Chapter ten
Marcus was walking along the seafront whistling.
He stopped and looked around. He was almost at work.
How had he got from home to there without even realising it?
But the smile that he couldn’t hide, which had been a permanent fixture on his face since last night, was the only tell for his inner happiness.
He felt as though he was lighter than air, which was a miracle considering the weight of what was still left to do on the countdown for the dog competition, still on his shoulders.
But, the worries of the competition were pushed to the back of his mind for now, because all the way here, something—or rather, someone—had been on the forefront.
Rowan and Atlas had walked him home after the ghost tour, and their conversation had flowed freer than it had since they’d met. Rowan had even told Marcus he’d pop into Ruff to Regal and help out again in the afternoon after he’d finished with his work contract schedule.
He continued on, his hands deep in his pockets, as deep as his thoughts as he dissected Rowan further. Before last night, Rowan had been impenetrable, but last night, something had shifted, it was as though Rowan had shed layers.
The smell of fresh bread on the back of a warm breeze caught Marcus’s attention, and he looked across the beachfront to Tammy’s Tearoom.
Tammy was outside the tearoom, sliding up the parasols on the tables.
She looked up, spotted Marcus and waved, then started to walk towards him.
Marcus waved back, and made a detour to meet her halfway.
‘Good morning, Tammy. Beautiful day already, isn’t it?’
They both looked up in unison at the cornflower blue sky, with just a couple of wispy white clouds floating by.
‘Yes, morning, Marcus. It’s going to be another scorcher by the looks of it.’
Marcus dropped his face to see Tammy studying him, a small smile on her lips. ‘I spotted you on Veronica’s tour with Rowan. You found a new friend? Mrs Calloway seems to think so. You were her favourite topic of conversation yesterday when she popped in for her usual midday cake collection.’
Marcus’s brow shot up, although he should have known word about Rowan helping out in Ruff to Regal would get through Seagull Bay faster than a wildfire if Mrs Calloway had anything to do with it.
‘Is that so? And what did she have to say?’
‘Nothing damaging, don’t worry. She was in fact singing your praises. Telling everyone about how well you treated her baby.’
‘Beau?’
Tammy laughed as she nodded. ‘Yes, Beau. But in her second breath, she couldn’t wait to tell whoever was listening about how Rowan may be taking over from Georgina.’
Marcus sighed and ran a hand down his face. ‘I need to text Georgina and put her mind at ease and explain that Rowan is just helping out, in case she gets the wrong end of the stick from Mrs Calloway’s meddling.’
Tammy nodded. ‘So, is Rowan just helping out until Georgina returns? Mrs Calloway seemed convinced she’d uncovered breaking news.’
Marcus laughed, though heat crept up his neck. ‘He’s just helping for now. Georgina’s still very much part of Ruff to Regal.’
Tammy’s expression softened. ‘Well, whatever’s changed, you look brighter today. Less like someone carrying the whole dog competition on his back.’
Tammy’s statement fanned the warmth he felt in his chest, stoking the feeling into a roaring fire. In the brief time he’d known him, Rowan’s presence in his life was having a truly positive effect. If he was feeling like this already, what would it feel like to have him in his life every day?
His mind, traitorous thing that it was, began sketching out ridiculous little pictures: Rowan and Atlas on the beach, Rowan in his half-finished garden, Rowan sitting at his kitchen table while Marcus pretended he knew how to cook.
Good grief. He needed help.
‘Earth to Marcus!’ Marcus’s vision cleared to see Tammy waving a hand in front of his face.
‘Sorry, Tammy. I just remembered I didn’t get the towels out of the washing machine last night,’ he fibbed.
‘I won’t keep you then, Marcus.’ She looked back over her shoulder. ‘I’d better get back anyway, before Declan notices I’ve gone AWOL.’
Marcus smiled warmly. ‘Have a great day, Tammy. Hopefully, I’ll be able to pop in to grab some lunch today. I’ve had two bookings rescheduled.’
‘You too, Marcus. I’ll save you a slice of your favourite cake, in case you do.’
Tammy turned around and headed back to the tearoom. Marcus watched her for a moment, before fishing out his mobile phone, and quickly texting Georgina, before continuing on his way.
‘THERE YOU GO, LOVE.’ Christine placed a steaming mug of coffee down next to the appointment book.
Marcus hadn’t heard Christine enter the parlour.
He’d been too busy changing things around, preparing the space carefully.
After spending an entire day with Rowan, and reading his notes on the behaviour of the clients he’d had in the parlour, Marcus had decided a few changes needed to happen.
