Page 32 of A Second Chance in Seabury
Right. Now all she had to do was give someone a heads-up that the escapologist had struck again.How, though?She didn’t have David’s number.
‘I know, I’ll go and find Jason at work,’ she said, turning to head back inside her house to grab her car keys.
Hannah got as far as the gate when she paused. Was there any point in taking the car? Sure, it would mean she’d get down to town a lot quicker, but that didn’t mean there would be anywhere to park. In fact, it would probably be quicker just to walk. Plus, she might bump into David on her way through town and save herself from having to go all the way out past West Beach to the bike shop.
Good plan!
Hannah practically jogged down the hill onto the seafront at North Beach, all the while keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of David. It had dawned on her that he might be doing something with his hives on the King’s Nose. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to get onto that piece of land.
‘I know—I’ll ask Lionel!’ she puffed, speed walking her way along the seafront towards the hotel. It felt a bit wrong to head inside Pebble Street in her current sweaty, breathless state after her beautiful dress’s triumph the previous night, but needs must when there was a Bernard on the loose!
‘Hannah!’
It wasn’t Lionel sitting at the reception desk, but Lou. Hannah had got to know her pretty well over the years. The pair of them had chatted plenty of times when she’d sought sanctuary in The Sardine, nursing a coffee to avoid heading home to Gareth.
‘Lionel told me that you’re back in town!’ said Lou. ‘Hey, are you okay? You look all hot and bothered.’
‘I’m on a bit of a mission,’ said Hannah, rubbing her hot hand over her slightly sticky face. ‘I’m on the hunt for David… Mr Eaves…’
‘Oh yeah?’ said Lou, wriggling her eyebrows.
Hannah rolled her eyes. ‘Nothing like that. Bernard’s gone awol.’
‘Bernard?’ said Lou, looking lost.
‘The sheep?’ said Hannah.
‘Oh, the one that was abandoned?’
‘Yes, that one,’ said Hannah with a little nod. ‘I went next door to return David’s jacket, and Bernard’s just… gone.’
‘What were you doing with David’s jacket?’ said Lou, her eyes alight with mischief.
Hannah shook her head. This woman was incorrigible. It was what had made her the perfect tonic whenever she was in the depths of Gareth-shaped despair. She realised now how much she’d missed her.
‘Mind your own beeswax,’ said Hannah with a wink.
‘Beeswax,’ chuckled Lou. ‘Nice one! VeryBee Daddyappropriate.’
Hannah couldn’t help but grin at that. It looked like David’s newly dubbed nickname was going to catch on without her help!
‘Have you seen him?’ said Hannah, trying her best to get the urgency of the situation across.
‘Sorry,’ said Lou, shaking her head.
‘I was wondering if he might be on the King’s Nose,’ said Hannah, ‘but I’ve got no idea how to check.’
‘I can help you with that,’ said Lou, fiddling with the mouse and waking up the ancient reception computer. ‘He always parks his truck in our carpark.’ She peered intently at the screen for several long moments. ‘Nope, he’s not there.’
‘How can you tell?’
‘We’ve got a camera out there,’ said Lou with a little shrug.
Hannah blew out a breath. ‘Right. Thank you, that’s saved me a massive wild goose chase! I guess I’d better head over to Moore Bikes and let Jason know instead.’
‘Want a glass of water first?’ said Lou. ‘You look rather warm!’
‘I’m good, ta,’ said Hannah, shaking her head. ‘The minute I’ve dobbed Bernard in, I’m going to head straight to The Sardine for a treat.’
