Page 101 of Best Summer Ever

I loved him for sounding concerned as opposed to cross. He might have recently transformed my life but clearly felt no desire to either pull rank or call in a favour.

‘I know he didn’t tell you what he should—’

‘I’ll work with him, Algy,’ I interrupted. ‘Of course I will. Tell him to be here for eight sharp, tomorrow.’

‘That’s very generous of you,’ he said, smiling. ‘Thank you. Yourwillingness might bring the others around. And one more thing: please don’t tell anyone what I’ve just shared with you regarding my former thoughts about selling the place, will you? I have no plans to follow it through now and it will only make everyone feel insecure and unsettled and that’s the last thing I want.’

‘But if Josh ultimately decides he doesn’t want to take Wynbrook on—’

Algy put up a hand to stop me.

‘I’ll cross that bridge if I come to it,’ he said firmly, as a couple came into the garden looking to buy some blooms. ‘Now let’s say no more about it – agreed?’

‘I won’t tell anyone,’ I promised. ‘But why did you tell me, Algy?’

‘Because,’ he said, ‘out of everyone here, you have the most cause to feel impacted by Josh’s surprise arrival and subsequent behaviour, and I hoped that by giving you some context, it might make you feel a little better about his… former secrecy. Has it?’

‘I think I probably need to talk to Josh before I can answer that.’ I smiled. ‘But I appreciate that you understand why I have been feeling so upset.’

‘Of course,’ said Algy, patting my hand, which was still holding the spade handle. ‘Talk to him as soon as you can. It’s imperative you clear the air.’

‘I agree,’ I sighed, but I wasn’t looking forward to it.

With Josh due to arrive to help in the walled garden at eight that Wednesday, and the garden opening at ten, I decided to head to the beach in Wynmouth as soon as it was light. Thankfully, the tide was with me, and I strode into the chillywater and swam until my limbs started to ache, my nerves had disappeared and all thoughts of Josh were banished.

Oblivion had been what I had sought and found, but it didn’t last long.

‘Oh!’ I gasped, as I opened the beach hut door and came face to face with the man himself, completely naked. ‘Sorry, I didn’t know you were in here.’

He held his towel in front of him and I realised the moment was an almost identical reenactment of when he’d walked in on me the day we met.

‘I guess this makes us even,’ Josh commented, colouring up. ‘I’ve been for a swim.’

Given how focused I’d been when I was swimming, I hadn’t spotted him. I didn’t say anything or move and he gave me an unfathomable look in return.

‘Hello,’ he then said in a completely different tone. ‘My name is Josh and I’m staying in the area. I’m also the long-lost grandson of Algy Alford, who owns Wynbrook Manor. When I feel brave enough, I’m hoping to introduce myself to him, but in the meantime, if you could keep that information to yourself, I’d really appreciate it.’

I don’t know how he expected me to react to his belatedly more accurate introduction, but I wasn’t about to congratulate him for getting it right second time around.

‘If that was your attempt to turn back time and introduce yourself properly, you failed,’ I told him bluntly and in spite of the fact that I knew we needed to talk. ‘Time hasn’t rewound as far as I can tell.’

‘Actually…’ he said, dropping the towel and reaching for his shorts. I looked away. ‘I don’t want to turn back time becauseI wouldn’t really want to change a thing. I had my reasons for not telling anyone who I was and I have no regrets about that.’

‘Well, I—’ I started to say, but he cut me off.

‘Other than I wish I hadn’t walked out in front of your car. Or walked in on you getting changed in here. Or walked into the pub when I did and had you bump into me, or—’

‘I get it,’ I said, through gritted teeth. ‘You wish you hadn’t met me.’

I turned around and walked out, letting the door swing shut behind me. I was already marching across the sand, still in my swimming costume and with my towel over my shoulder when he caught up with me.

‘What I wish,’ he said, lightly catching my hand which I quickly tugged free, ‘is that I hadn’t met youbeforeI introduced myself to Algy. Then, when I’d had the chance to figure a few things out, I could have been honest with you about my identity from the start.’

‘But then who would have supplied you with all the estate goss and childhood memories of the place before you turned up?’ I said meanly, my tone letting him know how deeply I had felt his deception and how much I resented him for letting me rattle on while he absorbed everything I had shared without knowing who was really on the receiving end of it. ‘Who would have let you know that Algy was at a low ebb…’

My words trailed off as a hard lump made its presence felt deep in my throat. I forcefully swallowed it down. I didn’t mind showing Josh that I was angry, but I was not going to let him see that I was upset.

‘I think it would be best if you didn’t work with me today,’ I said hoarsely and turned away.

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