Page 111 of Electric Kiss

Freya let out a strangled sound from her throat.

“Okay, kinda small, anyway what are you doing tonight? The girls and me are having drinks at the local pub. Wanna come?” Freya asked.

“Who are Erica and Daisy again?” Gwen asked.

“Erica does a bit of acting, and Daisy is the estate’s accountant,” Freya said.

Heidi snorted at Freya’s understatement of Erica’s job description, but Freya reckoned if Gwen didn’t know the insanely famous Erica Turner, nee Taylor, lived on Copper Island, then it would be a pleasant surprise. And hilarious for her to see Gwen’s reaction.

“Right. Okay. You are really lovely to welcome me like this. I thought I’d have an estate agent hand me an envelope and leave me to find my way around,” Gwen said, moving to lean against the side of the stairs.

Freya waved her hand in the air.

“Nah. We have an estate agent, but I wanted to welcome you to my home. Heidi used to live next door and we’ve had years and years of happy memories made in here and next door. Next door is now sold and they’re renting it out as a B&B, so you’re unlikely to have neighbours in the off season, which starts at the end of September. So, are you coming tonight? I promise it’s just the five of us. We’re a small group, but tight.”

“Okay,” Gwen said hesitantly. “Why not? But I have only met you two, so I’m not getting drunk and introducing myself to all the kids’ parents off my face, drunk on martinis,” Gwen cautioned, not sounding like she meant it.

Heidi gasped. “Oh, a martini girl. You’ll fit right in. Okay, we’re going to shoot off and let you get settled in. We’ll come knocking at seven and take you to the pub, but if you need anything in the meantime, just send us a message.”

“All right. Thank you. You should know the board of governors was very insistent that I was to be temporary, interim, and not permanent. Just so you know,” Gwen said.

Freya frowned at her like Gwen was warning her not to get attached. Then Freya grinned.

“Don’t tell me. Dudley Morris told you that?” Freya said.

Gwen’s relaxed demeanour tensed up. “Yes, he was most insistent.”

“Dudley would be. He’s the outgoing head teacher, has been at that school since the dawn of time, and has a real mean streak. Do not let him bully you. He seems to have a grudge against the Turners and won’t let it go. No idea why he can’t get over himself.”

Gwen gazed back and relaxed again, staring at Freya. At that moment, Freya knew Gwen was moving to Copper Island to get away from something or someone.

Another question from Gwen interrupted her thoughts.

“Who are the Turners? Aside from your friend and husbands?”

“The Turners own everything on this island. It’s a really long story. But the new generation, Archer, Jason, Luke, and Daisy, are going to change the fortunes of this island, unlike their aunt and grandparents. You’ve come at a fun time for Copper Island,” Freya promised.

“Then it’s more important, I stick with water tonight then, if I’m meeting Turner royalty. You said Daisy and Erica are coming tonight?” Gwen said.

Freya made a move to the front door so Gwen could relax after her journey.

“Yeah, and they are sweethearts. It’ll be fine.”

“All right. I’ll be ready. Do you know if my other cases arrived?” Gwen asked, looking around the living room.

“Yep. They’re in the spare room.”

Gwen beamed at them and Freya stepped to her for a hug.

“See you later,” Freya said.

“Bye, Gwen,” Heidi said.

Once Freya and Heidi were away from the house and in the buggy on their way up to the estate, Freya burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Heidi asked as she navigated the pathway up to their cottages.

“She’s going to freak when she meets Erica.”

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