Page 24 of Animal Instincts
The village was awake and Joss waved and nodded to his neighbours as he made his way, with Bingo bounding at his side, through the winding lanes and alleys down towards the waterfront from where he’d begin his walk.
On a warm, spring day, the village was busy with locals, old and new alike, as they enjoyed coffee and cake under the soft rays of the sun. Harbour Coffee was doing good trade, the outside tables all taken, and Joss was grateful he had a day off.
“Come on Bingo, let’s get going.” Joss smiled down at his dog, striding forward as he did so — and went smack into a customer coming out of the café. “I’m sor—” Joss’ words died on his lips as he looked up into Oliver’s storm grey eyes. “What are you doing here?”
Ohhhh…The man was holding a take away coffee…
Oliver quirked a brow as he turned his gaze to the café for an instant before returning it to Joss.
“I thought I’d take a walk as it’s a nice day. Just fortifying myself with a shot of caffeine first.” Oliver held the cardboard cup aloft.
“Oh, right. Yes.”
Joss jostled his weight from foot to foot. Oliver shifted his coffee from hand to hand. Bingo rolled on his back, legs akimbo as he begged for belly rubs.
Oliver bent down and obliged, and Bingo squirmed in delight.
“I’m going to High Top. It’s only about six miles, there and back, but it’s lovely, really quiet and it’s doable for Bingo. Do you want to come with me?”
Oliver looked up, his eyes narrowed against the glare of the morning sun. His face was serious, unreadable, as he said nothing.
Of course he doesn’t want to come…He’d only worked with Oliver for a handful of days so far, and there was no way Oliver would want to spend his free time with him.
“Hmm. High Top. I’ve heard of it, but never been. Ridiculous, I know. To be honest, although I came out with the intension of a walk, the idea kind of faded.”
“So you were going back home?”
Oliver’s small shrug and smaller smile, as self-conscious as his admission, tugged hard at something deep in Joss’ chest.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?”
Of course I’m bloody sure…
Joss nodded.
“Should I go back and get my walking boots?”
Joss shook his head. “It’s an easy path, so trainers are fine.”
So were tight black jeans hanging low on the hips and a green and black striped rugby shirt hugging a pair of broad shoulders…
They made their way past the harbour, filled with boats bobbing up and down in the gently lapping water, and out of the village, picking up a path that took them up a low hill. The sun beat down and a soft breeze blew, bringing with it the fresh scents of the sea. Ahead of them, Bingo scampered along, barking at gulls who flew up into the bright blue sky.
Joss threw a glance at Oliver, who was taking the long, slow drag up the hill in his stride. The brisk breeze on the exposed hill top ruffled his dark hair and in his casual clothes Oliver seemed not only younger, but looser and more relaxed than Joss had ever seen him.
“Why have I never made the effort to come up here?” Oliver asked suddenly, as he stopped and looked around him, but as he shielded his eyes from the sun and looked out over the shimmering, calm sea, Joss knew the question wasn’t for him but for Oliver himself.
They carried on along the path, neither saying much as the long drag started to take its toll. Finally, they reached the top.
“It’s magnificent.” Oliver surveyed the view.
Joss followed Oliver’s gaze, looking about him through fresh eyes.
From High Top, which wasn’t really very high when compared to the surrounding hills, the village was tucked out of sight and the only things that could be seen were the edges of rough pasture land, and a rugged headland stretching into the distance. No houses, no farms, no farmland animals; the signs of life were him, Oliver, and Bingo, who’d flopped down and was panting hard.
“You’re lucky to have been brought up here. I always dreamed of living somewhere like this. The crowds, the noise, the stress of inner city life, it takes its toll, but London was where the opportunities were, so…” Oliver turned away from the sea, his gaze settling on Joss. The breeze had increased and Oliver pushed his hair out of his eyes again, but it was a fruitless effort.
“It is what it is, I suppose. I’ve never lived anywhere else and although I know it’s beautiful, I guess in some ways I don’t really take much notice.”
