Page 82 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

‘To make up for all those times I never asked you,’ he said into her ear, feeling the soft brush of her hair against his skin.

‘You old charmer,’ laughed Rosie, against his chest.

At first, they moved to the music woodenly, his hands on her waist and her hands on his shoulders. Acquaintances from years back. Old friends, or maybe new ones. But as more dancers packed in around them, his hands moved across her back and she slid her arms around his neck until their bodies met. He tightened his arms around her and their bodies moved in sync to the music as she rested her cheek against his shoulder.

Tears prickled Liam’s eyes and he blinked furiously. What on earth was the matter with him? Slow dancing with women was what he did. Everyone expected Liam Satterley to get off with someone by the end of the evening. But Deanna had changed him when she arrived in his life. And she’d changed him even more when she’d left him at the altar.

After that, he believed he’d never trust his heart to anyone ever again. But with Rosie, it felt safe. Right, somehow, and hewasattracted to her. That was the truth, however much he tried to ignore it. But she was going to disappear too: back to her life in Spain, with Matt.

At least he had this moment of comfort. Liam closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of Rosie in his arms, her forehead nestling against his neck.

All too soon, the song came to an end and the beat picked up. Rosie pulled away and smiled up at him.

‘Thank you,’ she shouted into his ear. ‘You are now absolved of all guilt for leaving me snivelling on the sidelines at the school disco.’

‘Happy to oblige.’

Jeez, did he just give a mock salute? What an idiot he was. No wonder Rosie frowned before heading off the dance floor. He followed her back to the bar.

‘What have you two been up to?’ asked Matt, walking towards them and shoving his phone into his jeans pocket.

‘Dancing, for old times’ sake. Was that Carmen on the phone?’

‘Yeah.’

Did Liam imagine it or was Matt looking shifty?

Rosie picked at the pearl buttons on her shirt. ‘She must be really spooked about her viewing tomorrow if she’s ringing you at this time of night, on her birthday.’

‘She is. Don’t forget that everyone’s feeling the strain because neither of us are in the office at the moment.’

Clever, thought Liam, putting Rosie on the back foot by making her feel guilty for being away.

‘Do you fancy another dance?’ asked Matt, taking hold of Rosie’s hand.

She shook her head. ‘Do you mind if we head back to Driftwood House? I’m tired and it still feels a bit odd being here.’

‘Of course, if that’s what you want. We could both do with an early night.’

Liam definitely didn’t imagine the look of triumph that Matt gave him.

After Rosie and her annoying boyfriend had gone, Liam downed the dregs of his pint and wiped the back of his mouth with his hand. He retrieved his jacket from the back of a chair and stepped out of the village hall into a still evening. There was no point in saying goodbye to Alex because he was snogging Ella in the corner.

At the junction of Church Lane, where the church tower rose above the trees, he heard footsteps behind him on the cobbled path.

‘Are you going so soon, Liam? You didn’t say goodbye to me.’

Liam turned, groaning inside. ‘I couldn’t see you, Katrina.’

‘Am I that easy to miss?’ She tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave Liam her best smouldering smile.

‘You’re not the kind of woman who can be overlooked.’

‘The disco won’t go on for too much longer. Aren’t you going to stay for the last few dances?’

Liam shook his head. ‘Sorry to be boring but I’ve got to be up early tomorrow morning. Every morning, in fact.’

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a lie-in. There was always a long list of tasks to be done, and Billy howled as though his heart would break if he wasn’t let out into the yard soon after sunrise.