Page 91 of Second Chance Summer
‘They have the nanny to help,’ Lily said, sitting down opposite Sam. ‘But you’re right. It’s tough parenting and having a full-time job. However old the kids are,’ she added. ‘I suspect Morven causes twice the angst the girls do.’
‘Yeah. She does. Did. Hopefully … and I mean this in the best way because I do love her … she will soon be causing Nate the angst, though less of it since she decided to admit she wants to go to Falmouth next year. Thanks for helping her be able to tell us.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’
‘You did. You managed to break down the wall somehow.’
‘I didn’t break anything down. Morven was tired, cold and desperate. I only happened to find her first and be someone outside of the family. To be honest, I’m amazed she didn’t chuck her camping stove at me.’
‘No, you’re wrong. You’re good with people.’
Lily laughed. ‘Tell that to my army of Internet trolls.’
‘You’re doing it again. Deflecting a compliment.’
‘Am I?’ Lily said.
‘And you shouldn’t.’
‘No, I shouldn’t,’ she said. ‘OK. I’m good with some people, most of the time.’ She remembered what Étienne had said:No one is perfect, not even your sister, and felt a ripple of unease. It had been an emotional time for her, for Sam, for the family. No wonder everyone was on edge.
‘I think I’ll have an early night. Very early,’ she qualified. ‘I’ve got a big day tomorrow.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ he said firmly, with the confidence of someone who cares about you and can’t imagine why others wouldn’t feel the same. ‘In fact, you’ll be brilliant.’
Lily felt her cheeks glow.
‘Thank you. I must admit, I feel a bit nervous at being on show after all the furore with the TV show and the press coverage of the accident. I wouldn’t admit this to anyone else, but I’ve no idea what the reaction will be. I’m sure some people will think I’m taking over, like Morven did.’
‘We’ll be there, cheering you on. If you can win over Morven, you can work your magic on anyone.’
Even you?she thought, half regretting she hadn’t taken things further after all.
‘What time do you need to be at the community centre?’ he asked, switching to practical matters – fortuitously, Lily decided, as her resolve was in danger of wobbling.
‘It opens at ten but I said I’d arrive at nine-thirty.’
‘We should leave here at nine, then. Is that too early for the twins?’
‘Considering how hyper they are, I doubt it.’
‘Early breakfast and we’ll set off.’
Lily felt a rush of affection for him and was touched at the way he was tying himself in knots to boost her confidence.
‘Sounds good. See you in the morning.’
She walked back to the cottage, with the sun in the background slipping towards a sea of liquid gold. It was an impossibly romantic evening. However, at least tonight she’d had the girls and Étienne as the best possible chaperones. Soon, she and Sam would be out of temptation’s way.
CHAPTER THIRTY
There was no sign of Penny when Lily walked into the community hall the next morning, although it felt as if practically every other islander was there.
The hall was packed with stalls and, as the weather was fine, several more had been set up on the sports field, including a garden ornament-maker, a plant stall and a coffee van housed in a converted horsebox.
Disarming smile pinned in place, Lily strode in, hoping Penny would appear from one of the many doors leading off the room.
‘Can I help you?’
