46. Millie
Millie
There were more tourists than when she had last visited.
The smell of fish competed with the bread from the nearby bakery. Light glinted off trinkets outside gift shops, and the fudge aroma wafting from the sweet shop made Millie wiggle her nose.
“Hello, honeymooners,” Merryn said as they stood outside her café. “I’m locking up for the day, but I’m meeting Elsie at the pub. Join us.”
Strike had wrung his hands most of the way to the town and gritted his teeth when she teased him. He hid some of himself from her, and she needed to see that guy. They’d struggle to be together if he couldn’t be his true self with her.
“Can we go to the pub, baby?” she asked, tilting her head and fluttering her eyelashes. “Please.”
He scowled. “Fine. But I need to call my”—he glanced at Merryn—“colleague about business. We need to plan a trip to visit the man we talked about.”
They followed Merryn to the pub at the edge of the beach.
“This is a favourite with the locals,” Merryn explained as they reached the open double doors. Worn wooden tables filled the space, and faded pictures covered the walls. The entire town was visible from its wide windows.
“Let me check it. You stay outside.” Strike stepped in front of her and glanced around. His hunched shoulders filled the space.
He returned. “It seems safe enough.”
Merryn cocked an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
“I’ll make my call now. I’ll be in shortly.”
“Tell Bear I said hi,” Millie replied.
Strike shook his head as she reached the threshold of the pub.
“Watch the step.” Merryn was taller than average and bent to avoid clipping her head on the top of the doorway as Millie tripped and nearly fell into the pub, drawing everyone’s attention.
Silence descended as she readjusted the summer dress she hadn’t intended to wear beyond the confines of the safe house.
Elsie waved them over to a table.
“Three ciders, Larry,” Merryn shouted to the man behind the bar, who delivered them quickly.
Millie scanned the pub as she joined Elsie, supping the top of her pint of cider and sighing. The fruity tang of the apples stayed on her tongue while the bubbles fizzed in her mouth.
She didn’t have Strike’s instincts, but she promised to stay safe, which meant being aware of her surroundings.
The punters ranged from wizened bearded men to lads in football kits. There were a couple of older ladies throwing darts. Millie hadn’t played since university, having left the darts society because the guys had made her uncomfortable.
“Why was your husband checking the inside of the pub?” Merryn asked.
Millie worried her lip.
“Elsie, tell Millie what you told me.”
“You know my real name.”
Elsie leaned in and whispered, “Someone’s showing your photo around and asking after you because the police want to talk to you.”
Millie jumped up. “I’ve got to go.”
Joyce walked into the pub and blocked her exit. “Hi, ladies. I’m guessing you told her?”
“Sit down. You’re safe,” Elsie explained.
Merryn rested her hand on Millie’s arm, encouraging her to sit. “It’s okay. Nothing will happen to you here.”
“But the man looking for me?”
“He’s gone. I told him I saw you in Plymouth a few days ago. He’ll search that city forever.”
“Why would you do that?”
“We like you,” Joyce replied.
“But you barely know me.”
“You’re sweet,” Merryn uttered
“And you read romance books,” Elsie added.
“You gave me a cupcake,” Joyce said. “And your husband is hot as hell. What’s not to like?”
Millie gave a half-smile.
“Jonah, who rented you the house, only allows good people there, so we’re on your side, whatever your side is. Why don’t you tell us about yourself?”
“I’m a counsellor, not a criminal,” she blurted. “I witnessed a man get stabbed, and I videoed it, but my phone is broken. Strike’s keeping me safe until the video’s sorted or the victim wakes.”
“You’re safe here. Don’t worry,” Joyce said, squeezing her hand. “How long have you been married?”
“I’m not,” Millie confessed. “Strike’s my bodyguard, but…”
Merryn cuddled her. “You’re in love. I can tell when someone is in love.”
Millie blushed. “I think I am. But don’t tell him. I haven’t said anything.”
“Your secret is safe,” Joyce replied. “He adores you.”
“He’s smitten.” Merryn chuckled.
“I’m not sure. We have a complex history, and he’s been through a lot.” She worried her thumb, but their stares were unrelenting. “And he’s hiding a part of himself from me.”
“Sometimes, it’s easier to hide yourself so you don’t have to cope with other people’s judgement,” Elsie murmured.
“Is that right?” Merryn side-eyed Elsie. “That reminds me, I need to pop to the bathroom. Come with me, Joyce.”
“But I don’t need—"
“Come with me,” Merryn insisted, dragging her from the table.
Elsie huffed. “That was my mum’s unsubtle way of leaving us alone so we can chat, I guess because you said you’re a counsellor.”
“You don’t have to tell me anything. We can talk about books.”
Elsie said sulkily, “It’s okay. I could do with chatting to someone.
I’ve broken up with my girlfriend. She wants me to travel the world with her, but I love it here.
Everyone who lives here wants to get away.
At college, people think I’m weird for wishing to stay, but my town is beautiful, and I can surf when I’m not working. I need to decide what I want to do.”
“I wouldn’t want to leave here, either. It’s a lovely place. Are you working part-time at your mum’s bakery while you finish your studies?”
“Yeah. My college career teacher thinks I should go to university and study English. But I don’t want that. I want to help others. As a counsellor, you help people?”
