‘So, where to, miss?’ Dean asks, doing his best impression of a chauffeur.
‘To the Seafront Cinema, please,’ I instruct in a similar high society tone.
‘Ooh, the cinema,’ he replies. ‘And what’s on at the cinema today?’
‘Well, you took me to watch sports so, sorry, but I’m taking you to see a chick flick. And before you complain about not liking girly movies, that’s what this is all about, OK? Compromise.’
‘You didn’t complain about the rugby, you loved it,’ he reminds me. ‘What makes you think I’m not going to enjoy a chick flick?’
‘Hmm, I don’t know, maybe the manly attitude, the hard-man job, the love of sports.’
It’s obvious really.
‘OK, so what lame girly movie are you forcing me to sit through?’ he asks.
‘When Harry Met Sally,’ I tell him. ‘Don’t worry, it’s really good. Even you might enjoy parts of it.’
The Seafront Cinema sits in the touristy beach part of Marram Bay. It’s a Grade II listed building, which you could probably guess, even if you didn’t know, because it’s impossibly gorgeous. They just don’t make them like this anymore.
Built in the early 1900s, it has always been a cinema, and has maintained a lot of the authentic, early charm of what it was like when it was first built.
The Seafront Cinema is one of the only remaining gaslit cinemas in the country. It also has an external box office, looking out to sea, where you can purchase your tickets before you even step foot inside. Any modernisation over the years, such as installing new seats and a more modern concessions stand, have been so subtle, you’d never tell. With its classic-looking screen, its fuzzy red chairs and the retro lamps on the walls, it feels like stepping back in time.
Not quite jumping all the way back to the old days when it opened, but time travelling just a little, the cinema screens movies from all different decades. Today we’re heading back to the late Eighties with When Harry Met Sally.
I can’t imagine Dean being all that fond of the movie – I imagine he’d much prefer something with lots of weapons and violent action – but compromise is all about doing things that you might not want to do all that much. Plus, I really lucked out with the movie that they are showing today because When Harry Met Sally is all about where we find love – sometimes it’s right under our noses. That might be an avenue to look into with Dean; perhaps the love of his life is a part of his life already …
I order a large cherry coke and a huge bucket of sweet and salted popcorn. What can I say? I’m a hungry girl and I like to snack when I’m watching movies.
‘What are you getting?’ I ask Dean.
‘That’s not to share?’ he says with a laugh.
‘Erm …’
‘I’m just kidding,’ he insists, before turning to the girl working at the concessions stand. ‘I’ll have what she’s having.’
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. That’s a line from the movie. What are the chances, that I bring him to see a movie and he quotes a line from it? I’m sure it’s just coincidence and not a sign of any sort, but even so.
Dean loads my lap with our snacks and drinks before wheeling me to our seats.
‘If you give it a fair shot and you hate it, we can leave,’ I tell him.
Well, we can leave, but if we do I’ll be sure to give him a lecture on compromise and falling at first hurdles.
‘You’re so sure I’m going to hate it, aren’t you?’ he replies. ‘You really think I’m going to walk out?’
‘Look, I’m just trying to help you,’ I remind him. ‘This stuff might seem dumb but it’s going to get us to the bottom of why you don’t want to be in love.’
‘I’ve been thinking about it, and I think I’ve figured it out,’ he starts.
‘Oh yeah?’
‘Yeah, see … I’ve been having this dream since I was twelve, where a faceless guy rips off my clothes.’
Oh, there it is, that cheeky glimmer in his eye.
‘You bastard,’ I laugh. ‘I knew you were trolling me. You’ve seen this movie before, haven’t you?’
‘Of course I have,’ he replies. ‘You think because I’m a copper who likes rugby league, I haven’t seen When Harry Met Sally?’
‘Well, yeah,’ I reply, shovelling a handful of popcorn into my mouth. I suppose I like to eat when I feel awkward too. Maybe I just like to eat …
‘Rest assured, I have seen it, I love it, I am willing to sit through it now and be perfectly behaved.’
‘Did your sister make you watch it? Or your …’
Why have I brought up his ex?
‘I like romcoms,’ he says with a casual shrug. ‘It’s OK to like romcoms.’
