Chapter eighteen
‘Wow. It looks so fresh, Marcus. The new coat of paint on the rendering really pops the cornflower blue.’
Marcus looked up at Rowan’s profile. His long lashes were tipped with gold from the morning sun. Marcus loved the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
‘I wanted to surprise you.’ He dug his hands into Atlas’s fluffy coat as he stroked him, then brought his nose close and inhaled it. ‘Mmmm, you make me want to drink a pina colada, Atlas.’
Rowan chuckled. ‘It’s a little early for that. Maybe at lunchtime. Do they make cocktails in the pub?’
Atlas turned around and licked Marcus’s face. ‘I love you too, handsome boy.’ Marcus got to his feet. ‘Why, are you planning on buying me lunch at The Cheese Wedge and Pickles?’
‘I am. I’m celebrating.’
A smile lifted the corners of Marcus’s mouth. ‘Did you find someone?’
Rowan nodded. ‘Yes, an American couple needed a three bed for a year. The man is going to be based at a nearby air base. They said it’s the perfect rental for them, and his commute to work.
They move in at the beginning of next month.
So that gives me three weeks to get things sorted, and enough of my things here so I’m not living out of a weekend bag. ’
Marcus wrapped his arms around Rowan and squeezed him. ‘That’s marvellous news. And the timing is perfect. The kitchen fitters are due to start work next week. You will be here, and I won’t have to worry about keep having to pop back to check up on them.’
‘Oh yes, that works well.’ Rowan immediately looked down at Atlas, and Marcus followed his gaze.
A small frown creased Marcus’s brow. ‘Do you think Atlas will be all right with strange people in the house? Especially now he’s found his spot.’
Rowan nodded, lifting his gaze to settle on Marcus’s face. Marcus could see the proud look, which had become permanent behind Rowan’s eyes, was still blazing strong. ‘Yes. He’ll be fine.’
Marcus’s face suddenly beamed. He bent down and picked up Rowan’s weekend travel bag, then grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the freshly painted front door. ‘Come on. I’ve got something to show you.’
Atlas quickly got up, and side stepped both men, and pushed his snout through the three inch crack in the door, letting himself in first. Marcus’s chest expanded. He loved that Atlas had already made the cottage his home.
Marcus pushed the front door all the way open. ‘Ta da!’
Rowan stopped in his tracks, his jaw dropping open. ‘You did it. You went with the paint colour I chose.’
Marcus looked around at the small entrance hall. Before decorating, it looked far narrower than it was, now with the Tallow cream paint, suggested by Rowan, instead of using wallpaper, like he was initially going to use, the hallway not only looked brighter, but wider too.
‘Mmmm, I love the new smell,’Rowan said.
Marcus stole a kiss on Rowan’s cheek. ‘I love our new beginning.’
Atlas barked and jumped from side to side, as if sensing the playfulness between them.
‘Oh no,’ laughed Rowan, ‘get ready.’
‘Ready for what?’
‘Zoomies!’
Marcus’s eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open as he watched in amazement as Atlas began running from room to room. Then he chuckled, delighted Atlas was displaying a classic dog characteristic, showing how happy he was.
Rowan laughed heartily, tears forming in the corner of his eyes. ‘I never thought I’d see the day when he did zoomies again.’
They stood still, both in awe as they watched Atlas for a full five minutes, before he collapsed from exhaustion in his favourite spot, panting, his long tongue lolling out of his mouth.
‘He’ll need some water,’ fussed Marcus.
‘He knows where it is,’ Rowan smiled.
Marcus sighed with contentment. ‘Right. I’d better be off. Georgina will be wondering where I’ve got to.’
Rowan turned to look at him. ‘Meet me and Atlas in the pub at twelve?’
Marcus grabbed his umbrella from the coat rack. ‘Make sure there is a pina colada waiting for me!’ he winked, then left.
Looking up at the sky, he furrowed his brow.
There wasn’t a cloud in sight. The weather forecast must have got it wrong.
As he headed down into the town, looking out at the view that greeted him daily.
The sea shimmered as the morning sun caught surface ripples, and the distant excited shrieks of gulls signalled Ben was already throwing them titbits of waste from his fish cart.
Marcus smiled contentedly as he inhaled deeply, catching the scent of seaweed of the back of a salty breeze, and someone’s cooked breakfast, as the unmistakable smell of smoked bacon made his stomach growl.
He’d been so excited getting the house prepared for Rowan’s long-weekend visit, he’d forgotten to eat breakfast.
