Chapter 6 #3
and hidden cupboards. They were good at hiding contraband. Sometimes they sank it in the harbour. This room—” she fiddled
with the key and managed to unlock the door “—was used as a lookout. Hence the name.”
“What were they looking out for?”
“Ships? Excise officers? Jealous wives and girlfriends?” She shouldered the door open. “You won’t find any alcohol hidden
under the bed though. These days if you want brandy you just phone down to the bar. Here you go. This is it. Home. It’s not
exactly spacious, but it’s cosy.”
Abby followed her into the room and Evie saw surprise on her face.
“It’s gorgeous. I expected something dark and—I’m not sure—sinister?”
The late-day sunlight sent a rosy glow over the room, bouncing across the wooden floors. There was a desk beneath a large
window that overlooked the harbour and the cliffs, and a comfortable armchair.
“The bathroom is through here—” Evie pushed open the door and saw with relief that it was gleaming and that there were fresh
towels. Whatever was wrong with Tristan and his team, at least he hadn’t fallen down on the job. “I know it’s not big, but—”
“It’s perfect.” Abby walked to the window and stared out over the cliffs. “Thank you.” She turned. “You’ve been kind. You
should go home and relax. You’ve earned it.”
She’d thought she wanted to do just that, but there was something about Abby that made her hesitate. She seemed—vulnerable?
No. Not that. She’d had no trouble putting moody Tristan in his place and she was clearly independent and used to looking
after herself.
What then?
Evie couldn’t put her finger on it. Maybe she just needed a friend. “Are you sure I can’t tempt you to join me for a glass
of wine in my garden? It goes well with apple.”
Abby laughed. “Maybe another night. But thank you.”
“If you’re sure.” Comforting herself with the fact that she’d tried, Evie handed over the key and headed back to the door.
“If you need anything call me. Or Tristan. Despite appearances, he’s very approachable. I know he seemed a bit moody, but
it’s not personal. Things have been tough for him lately. His dad fell down the steps in the cellar a few months ago and he
broke more bones than I can bear to think about. Tristan has had to step in, and that hasn’t been easy for either of them.”
She closed the door behind her, headed downstairs and found Tristan behind the bar, serving customers.
Evie stepped behind the bar and stood at his elbow so he couldn’t ignore her.
“Okay, sunshine. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m working.” He handed over two glasses of wine to the man hovering at the
bar and took payment.
“We can talk about it here if you like. I’m sure your customers would all have an opinion on it.”
He gave her an exasperated look and then glanced at Matt, who was working alongside him. “I’ll be five minutes.”
“No worries, boss.”
Tristan followed her out to the back of the pub. They stepped onto the street and he leaned against the wall and looked at
her.
“Whatever it is you want to say, say it quickly. It’s hot out here and sweating and burning in the sun isn’t going to make
me less grumpy.”
“It’s gorgeous.” She shaded her eyes from the sun. “It’s a perfect day. Don’t you remember those horrible rainy days in January
and February? This is blissful—”
“Ev, there’s only so much of your relentless cheerfulness I can handle in one day. Get to the point.”
She let her hand drop. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m a grumpy person and you need to accept that.”
She pulled him into a small patch of shade and linked her arm with his. “You’re not a grumpy person. You’re grumpy today,
and I want to know why. What happened? Is it your dad?”
It was a moment before he answered. “We had a conversation five minutes before you arrived. Bad timing, that’s all.”
“And how is he?”
“Frustrated by his lack of ability to move around as freely as he used to, but still well enough to point out in detail all
the things I’m doing wrong. Every conversation is a joy, particularly when you’re in the middle of hauling heavy weights around
a cellar.”
She knew how conflicted he was about the situation.
“It’s hard for both of you. It must be frustrating for him not being able to do all the things he did before the accident.
He’s having to adjust to a new normal.”
“We’re all having to adjust. What I don’t understand is why he can’t let me get on with it my way.” He looked down at her. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because it’s obvious.” She squeezed his arm. “He’s trying to stay involved, Tris. This place was his life. Letting go of
that is a process. Telling you where you’re going wrong is probably what’s keeping him going.”
“Maybe. But you’d think he’d be happier that I’m back, seeing as this is what he always wanted. Instead, everything I do irritates
him.”
Her heart ached for her friend. “He wanted you to be running it together. And has it ever occurred to you that he might be
irritable because he feels guilty?”
“Guilty?”
“Yes. Because he knows this wasn’t what you wanted and yet here you are. He feels bad.”
There was a long silence.
He eased his arm away from hers. “Do you always have to be so insightful? It can be annoying.”
“Because you want to be left to sulk in peace, you mean?”
“Something like that.” He ran his hand over his face. “I hate to admit it, but I know you’re right. It’s tough for him. I
should be more patient.”
“It’s tough for you, too. You’re allowed to be occasionally grumpy.”
“We should probably clarify this. How many hours each day am I allowed to be grumpy?”
“You’re allowed five minutes, morning and evening. But not when my guest is around. I’ve told her you’re approachable, so
you need to be approachable. No glaring. No sighing. No muttering. And no looking at her shoes while doing that whole raised
eyebrow thing you do.”
He glanced at her, curious. “Who is she exactly? Apart from someone who has no idea what shoes to wear in a Cornish fishing village. She’s going to break her ankle. Shouldn’t someone tell her?”
“No. We’re going to treat her like an adult and let her figure it out for herself,” Evie said, “and hope that happens before
she breaks her ankle. And to answer your question, she’s an extra pair of hands. Head office arranged for her to come and
help out.”
