Miles said goodbye to the estate agent and made his way to the café after seeing another property. It was a gorgeous Victorian house on the seafront that had been converted into two flats. It lacked a shop, but would be a great holiday let and what’s more it needed minimal work. Conveniently, it was also only a few minutes away from his house. This really could be the one, thought Miles with a grin. Since he’d stopped constantly looking backwards and started going with the flow a bit more, he felt so much more positive. Life was definitely looking up. He checked his phone and seeing no emails or phone calls stuffed it back into his pocket. Apprehension tensed his shoulder a little and he forced himself to relax. He left the wide road that ran parallel with the beach and carried on down a small side street, back towards home and the café.
The weather was changing, leaving the chill edge of spring and leaning further and further towards summer. The days felt longer and warmer as the sun shone just a little brighter. Clear, crisp May skies were beginning to carry a summer heat with fewer and fewer clouds and the sea was losing its ferocious edge, the waves calming to a gentle ebb. As he walked on, the smells of salt and seaweed disappeared, replaced by freshly baked bread, and the sounds of the tide gave way to the cars and chatter of the high street.
When he walked into the café, he glanced at where Vivien used to sit and a pang of grief hit him. He really did miss the old bird. She’d been fun and so full of life, and knew how to live and love. Lexi’s cheerful voice cut through his thoughts before they turned maudlin. ‘Hey, Miles. How’s tricks?’
‘Not bad, thanks. You?’
She flashed a brilliant smile but there was a sadness in her eyes as they darted to Vivien’s spot. ‘I’m okay thanks. Missing Vivien but, you know.’
‘Yeah I know. I was just looking at her old seat.’
Raina popped her head out from the back of the shop. ‘We’ve kept her special cup and saucer. It’s on the shelf up there.’ She pointed to where it sat. ‘No one else gets to use it now.’
‘That’s sweet,’ he replied. ‘You guys are quiet today.’ Unusually the shop was completely empty.
‘Ah, well, the morning rush is over. You’ll be having a late breakfast then, I take it? Or is it an early lunch?’
‘Early lunch. How’s Stella?’ he asked Lexi.
‘Urgh, not great. She doesn’t think she’ll have a business once this whole robbery thing is sorted out. Anyway, where’ve you been the last few days? We haven’t seen you for ages.’
Miles kept his face placid. ‘Oh, I had some things to sort out.’ He couldn’t resist checking his phone again. All he needed was an email or call to confirm it was done and he could relax. Knowing this was all his fault was driving him crazy, not to mention complicating his growing feelings for Stella.
‘So what can we get you today?’ asked Raina. ‘Or am I guessing again?’
Miles grinned. ‘Can I have a black coffee and …’ He perused the board. ‘One of your bacon and Brie baguettes sounds good.’ Just then his phone rang. He’d never moved so quickly before and Lexi must have noticed his eagerness from the surprised look she gave. He turned away as he answered. ‘Miles Parker speaking.’
The voice on the other end hesitated and Miles’s heart flew up into his throat. He worried it was bad news. ‘Oh, hello, Mr Parker, it’s Reginald Beck here.’
‘Good morning. You have news for me?’ Aware that Lexi and Raina were behind him, he edged a little further away. As long as he kept his responses general, they’d never guess what he was doing.
‘I do. Good news. It’s done. Their solicitors presented the offer to settle out of court and it has been accepted. With your permission I’ll arrange for the transfer of funds immediately.’
A big smile took over his face. ‘Yes. Yes. Please do. And thank you. Thank you very much.’
‘No need to thank me, Miles, it was such a generous offer they’d have been fools not to accept. Are you positive that you want to offer so much? It’s not too late to take the offer off the table or change the amount.’
‘No, thank you, Mr Beck. I’m positive. Let’s proceed as soon as possible. Goodbye.’
Mr Beck rang off and Miles turned back round to see Lexi and Raina eyeing each other suspiciously. Raina spoke first.
‘Now, what are you doing talking to Mr Beck the local solicitor?’
Damn it, thought Miles. He should have been more careful and not said his name.
‘And what are you proceeding with?’ asked Lexi, who then gasped excitedly. ‘Have you found a property to buy? That’s great! I know you’ve wanted to get somewhere here for ages. How fab that—Oh, wait—’ Lexi’s phone began to ring. ‘Sorry. It’s Stella,’ she said to Riana. ‘Do you mind if I take this? She really needs a friend right now. The bacon’s just finishing anyway.’
‘No, of course not,’ Raina replied, still watching Miles. Lexi made her way to an empty table and sat down.
His heart filled with joy knowing he’d done the right thing not just for his conscience, but for Stella too. Lexi answered and as she spoke her face changed. Miles tried to keep his eyes on the sizzling bacon but couldn’t stop glancing over as she spoke. Raina too watched on with concern.
‘Hey honey, don’t worry. There’ll always be quiet days, we’re quiet too … I know, but sales will pick up soon and as soon as this whole mess is sorted you’ll feel better. Why don’t you concentrate on the exhibition? It’s only a week or so away isn’t it? You need to stay positive … Don’t talk like that, you can’t. You need a coffee, that’s all. I’ll nip one over in a minute.’ After a second she hung up and took over preparing Miles’s order. ‘I’m going to call in and see Stella as soon as we’re done. She’s really upset, talking about putting the place on the market. I really hope she doesn’t.’ Lexi looked up and grimaced. ‘Oh, sorry, Miles, that was insensitive of me.’