The tinkling of the tearoom bell announced his entrance. Marcus noticed Jack first, who had lots of documents spread around his half eaten full English breakfast.
‘Good morning, Jack. Hard at it already?’
Jack looked up, still chewing. He smiled and swallowed. ‘No rest for the wicked, eh, Marcus.’
Marcus laughed as he walked past him towards the counter, placing him third in the queue. The smell of freshly roasted coffee and baked cake, had him salivating as he waited his turn to be served.
‘Good morning, Marcus. Your Friday usual will be ready in a minute. No Rowan?’
‘Morning Tammy. Thanks. Rowan just arrived, but I’m sure he and Atlas will call in soon. They’re meeting me lunchtime.’
Declan’s head appeared around the door of the kitchen. ‘Morning, Marcus. I couldn’t help myself from overhearing. You said, Rowan is calling in?’
‘Yes, he’ll probably be down in the town within the hour. He can’t resist Tammy’s homemade carrot and ginger cake.’
‘Ah thanks, good. Do you think he’ll mind consulting me on something Fernando is doing at the moment? Only it’s easier for me to show him than explain.’ Declan lifted his eyes to the ceiling, indicating he meant taking Rowan up to his flat above the tearoom, where he lived with his pet.
‘Of course he will. You know he’ll do anything for animals.’
Declan nodded with a smile. ‘Great.’ Then his head disappeared again.
‘And he’ll do anything for you, too,’ winked Tammy. ‘Like travelling all the way here from the south every weekend.’
Marcus grinned, too excited to contain the news any longer. ‘He won’t have to travel for a whole year as of next month, because he’s renting out his house... He’ll be in Seagull Bay full-time.’
Tammy squealed with delight. ‘That’s amazing news, Marcus.’ She smiled warmly and tapped the side of her nose.
Marcus had grown closer to Tammy and Declan in the three weeks since the dog competition, and as well as Christine, he’d also confided in Georgina, Tammy and Declan about Rowan and him.
Declan appeared again with two paper bags. ‘There you go, mate.’
Marcus took the bags and handed Tammy a bank note. ‘Can you keep the change for Rowan’s order?’
‘Awww, you are such a romantic sweetie,’ Tammy said.
Marcus shook his head with a smile. ‘I’m not so sure I want that tag. See you both later. Have a great day!’
‘You too,’ Tammy and Declan chorused.
WARMTH SETTLED OVER Marcus as he entered Ruff to Regal. He was surprised to see Georgina already at her grooming table, clipping the nails of a small terrier.
‘Morning, G. Another drop in appointment?’
Georgina looked up and smiled. ‘Yes. I don’t know how you managed drop-ins on top of all those extra appointments the competition generated when I was off ill. I’m so sorry you had to deal with that alone, Marcus.’
‘That’s life, G. I managed, and you got better. That’s all that matters.’ He placed Georgina’s breakfast sandwich down. ‘Your butty is here, G. I’ll put the kettle on.’
‘Thanks, Marcus.’
He walked over to the appointment book and quickly scanned the day ahead, a small smile playing across his mouth when he saw two of the appointments had requested the quiet zone, and three new clients had already asked about Rowan’s behaviour consultations.
Rowan already had three behaviour consultations booked through Ruff to Regal for the following weekend. He headed for the tearoom.
Christine was standing in front of the kettle, a spoon clicking against the porcelain of her mug as she stirred.
‘Good morning, Christine. How’s your day looking?’
Christine turned around, a smile already in place. ‘Morning, Marcus. Mine’s steady. You?’
‘Busy. There’s been no let up since the competition... Not that I’m complaining, but I was hoping to take a longer lunch hour today.’ Christine’s brow lifted inquisitively. ‘Rowan came a day early. We’re having lunch and cocktails in the pub to celebrate his house being rented out for a year.’
Christine placed her mug down and opened her arms wide as she walked over to Marcus, embracing him with genuine love.
She held Marcus at arm’s length and searched his eyes. ‘I am so pleased for you both. He finally saw sense, eh?’
Marcus’s grin stretched from ear to ear. ‘He did.’
‘Right,’ said Christine, ‘I’d better get prepared.
I have a corkscrew perm.’ She rolled her eyes.
‘I thought I’d seen the last of them in the eighties.
Then I have a lovely old dear wanting me to dye her hair baby pink.
’ She shook her head gently with a smile as she reclaimed her mug, and left the tearoom.
Marcus was still chuckling when he filled the kettle with fresh water.
ROWAN brEEZED INTO Ruff to Regal, Atlas’s lead in one hand, and his other arm bent behind his back.
