The following evening Louisa shrugged on her beloved jeans and a pale blue long-sleeved T-shirt; ubiquitous uniform for a pub get-together. As she checked in the mirror, she noticed that the sun had brought her freckles to life, albeit still faintly. By the time summer was in full flow her nose and cheeks would display a light sprinkling that she did not find at all attractive, hiding them as best she could under make-up. The trick was to shade her face as much as possible and use high-level sunblock. Being fair-skinned she did not tan easily and tended to cheat with the fake stuff when it was time for the beach. For now, she dabbed on an extra layer of foundation before grabbing her biker jacket and heading down to an early supper with Charlotte.
An hour later she stood in the hall waiting for Paul. He dashed down the stairs, apologising for keeping her waiting. They walked out to his car and set off towards the west coast. The light was beginning to fade, creating speckled shadows as they drove under the trees. As the sun was setting, the moon appeared above them as a pale translucent disc. Through the open window Louisa heard the twittering of birds as they settled in the trees for the night.
‘Did you have a good day?’ Paul asked.
‘Yes, thanks. I’m really enjoying the cliff walks with Charlotte. We went westwards today and ended up at a charming little bay with a pub. We had to walk through some woods to get there.’
‘That would be Portelet Harbour. A nice walk. Did you stop at the Fairy Ring?’ he asked with a grin.
She laughed. ‘The map said something about that but we didn’t notice anything specific. It was a pretty area, though. A bit off the beaten track.’
‘Sounds like you’re getting to know the island. Not finding it too quiet after London?’
‘Nope. I love the quiet. Until I came here I hadn’t realised how enervating London was. All that noise and people pushing and shoving on the underground, crammed like sardines into the Tube. No wonder I sometimes felt tired even before I got to work!’ She shook her head. ‘I was thinking yesterday about when I used to stay with my grandparents in the country; how much freer I felt. And that’s how I feel now.’
‘Good. Pleased to hear it. I hope that La Folie is playing its part in your rejuvenation?’
‘Sure is. I’ve…I’ve really enjoyed staying there. But all good things come to an end, don’t they? Then it’s back to reality,’ she said, with a sigh.
‘Malc never said how long you were staying.’
She heard the hesitation in his voice and turned to look at him. Could she discern a slight sadness? Would he be sorry to see her leave? Her heart skipped a beat.
‘It might not be for much longer; once the detective finds the…man we’re looking for, I’ll go back to London. I guess, once everything’s settled, I’ll pick up the pieces of my old life. Or a new version of it. I don’t plan to work in a hospital again, for sure.’
‘I see.’ He looked pensive for a moment, concentrating on the numerous bends on the narrow roads. Louisa had been this way before; she and Charlotte had taken this route to the north of the island a few days previously. She gazed out of the window at the calm sea, now a dark blue as the light faded and the horizon became tinged with gold. Oh, how she would miss these gorgeous sunsets!
‘Beautiful, isn’t it?’ Paul said, seeming to catch her thoughts.
‘Yes. We sure don’t get sunsets like this in London!’
‘Mm. Louisa, have you thought about working here, at La Folie? Our physio is already saying he’s a bit stretched, and with the bookings coming in, we’ll soon need more therapists.’ He flashed her a smile before turning back to the road.
She sat still, barely daring to breathe. Had she heard right? Paul was offering her a job at La Folie?
‘I…I don’t know. It had never occurred to me. I’d just assumed I’d return to London…’ She chewed her thumb, trying to envisage what it might mean. Could she give up her home in London? Possibly. It had been her mother’s and held a lot of memories; not all were good. Especially one… But could she live in Guernsey? Another possible. She had grown to love the island in the past few weeks and, after all, it wasn’t a million miles away from England. She could fly over regularly, work permitting. Work. Ah! That was the rub. Could she work at La Folie, with Paul not only as her boss but in such close proximity? It would depend…And then there was her father…
‘Sorry, looks like I’ve taken you by surprise. To be honest, I surprised myself!’ He laughed. ‘I hadn’t planned to suggest you worked with us, it kind of popped into my head. As you seem to like Guernsey, I thought…’ Paul said, pulling into the car park behind The Rockmount. Switching off the engine, he turned towards her, saying, ‘Look, I’m not asking for an answer now, think about it. Okay?’ He squeezed her arm.
‘Will do. Now, hadn’t we better go and meet your gang?’ Louisa replied, smiling as she swung herself out of the car, glad of the reprieve.
As they entered the crowded bar, a voice called out from a group in the window.
‘Paul, we’re over here!’
Louisa recognised the voice as belonging to Ben; the only known face among the sea of strangers. As she and Paul walked across to join them, she recalled something her mother used to say. “Remember, a stranger is just a friend you haven’t yet met.” Right, time to make more friends!
