And afterwards? All of this had left her wary of relying on anyone beyond Davey, Lola and a few trusted friends. None of her ‘relationships’ lasted long and she had a reputation for breaking the hearts of more than a few local men.
Davey was one of the only men she totally trusted. Probablytheonly one.
‘Sorry,’ he said gruffly as he returned from the bathroom, picking up his mug again. ‘It’s my age.’
Tammy rolled her eyes. ‘You’re not old. Just busy. You’ve been working too long. You should go to bed.’
‘Shouldn’t I be telling you that?’ he joked and then sighed. ‘I am a bit knackered and wondering how I’ll keep the gallery open and finish this order.’
‘Then stop worrying about the gallery. I’ll do as many hours as it takes.’ Tammy planted a kiss on his cheek.
He grimaced but then smiled briefly. ‘Thanks, love. I appreciate the support. Sorry I haven’t been as here for you as I should have. Today of all days. If it’s any consolation, it’s hit me hard too. And you might not have noticed, but I nipped out to see you working. I took a video of the design.’
‘Did you?’ she said, surprised and slightly ashamed that she hadn’t spotted him. He must have also seen her with Ruan before she brought him back to the flat and hadn’t mentioned it. ‘I thought you were too busy in the gallery.’
‘Not too busy to pay my respects. I’ll send you the footage tomorrow.’
‘I’d like that,’ she said, aware she’d missed the end of her design disappearing while talking to Ruan. ‘Now, Ihaveto go to bed.’ She yawned. ‘I need to be up early in the gallery and see what kind of a mess the place is in.’
Ignoring his groan of protest, she jogged up the stairs and shut the door behind her.
Outside, the pub lights had been turned off, but there were still glimmers in some cottage windows, adding to the moon’s light shining down over the sea beyond the harbour wall.
Tammy rested her gaze on the scene, unable to lay downa head that was so full of conflicting emotions. Lola’s party, her joy in creating the tribute, Ruan’s intriguing debut in her life … all had given her joy and satisfaction and sunlight. Yet her father, mother and Sean still cast shadows – and then there was Davey.
Davey was worried about something. Tammy wassureit wasn’t just his concerns about making a few vases.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Tammy paced up and down outside the Brew House, which was situated in the corner of the town’s former boatyard, now a craft market and arts quarter by day.
She’d rather have met Ruan out of town so she would be less likely to be interrupted by anyone she knew. However, she realised she’d be busy in the gallery until seven and she wanted to have time to go home to have a shower and change.
It was a cooler, cloudier evening, so she opted for jeans and a nice top rather than the dress she’d worn to the Blue Dolphin.
As both pubs came with a high risk of bumping into friends or Sean, she settled on a new café bar tucked away in the old brewery yard at the rear. It was still finding its feet in the Porthmellow scene and did small plates and drinks at prices that were designed to get people through the door and used to the place.
Tammy checked her phone again. It was five to eight. They’d arranged to meet at eight so should she go inside and order a drink? Or be fashionably late so as not to seem too keen? She scanned the car park, feeling twitchy. She didn’t know Ruan at all. Was he prone to being late? Shedoubted it, considering his job, yet this was off-duty. She stretched her arms in front of her and interlaced her fingers to ease the tension in her shoulders and took a calming breath.
‘Hi there!’
She was mid-stretch when Ruan called to her. She wasn’t sure whether he’d seen her impromptu yoga move and dropped her arms quickly. At least they’d be able to go inside the bar together.
‘Hi,’ she said and stifled a giggle that was definitely a by-product of nervous excitement.
‘What’s the matter?’ he said.
‘Nothing. It’s silly but I half expected you to still be wearing the suit. That’s how I pictured you. Not looking so – er – normal.’
Normal was no word to describe how gorgeous Ruan looked. He was taller than she remembered; maybe the faded jeans showed off the full length of his legs. He wore a plain T-shirt that looked new but not box fresh. His short hair didn’t seem so formal without the suit. Tammy was forced to revise her description of him as ‘conventionally handsome’. He was very good-looking indeed and certainly eye-catching.
Obviously oblivious to these thoughts, he asked in a low voice, ‘There’s no dress code, is there? Because I left the tie and shiny shoes at home this time.’
It was said with a twinkle in his eye that made her tingle. ‘I’ve only popped into the Brew House once and it looked as casual as anywhere in Porthmellow. More importantly, Ithought it was away from the hustle of the town bars and pubs. Have you eaten yet?’
‘No, I haven’t. I was working late and got changed at the office before heading over here.’
‘Great, ’cause I’m starving. This place does great small plates and seafood apparently. I’ve only had a drink outside before.’
