Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
S tanding on the step outside Cosy Nook Cottage, Verity didn’t know whether to knock or let herself in with the key. But before she could make a decision the front door opened and Sam was standing there. ‘You can come in, you know.’
It felt like he’d been waiting for her. Sam stepped aside and she walked past him. He’d changed his clothes since this morning and Verity tried not to give him a once-over as she walked past, even though his delicious aroma got her every time. Determined not to let him off the hook lightly, or make this easy for him, she stood in the middle of the living room. As soon as Jimmy got wind the front door had been opened, he bounded in and launched himself at her. She ruffled his head and smiled at the adorable dog before he ran off through the kitchen into the garden.
‘He likes to sit at the back gate, watching the world go by.’
You couldn’t mistake the tension in the air but Verity wasn’t going to be the one to address it first. She waited.
‘You’re mad at me, I can tell.’ Sam looked rather sheepish.
‘Why would I possibly be mad at you? Oh wait, perhaps it could be the fact you called me an idiot quite a few times in front of the whole island?’ she said pointedly.
‘I wasn’t really calling you’—he held out his hands towards her—‘an idiot, as such…’
‘As such?’ She cocked an eyebrow. ‘It sounded very clear to me exactly what you were calling me.’
‘I was just making a point that people don’t take enough notice of the tide times, and it costs money. If there were barriers?—’
‘I’ve already heard your speech. The way you spoke to Pete in front of everyone was unforgivable.’
‘You don’t know the whole situation so who are you to judge?’
Verity could see the mention of Pete had instantly maddened him.
‘What’s the situation?’
Sam didn’t answer.
‘Sometimes it’s good to talk to someone who isn’t involved in said situation.’
For a second Sam looked as if he might say something but then he changed his mind.
‘Whatever has gone on between you two, there are ways of talking to people and that wasn’t kind, especially in front of everyone. You don’t know what battles he’s fighting; no one knows what’s going on in anyone’s life.’
‘Unbelievable. You’ve only been here two minutes and without knowing all the facts have decided I’m in the wrong.’
‘So tell me the facts.’ Verity thought she saw a look of sadness flash across his face.
‘It’s private business but what he did was unforgivable and I have to live with the consequences every day.’ He paused. ‘But I’m sorry if you thought I made you out to be an?—’
‘Idiot,’ she interrupted. ‘You know it was a genuine mistake and you could have used me as a positive example.’ She projected her voice. ‘“Only this morning, Verity, who is visiting the island, got stuck on the causeway and had to be rescued. Unfortunately, the clock had stopped in her van and she thought it was safe to cross. If the barriers had been there, it would have stopped her driving on to the causeway.” Instead, you made me out to be some sort of halfwit.’
Sam held her gaze. ‘You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just passionate about keeping everyone as safe as possible and we’ve been butting heads on this matter for quite a while now.’
‘I’m assuming there’s more to your dislike of Pete than his opposition to the barriers?’
From Sam’s silence, Verity knew that was exactly the case but she didn’t push it. It was clear that whatever it was ran deep. ‘You know what my granny once told me? We all only have one time on this earth so be nice to each other. We may have a difference of opinion but the fact we aren’t all the same is wonderful and is what makes the world go around.’
‘Sometimes things happen that can’t be put right.’
Once again, they stared at each other for some time before Verity broke the silence. ‘Thank you for the apology. I’ve been up to see Nathan and he’s looking at the van. I just need to get my rucksack, I need my references.’
‘References?’
‘I may have just landed myself a job for a few days as a volunteer ranger, counting puffins!’
‘The puffin census? Pete’s in charge of that, how’s that come about?’
‘I followed him out of the hall because he looked upset. I wanted to make sure he was okay so I checked on him again after I visited the garage.’
Sam’s eyes widened. His mouth opened but no words came out.
‘Look, I’m not taking sides here, and it’s obviously none of my business, but I don’t like to see anyone upset and he looked distressed, like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. It might just be that he needs a friend, living up there on his own.’
‘And you’re suggesting that you’re going to be that friend?’
Verity was quiet. She could see by the look on Sam’s face he was not enjoying this conversation. ‘Whatever it is between you both, it’s not my argument. I take people as I find them and treat them how they treat me.’
‘This is unbelievable. He’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders all right.’
‘I’m going to go.’ She pointed to the door.
Sam stepped aside and didn’t say any more. The door closed behind her, leaving Verity wondering what the hell had gone on between them.