Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
SCARLETT
S carlett hummed contentedly as she towelled her hair dry. The shepherd’s hut was warm and cosy. Tendrils of steam escaped from the tiny bathroom and mingled with the heat from the woodburner she’d managed to coax back to life.
She’d spent a ridiculous amount of time in the shower, but it had taken quite a while before she’d thawed out properly. Now she was sitting cross-legged on the bed, wearing her pyjama bottoms, an ancient tee-shirt, and Pete’s fleece…
‘Because it’s warm, not because it smells of him!’ she muttered to herself.
Yeah. Right!
After braving the chilly waves and that brief moment of panic when she’d gone under, this cosy little haven felt even more welcoming than before.
Scarlett had to admit, she’d enjoyed the whole thing a lot more than she’d expected to. If she was being honest, though, the most memorable part had been when Pete’s strong arms had wrapped around her as he’d pulled her to safety.
The memory sent a flutter through her chest, and she found herself smiling like a love-struck teenager.
‘Get a grip,’ she muttered, though she couldn’t quite wipe the silly grin from her face.
Somehow, in the space of less than twenty-four hours, the grumpy, salt-crusted surfer had wormed his way under her skin. It was ridiculous… and it was kind of wonderful, too.
Scarlett hadn’t felt this way about anyone in a long time. She was usually so cautious, so measured in her approach to anything resembling a date, let alone a relationship. But something about Pete made her want to throw caution to the wind.
‘And now we’re going on a date,’ she whispered to herself, her stomach doing a somersault at the thought.
The Big Dip Dance. The idea of spending the evening with Pete was enough to send her pulse racing. Would they dance? Would he hold her close? Would he?—
A sharp knock at the door made her jump, shattering her daydream.
‘Hello?’
Had she somehow managed to conjure him up by simply thinking about him?
‘It’s me!’ came a cheerful voice. ‘I mean… it’s Libby! I come bearing gifts!’
‘Come on in,’ shouted Scarlett. ‘The door’s unlocked.’
‘Erm… can you open it for me?’ laughed Libby. ‘My hands are a bit full.’
Scarlett scrambled off the bed and quickly double-checked she was decent before opening the door.
Pete’s little sister stood on the porch, arms laden with a large tray.
‘What’s all this?’ Scarlett laughed in surprise as she stepped out of the way.
‘Pete sent me,’ said Libby, crossing to the kitchenette and placing the heavy tray on the table. ‘He thought you might need warming up after your swim, and he told me he hadn’t left you anything to eat… or any milk!’
‘Well, that’s true,’ laughed Scarlett. ‘But looking at this lot, I think I might just let him off the hook!’
The tray was loaded with a steaming bowl of soup, a stack of toasted sandwiches that smelled divine, an entire basket full of assorted pastries, and several takeaway cups.
‘What’s in these?’ said Scarlett.
‘Tea, cappuccino, hot chocolate,’ said Libby, pointing to each one in turn. Then she nodded at a little cardboard box. ‘There’s a bunch of different teabags and coffee sachets in there, too. Oh… and I swiped this for you.’ She unhooked a pint bottle of semi-skimmed milk from her finger and added it to the tray.
‘You’re a hero,’ said Scarlett.
‘Hardly,’ laughed Libby. ‘It’s the least I could do after you bailed us out this morning. Anyway, it was all Pete’s idea. I can’t really take any credit.’
‘That’s… incredibly thoughtful of him,’ said Scarlett, genuinely touched.
‘That’s my brother for you,’ said Libby with a grin. ‘He tries to act all grumpy and mysterious, but he’s really a big softy.’
Scarlett felt a warm glow spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the heat of the woodburner or the hot shower.
‘He said to tell you he’s sorry he didn’t bring it over himself. He muttered something about doing errands,’ said Libby, rolling her eyes. ‘He was being weirdly secretive. Probably just dashing around, trying to find something decent to wear for the dance tonight.’
‘The dance?’ said Scarlett, trying to sound casual and probably failing miserably, judging by Libby’s knowing smirk.
