Chapter 35
Did everyone have the tendency to make crazy decisions when they were frustrated? When your feelings were simmering away, and then the heat got turned up, the next stop was boiling point, wasn’t it.
Neither Holly nor Chloe had brought up him storming out of the Anchor last night, and Paolo felt no burning desire to discuss it with either of them.
Hiding in the medicines cupboard, he read over the text Hamish had just sent him, feeling the strength which kept him standing ebbing away.
I’m so sorry. Can’t do swimming. Tree weakened by storm has fallen down and need to prioritize getting it off the drive before the guests arrive — health and safety etc etc. Apologies again, H
That decided it. He might as well reply to the message from Fabien, which he had left unanswered up until that point.
It might be like inviting a vampire into your home, he thought, as he considered his response. Incredibly dangerous, but according to pop culture, also weirdly sexy.
Hi Fabien. Nice to hear from you. It would be lovely to meet up. Let me know when suits. P
He reread the message and immediately deleted it. He sounded so formal, so dour. That wasn’t what Fabien liked. He liked flirty texts, full of innuendo and firm plans. Paolo paused — his thumbs hovering over the miniscule keyboard on the phone. Was his subconscious trying to steer him away by composing a reply that Fabien wouldn’t be interested in?
And yet, he had to be decisive. Opportunities like this, ones where handsome men requested your company, didn’t come your way every day. They didn’t come Paolo’s on a yearly basis.
I’ve got a bottle of tequila in the cupboard, crying out to be used.
Christ, that was no better. The subclause was a bit close to home, to be honest. He needed to seem more blasé to Fabien’s appearance.
Sure. Can rustle up some more of my world famous margs. Meet you at Finnen at 7pm tomo? x
That was it. His heart gave a lurch as he watched the message disappear off into cyberspace. He shoved the phone deep into his pocket. On second thoughts, that was a terrible idea. He’d jump every time it buzzed against his leg, like a tiny taser of punishment. Instead, he popped it on the shelf, with the intention of only looking if he happened to be back getting drugs for any of the animals they had on the list for the rest of Friday afternoon.
‘You look guilty,’ said Chloe, looking up from behind the desk when he got back to reception. ‘What have you been up to?’
‘Nothing,’ said Paolo, aware that he had slunk back into the room, eyes shifty.
‘Come on,’ said Holly, sticking her head out of the side room, then stepping out fully. ‘Mrs Peters moved her appointment to next Monday. You’ve got ten minutes before the MacLewises arrive, I reckon.’
‘You’re here and all?’ Paolo groaned, and went and stared out of the window, not wishing to look at either of them. ‘Fine. I said I’d see Fabien. I want to feel wanted, is all. And Fabien wants me.’
‘For—?’ Chloe prompted.
‘Not for anything serious.’ Paolo cut across her before she could deliver a blow. ‘I know. But it’s nice feeling wanted. And I know he’ll be here for a couple of days and then head back to Switzerland, but I don’t think that matters. Please don’t lay into me again.’
He leaned his forehead against the window, and breathed against it, a small circle of mist appearing in front of him, obscuring his view of the sea.
‘It’s OK for you two,’ he continued. ‘Loved up with someone to go home to at the end of the day. I don’t have that. There is nobody there for me, and don’t tell me Ginger counts, because he doesn’t. A cat is not what I want for my happy ever after. I felt so drawn to Hamish, and he’s off the cards. I think it might boost my confidence to see Fabien. A reminder that I’m not entirely undateable.’
He turned around to face his colleagues. Still in her chair behind reception, Chloe’s eyebrows had merged with her hairline, and Holly looked like she was grinding her teeth, both hands on her hips. If he could choose who spoke first, he’d rather it was Chloe, who would happily mince her words so as not to offend.
‘You were treated like rubbish by Fabien,’ Chloe said. ‘And now you’re going to meet the guy for margaritas on the beach?’
So much for mincing her words.
‘Maybe this is disappointing,’ Paolo started.
‘Disappointing?!’ Holly cried. ‘Try staggering! Come on, Paolo, you can do better than him. Tell him you’ve changed your mind.’
‘It would be rude,’ he replied. ‘And, like I say, I want to see him. Chloe, anything else to add?’
Chloe shook her head. ‘Don’t think I’ve got the words, Paolo. Shall I make us all a cup of tea before Mr MacLewis comes? I know I could do with one. Oh, bummer, here he is already.’
Paolo plastered a smile on his face and held the door open to welcome Ivan MacLewis, the owner of the knitwear pop-up, who came in with his Scottish Terrier trotting obediently at his heels. He couldn’t have arrived at a better time.