Page 78 of The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

‘I did tell you I was.’

‘I can confirm that you are most definitelynota girl.’

‘I was hoping not. Now can put your hand back down there again and kiss me like that again, please?’

I stood away from him, and frowned, a memory flooding back into my mind.

‘I came to London.’

‘I know.’ He tried to pull me against him but I pulled away.

‘How do you know?’

‘The girl on reception. She described you to me and there was no doubt that it was you.’

I thought back to how frumpy I’d felt that day next to the gorgeous woman that I’d seen Dennie with.

‘But I saw you with someone.’

‘Did you?’

‘Yes, she was stunning.’

‘That would have been Craig’s wife.’

‘Oh!’ I was starting to tremble, the cold creeping into my bones and he rubbed my arms with his hands. I was struggling to keep up with what he was saying. All I could think about was how icy cold the water was.

‘She’d asked me to take over the company. To be the CEO. Her uncle had asked her to ask me. We’d all spent some time in the summer on his uncle’s yacht and she wanted me to join them again this year in Dubai for Christmas.’

‘So you’re taking over then? Is that what you’ve come back to tell me?’ I tried to get away from him.

‘No, you idiot. I’ve come back to tell you that I love you and that I’ve handed in my notice and that I’m moving to Driftwood Bay. If you’ll have me that is. I’ve heard that there’s a flat that needs doing up above a really pretty little bookshop and I was thinking about putting an offer in on it.’

‘Oh!’

‘Is that all you’ve got to say, Nancy?’

‘No! It’s not. I do have something else to say.’

‘Go on.’

‘I love you too.’

‘Thank fuck for that. Does that mean we can get out of this water now then, if you believe me? I’m freezing my nuts off!’

We both laughed and headed for the shore, holding hands so tightly that I thought my blood circulation would be cut off, although it could just be the cold. My mother walked towards us, handing a towel to Dennis.

‘Cover yourself up, dear.’ She winked at him. ‘You are making every male in Driftwood Bay feel extremely inferior.’

Dennie had the good nature to blush.

‘NowI can see why you love him, Nancy.’

It was my turn to blush. ‘Muuuummmm!’

She walked away, waving over her shoulder. ‘Only saying what everyone else is thinking.’

We both giggled as Dennie wrapped the towel around his waist, tucking in the end part. I could hear Mum’s voice as she made a concerted effort to round everyone up to give us some privacy.

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