Page 62 of Autumn at the Willow River Guesthouse
As he looked away, back at the river, Lily felt a sudden lurching in her stomach. Michael had come to reconcile with Victoria, and now that was done—
‘Are you … leaving soon?’
Michael looked at her and grinned. ‘Leaving Willow River? No. Not right now. I have plenty of other reasons to stick around.’ His hand closed over hers. ‘I thought I might hang around for a while. Do you think Angus would let you have the afternoon off?’
‘To be honest, I don’t think he’d notice whether or not I was even there. I’ll ask him, though, just to make sure.’
‘Great. I want to check out the museum just past the church up there.’
‘Seriously? It’s tiny and there’s hardly anything in it.’
Michael’s eyes shone. ‘Great. That’s exactly the kind of borderline boring place I’m looking for. My readers will love it. And if it’s really that rubbish, I’d much rather visit it with company.’
‘I’ll force myself. Just for you.’
‘Thanks.’
They started walking back towards the guesthouse. Lily was positively glowing, Michael walking beside her humming quietly to himself. Everything felt perfect, like a scene from an oil painting—
‘Oh, god.’
‘What is it?’ Michael asked.
Lily stopped. The figure walking along the cycle path up ahead had spotted her. She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as Steve, swaying slightly as though he’d already been in the pub, approached, his face creased with anger.
‘What’s this?’
‘Steve? What are you doing here?’
Steve glared at Lily and Michael in turn. ‘Just talking a walk. Didn’t expect to have it ruined. So what’s going on here, then? You run your mouth about me and all this time you’re carrying on with someone?’
‘It’s not like that.’
‘Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You’re got a nerve calling me some kind of player when you’re doing the same thing yourself.’
‘I’m not—’ Lily began, but Michael stepped forward.
‘Don’t speak to her like that,’ he said.
Michael had a couple of inches on Steve and was broader at the shoulder. He didn’t look like a fighter, but if it came to blows, Michael had an advantage. Lily hadn’t realised until now how over Steve she was, but as she looked into his eyes, she felt nothing. Even so, she didn’t want to see him get hurt.
‘What are you gonna do about it?’ Steve said, squaring up to Michael, who still carried the hamper.
‘Michael, there’s no need,’ Lily said.
Then, to her surprise, Michael backed away onto the grass of the riverbank. Steve followed him, eyes hard.
Michael continued to back away, then turned so Steve was on the river side with his back to the water. Then, with a sudden grin, Michael said, ‘Catch!’
Steve gasped as Michael tossed the hamper toward him. Steve instinctively reached out for it, but, being filled with crockery, it was heavy. He stepped backward, dropping the hamper on the ground, losing his balance at the same time. One foot slipped, his arms flailed, and he fell backwards into the water.
As Steve splashed about, shouting in anger, Michael reached down and picked up the hamper. He glanced up at Lily, grinned, and said, ‘That was unfortunate. I imagine the water’s pretty cold.’
Steve had regained his balance and was standing up to his waist in the slow moving water. He glared at Lily and muttered, ‘I lost a shoe,’ with an angry teenage pout. ‘These cost two hundred quid.’
‘I know,’ Lily said. ‘I paid for them. The water’s not moving fast. If you feel around a bit, you might find it.’
Steve glared at her a moment longer. Then, scowling, he began to reach into the water like an awkward, unkempt duck. Lily gave Michael’s arm a tug.
