, then?” she asked. Their fingers brushed as she took the cup.
“You’ll see. I just need a quick shower first.”
“I don’t really like surprises!” she called after him, but she was intrigued nonetheless.
The winding roads snaked through the countryside and Elizabeth looked out over green fields separated by crumbling old walls. They passed farmhouses and a few villages. For a while they drove with a large wooded area to their left and Elizabeth peered between the dense trees.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked after half an hour.
There was mischief in Max’s eyes. “To visit my dog.”
“You have a dog?”
“Kind of,” he said.
“How can you kind of have a dog?”
He didn’t reply but soon stopped the car at a wooden gate. Beyond it, a long driveway ran up to an old stone farmhouse. Smoke plumed from the chimney. A sign by the gate read Oakbrook Farm: Boarding Home for Dogs.
“We’re here,” Max said.
“So you really have a dog?”
“No. Not really.” He frowned and then laughed at Elizabeth’s puzzled expression. “I always wanted a dog. When I was a kid, I begged my parents for one, but Mum isn’t a dog person. Dad used to bring me here. I’d always have a favourite dog and I used to tell people I had a dog but it lived on a farm. I didn’t realise when I got sympathetic looks that people assumed my dog had died and my parents had fed me the old line about a farm. As far as I was concerned, I really did have a dog who lived on a farm.”
“And you s
till visit?”
“Yes!”
“But you’re a grown man! Why not just get a dog if you want one so much?”
Elizabeth realised the reason why when Max frowned. “Still not allowed one,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Come on.”
The reminder of his girlfriend made Elizabeth’s chest tighten. At the same time she realised she hadn’t messaged Phil to tell him of her plans. But he wouldn’t be expecting her back until the evening anyway. She’d drive home later and message him when she set off.
A dog howled as they walked up the long driveway, and a figure appeared on the porch as they neared the house.
“I should warn you, the owners are slightly eccentric,” Max said. “They’re actually family. My aunt and her partner. That’s why I still visit.”
Three dogs bounded towards them. A beautiful golden retriever arrived first, forgetting to stop and crashing into Max’s leg.
“Hey, Charlie!” he said, bending to stroke the happy dog. Two smaller dogs barrelled in next and vied for Max’s attention. He greeted them joyfully as they jumped around him, tails wagging furiously. Elizabeth crouched beside Max, chuckling as the smallest dog jumped up to lick her face. “That’s Macy,” he told her. “She can be a bit over-affectionate.” Elizabeth laughed and put a hand on Max’s shoulder to steady herself as she reached to rub behind Macy’s ear.
“I take it you’re not the one who’s allergic?” a voice said loudly.
A grey-haired woman loomed over them. She stood confidently, with her hands on her hips and a grin on her face.
“Hi, Annette,” Max said, standing to hug her. “This is my friend, Lizzie.”
“Definitely not allergic,” Elizabeth said, extending her hand.
“No one really is,” Annette said. “Pet allergies are a myth made up by—”
“All right, all right!” Max said. Apparently he’d heard that before. “Is there any coffee going or what?”
“Doesn’t seem two minutes since we were feeding him milk and biscuits,” Annette said, shaking her head and moving towards the house. “Wendy!” she shouted. “Come and see who’s here.”