Page 46 of Second Chance Summer
But then, there was so much more he wasn’t telling her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
‘Now, I don’t want you to worry,’ Lily said, taking her chance to call her parents again before she returned to the tech-free zone of Stark. ‘But I thought I’d call to say that I’ve decided to have a proper break after all.’
While trying not to alarm her mother and father, Lily felt she owed it to them to explain more about the kayak incident but, even in her new spirit of honesty and openness, she couldn’t bring herself to say just how close she and Sam had come to disaster.
She tried to focus on the fact that the accident had made her realise she needed more time to rest and relax while all the fuss died down.
‘We’re so glad you’re taking a proper break,’ her mum said. ‘Keep in touch so we know you’re OK.’
‘Please be careful, love!’ her dad added.
A lump formed in Lily’s throat. ‘I will do. Don’t forget, I’ll have no signal on Stark but I’m going to explore the other islands, so I’ll call you then. Please try not to worry about me.’
With that, she’d switched off her phone and boarded theHydraas Sam was waiting to take her back. She hoped that Richie and the team could deal with the press enquiries andshe was going to check in with him by phone on a regular basis from Bryher.
Even so, the thought of letting go of the reins made her feel twitchy.
She rested her eyes on the twin hills of the island, trying to focus on the feeling of the sun on her face and the wind in her hair. Having made her decision to spend the rest of her two weeks on Stark, she now needed to be fullypresent, just as Sam had advised her to be when she first arrived.
Along with the nervousness about letting go, was there also a feeling of release? Of relief that, for a little while, she could let someone else shoulder the burden?
If only she didn’t have to wrestle with the supermarket decision. While she’d been on Bryher, she’d found it impossible to resist opening an email from her contact at their head office, asking if she was OK. She’d put them off for now, saying she was fine, taking a holiday, and would set up a meeting for the moment she returned.
Lily sneaked a glance at Sam. Was his grim expression merely concentration as he piloted theHydratowards the hidden jetty? Or was he less than thrilled that she was returning?
Admittedly, she’d changed her mind at the last minute and caused someone to miss their place on the helicopter. To mitigate this, she’d insisted on paying the fare of the islander who’d given up her place, apologising profusely for the trouble.
Yet under the veneer of politeness, Sam was definitely on edge. He certainly wasn’t the relaxed man who’d shared ameal with her last night; the one who’d proudly shown her the island and later pulled her from the sea.
She flinched as the fender bumped against the wooden pilings of the tiny jetty.
Sam’s mood might not be anything to do with Lily’s behaviour at all.
‘Here we are again,’ he said and, without waiting for an answer, slung her bags onto the quayside.
She climbed off, carrying her blazer. As the sun had risen higher, she was far too hot in her jeans.
‘You know, I think I’m going to have to get some new clothes now I’m staying. I didn’t realise I’d be spending so much time outdoors and I haven’t brought enough to last the whole stay.’
‘There are some clothes shops in Hugh Town on St Mary’s,’ Sam said. ‘Mostly T-shirts, sweatshirts and board shorts.’
‘That sounds perfect. When you take the boat to Bryher tomorrow, would you mind dropping me off at the ferry for St Mary’s? I don’t expect a lift all the way,’ she added hastily. ‘I’m more than happy to find my own way round the island transport system.’
‘If you’re sure …’
‘Sam, I use the Tube almost every day. I think I can negotiate a few boats.’
His eyes crinkled and he defrosted a few degrees. ‘No problem. I’ll take you to Bryher tomorrow.’
After changing into something more comfortable, Lily threw open the door of the cottage and went onto theterrace, breathing in the fresh air. Through binoculars she could clearly see the Quayside Café and the other buildings near the jetty: a boat shed, a yard full of masts, Rory’s fish shack and a couple of holiday chalets. The pub garden was full of holidaymakers and Rory’s red sail boat motored between the yachts in the Tresco channel.
She found the guidebook again, wanting to remind herself of the history of the island. She guessed it had been compiled by Elspeth with illustrations from Morven plus old photographs that showed a group of three Victorian ladies in extravagant hats and long dresses sitting next to the hearth in one of the cottages – could it behercottage?
She shuddered, wondering how Mabel Teague would have felt to see her home turned into a tourist attraction, first for the visiting ladies and then for Lily herself.
She could see it wouldn’t be popular with everyone. Should she feel guilty for being here? No, Sam was trying to make a go of it and she was supporting him.