‘Hi Louisa! Glad you could make it. Paul said he was hoping to bring you. How’s Malcom?’ Ben said, standing up to give her a hug.
‘He’s a lot better, thanks. I think the rest at La Folie did him the world of good. Naturally, he was spoiled rotten by everyone! I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d stayed longer, but he wanted to get back home.’ She smiled up at him. ‘Thanks again for all your help last week. And how’s your wife and daughter? Both well?’
‘Blooming, thanks. Though Eve hasn’t yet learned that night time is for sleeping, but it is early days,’ Ben said, the shadows under his eyes confirming his words.
Paul went to the bar to get them both a drink and Ben introduced Louisa to the others.
‘First, this is Jeanne and her husband Nick. They had their first about eighteen months ago and the second’s due in what, four months, isn’t it Jeanne?’ He asked a dark-haired girl entwined with a man whose deep-blue eyes shone out of a deeply tanned face. Jeanne’s stomach was nicely rounded and she gave it a gentle pat.
‘Hi Louisa, good to meet you. Yep, the next little Mauger is due in August. Hope it’s not too hot!’ She moved up to let Louisa sit down and Nick reached across to shake her hand, murmuring ‘Hi.’
Ben continued the introductions. ‘Next to Nick is his little sis, Colette and her brand new fiancé, Jonathan. Got engaged last weekend.’
Louisa offered her congratulations as they shook hands. Paul returned with the drinks, squeezing in next to Louisa. Within minutes they were all chatting happily; the main topic being what plans they had for the Easter break. The newly-engaged couple rather sheepishly admitted that they had booked a night away in Jersey; they couldn’t go away for longer as Colette owned a restaurant and it was a busy weekend. Nick said he was taking his family to Sark for the long-weekend and Ben admitted that he and Nicole would probably aim to catch up on their sleep.
‘Tell me about Sark. It’s the larger island beyond Herm, right?’ Louisa asked.
‘Yes it is and it has a totally different atmosphere to Herm, but still laid back. There’s no traffic; only cycles, horse and cart or tractors are allowed. It boasts several hotels which have been smartened up recently, although personally I have a soft spot for the old Dixcart.’ Nick shrugged. The others nodded their agreement. ‘But times change, so…We usually stay onboard our boat but this time we’ve booked a B&B, to give Jeanne a break,’ he said, grinning at his wife, ‘and we’ll hire cycles to get around. This will be the first time we’ve taken young Harry and he can sit on the back; much easier than pushing a buggy on the dirt roads. You do get some great views cycling thanks to the steep cliffs, but it can be hard work getting down to the beaches.’ He took a sip of his lager. ‘You and Paul should come over and we could show you around.’
‘Oh, that’s kind of you but–’ Louisa wondered if Nick thought they were a couple. What had Paul told him?
‘Thanks, Nick, but I’m working over Easter. We have a lot of new guests arriving. Pity, would love to see Sark. Perhaps when I can get some time off.’ Paul chipped in quickly.
‘Sure thing. You can get there in a day trip on the ferry if you’re short of time.’ Nick turned back to Louisa. ‘Have you visited Herm yet? Now, that’s my favourite getaway place, isn’t it, Jeanne?’
‘And mine. We’ve enjoyed some magical times there, Louisa. The beaches are stunning; you can almost imagine you’re in the Bahamas on a good summer’s day.’
Jonathan and Colette added their endorsement, saying they were planning to get married in Herm, as had Nick and Jeanne. For a moment Louisa wondered if Paul had put his friends up to extolling the virtues of the islands as an incentive for her to stay.
‘I haven’t been off Guernsey since I arrived, but that was only three weeks ago. If…if I do stay a while, I’ll certainly visit the other islands. They sound irresistible!’ She noticed Paul give her a quizzical look, but only smiled. She still needed time to think about his offer and it involved a major life change. And if she continued to feel the way she did for him, it would be impossible for her to stay if the feelings were not reciprocated.
The evening was full of chat and laughter and Louisa felt herself drawn into the camaraderie of the little group. It seemed that Paul had been accepted into their number without question, and now they were pulling her in as well. From what she heard, it was clear that the others had, for the most part, known each other from schooldays, creating a strong bond. It was not until she thought of herself and Paul as the “outsiders”, the only non-Guerns, that Louisa reminded herself she had Guernsey-born grandparents. So she was part-Guern too! Maybe that’s why I love it here so much. Perhaps I’m carrying a genetic memory from my ancestors. And why Malcolm was drawn to come here. As she listened to the conversations going back and forth, it seemed that fate might be playing a part in bringing her here now, at a time when she stood at a crossroads in her life. Showing her that, if she did decide to stay, there was a ready-made group of friends waiting. Definitely a plus, she thought, as they said their goodbyes.