‘Hi G.’
‘Hello, Rowan. What do you have th—’
Rowan’s eyes widened and he shook his head, but it was too late, Marcus had seen.
‘What you trying to hide? Come to show me a broken vase or something? I’m not bothered what Atlas broke doing his zoom—’
Rowan withdrew his arm, and with it, a beautiful bouquet.
Marcus adored flowers, and planned on having the borders surrounding the small front garden, a rainbow of colour next summer.
‘They’re beautiful,’ he gasped.
‘They’re from Atlas. He wanted to thank you for his new cushion by the fireplace.’
Marcus laughed. ‘I didn’t know you were also a dog whisperer amongst your other talents.’ Marcus held up a finger. ‘Actually, I also have a gift for Atlas.’ He placed the bouquet down and opened the drawer beneath the counter where the appointment book was kept.
He presented Atlas with a rosette. It read, Quiet Courage, in blue lettering. He clipped it onto Atlas’s collar.
When he stood up straight, Rowan was grinning and shaking his head. ‘You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?’
Marcus smiled. ‘I’ve had it for weeks. I was even contemplating having one made for you when I gave it to him.’
Rowan’s brow shot up. ‘And what would it have said?’
Marcus grinned sheepishly. ‘Best at showing up.’
Rowan’s head fell back and he roared with laughter. ‘You never fail to amaze me, Marcus Mitchell.’
Marcus reached past Rowan for the door. ‘Come on, I’ve got a pina colada calling my name.’
Stepping out into the high street, Marcus and Rowan walked side by side, Atlas falling into a natural gait in between them.
Veronica was up ahead, handing out leaflets to holiday makers as they passed by. ‘Come and find out about the historic spooky goings on in Seagull Bay. From haunted hounds to unrequited love. The first tour starts at seven—’
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Marcus and Rowan. ‘Hello, you two. Fancy coming on another tour? You never got to hear the new part I added about the haunted hounds, the section I made up for the dog competition.’
‘Sounds fun. Will you be starting it at Keeper’s Lane again? Marcus asked.
Veronica nodded, but her forehead furrowed. ‘Hopefully.’
‘That response doesn’t sound very positive,’ Rowan said. ‘Why are you unsure, it worked well for the tour we went on?’
Veronica pulled a face. ‘Someone has bought The Lantern. I didn’t even know it was up for sale.’
‘That shouldn’t affect your tour, Veronica. It’s not as if you take people inside The Lantern, you only stand outside it.’
Veronica looked thoughtful. ‘That’s true.’ She beamed a smile at Marcus and Rowan. ‘Let me know about that tour, because I’m already nearing capacity.’
Marcus nodded. ‘Will do.’
They continued towards the pub, walking past the happy faces of holidaymakers, staying at Seagull Bay in the latter part of the summer.
Marcus glanced at Rowan, and caught him already staring his way.
His breath caught in his throat. Rowan seemed to radiate a quiet contentment that Marcus felt in his very core.
Marcus couldn’t pull his eyes away from Rowan’s, as a connection unknown to the people surrounding them, passed between them.
Consciously, Marcus reached for Rowan’s hand, their fingers touching briefly, sending electricity passing between them at the light touch, before he slid his fingers through Rowan’s. Rowan audibly gasped, his eyes sending a silent message, asking if Marcus was sure.
Marcus nodded, unable to contain the happy manic smile that overtook his mouth.
‘Good afternoon, gentlemen.’ Mrs Calloway’s voice stopped Marcus in his tracks. He turned his head forward to see Mrs Calloway’s eagle eyes locked on their entwined fingers.
Her eyes dropped from their hands to Atlas and Beau, who were sniffing each other, quietly sharing a moment.
‘Er, good afternoon, Mrs Calloway. Lovely day isn’t it? The forecast said rain, but there’s not a cloud in the sky.’
Mrs Calloway looked back up, her kind eyes going from Marcus to Rowan. She placed a hand on top of theirs.
‘It is, Marcus, my dear. And there’ll be no storms ahead... I can guarantee that.’
Marcus’s chest swelled with affection for Mrs Calloway, and her silent promise.
‘You-you have a lovely day, Mrs Calloway.’
‘You too, Marcus. You deserve it!’
Rowan looked at Marcus and raised his eyebrows, as they both watched Mrs Calloway walk away.
Marcus sighed contentedly and brazenly kissed Rowan on the lips, not caring who saw them.
For once, Marcus was not standing on the edge of someone else’s happy ending. He was opening the door to his own.