Page 48 of Christmas at Sturcombe Bay
“The red hair.”
“That’s a terrible cliché,” she dismissed scornfully.
“It’s easier than thinking that it’s just me she doesn’t like.”
Cassie thought for a moment. “I don’t think she doesn’t like you.”
“You think she does like me?”
She laughed. “Who wouldn’t?”
He grinned mischievously. “Ah, but you’re my sister. You have to like me.”
“It’s not compulsory,” she countered with a touch of dry humour. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Yes.” He gave the question some consideration. “She’s . . . interesting. She’s got a sharp sense of humour, gives as good as she gets.”
“And great legs?”
“That goes without saying.”
Cassie chuckled, her eyes teasing him. “You know, you could have met your match . . . at last.”
He returned her a look of sardonic humour. “We’ll see.”
She held up crossed fingers. “We will. Fancy a gallop?”
He grinned. “Race you to Spiney Point.”
“You’re on.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Well, here we are, Grandad.” Alex smiled as he parked the Jaguar beside the front steps of the hotel.
“Hmph! Weren’t worth getting in the car for just that little distance,” Arthur grumbled. “We could have walked.”
“You could have come down on your skateboard.”
The old man chuckled. “I could at that.”
Marcus grinned as he climbed out of the back seat. “Don’t encourage him. We’ll have him doing backflips and kick-turns down the Esplanade.”
Arthur’s pale eyes were twinkling with amusement as he let Marcus take his arm and help him to slowly climb the three shallow steps that led up to the front entrance. The glass doors whispered open and they walked into the reception hall.
Lisa and Vicky were there to greet them. “Arthur! Lovely to see you. You’re looking well.”
“So are you, my luvvers, so are you. Are you coming to my birthday party?”
“Of course. Everybody’s coming.”
He beamed in delight. “Well, there’s a thing.”
“It’s not every day you get to be ninety-four years old.”
“That’s right. Molly Marston only got to be ninety-two. Edie Channing only got to be ninety-three. I told ’em both I’d outlive ’em, and I did!”
Lisa laughed. “You certainly did.”
