Page 77 of Knots About You
‘Just boot her scheming arse right back out of there.’
I picked up the muffin bag and shook it gently. ‘Peace muffins?’
‘Muffins are always the answer,’ she said, returning to herself.
‘Action plan. If either of them bothers you, I’ll set Morag on them.’
‘Or Trevor.’
‘Tempting. We could plant chips in their hair.’
‘Done.’
Claire picked up a muffin bursting with chocolate chips and sank her teeth into it with a happy sigh.
‘Sorry I didn’t just get in touch and ask,’ she said around a mouthful of crumbs.
‘It’s okay, we’re still new to each other, we’ll figure it out.’
thirty
CLAIRE
The village wasabuzz as I locked up Rose cottage, popped the keys into my bag and headed for the square. There wasn’t an inch of Otterleigh Bay that didn’t screamCome have Autumn fun with us!
I’d done all I could to help the Harris family. My skill lay far more in Public Relations than in marketing, and I only hoped it was enough to bring Owen and Isla the peace they needed moving forward in a new direction.
While I hoped Owen and I would make things work, somehow, I’d be glad to leave Otterleigh knowing I’d made a bit of a difference at the very least.
The idea of leaving put a sour taste in my mouth. It wouldn’t only be leaving Owen, but everyone else, too. A village full of strangers who had become friends. Who didn’t care how much money I made, or who I knew. Who didn’t blink twice if I picked up milk, looking like I’d rolled out of bed, or turned up to the pub covered in paint.
It felt like a part of me I’d always tried to hide was free to just be.
And I wanted tojust bewith Owen. Yes, Becky had planted doubts, but I was an idiot to let them take root. I’d spoken about it with Eilidh, and she verified the way Becky and Owen really met.
The minute I turned into the square, my soul ejected out my ass. I did a double-take at my outfit.
Green checked trousers. Maroon jumper. Trainers. Ponytail.
And then there stood Owen Harris. Green checked trousers. Maroon jumper. Boots. Fuck me, all he was missing was the ponytail.
‘No,’ I whispered, dipping behind one of the towering straw bales that ringed the square to cut off traffic. ‘Absolutelynot. We’ll look like an autumn-styled boy band.’
I turned to change. Too late. Eilidh clocked me first and half-choked on the cinnamon bun she ate.
‘Oh my God,’ she wheezed, pointing between us and attracting attention from half a dozen villagers. ‘Look! Twins.’
Emma clapped with glee. ‘Man, he must be good in bed if you start dressing like him. Someone get a picture for the paper.’
I flushed a deep red.
Lola held up her phone. ‘Already got it.’
But none of them were mean. They teased and giggled, just like siblings do.
‘Calm down. It’s a coincidence.’ I rolled my eyes.
‘Aye,’ said Jeff from behind a line of bunting that he wrestled into place. ‘And I’m a bloody polar bear.’
