‘There’s no rush.’
That was probably a tactic. Her mention of ‘conceding’ had troubled him. Did she view her relationships with the people around her as skirmishes to be won?
Perched on a stool, her wraith-like presence seemed to make the bare shelves and lack of guests seem even more jarring.
‘I’m happy to wait here and collect it, to save you from having to come over. You must have a lot to do, being the only one here,’ she said.
Sam was about to retort but caught a hint of amusement in her blue eyes and remembered he was supposed to be a host.
‘If you wait here, I’ll put some in a jug.’
‘Thanks.’
He came back from the kitchen at the rear of the hub to find her still sitting on the stool and put the small jug of milk on the bar in front of her. ‘There you go, I’ll make sure it’s replenished if you need any more.’
‘Thank you. That should keep me going until Monday morning.’ Her eyes travelled to the bare shelves that he’d been meaning to stock with local spirits yet, so far, only held a cocktail shaker and glasses. ‘So, this is going to be your bar, is it?’
‘Yes, though I need to stock it, of course. Why?’
‘I was thinking that it could look really good,’ she said, gazing around her with narrowed eyes. ‘When it’s finished,’ she added with a mischievous glint in them.
Sam didn’t rise to the bait. He was doing his very best asit was but he hadn’t had time to put the final touches to the bar before he’d had to dash off to collect her from the airport. ‘It only needs a few bottles,’ he said. ‘And like I said, I brought over some gin, wine and some mixers earlier so there’s enough for a pre-dinner drink. I’m sorry the choice will be limited, only everything has to come over by boat.’
‘To be honest, before you mentioned the gin, I was half-expecting bread and water.’
This line was delivered with amusement so Sam decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and return the joke. ‘You haven’t tried my cooking yet.’
‘Oh, I can’t wait.’
Again, the teasing smile … And again, he was wrongfooted. He could see how she had got on in life. She was now an iron fist in a velvet glove, although earlier, he’d only experienced the iron fist.
‘Is there anything else I can do for you?’ he asked. ‘Is your room comfortable?’ he asked, unable to disguise the hopeful uplift in his voice.
‘It’s – yes. It’s fine,’ Lily said.
She slid off the stool and picked up the milk, and her eyes went to the treasure chest that Sam had dumped on the end of the bar on his way in. ‘Don’t forget what your aunt Elspeth said about that chest.’
Inwardly, he swore. Shehadheard every word of the exchange on the quayside then. How could she have failed to? No wonder she was pissed off on the way to the island. ‘I won’t,’ he said, sounding gruffer than he’d meant to.
She seemed to be about to leave when she said, ‘May Iask what’s inside it? Your aunt seemed very insistent you should bring it over. Is it something to ward off evil spirits?’
‘You can take a look if you dare,’ he said.
She arched an eyebrow. ‘Oh, I always dare.’
He could well believe it and pushed the box towards her. ‘Please feel free.’
Lily undid the catch and – perhaps a little nervously – lifted the lid. Her mouth opened in surprise and then she burst out laughing.
‘Chocolate brownies. Highly significant.’
Sam wondered what on earth she’d expected. ‘Elspeth made them at the café. She thought you might need a treat in this horrible weather. Would you like one with your tea?’
‘Your aunt is a very perceptive woman,’ Lily murmured. ‘I’d love one.’
Having wrapped a brownie in a cocktail serviette, he handed it over, relieved he’d at least done something right with her room, the gin and the brownies – though he had to thank his aunt for the latter.
‘Now,’ he said lightly, ‘I must get on with dinner. Is seven-thirty still OK? Come across for seven if you want a pre-dinner drink.’
