Page 29 of Electric Kiss

“Oh God, this is gold. Daisy doesn’t let anyone in, metaphorically or physically. This makes me really happy. Please don’t fuck this up. You were awful to her in school.”

“Why has everyone got a long memory? It was a long time ago,” Nate said, flinging his arms out.

“People always remember their bullies, even when they don’t want to,” Heidi said, her tone turning serious.

It was then it dawned on him what Daisy might have been suppressing.

“Right. Gotcha. You have my word. I have nothing but good intentions towards Daisy,” he promised.

“Good. I want to see her happy.”

“Office. Location,” he bit out.

“Oh right, yes.”

Heidi pulled a piece of paper from the photocopier and drew him a map. Grinning, he took it from her, stuffed it into his pocket and marched out of the doctor’s surgery. He was a free man to hold Daisy tightly.

He was not going to let go.

Chapter Nine

Daisy

The redness had completely gone from her feet, but the dull ache of missing Nate remained. She was too embarrassed to go and visit his workshop, which was his home too. Thankfully she hadn’t had another episode.

Daisy walked across the grass lawns. She admired the dew on the grass. It was beautiful to look at but a pain when she wore her suede shoes. Now that October had arrived, she had switched her flats to chunky leather booties for her daily trek to Edward Hall.

Teddy had waited for her at the back door of Archer’s place and bounded out when he saw her walk across the grass. With a little baby in the house, Archer had fitted a dog flap, so he didn’t need to get up for the baby and their dog. She’d fallen into her routine of getting up before the sun, going for a run, coming back for a shower and then dressing for work. Thicker dark-coloured skirts had replaced herboho flowy skirts. By the time she reached Archer’s cottage, the hem was already sodden.

Daisy waited at the opening in the squat wall for Teddy to come running out. Archer stood in the open back door with a cup of coffee wearing PJ bottoms and a long-sleeved t-shirt. His hair was all over the place as Teddy escaped through the open door.

“I’ll be over in an hour to get him for his walk,” Archer said through a yawn.

“All right, you know where to find us,” Daisy said, patting her thigh.

Teddy slowed his run as he approached and greeted her with a lick of her hand. She bent, scratched his head, and smoothed a hand down his spine.

“Why are you in so early? The sun is only getting above the horizon?”

“Lots to do, Archer. I prefer to start early so I can finish at a decent time. I’ve always been a lark.”

“Hmm, I think I’m an owl in that case. See you later,” Archer said, raising his mug and then closing the back door.

Daisy chuckled as she strode through the grass rather than use the flagstone path to her office. It was a much quicker route than the long way around, and she had a stack of work waiting for her. Entering Edward Hall via the kitchens, she walked through the vast space of stainless steel tables and appliances. The breakfast staff was preparing the feast for the movie set staff, who seemed to work all hours of the day and night. A lot of the crew were staying at Edward Hall.

The leading actor was staying elsewhere, she didn’t know where and Erica cosied up in her cottage. The supporting actors scattered, with some staying in Edward Hall and some staying in B&Bs in town.

Many residents had spruced up their spare rooms and rented them out for the duration of the filming. Something Archer had organised through the town council as a way for the residents of Copper Island to earn an income.

With only two pubs, they were full most nights. Every eatery was full too.

She’d learned via her mum, who had got it from her parents, that the suppliers and shops in town were grateful for the custom in what would usually be a quiet month as the tourist season was over. She and her brothers had planned an event every month of the following year, so the residents could make hay when the sun shone all year round and not just in the summer months, albeit summer lasted a lot longer than the mainland because of their location.

“Hey, Sis,” Jason called out as she was halfway across the kitchens.

“Hey, Jason. I haven’t seen you for a few days.”

He looked up from where he was leaning over the workbench, pen in hand, flipping the pages of a notebook.

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