He lowered the lighting, making it much softer, being more mindful of the smells the dogs would be greeted with, keeping the bottle tops on shampoo bottles and treatment oils.
More water bowls had been placed strategically around the parlour and the grooming tables had been pushed back.
‘Oh, Christine. I was miles away. Thank you.’
Christine looked around the parlour, nodding with appreciation as she took in the changes. When she looked back at Marcus, she had a cheeky grin on her face. ‘Well,’ she said, her eyes sparkling. ‘Is it Rowan-ready now?’ she teased him lightly.
Marcus nearly spluttered into his coffee. ‘It’s Atlas-ready.’
‘Of course it is.’
‘It is.’
Christine lifted both hands. ‘I didn’t say a word.’
‘You said several words...With your face.’
Her smile softened. ‘I’m only saying you look happy, love. And I haven’t seen you look properly happy in a while.’
Marcus smiled warmly. ‘I know, Christine, but really, this has been done for my clients after reading Rowan’s notes.’
Christine’s smile was genuine. ‘You’ve done a great job.
Although I thought it was fantastic before.
But what do I know.’ She finished with a shrug.
She took a step towards him, tilting her head to one side as she studied him.
‘You know, you look different. I think your new friendship with Rowan is having the right effect on you. Before, you were all work and no play. You were a bear with a sore head when we had that meeting in the pub. Now, you look like your old self again—if not happier—if that could be possible. You seem much more relaxed ’
Marcus picked up his coffee and took a tentative sip as he processed what Christine had said. He had been more relaxed yesterday. But had that been because Rowan had eased the pressure of the Ruff to Regal diary? Or had it been because he’d been here?
Marcus chewed his bottom lip as he carefully considered his answer. ‘I am more relaxed today Christine. Things are starting to fall into place with the competition, and...’
‘And?’
‘Georgina is on the mend. She’ll be back in the next day or two.’
Christine took a sip of coffee as she eyed Marcus. ‘And you aren’t crediting any of this upturn in mood to a certain someone hanging around here more often?’
With a wave of his hand, Marcus tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.
Christine was the only person in the bay who knew his sexual orientation—but there was nothing to tell.
Yes, he fancied Rowan. Yes, Rowan had made a big positive impact on both him and his business.
But he didn’t know enough about Rowan to presume he felt the same way.
He laughed lightly. ‘So, I’ve been a bear with a sore head lately, have I?’
Christine shook her head with a wry smile. ‘Not really, of course you haven’t. You’ve been your usual, jokey, happy self. But I have seen how the pressure of organising the dog competition has been weighing you down... And I have seen how you’ve become lighter having Rowan around.’
‘He’s been a good influence. He knows his stuff. I think the dog competition should run without any hitches now, thanks to Rowan.’
Christine took another sip of her coffee. ‘I’m looking forward to it. I think Tom is even considering entering Rosie. She was a rescue dog, but she’s so well trained.’
‘That’s a great idea. Let me guess... Cutest dog?’
Shrugging, Cristine headed to the door leading back into her salon. ‘Maybe? Anyway, I’d better get back. I’ve got a cut and blow-dry in next.’
‘Me too. I’d better get back to it. See you later.’
Christine disappeared through the door, but then popped her head back around it. ‘And Marcus.’
‘Yes?’
‘Do everything I wouldn’t do!’ She winked and disappeared again, and Marcus was left belly laughing.
HALFWAY THROUGH DETANGLING a Shih tzu, a familiar face appeared around the door.
‘Rowan, you made it.’
Marcus watched Rowan’s eyes sweep around the parlour. ‘You changed the room.’
Marcus replied lightly. ‘I prefer to think of it as a full emotional makeover. Why are you hanging half-in and half-out? Come in!’
‘It might take me a while, I have a visitor.’ Rowan pushed the door wide open and Marcus was amazed to see Atlas had walked all the way up to it. It was the furthest he’d got so far.
‘Wow. How long have you been out there? I mean, how long has it taken him to get from the gate to the door?’
Rowan flicked his head to the side. ‘I reckon about twenty minutes or so.’
‘Not bad. I’d come and help try to cajole him inside, but as you can see, I have my hands full.’
‘No worries. Is it okay keeping this door open? I’ve shut the gate.’
‘Yes, as long as the gate is closed, take all the time in the world.’
Rowan looked from Atlas to Marcus, a small grimace stretching his mouth. ‘I’m really hoping it’s not going to take that long.’