Page 39 of Harbor Lights

Con blinked, trying to keep up. “Des is planning to rent it out as a holiday let?”

“Yeah, of course. Why do you think he’s investing in it? I don’t know him well, but I get the impression he doesn’t do things out of sentimentality.”

“I thought…” What had she thought? That Shiv would make her home here permanently? “Where will you go?”

Shiv regarded her over the rim of her mug. “I dunno yet. I’m just enjoying island life for now. He wants it finished for St. Patrick’s weekend, so I’ve got a few months.”

Con reined in her wild thoughts about when Shiv left, and how that already felt like a massive hole in her life. She’d come here for a reason. “I came to give you some good news.”

Shiv raised an eyebrow, so she continued. “I may have seemed like I brushed off your suggestion last week, but I took it seriously, and it’s been the driver for getting funding agreed for a youth club.”

“Funding?”

“Yes. If I can find a venue, we can get equipment, and there’s enough budget for two part-time workers.”

Shiv said nothing for a long moment. Con hadn’t expected her to jump around the place, but a little more enthusiasm would be nice.

Shiv lifted her tea to her lips and swallowed slowly. When she lowered the cup, she said, “I thought you were mad at me for telling you to get on with it.”

The hurt in her tone melted Con’s heart. “Oh, Shiv, no. I took it onboard, and wanted to make some progress before I talked with you. And this has been the week from hell at work.” She touched Shiv’s hand where it cupped the mug. “I’m so sorry I made you think that.”

Shiv gave her a nod and a small smile. “And do you have ideas for a venue?”

“Not yet, but I thought you might help me look at a few and estimate costs to bring them up to scratch.”

“Yeah, maybe. If it doesn’t interfere with the work for Joey.”

Con had been hoping for a little more than that, but she’d take it. “Of course. I’m happy to plan viewings around your availability. How’s it going with Joey?”

Her full-on work week had meant she hadn’t seen Joey for a few days either.

“Yeah, good. The wiring’s nearly done. Marianne’s been at home, so they’ve both been helping.” She screwed up her nose and her familiar grin flickered across her face for the first time since Con’s arrival. “How is that woman still so sexy in Joey’s baggy old overalls with paint on her face?”

Con held out her hands. “No one knows. It’s one of life’s big mysteries. She’s lovely, though, isn’t she, when you get to know her?”

Shiv nodded. “Yeah. Very down to earth. And her cooking’s not bad either.”

A weight dropped from Con’s shoulders as their conversation returned to their usual familiarity.

“Regular dinners over there will quickly put some meat on your bones.”

“Yup, which reminds me, I need to get some shopping in.”

Con jumped at the opportunity for more time together. “If you catch the ferry on Saturday morning, I can give you a lift to the big supermarket in town when I go.”

Was that too keen?

Shiv’s narrow face broke into a smile. “Hey, that would be amazing. There’s nothing wrong with a shop where you can reach all the shelves from the door, but it’d be good to stock up.”

“That’s a… plan, then.” She’d nearly said date, but didn’t want to make things awkward again. Seeing Shiv smile made her think whatever had happened between them was fixed and that made her happy. That Shiv cared she hadn’t been in touch mattered, and she’d do better to nurture whatever this was going on between them. Perhaps a close platonic relationship would be enough to fill the aching void in her heart.

Shiv bounced to her feet and stretched her arms above her head with a groan, and some audible popping. “Today’s been sedentary by my standards. What are your plans? Got time for a walk? I can show you where I found the sea glass.”

Con glanced at her watch. Her visits were over for the day, but her stomach was protesting the time that had passed since lunch.

“I don’t think we’ve time before it gets dark, but I could come back at the weekend. How about, as a compromise, we walk the long way down to the hotel and I buy you dinner?”Agh, is buy you dinner too much?“I mean, it’s my treat. To say thank you for the work on the surgery.”

Shiv’s aversion to eating in public didn’t give them many options, especially after Shiv had mentioned she needed to buy food.

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