As the title card for the movie appears, Dean shushes me before I can say anything else.
‘OK, quiet, it’s starting,’ he says.
Just when I think I am starting to figure this man out, he completely pulls the rug from under me. This is going to be a harder case to crack than I thought …
Chapter 24
Westwood Farm isn’t very much like a farm at all. I grew up around farms, spending time in farmhouses, and this is not a farmhouse.
Alfie and Lily live in an ultra-contemporary mansion. Pretty much the entire place is made of glass, and with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, the place has a panoramic view of the countryside that I am so jealous of. With the rooms being mostly glass, there isn’t much room for paint or wallpaper, but what this means is that the view, and the room, changes with the seasons. Right now it has a dark and wintry outside, offset by the warm glow of the fire inside. In spring, I imagine the pink glow of blossom trees and the yellow bursts of daffodils will be the wallpaper, before the miles of green that come with summer. I’ll bet autumn is the best, with all its warm, cosy colours beaming in from all angles.
It’s fully dark now, so my imagination is running away with me.
Lily is just as lovely as Alfie – such a sweetheart. She’s from London herself, and she used to work in the city too, so we have a lot in common. We’re a similar age, similar type – the main difference is that she’s a mum. I think Alfie said their son was ten years old, but I can’t believe she’s a mum to a ten-year-old. She doesn’t seem old enough.
The pair of them made dinner for us. Pork with all the trimmings, including the boozy cider applesauce Westwood Farms will soon be selling. Apparently, we were one of the first few people to try it. Of course, it was amazing.
Since then we’ve just sat by the fire, chatting. We’re having coffee and biscotti that Lily brought from the deli she works in. I’ve been getting to know Lily better while Dean and Alfie chat, but I’ve still been keeping my eye on him, seeing what he’s like around his friends, trying to work out how comfortable he is around proper couples.
‘What are you grinning at?’ I hear Alfie ask Dean, which catches my attention.
‘Doesn’t he always do that?’ I ask, barging my way into their conversation.
‘Only under certain circumstances,’ Alfie tells me as he sips his coffee suspiciously. ‘Usually when he thinks he’s right about something …’
‘Hmm, that’s probably true,’ Dean admits. ‘But I am right about something.’
‘Go on,’ Alfie prompts.
‘I’d rather not,’ Dean replies smugly.
‘Go on.’
‘I don’t think you’d want me to.’
‘Come on, Dean, spit it out,’ Lily demands. Even she wants to know now.
‘You’re pregnant,’ he tells her.
I cringe. Never point out that a woman is pregnant, not when she has a bit of a bump, not when you see her buying a pram or walking out of an antenatal class, not when she has a huge bump and looks like she’s about to pop – not even when she is giving birth. Not ever. And even if it were OK to point it out at blaringly obvious signs, Lily doesn’t look pregnant at all. Not even a bit. She isn’t even bloated after her dinner, whereas I feel like I nee
d to roll my leggings down.
‘What?’ Alfie replies. His eyebrows shoot up and his jaw falls down.
‘How do you know that?’ Lily asks. ‘How could you possibly know that?’
Dean just shrugs.
Lily turns to her husband suspiciously. ‘Did you tell him?’
‘Of course I didn’t,’ he says. ‘I don’t know how he knows.’
‘What kind of detective would I be, if I didn’t notice everything?’ Dean asks. ‘Sorry, I didn’t want to find out before you wanted to tell me … I’m burdened with obsessive observation.’
I wonder to myself what else Dean picks up on. I feel like he can see right through me now.
‘But how?’ Lily asks.
‘You weren’t drinking this evening,’ he tells her.
‘Neither was Lola,’ she replies.
‘Yes, but Lola has a broken leg and she took painkillers after she ate,’ he replies. ‘Not only do you pretty much always usually have a drink with dinner but there was this guilt in your eyes as you poured my drink, like you were holding something back.’
‘Mate.’ Alfie laughs. ‘You should be solving murders somewhere where they actually have murders. You’re wasted here.’
‘I’m pretty busy with a case at the moment,’ Dean insists.
‘Oh yeah, your tractor thing,’ Alfie chuckles.
