Page 31 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
The front door closes and Hudson comes back in to find mestaring at the two glasses on the table, both of which are still half-full ofred wine.
‘I didn’t mean to interrupt you,’ I say.
‘You didn’t.’ He picks up his glass and takes a swallow.
I shrug. ‘Joanna didn’t have to rush away like that.’
‘She was leaving anyway.’ He picks up her glass and goesthrough to the kitchen with it. ‘Can I pour you a glass?’
‘Er, no. I’ve had enough already tonight, thanks.’
Hudson pops his head around the door. ‘Why didn’t you phoneme? I was going to walk over and meet you.’
I shrug. ‘I was fine. It was a nice walk, actually.’Apartfrom my encounter with the plague doctor!
‘Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to head upstairs.’ Hestifles a yawn. ‘I’m absolutely cream-crackered.’
‘That’s fine. I’ll join you in a minute.’
I potter about, taking off my jacket and putting the glassesin the dishwasher. I’m looking forward to telling Hudson about my evening withthe girls and the strange plague doctor, but by the time I get upstairs, Hudsonis crashed out in bed, already snoring gently.
Feeling ever so slightly miffed, I head for the bathroom asa rebellious thought occurs. Perhaps it was no accident that Hudson ‘justhappened’ to book the cottage next door to Joanna’s. They certainly seemed verychummy together when I got back.
My reflection in the mirror is sober as I brush my teeth.
Popping my brush back in the glass, I give myself a fakesmile.
If there’s any duplicity going on here, it will all be Joanna’s.I trust Hudson completely. We never lie to one another.
But I don’t trust that sly witch, Joanna, one little bit...
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
I’m trying hard not to feel resentful about all thetime Hudson and Joanna are beavering away next door.
But it’s not working.
Iamfeeling resentful. This was meant to be ourspecial break away, just the two of us. But so far, it’s turned out to be areplica of what goes on at home. In other words, Hudson is always working and thewonderful Joanna (who’s clearly a saint) gets to spend far more time with himthan me!
I hate myself for feeling like this, though.
The company means everything to Hudson. He lost his twin,Myles, who he started the business with, and Hudson wants to do his brotherproud. I understand that. I really do. But he could surely have left his sideof the business in his new partner’s hands, just for one week?
And why is Joanna selflessly giving up her own holiday towork alongside Hudson? (I can’t help feeling suspicious of her motives. Is worktheonlysort of ‘beavering’ she has in mind?)
It’s the morning after my visit to Clifftop House and I’mlying in bed, listening to Hudson downstairs talking on the phone. I can’t makeout what he’s saying but it will be work. I’m certain of it.
It’s clear he’s really stressed about this project that hasgone wrong. And as I lie in bed, I’m already planning what I can do today if heand Joanna have to work again.
But happily, when he comes in with my early morning cuppa,he’s smiling and looking far less stressed. ‘What do you fancy doing today?’
I sit up, surprised. ‘Is it sorted? The problem at work?’
‘I think so.’ He grimaces. ‘At least, I hope so.’ He handsme my tea and sits down on the bed. ‘Listen, I’m so sorry about all this. Iknow it’s interfering with our holiday but... it was reallyimportant we sorted it out.’
‘What exactly went wrong?’
He shakes his head wearily. ‘Everything that could have gonewronghasgone wrong.’