Millie nodded. “Lots of different people. Some have been through awful things, but often they find chatting helps.”
“I like that.” She twisted her lip ring. “A lot of the work around here is in tourism, which I enjoy because you never know who’s going to walk through the door, but I could be a care support worker or something. I’ve looked at training, and I’m always helping the elderly people in the town.”
“I bet your mum would love to hear about that. Were you with your girlfriend long?”
“A couple of months.” Elsie sipped her drink.
“I’m not that gutted. She was nasty about my books.
It’s a shame you’re here for just a week or two.
I want a book buddy. I’ve dreamed of running a bookstore here.
An indie romance one. It’s way too niche for a little town like this, but you can dream, right? ”
Millie chuckled. “That’s why we read.”
“Exactly.”
“Did your mum and your girlfriend get on?”
Elsie gave a hollow laugh. “Mum doesn’t know I’m gay. She’s a great mum and always listening to other people’s problems, but when it comes to me, she tries to fix without listening. She just wants me happy.”
“It can be like that when the person means everything to you.”
“You’re good at listening. Those guys over there have been staring at you since you came in, and you haven’t noticed.”
Millie glanced at where Elsie pointed. Turning her head made the strap of her summer dress fall. One of the dark-haired footballers at the table nearby smirked. He looked like the kind of guy she would have chatted with on the app.
Cheers came from the dartboard, and Millie glanced at it again as a couple laughed at their friends before walking away.
“Everything okay?” Merryn asked, returning to the table with Joyce.
Elsie tied her hair in a ponytail. “Yeah, all good. Does anyone want to play darts?”
Millie worried her lip. “I’ve got to tell Strike about the man looking for me.”
“Didn’t your… husband say he’d come in when he finished his call?” Merryn asked. “You can tell him when he arrives. Besides, I need the practice. I’ve got a league game tonight.” She whispered in Millie’s ear, “And this is the first time Elsie has wanted to play darts with me. Please.”
“Okay.” Millie nodded, but anxiety still nipped at her skin.
As she threw her first dart, her shoulders relaxed.
“You’re a book-loving darts shark.” Elsie chuckled, staring at the triple twenty Millie landed.
Millie grinned as she shrugged. “Just lucky.”
“Hey.” The guy who’d tried to make eye contact with her sidled up to the table nearest where they played. Elsie eyed him warily.
“You’re drinking cider and playing darts. You might be my perfect woman.”
“I’m married.” She waggled her finger before throwing her next dart.
“That’s not a proper wedding band. Your husband’s cheap.”
Millie nibbled her lip. “I love my ring.”
“Don’t be an arsehole, Jez,” Merryn replied. “Her husband is gorgeous and adores her. You don’t compare.”
Jez rolled his eyes and pushed his hand through his shaggy hair. “I can still chat with her.”
Millie stood to the side while Elsie threw darts, but Jez moved to sit near her again. His friends rolled their eyes and called him back, but he stayed, studying her.
“Do you always try to pick up tourists?” Millie asked.
“All the time,” Elsie said while lining up her throw. “He’s a dog.”
“Just like his dad,” Merryn added.
“And his grandad,” Joyce said. Merryn nodded.
“You’re saying that because neither of them would date you, like I don’t want to date Elsie. I prefer the tourists,” he said, looking Millie up and down. His leer turned her stomach.
“You’re not my type,” Elsie muttered.
“What is your type, Elsie?” Merryn asked.
“Your turn, Millie,” Elsie said.
“I can rock your world, Millie. You won’t be able to walk by the time I finish with you.”
As she attempted to pass Jez, she tripped on his foot. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his lap. As she struggled, the hem of her dress rose.
Boots smacked on the floor, drawing everyone’s stares. “Get your fucking hands off my wife.”
“Strike,” Millie gasped. Strike was delicate as he took her hand.
“Oh my.” Merryn swooned.
“He’s like a knight riding his dragon into battle to save his woman!” Elsie clapped her hands.
Millie’s chuckle died in her throat when she glanced at his snarling face.
“Don’t ever talk to her, look at her, or touch her again. The next time you try it, I snap you like a twig. You got that, prick?” Strike said before turning to Millie, cupping her face and kissing her possessively.
It took her breath away—and his, too, because as he pulled away, he panted and put his forehead against hers. “Come with me, Sunset.”
Her brow furrowed as Strike held her hand and walked her toward the door.
“Sorry, ladies. My husband has spoken. Rematch in the week?”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Elsie shouted. “Does your husband have a younger sister? Because fucking hell.”
“Sister?” Merryn asked.
Joyce rolled her eyes. “She’s gay, Merryn.”
Merryn gasped and pulled Elsie into a hug while Elsie huffed.
“Don’t you dare let go of my hand,” Strike growled as they left the pub.
Millie scraped her teeth against her lip as they walked through an alleyway. Strike’s silence was deafening.
“I didn’t try it on with him. I tripped,” Millie blurted. She couldn’t decipher if he was angry with her for risking her safety or getting herself into that situation. “I didn’t want him.”
Strike hissed, “I know that. I was watching from the window the entire time I was trying to call Bear.”
“Trying?”
“There’s been an emergency. I need to get to Devon.”