‘That sounds too boring for me to even want to know a bit of what you’re talking about,’ Lily says. ‘But, yes, we are pregnant. The doctor confirmed it today.’
‘Congratulations,’ I say. ‘I don’t even know you, and I’m so happy for you.’
‘Yeah, congratulations guys,’ Dean says.
‘Thank you,’ Lily replies. ‘It’s been a decade since I was pregnant with Frankie. I’d forgotten what it was like. The only part I really remember was the birth and that’s only because it was on the tube.’
She says this to me, like we’re in some sort of London club. I try to imagine someone giving birth on the tube and it makes my blood run cold. Most of the time, I can’t even get a seat.
‘The doctor says all is well though.’ Lily pauses thoughtfully. ‘First time I’ve seen the doctor here – interesting guy.’
‘How so?’ I ask. I try not to sound too curious, but I’m pretty sure it’s Will she’s talking about. Will who still hasn’t contacted me.
‘You know, I thought he was flirting with me … but he either wasn’t, or changed his tune when he realised I was knocked up.’
She laughs. I bite my lip anxiously.
‘Oh, it’s OK,’ she reassures me. ‘I don’t think he was. He had a bird waiting for him, I think. Some dolly bird. I was his last appointment, so I guess they were going somewhere after.’
My breath feels heavy in my chest. Is that Will she’s talking about? It has to be. Who else could it be? I don’t even know what other doctors work there and I’ve left it too late to ask her his name now, I mean, why would I be asking now?
‘You OK?’ Dean asks me.
And now I know Detective Dean can see straight through me. He knows everything I’m thinking, everything I’ve done, everything I’ll ever do.
‘I’m fine,’ I lie. ‘Just my leg, I think I’ve done too much today. It’s really starting to hurt.’
‘Oh no, let’s get you home,’ Dean says.
‘We don’t have to rush,’ I insist.
‘It’s OK, I’ve got an early start anyway.’ He turns to Alfie and Lily. ‘Guys, thank you so much for an amazing dinner, and congratulations again. I’m made up for you.’
The car door has no sooner closed when Dean starts interrogating me. ‘OK, what’s really wrong?’ he asks.
‘What? Nothing … I … ergh, I’m wasting my breath lying, aren’t I?’
‘What kind of detective would I be—’
‘OK, OK,’ I interrupt him. ‘Will, the guy I mentioned, he’s the only doctor I know around here. I went on a sort of date with him. I haven’t heard from him since and I’m guessing that’s who Lily was talking about …’
‘Ah,’ he says simply.
I look out of the window as we drive through Marram Bay, heading for the causeway, which thankfully is open for a few hours still. Sometimes it’s easy to get it right, other times it’s a nightmare. If time had been on my side the other night, I wouldn’t have stayed with Will long enough to make things awkward.
‘We’ve been friends since we were kids but then I moved away. I know I’m only here now while my leg heals, but … I don’t know what I thought was going to happen. He reconnected with an old girlfriend a few nights ago,’ I admit. ‘I guess my timing has just always been off with him.’
‘So you’re going back to London when you’re better? You haven’t got a taste for the sea air?’ Dean asks.
‘Nah, fumes and sweaty commuters all the way for me,’ I joke, trying to perk up a bit.
‘OK, I can’t handle this,’ Dean blurts out. ‘If he’s going to ghost you for another girl, he’s clearly not worth it. I can’t let you be sad about him, so, go on, do your worst, try to fix me – you like trying to fix me.’
I laugh. ‘Thanks,’ I say. ‘I don’t know what I’m more surprised about – that you’re letting me fix you or the fact you know what ghosting is.’
‘I’m surprising you a lot today, aren’t I?’
‘I guess you are. OK … hmm … well, now that I know that I know you’re an expert on When Harry Met Sally, what can we take away from it?’
‘That men and women can’t be friends,’ he says.
I frown. ‘Well, I’m not sure how true that is, but what I take from it is that sometimes the person for you is right under your nose. So, are there any women in your life who you might not have considered romantically?’
Dean thinks for a moment. ‘There’s a prostitute informant I frequently work with in Leeds,’ he offers.