‘Yep. He told me you’re going with him?’ She raised a questioning eyebrow.
‘He offered me a lift,’ Scarlett clarified, ‘as he’s already taking you over.’
Libby sniggered. ‘That’s what he told you? Don’t get me wrong, I think dad’s chuffed he’s off the hook as taxi driver?—’
‘Wait a sec,’ said Scarlett. ‘He wasn’t going to go?’
Libby snagged one of the toasties from the top of the stack and took an enthusiastic bite as she shook her head.
‘Let’s just say he’s got some bad history with this whole event,’ she said around a mouthful of hot cheese and ham. ‘It’s basically a miracle he’s going this evening!’
Scarlett frowned. ‘I hope I’m not making things awkward for him. I mean… I didn’t mean to force him to go…’
‘Are you kidding?’ Libby laughed. ‘You’re the best thing that’s happened to him in ages. When he told me you were going with him, he was practically skipping on the spot.’
Scarlett’s heart did a funny little flip. ‘He was?’
‘Don’t tell him I said that, though,’ said Libby, nodding. ‘He’d kill me! But yeah, he’s walking around with this goofy smile on his face. Mum thinks he’s coming down with something.’
‘Is it really that unusual for him to be cheerful?’ said Scarlett, grabbing a toastie. The melted cheese oozed out as she took a bite, and she made an appreciative noise.
‘It is lately,’ said Libby, her expression turning more serious. ‘Anyway… he’s probably gone off to see if he can scrounge a tux from one of his mates. I think he burned the last one!’
Scarlett swallowed her mouthful, her eyes wide. She wasn’t sure which part of that statement to react to first.
A tux?
‘He… burned it?’
‘Long story,’ said Libby with a little eye roll. ‘Anyway, what are you going to wear?’
‘I’ve got jeans… and a tee shirt?’ said Scarlett, vaguely pointing at her skinny black jeans with the ripped knees where they lay on the bed. ‘But if Pete’s going to be wearing a tux?—’
‘All the guys will,’ said Libby with a little shrug. ‘Let’s just say this isn’t a jeans kind of dance.’
‘I’d better call your brother,’ said Scarlett, heading for her mobile.
‘Why?’ said Libby, narrowing her eyes.
‘To let him know I can’t go,’ said Scarlett, her heart sinking.
‘Oh no you don’t,’ said Libby, blocking her path. ‘I like seeing him smile.’
‘But… I haven’t got anything to wear!’
‘Never fear!’ she said with a broad grin. ‘I’ll be finished in the café in about an hour. Meet me there, and I’ll take you to our place.’
‘But… why?’ said Scarlett, completely confused.
‘Just call me Fairy Godmother!’
* * *
‘So, the hot water can be a bit temperamental?’
David Trant’s expectant face peered at Scarlett across the kitchen table, pen hovering over his notepad. He’d waylaid her the minute Libby led her inside the gorgeous cottage overlooking the dunes, and was busily pumping her for feedback on the shepherd’s hut.
‘It’s fine now,’ Scarlett reassured him. ‘Pete sorted it out for me last night. Really, Mr Trant, the hut is practically perfect in every way. I couldn’t have asked for somewhere nicer to stay.’
David’s eyes narrowed slightly. ‘You can be honest, you know. Constructive feedback is how we improve.’
‘You’d better give him something else. Otherwise, he’ll hold you hostage all afternoon,’ chuckled Libby.
‘The… um… the shelf above the sink is maybe a tiny bit high?’ Scarlett quickly invented. ‘For someone my height, I mean.’
David’s face lit up, and he scribbled a note on his pad. ‘Adjustable shelving? Perfect! What a great idea.’
‘You really don’t need to change a thing,’ said Scarlett.
‘No, no, it’s a valid point,’ David insisted, still writing. ‘Accessibility is key in the hospitality business.’
From the doorway, Libby cleared her throat pointedly. ‘Dad, if you’re quite finished interrogating our guest?! We’ve got more important things to deal with. Fashion emergency. Wardrobe crisis. Dance preparations.’
