Page 56 of A Change of Heart

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m fairly sure it is,” Mirren said as Seren sat across from her. “Anyway, I might be forced to have people to stay in the house this summer since Trystan’s causing havoc with the bookings for August.”

“Why? What’s the problem?”

“Jenny wants to stay in the London flat in August. She’s staying with a friend for now and has found a place of her own from September, but there’s some problem with staying at her friend’s place in August.”

“So Trystan’s coming back here for the whole of August?”

“Yes. I already had his place free for him for the first two weeks, but there was a couple booked in for the end of August.”

“Why can’t Trystan stay here with you? There’s loads of room.”

“He begrudgingly suggested the same, but he doesn’t want to. And I can’t blame him. He has his own place and he wants to stay there, not be under his mother’s feet.”

“Will you offer the couple a room in the house instead?”

“Maybe. I’m trying to find them alternate accommodation elsewhere on the island, but we’ll see.”

“It’ll be nice to have Trystan around anyway. How’s he doing?”

“Says he’s fine, but I don’t suppose he’d say otherwise.” She took a sip of wine. “What’s going on with you? There used to be a time when your social life was too hectic to visit me on a Saturday night.”

“Times have changed,” Seren said with a sigh.

“Kit’s out with Holly Burton. Do you know her? They went to school together.”

Seren’s stomach twisted sharply, but she kept her features neutral as she shook her head.

“Second date apparently,” Mirren said. “Not that Kit told me anything about it. I saw him chatting to her outside of the supermarket, then I pried the information out of Noah. Their first date was last weekend. He took her to Juliet’s Garden.” She twirled the stem of her wine glass. “I’m not sure where they’ve gone tonight.”

Unable to formulate a response, Seren pushed her chair back and casually walked across the kitchen. “Have you got any chocolate?” she asked, opening the snack cupboard. Picking up a bar of Dairy Milk, she held it up. “Can I?”

Mirren nodded. “I can’t imagine it will last between Kit and his new friend anyway.”

“Why not?” Seren asked, as though the conversation was of barely any interest to her.

“She’s very young.” Mirren reached over and snapped off a square of chocolate.

“I thought they went to school together? Aren’t they the same age?”

“Yes, I suppose they are, but Kit’s mature for his age. She’s quite … giggly. You probably know her by sight – she used to work in the hotel, now she works in the tourist information.”

“Curly, blonde hair?” Seren asked.

“Yes. And an annoying laugh.”

Seren cracked a smile. The fact that Mirren wasn’t a fan made the situation marginally easier. “Don’t be mean,” she chastised her mildly.

“I suppose it’s good he’s dating, even if I think he can do better.”

“I suspect no one would be good enough for your baby.”

“You might be right.” She bit the chocolate and chewed slowly. “What about you?”

Seren’s eyes widened as her heart rate increased. “What about me?”

“How’s your love life?”