I’m touched by his concern, though I’m not sure if it reads as that or if he’s … is he jealous?
‘I’m a big girl,’ I say with a smile. ‘I think he was just being friendly.’
‘Cool. Just checking.’
We walk again slowly, step in step, back to the cottage without saying another word. But I hear every single breath he takes and I’m acutely aware of my own too. Our feet crunch in tandem along the pink pebbled pathway that leads to the red door of Seaview Cottage, both rustling in our pockets for a key.
‘Got it,’ says Charlie, and we step inside where Max comes bounding to meet us in the hallway. I lean down to greet him just as Charlie does and we almost collide. Our eyes meet.
‘Right, I’ll get out of your way then,’ I say to him. Now that we’re back at the cottage, it doesn’t feel right to start chatting. I’m aware of the routine by now. I know the rules. Plus, I’d put the hot tub on before I left today and I plan to sample it beneath the stars at last, if only for a few minutes before bed.
‘Come on, Max, I’ll let you out to do your business,’ he says, leading his dog into the kitchen and out towards the back door. I slip into my swimsuit in the bathroom, pull on a heavy towelling bathrobe and slippers and make my way outside, bracing myself against the cold when I step out ofthe cosy cottage and back into the crisp night air towards the hot tub on the deck.
My knees sting a little from my fall when I tentatively step into the steaming bubbles. I immerse my whole body in the warmth, then I lean my head back and stare up at the velvet sky.
This is the life. This is bliss. I breathe in the silence of the night, only slightly disturbed by the hum of the hot tub bubbles and the gentle hoot of an owl in the distance.
I don’t know if it’s this sense of freedom as I lie back with my arms outstretched across the edge of the tub, or if being outside in a swimsuit on a cold winter’s night with the contrast of temperature is so thrilling, or the drinks I’d had earlier, but I feel giddy and glowing.
Then I open my eyes slowly to see Charlie and Max make their way across the garden from the forest behind us.
He sees me.
Our eyes meet from a distance. He breathes heavily. His hungry eyes are on my glistening skin for what feels like much longer than it really is.
Oh God.
He smiles and my heart lifts. Then he waves, I wave back and he goes inside.
It’s time I was in bed.
Moments later, I shower, brush my teeth then go upstairs, where I lie down with George at my feet. I turn over and pull the duvet up under my chin, knowing I’ll sleep very well tonight after a beautiful evening, still feeling Charlie’s eyes on me from earlier. I know I want to savour that look,even though I shouldn’t. I reach across to the bedside locker to put my phone on silent like always, but just as I do I see a message come through.
Goodnight Rose.
Two simple words. Three simple syllables. Yet enough to take my breath away.
Goodnight Charlie, I reply, then I put my phone back in its place and close my eyes into the warmth of the cosy cottage with the sound of the sea in the distance seeping through the open window.
Maybe it’s the wine that makes me smile as I sink into a warm slumber, but I doubt it. It’s Charlie. And I can’t deny it for much longer.
Five Days to Christmas
Chapter Eighteen
Charlie
Max bounces around the hallway like he’s on a springboard, thinking he is coming with me as soon as he sees me putting my coat on, but I’m popping down to the Christmas Fayre this afternoon, just to show my face. There’s no way I could take him in there. Somehow I’m not sure a springer spaniel, a host of excited children and a range of carefully laid out stalls would mix well together, so I’ll have to leave him behind on this occasion.
I’m not even sure a Christmas Fayre is what I need right now either as I’ve been avoiding all things merry and bright, but it’s for a charity close to my heart – plus it might be nice to keep things sweet with Marion, so close to Christmas. I don’t want any of us getting turfed out amidst a domestic between her and her husband over the cottage.
‘I can’t take you with me this time. I’m sorry, old buddy,’ I explain to Max as he tugs at the lead from where it hangs on a peg in the hallway. ‘You’re making me feel very guilty. I’ll make it up to you later with a long run on the beach, eventhough I know you’ll be fast asleep by the time I come back after all our adventures this morning.’
I lift an umbrella, but just as I’m about to walk out the door I hear my phone ring out from my pocket and my heart skips a beat. I sigh, assuming it’s Helena. It’s only been twenty minutes since her last call, so she’s due another soon.
I try to ignore it but I can’t, and when I look at the screen, I’m glad I did because it isn’t Helena this time.
It’s Clodagh.