‘Work, that’s a good place,’ I say, ignoring his joke. ‘Anyone at work?’
‘There’s a DC called Karen I work with a lot. We get lunch together sometimes, but … I don’t know, we don’t have anything between us, in either direction.’
‘Hmm, let me think on it,’ I tell him.
At least if I figure out Dean’s problems I’ll stop worrying about my own. Why hasn’t Will called me? Why do I care so much? I just need to let it go or pluck up the courage to call him …
However, despite knowing that I should practise what I preach, I’ve never been all that great at doing either.
Chapter 25
In ten minutes’ time I have another meeting with the Unmatchables. That gives me ten minutes to call Will. I’m going to do it. I’m just going to do it and see what he says. I will say ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ and then I will let him do the talking, see what he has to say for himself.
‘Lola, hello,’ he says brightly as he answers the phone. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m good, thanks. How are you?’ I reply. It’s like no time has passed since we last spoke at all.
‘I’m good, thanks. Things have just been so busy here. Sorry I’ve gone a little quiet on you; know that it wasn’t intentional.’
Phew! So he’s just been busy, and it was probably a different doctor that Lily saw. It’s a huge relief. It’s being in this wheelchair. I’ve got like a Rear Window thing going on where I’m looking at everything through a telescopic lens, just because I’m stuck in this chair and have nothing better to do.
‘Oh, don’t worry about it,’ I insist. ‘Do you want to go for dinner tonight?’
‘Erm, sure,’ he replies. ‘Just checking the diary but it’s clear.’
‘Oh, OK, awesome,’ I reply. ‘Well, maybe you can pick where we go. I feel so out of touch with what restaurants are around these days.’
‘Sure thing,’ he replies. ‘I’ve got a patient to see so I’ll look into it and let you know.’
‘Wonderful,’ I say. ‘Well, have a good day and I’ll see you later.’
‘Yeah, you too
,’ he replies.
I sigh my biggest sigh of relief before wheeling myself into the function room where Kim, Doris, Channy, Toby and Dean are waiting for me.
‘My mum informs me that she has put the heating back on, you’ll all be pleased to hear,’ I tell them. Everyone is sitting there in their coats. ‘Apparently they turn it off when the line dancers are in because it gets a bit sweaty.’
‘Billy Ray Cyrus will have that effect on you,’ Dean reasons.
I smile at him. I’m starting to appreciate his constant joking around a bit more now – perhaps because I’m in a better mood, or because we had such a good day together yesterday. Maybe the two go hand in hand.
‘So, before we get going, has anyone had any developments in their love lives since the last time we met up?’
‘I’ve finally dumped the guy I’m seeing,’ Channy announces.
‘I mean, that’s like the opposite of progress,’ I point out with a laugh.
‘I know but … man was trash,’ she says casually. ‘Promises me he’ll stop messing around with other girls, I go over to see him and what do I find? A long blonde hair in his bed, and I’m not blonde, am I?’
‘Sounds like you’ve got him banged to rights,’ Dean says. ‘Impressive detective work.’
‘Cheers,’ she says. ‘If I hadn’t just sworn off older men, I’d be trying on your handcuffs for size.’
‘OK,’ I say loudly. ‘Today we are going to be talking about When Harry Met Sally. I watched it yesterday and it made me realise that, sometimes, the person we’re supposed to be with is already in our lives. They’re not someone we’re going to bump into down the bread aisle or match with on Tinder or Matcher or Grindr or whichever dating app you prefer.’
‘Tinder,’ Doris confirms with a nod. ‘Not tried Grindr …’
‘I don’t think you’d like it,’ I insist as she reaches into her handbag for her iPhone. ‘So, think about the people you spend time with, think about the people you see every day, the people you know who are also single and looking for love …’
I’m laying it on really thick as a big old hint for Dean that maybe he should have a chat with the woman from work who he goes for lunch with, and just see where it goes. I’m not saying he should ask her on a date or try to kiss her or anything like that – God no – just chat to her, see if she’s single, if she’s looking … look at her in a different light and see if there’s anything there he’s been overlooking.
Make or Break at the Lighthouse B & B Page 14