Page 22 of The Good Neighbour

Hugh frowned. “Last time I checked you have a successful fashion label and shares in a boutique.”

Josh raised an eyebrow. “You have done your homework.”

“I’m a frustrated private eye.”

He had a point.

“I’m going to call my assistant today and tell her I’ll be in on Monday.”

Hugh clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit.”

The touch sent a shockwave through Josh’s system.

Why can’t I pull him close and do what I’m dying to?

It wasn’t the time and Josh had no doubt about that. Yet, it was coming.

CHAPTER SIX

As Josh stepped over the threshold of The Cut Store, he realised it had been nearly a year since he’d been there in person. A flash of shame swept over him. It was just around the corner from home.

“Mon dieu!”

Instantly he found himself dragged into a bear hug by Jean-Paul. The handsome store assistant with the impossibly perfect blow-dry. He always dressed sharply too. Today he was sporting a black suit and a crisp white shirt. A bright-pink tie gave the outfit a slick of colour.

He stepped back and looked Josh up and down. Evidently, he was being scrutinised at the same time. Thank goodness he’d made an effort in a nice pair of jeans and blue-striped shirt.

“It has been far too long,” Jean-Paul said. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” Josh replied.

He was beginning to wonder if this had been a good idea. Being thrust into the spotlight like this made him want to run home as fast as his legs would carry him.

“Jean-Paul, give him space to breathe.”

Helga raced forward and shooed her overexcited sales assistant away. He adored this woman. In her mid-fifties, Helgaloved life. She had her blonde hair piled up on her head and looked sensational in a pair of black trousers and black polo neck.

“Darling, it’s so good to see you.”

Of course, Helga had visited him at home. The way they were carrying on, anyone would think he’d re-appeared after being on the missing list for months.

He gave her a hug. They’d been in business together for nearly a decade. He’d been a relatively new designer when they’d met at an industry event and immediately hit it off. Her other shop had been floundering when the place beneath Josh’s studio came free. Once they’d joined forces, everything had taken off.

“Good to see you too. How are things going?”

Helga let him survey the shop.

“It’s going well. The new collection has done okay.”

She moved closer to him.

“It’s missing that Winterton spark. Are you back for good?”

Josh nodded. “I think it’s time. Is Suzanne upstairs?”

“She certainly is. Do you want coffees?”

“Oh God yes,” Josh replied.