Page 10 of A Change of Heart

“Do you want a tour of the town?” he asked, realising it was a little early for lunch. “Or has Noah already showed you around?”

“I’ll take your tour,” she said. “You’ll definitely be a better guide than Noah.”

He chatted away as they walked, pointing out places and answering her questions about life on St Mary’s. They’d just passed the tourist information when a voice called out to him. It took him a moment to remember the name of the woman with loose blonde curls. Holly had been in the same year as him at school but they’d never really been friends. She had a rather bland personality as far as he remembered.

“Hi, Holly.” He took a couple of steps towards her, surprised she was seeking him out.

“I’ve been meaning to speak to you,” she said, with a bright smile. “I saw you through the window and thought I’d grab the opportunity but if you don’t have time …” Her gaze shifted to Keira.

“This is my brother’s girlfriend,” he said, then introduced them both. “Keira just moved to St Mary’s at the weekend.”

“That’s great.” Holly lifted her shoulders as she smiled. “I hope you settle in quickly. If you have any questions about the island, feel free to come in and ask.” She tipped her chin towards the building behind her.

“You work in the tourist office?” Kit asked. “Since when?”

“About a month.”

“Weren’t you working at the hotel?”

“Yes.” A blush coloured her cheeks. “I needed a change. Anyway, my new job is the reason I wanted to speak to you. Every day we have people asking if they can buy tickets for the train from us …”

“And you wanted to know if you could sell them for me and take a cut of the ticket price?”

Her neck turned as red as her cheeks. “I wondered if we could come to some sort of arrangement. I feel as though I’m constantly answering questions about the train.”

“You have flyers with the information, just give people that.”

“Yes, we do. Sorry, I only wanted to check that you didn’twantus to sell tickets. It might make things easier for you.”

“Thank you,” he said softly. “It’s not something I’m interested in.”

“You already spoke to Audrey and Wyatt about this, didn’t you?”

He smiled lightly. The owners of the tourist office had been on at him about it ever since the train went into operation. “Several times.”

“Sorry.” She put a hand to her chest. “I shouldn’t have accosted you in the street.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I should get back.” She aimed a thumb at the door, then smiled at Keira. “Honestly, just come in if you need anything.”

They waited until Holly had disappeared inside before ambling along again.

“I don’t think I ever manage to walk through town without someone stopping to ask me something about the train,” Kit said.

“Do they all flutter their eyelashes at you like Holly did?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I don’t think she was.”

“She definitely was. I’m surprised she came out on the street to ask you about the train tickets. I’d have thought she’d have suggested chatting about it over a meal.”

He bumped his shoulder against hers. “Get lost!”

“I’m telling you, she totally fancies you.”

“She has a boyfriend, I think.”

“I feel sorry for him, if she’s looking at other guys the way she looks at you.”