‘Yes, yes, of course,’ said David, smiling at Scarlett. ‘Pete told me you’re going to the dance with him. Maybe tomorrow, you can tell me what you think of our set-up compared to the Dolphin and Anchor. Some visitors prefer to stay in town, but I’ve always said you can’t beat our location for?—’
‘Dad!’ Libby’s exasperation was palpable.
‘Alright, alright.’ David held up his hands in surrender, though he still managed to slide the notepad closer to Scarlett with a meaningful look. ‘If you think of anything else, jot it down.’
Libby rolled her eyes dramatically and ushered Scarlett towards the stairs.
‘My room’s this way,’ she said, leading Scarlett to the end of the hall.
Libby’s bedroom was a riot of colour and texture – bright fabrics draped over chairs, fairy lights strung across the ceiling, and an entire wall dedicated to photographs and postcards. The double bed was buried under what appeared to be half a clothes shop.
‘Sorry about the mess,’ she said, hurriedly clearing a space for Scarlett to perch on the edge. ‘Right… let’s start pulling some options for you.’
‘How many options do I need?’ Scarlett laughed with mild alarm as Libby started to grab dress after dress out of the wardrobe.
‘As many as it takes to find the perfect one!’ said Libby.
Scarlett’s eyes widened as she stared at Libby’s armful of silk, satin and sequins. ‘Are we expecting royalty at this dance?’
‘Better,’ Libby grinned. ‘We’re expecting the entire population of Crumbleton and Crumbleton Sands, all dressed in their finest after wearing nothing but surf gear for months.’ She held up a sparkly emerald dress. ‘Now, let’s get started!’
The next hour passed in a whirlwind of fabric, laughter, and increasingly outlandish fashion commentary from Libby.
Scarlett found herself modelling everything from a floaty bohemian maxi dress – “Too hippie, even for Crumbleton” – to a skintight red number that made her blush just looking at it – “Maybe save it for the second date .”
‘This one’s nice,’ said Scarlett, twirling in a simple navy wrap dress. It was nice and comfy, covering her completely from neck to knees.
Libby tilted her head critically. ‘It’s… okay.’
‘Okay?’ Scarlett echoed, examining her reflection in the full-length mirror. ‘What’s wrong with it?’
‘Nothing’s wrong with it,’ Libby said diplomatically. ‘It’s just... safe. The kind of dress you’d wear to a work function when you want to blend into the background.’
‘And that’s bad because...?’
‘For one thing – because I only bought that dress to chop it up for fabric,’ said Libby with a laugh. ‘Plus, tonight isn’t about blending in! It’s about making an entrance, having fun, letting your hair down.’
Scarlett bit her lip, not wanting to admit how appealing that sounded. When was the last time she’d done any of those things? Until recently, her life in Bath had been a carefully constructed routine of work, occasional dinners with colleagues, and quiet weekends catching up on sleep. Even her clothes reflected that sensible, unremarkable existence – practical, professional, forgettable.
‘I don’t know,’ she hedged. ‘I’m not really a “making an entrance” kind of girl.’
Libby’s expression softened. ‘Look, it’s your choice. If you want to wear the navy, that’s totally fine. You could basically make a bin bag look chic.’
‘But...?’
‘But I think you could be bolder,’ said Libby. ‘You’re gorgeous… and I’ve seen how my brother looks at you… and how you look at him, come to that!’
‘Is it that obvious?’ muttered Scarlett.
‘Only to someone with eyes,’ said Libby. Then, with studied casualness that fooled no one, she added, ‘He’s single, you know.’
‘Oh. Is he?’ Scarlett tried not to grin.
‘Completely unattached,’ Libby confirmed, rummaging through the pile on the bed again. ‘Has been for years. Since he disappeared to Australia. Not that he talks about his love life with me, of course, but I’d know if there was someone.’
‘I don’t get it,’ said Scarlett with a frown.