“Doing what? I can’t see her scrubbing a bathroom. She seems more like the type who spends her time at a computer.”
“Stop making assumptions. You don’t know anything about her.”
“Neither do you.”
“No, but I know better than to judge a person by what I see on the surface,” Evie said firmly, ignoring the fact that she’d
had the same thought as him. “You don’t know what’s going on in someone’s life. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.”
“I know. It’s a terrible flaw.”
She laughed and poked him in the chest. “Take you for example. People could think you were just a grumpy, scary person by
nature, but I knew immediately when I saw you that you’d probably just come off the phone from your father.”
“Stop telling me I’m grumpy. It makes me grumpy.”
“I adore you, you know that. All I’m saying is that there are a million reasons why human beings behave the way they do. That’s
what makes them fascinating.”
“That’s what makes them annoying. And your new friend wasn’t exactly warm, either. If my ice machine breaks, I know where
to go.”
“Give her a chance.” Trying a different approach, she gave him her pleading look. “Do it for me.”
“Why would I do it for you?”
“Because you love me really. As a friend, obviously. Deep down.”
“Do I?” But there was humour in his eyes so she pushed ahead.
“She’s probably tired. Long journey. Probably feeling a bit lost. And then you gave her the chilliest welcome since Scott
arrived in Antarctica. You’re the one who froze her. Promise me you’ll smile next time you see her. No more frowning.”
He leaned against the wall. “Do I have to promise?”
“Yes.” She gave him a stern look and he sighed.
“Fine. I’ll take food up to her. I’ll even polish the apple. If you prefer, I could turn it into humble pie. Why are you smiling?”
“Because you’re funny when you’re grumpy.”
“Do you always have to be so damn cheerful?”
She shrugged. “I like being cheerful.”
“Maybe, but right now you’re doing it to annoy me.”
She beamed at him. “You’re right, I am. Is it working?”
“It’s working. You always know how to wind me up, and not in a good way. No wonder we only went on one date.” He eased away
from the wall. “Don’t worry, I promise to keep an eye on your city princess.”
“You’re doing it again. Judging.”
“Okay. But can I at least say ‘I told you so’ when she twists her ankle?”
“No, if that happens, you’ll say ‘oh you poor thing, let me take you to hospital.’ I’m serious. I need her to like it here.
Things aren’t great at work. I think she might be able to help.”
He gave her a sympathetic look. “Everyone still trying to do things the Gerald way?”
“They are. I’ve tried everything. I’ve tried sweeping everyone along on the tide of my enthusiasm. I’ve written a memo. I shower everyone with enthusiasm. Nothing works. If I hear ‘but Gerald did it this way’ again I might scream.”
“Yeah?” He gave a half-smile. “I’d drag myself up from the cellar to witness that.”
She ignored that comment. “I’m hoping Abby is going to help me turn things around if only because she doesn’t know Gerald.”
“You don’t think your expectations might be a little high?”
“I’m an optimist.”
“I know. It’s your second biggest flaw.” He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “Okay. I’ll be approachable, whatever that
means. I’ll smile when I deliver the apple. I’ll make sure it isn’t poisoned. And in return you’re going to be a bit wary
for once in your life. Until you get to know her better.”
“You see? You do care about me.”
“Not really. I just don’t want to have to witness your heartbreak when it all goes wrong. It was bad enough after—” He stopped
and she shrugged.
“After Martin. I know. It was a hideous time and you were brilliant. It was lucky for me you happened to be home at the time.
But I can’t go into every relationship assuming someone is going to stab me in the back. It’s just not me. And why would I
be wary? She’s here to help, after all.”
He watched her for a moment. “Right. It’s just that she doesn’t seem—”
“Doesn’t seem what? Frazzled, like me? She’s groomed and poised but I’m sure that after an hour working at the hotel she’ll
look as stressed out as the rest of us. Now go.” She gave him a little push. “You have tourists waiting to coo over your quaint
little inn, with its handsome landlord. Talking of which, I hear Linda Porter made a pass at you when she was drunk the other
night.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“I always protect my sources. But basically from everyone in the village. Saskia happened to be leaving the gallery at the
precise moment you kissed Linda in the doorway.”
“She kissed me in the doorway. Saskia needs to get her facts straight.”
“She didn’t hang around to see what happened next.”
“What happened next was that I carefully unravelled myself and told her that I’m not in the market for a relationship.”
“That part didn’t make it into the gossip machine.” She gave his arm an affectionate squeeze. “You’re due a little fun, my
friend.”
He rolled his eyes. “Talking of which, how is it going with your hot chef?”
“How is what going?”
“Your romance.”
“There is no romance. Who told you there was a romance?”
“Probably the same people that told you about Linda,” he said. “But from what I hear, it sounds like a perfect match.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because he will cook for you, and you love good food.”
She sighed. “He’s cute, that’s true, but most of all he’s brilliant at what he does and the restaurant is fully booked. As
an experiment we’re doing two sittings from next week. It’s the only bit of work that is going well.”
“Right. So your interest in him is purely professional. You’re not interested in him bringing you breakfast in bed.”
She grinned at him. “He does have lovely dark eyes and an appealing smile. But like you, I’m too busy for a relationship.
But hopefully Abby is going to help with that.”
His smile vanished. “I hope so. Keep me updated on that.”
He was suspicious of Abby, and she had no idea why.
What exactly did he think was going to happen? That Abby was going to steal the toilet rolls?
It was true that Abby had told her little about herself, but that didn’t mean she was hiding anything.
Evie was looking forward to getting to know her. And looking forward to proving Tristan wrong.