‘Enjoy yourself?’ Paul asked as they strolled back to his car.
‘Yes, I did. They’re a great bunch. I can see why you like getting together with them. It was nice of Nick to invite us over at Easter, although–’
‘Look, I’m sorry about that. I can see that you might wonder what I’ve said to him about us.’ He stopped and turned to face her. ‘I didn’t say we were an item or anything,’ he said, looking embarrassed. ‘Nick must have presumed we were, as you’re the first girl I’ve taken along to meet them. Please don’t let it affect your decision on whether or not to work at the centre. If we were a couple then working together might not be a good idea.’
Louisa felt her heart lurch. So he wasn’t interested in her as a girlfriend. Only as a physio. So why introduce her to his friends? To say she was confused was putting it mildly.
‘It’s okay. I can see how Nick might have got the wrong idea,’ she said, suddenly wanting the evening to end. Not wanting to say anything now, she knew she would refuse the offer of a job. Her hopes for the future had been lifted and dashed in one evening. Once in the car, she closed her eyes, hoping Paul would take the hint and leave her in peace. He did. As soon as they arrived back at La Folie, Louisa muttered a quick good night and escaped to her room to nurse her wounded feelings. Reluctantly deciding it was too late to talk it over with Charlotte, she went to bed and spent a restless night wondering how soon she could leave. Without upsetting her father.
The next morning, having finally drifted off about five, Louisa woke to the sound of knocking on her door.
‘Louisa! Are you all right? It’s Charlotte.’
Glancing at the clock she saw it was eight thirty. Groaning at the memory of the previous evening, Louisa dragged herself out of bed and padded to the door.
‘Hi. I…I overslept. Come in.’
‘You look dreadful! Are you ill?’ Charlotte said, giving her a hug.
‘Not exactly. But I didn’t sleep well and I…’ she felt herself crumple.
Charlotte guided her to the sofa and sat them both down.
‘I smell man trouble. Tell me all,’ she said, patting her arm. Louisa obliged. ‘Mm, it sounds like Paul isn’t being honest with himself. On the one hand, he wants you to meet his friends, which is fine and dandy. And usually indicates the start of a relationship. But then he offers you a job, which would keep you here all right; the downside being it would be difficult to be more than friends. Or at least, in his opinion,’ Charlotte said, looking thoughtful. ‘It is generally considered to be bad form to mix business with pleasure, so he might be right there. And with the added complication of your being the boss’s daughter.’ She crossed her legs and leant back.
Louisa digested her words and sighed heavily.
‘So what you’re saying is that, although he might have some feelings for me, he doesn’t expect us to become a couple, just friends. I would find it too difficult to stay here if that’s the case. Which means I’ll turn the job offer down and go back to London.’ Her heart felt leaden at the thought.
‘Hey! That’s not quite how I put it. What I said was that he does have strong feelings for you but hasn’t fully acknowledged them. You know what men are like! Always the last to admit to how they feel. As if it would un-man them, or something,’ Charlotte said, waving her arms. ‘From what you’ve said, it was a spur of the moment suggestion that you work here. He wants you to stay so you can get to know each other better. Makes sense. But I’d guess he hadn’t thought it through until later; feeling obliged to say that a couple couldn’t work together. He’s trying to be professional but has made a right hash of it. In my not so humble opinion,’ she added, with a grin.
Louisa was about to answer when the phone rang. She got up to answer it, mouthing ‘sorry’ to her friend. It was her father and he sounded excited.
‘Louisa, I’ve just had a call from John Ferguson. He’s found out that the old rascal Archie had a son in ’48. To a woman called Isabel. And he was named Edward. Isn’t that good news?’
‘Yes. That would make him about the age of the man I saw. So it could have been him!’ Her earlier feelings of woe were replaced by an excitement that they were on track to finding That Man. ‘What happens now?’
‘John is liaising with some old colleagues from the Met. He needs their co-operation in tracking down this Edward’s address, starting with the staff listed with the Underground. Only the police would have the authority to request that information. He did say it could take a few days, however. So we won’t need to go over yet.’ He went on to ask how she was and what she was up to and Louisa skirted around the truth by saying she was fine. She did not mention Paul.
Replacing the phone she turned to Charlotte and told her what Malcolm had said.
‘That’s great. Look, I’ll have to shoot or I’ll be late for yoga. Shall we catch up afterwards? We could take a walk along the cliff, well away from everyone,’ Charlotte said, heading for the door.
‘Sure. See you later.’
As Louisa padded into the bathroom she thought about what Charlotte had said about Paul and his perceived feelings for her. The bottom line was that it was all conjecture. Neither of them knew with any certainty what Paul actually felt. So, what should she do? Go or stay?