’Staying over, are you?’
‘Yes, at the Sapphire Hotel. I’m working there for a month.’
‘Ah, there’s someone over there you might know. Take a seat and I’ll bring it over to you.’
Ava turned to face the room… and saw Jack sitting in a comfy armchair, his back to the door. Graham sat quietly, flat out at his feet.
She groaned inwardly. Sapphire Lake was a small community, but really? Bumping into him twice in the same morning was too much. Luckily his head was down while he read a newspaper, so she slipped into a seat at the back of the room.
The woman from behind the counter came over with a tray and slid it on the table. ‘There you are, my love. I’m Marion, by the way. That’s Lexi.’ She threw a thumb over her shoulder at a woman who appeared to be a few years younger than Ava, with long dark hair and the most enchanting green eyes.
‘Thanks. I’m Ava.’
Marion placed her mug in front of her, and Ava could feel someone’s stare. She glanced across to see Jack looking her way. Not wanting to be as rude as he’d been earlier, she smiled. Begrudgingly, of course.
‘Managed to keepGrahamunder control this morning?’ She couldn’t help herself.
‘He’s often been known to throw himself at women’s feet.’ Marion roared with laughter as she bustled back to the counter.
‘Very much like his owner,’ Lexi said, her tone clipped.
‘Behave, Lexi,’ Marion chided.
Jack remained quiet, almost amused by the whole thing.
Ava rolled her eyes. What was he, the local playboy, or something? He’d certainly changed since she’d last seen him. Or maybe Marion and Lexi were teasing her. She hadn’t quite sussed them out yet.
But then all small towns had their idiosyncrasies. Being invisible in London, Ava could blend in with a crowd and stay anonymous. Here in Sapphire Lake, she could take a bet on how many times she’d be asked what she was doing here by the end ofthe week, from one local or another. It was sure to be in double figures.
Unwilling to engage with Jack, she drank her tea. It wasn’t long before the draw of the lake captivated her again. It really was a sight for sore eyes, the deepest blue she’d ever seen.
In the distance was a man, a dog sitting at his feet while he took a break. A little boy was playing with a ball, his father shooing him away from the water’s edge. Ava remembered it being safer there. It was further along that there was a drop into dangerous depths.
Maybe the child wanted to be outside, and his parents were showing willing, she mused. She could understand that and admired them for humouring him.
A sigh of regret came out. If circumstances had been different, Ava would have liked more children, but she didn’t want to dwell on that.
‘Sorry about earlier.’ Jack waved to get her attention. ‘I was way out of?—’
‘Morning, Jack!’ A man walked through the door. He was tall, dressed in a navy duffel coat, jeans, and thick-soled boots. His mop of blond hair flopped into his eyes, and he pushed it back. He stopped to greet Jack, shaking his hand before making his way to the counter.
‘Good morning.’ He smiled warmly when he drew level with Ava and then did a double-take. ‘Do I know you? You look vaguely familiar.’
‘I used to come here for my summer holidays, a long time ago. It’s Charlie, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. Sorry, I can’t remember your name.’
‘Ava.’
‘Well, I’ll be damned.’ Brown eyes widened in pleasant surprise. ‘You haven’t changed much.’
‘Apart from twenty-two years of wrinkles and aches and pains.’
Charlie roared with laughter, and Ava blushed as he brought attention to her. It wasn’tthatfunny.
Before he could ask any questions on his way back to a seat, she finished her tea and put down her mug.
She almost ran for the door, praying that Graham wouldn’t try his jumping trick again. Thankfully, she was out and on her way in seconds. Once on the main road, she checked her watch. Her meeting was in an hour. A quick tidy up and she’d be ready.