‘Get what?’ said Libby in surprise.
‘Someone that cute… and not a hint of romance for years?’
‘First off, EEEWW that’s my brother you’re talking about!’ said Libby, wrinkling her nose. ‘And second… the end of his last relationship was rough. It took him ages to get over it. Until he set eyes on you, in fact.’
‘Don’t be daft!’ said Scarlett, staring intently at the navy dress again.
‘I’m not being daft,’ said Libby with a shrug. ‘Two days ago, nothing could have dragged him back to the Big Dip Dance.’
‘Why… what happened?’ said Scarlett.
‘Let’s just say, last time he went, it didn’t end well,’ said Libby, perching on the edge of the bed. ‘He’d been with the same girl ever since school, and she dumped him that morning on the beach, right after the swim.’
‘That’s rough,’ Scarlett winced.
‘It gets worse,’ said Libby. ‘She’d been seeing his best mate behind his back. Pete still went to the dance that night only to find them snogging in the corner.’
‘No wonder he left the country,’ Scarlett murmured.
‘Wait… that’s not all,’ said Libby, lowering her voice, as if she was about to reveal a state secret, ‘I think he’d been planning to propose to her that night at the dance.’
Scarlett’s eyes widened. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘I saw a ring on his bedside table that morning when I was hunting for a pair of goggles,’ said Libby, her face solemn. ‘It was a great big diamond thing in a heart-shaped box. I never saw it again, and he’s never mentioned it… but a ring like that couldn’t be anything else, could it?’
Scarlett shook her head. ‘That’s awful.’
‘It was,’ said Libby. ‘I mean, he couldn’t really get out of doing the swim this morning because he’s one of the Surf Club’s senior lifeguards. But the fact that he’s volunteered to go tonight after swearing he’d never go to the dance again…’ She gave Scarlett a meaningful look. ‘Let’s just say, it’s a big deal.’
Scarlett felt the weight of that statement settle on her shoulders. So, tonight was far more important to Pete than having a bit of a drink and a dance with a random woman. It was his chance to create new memories that would hopefully replace the old, painful ones.
‘And that,’ Libby declared, hauling herself back off the bed, ‘is why you can’t wear the navy dress. If my brother is brave enough to face his demons, you can be brave enough to wear something spectacular.’
‘I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, though,’ Scarlett protested weakly.
‘It’s not about trying hard,’ said Libby. ‘It’s about having the guts to wear something that makes you feel amazing. It’s time for you to go full Cinderella!’
With that, she pushed aside all the remaining clothes in her wardrobe to reveal a garment bag hidden at the back. Unzipping it with a flourish, she took out a dress that made Scarlett gasp.
‘See – that’s the reaction I was going for!’ laughed Libby.
It was a silk slip dress in a deep, rich gold that shimmered under the bedroom light. It was floor length, with delicate spaghetti straps and a subtle cowl neckline that draped gently without being too revealing.
‘I’ve been saving this for a special occasion,’ said Libby, holding it up for Scarlett’s inspection. ‘Got it in a vintage shop in Camden last summer, but I’ve not had the chance to wear it yet.’
‘It’s gorgeous,’ Scarlett breathed.
‘Try it on,’ Libby urged.
‘Are you sure?’
Libby nodded, quickly stripping the dress from the hanger and holding it out for her to slip into. The silk flowed over Scarlett’s skin like water before settling lightly against her curves. It felt both decadent and comfortable, like wearing liquid gold.
‘Okay, wow,’ said Libby, as Scarlett turned to face the mirror. ‘That’s the one. Pete is going to die! ’’
‘It’s perfect,’ said Scarlett, turning from side to side and admiring the way the silk caught the light. ‘But I can’t take your special dress.’
‘Yes, you can,’ Libby insisted. ‘Consider it my contribution to making tonight memorable.’
‘For Pete?’ Scarlett asked, raising an eyebrow.
‘For both of you,’ said Libby. ‘Right… now it’s my turn. Can’t go letting the side down, can I?’