‘No, no,’ Miles replied. He couldn’t wait for Stella to receive the news that the case was dropped. She just had to hang on until then.
Raina patted Lexi on the shoulder. ‘Why don’t you head over now? I’ll do Miles’s lunch.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, go. You might as well as we’re quiet.’
Lexi made two takeaway coffees and began to head out. Miles knew he had to get Lexi to convince Stella not to put the place on the market. ‘Listen, Lexi, don’t let her make any hasty decisions. Not yet.’
‘I know. I’ll try.’ But it seemed she was only half listening as she removed her apron.
‘Lexi, you really, really, need to make sure she doesn’t do anything yet.’ Raina, who was as wily as anyone could be, had narrowed her eyes on him. He was being as subtle as a brick in the face. ‘Just, don’t let her do anything hasty.’
Raina wrapped up his baguette and placed it on the counter.
‘Miles?’ Lexi said, pausing near the door.
He felt heat rise on the back of his neck. ‘Look, I have to go,’ said Miles, quickly, reaching out for his food but Raina pulled it back, holding it hostage.
‘What’s going on?’
‘Nothing.’ He gave a half laugh. ‘I just remembered I’ve got some stuff to do. Can I please have my lunch?’
Lexi walked back to the other side of the counter so she could face him. ‘No. You’re acting weird. Now what’s going on?’ Her face clouded then suddenly cleared as she leaned across the counter. ‘Oh my God. It’s because of the kiss isn’t it? You’ve really got the hots for Stella, haven’t you? It wasn’t just a one-off. Is that why you’re being weird? You went a bit odd as soon as I mentioned her and started looking all shifty. And now you’re going all red.’ She pointed her free hand at his face. ‘You do!’
Miles panicked. He did have the hots for Stella, quite a lot actually, and Lexi pointing it out like an excited teenager wasn’t helping. But now wasn’t a good time to try and do anything about it. Though he didn’t know her inside and out, he knew that Stella would reject him just because everything else was so utterly rubbish right now. With so much hanging over her she wouldn’t feel free to start a new relationship if she thought there was a chance of having to move away.
‘Oh, leave the boy alone, Lexi,’ said Raina, pushing his lunch towards him. She crossed her arms over her chest and Miles had the sneaking suspicion she’d figured out the truth about his conversation with Mr Beck. ‘Let him go and have his lunch. Look what you’ve done to him – you’ve made him all red and splotchy. And you’ve got to get next door to Stella, so off with you.’ Raina gave Lexi a gentle shove towards the door.
Without thinking Miles raised his hand to his face to see if it was as hot as he felt. It was.
‘You know,’ said Lexi as she walked to the door again. ‘If you did have the hots for Stella you’d make a great couple.’
‘Go away, Lexi,’ he shouted back without turning around, but the thought had occurred to him too and he grinned. He heard the door to the shop close and looked up to see Raina with her arms folded across her chest.
‘Now, young man, what have you done?’
‘What?’
‘You know full well what I mean. What have you gone and done? You can’t fool me. I’ve been around the block a few times and back again. So, come on, tell me the truth or I’ll charge you double for your baguette. It’s not just that you fancy that young lady next door, is it? What was all that about not letting her sell up and Mr Beck proceeding?’ Raina’s head tilted as she began to understand what he’d said. ‘You’ve paid them off, haven’t you?’
Miles sighed and scrunched the curls at the back of his head. He should have known she’d guess. ‘Yes. I made the decision to settle out of court on Stella’s behalf.’
‘Why ever did you do that? You can’t buy a woman’s affections you know. Especially not a self-sufficient woman like Stella.’
‘I know,’ he added. ‘But it was my fault.’
‘How could it have been your fault? They left the door unlocked not you. It’s their fault.’
He shook his head. ‘No, it was mine. Josie, the nanny, tried it on with me and when I didn’t know what to say I ended up saying, quite bluntly, that I wasn’t interested and she got annoyed. She couldn’t have shut the door properly when she stomped off to the car. I didn’t realise at the time; it was only later during the wedding. I had to sort it out, Raina. There’s no way Stella should lose that place because of me.’
‘So you’ve paid everything and they’ve agreed they’ll drop it?’
‘Yes. I made them a generous offer on the condition that they cease all proceedings. Stella will receive an email or letter from their solicitors over the next couple of days confirming it. But, Raina—’ his tone grew stern ‘—I don’t want her to know it was me, okay?’
‘Why ever not?’
Miles took a step towards the counter and rested his hands on top. ‘Because she’s so nice she’ll think she has to make it up to me all the time or pay me back and – and it’ll embarrass her. She doesn’t need to know.’
‘But won’t the solicitors tell her?’
‘It’s been made clear the details aren’t to be included, just the fact the case has been dropped.’
Raina’s smile said that she read him like a book. ‘So you thought of everything then.’
‘I hope so.’ Before he’d have said yes, he had, but he wasn’t that arrogant anymore. ‘You have to keep this a secret Raina, okay? You can’t tell her.’
With a sigh she said, ‘Okay. If you insist.’
‘I do,’ he said ‘Now, if the interrogation is over, I’m leaving with my lunch.’ Raina simply harrumphed in response.