Page 42 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
Joanna’s pretty face falls. ‘I’ll just nip back and getthem.’
‘Okay. I’ll meet you out at my car?’
‘Great.’ Sashaying down the path, she turns with a coquettishsmile. ‘I’ll let you have control over the playlist today. I think it’s yourturn.’
He laughs. ‘Great. So I don’t have to listen to Taylor Swifton repeat, then?’
‘Nope. It’s your lucky day, Hudson,’ she calls, doing asassy wiggle of her pert bottom as she turns at the gate.
Hudson’s chuckling away, although I can’t for the life of methink what’s so funny. But just to show him I definitely don’t dislike her, Iforce a smile and take a gulp of coffee.
‘Oh, damn. I must have left my car keys at hers,’ saysHudson, simultaneously munching on toast and searching around for them. ‘Bettergo after her.’
I shake my head. ‘Eat your breakfast. I’ll go and get themfor you, okay?’
He looks at me uncertainly. ‘Sure?’
‘Yes. Don’t worry. I’m not going to accidentally murder herwhile I’m there. I might even make some amusing small talk.’
We exchange a grin, I tie my dressing gown belt moretightly, and head off after Joanna.
The front door is wide open and I step inside, calling outher name. But there’s no reply. So I wander through the little hallway and intothe kitchen. It’s extremely neat and tidy – just like Joanna herself – with noteven a solitary mug left to dry on the draining board. She’d be hell to livewith!
Hudson’s keys are nowhere in sight. But there’s a roomopposite, the door open a crack, which I guess might be where they’ve beendoing their work.Maybe they’re in there?
I push open the door and as soon as I do, I realise it’s abedroom. Joanna’s bedroom. I’m about to retreat when I notice the pile ofclothes on a chair near the door. It strikes me as rather a lot of stuff for aholiday, and then I notice that every garment seems to have its tag still onit.
I stare at them, my mind racing.
Has she bought all those since she’s been here, then?
‘Hello? Is that you, Hudson?’ Footsteps patter in from thegarden and I hear the sliding door being pulled across.
I duck out of the bedroom, just as Joanna walks into thehallway. I stare at her with a guilty smile, trying my best to look nonchalant,as if Ihaven’tbeen poking around in her bedroom and stumbling upon hermassive hoard of purchases.
‘Yes?’ she demands.
‘Oh.’ I swallow. ‘Um, Hudson thinks he might have left hiscar keys here?’
‘Okay.’ She gives me a hard stare, reaches behind me andcloses the bedroom door firmly. ‘They’re in the living room. I’ll bring themout to the car.’
‘Okay.’ I beat a hasty retreat, wondering if Joanna’s ashopaholic. I’ve sometimes wondered how she can afford that gorgeous townhouseand so many beautiful clothes on what must be a fairly average wage. But accordingto Hudson, her parents are loaded.
Later, when they’ve gone, I decide to have a shower and getready to go over to Clifftop House. But just as I’m coming back down to make acoffee, my phone rings and it’s Ellie.
‘Ruby?’ Her voice is faint, almost a groan.
‘Ellie? You sound dreadful. Are you all right?’
‘No. We ate some fishy leftovers when we got back late lastnight and we’re all feeling ill. Must have been past the sell-by date, I think.Ugh, I can still taste it.’
‘Oh, you poor things. Have you been sick?’
She groans. ‘And the rest. It’s lucky we’ve all got en-suitebathrooms. They’ve been put tovery good useover the past few hours. That’sall I’m saying.’
‘Oh, dear. Are you in bed?’
‘No. I thought I might be able to stomach a cup of tea soI’m in the kitchen with Jaz. But I’m going straight back to bed now.’
