Page 12 of The Summer Escape

“We have beautiful beaches at home too,” Beth said.

“Whereabouts do you live?” Trystan asked.

“Plymouth.”

He nodded.

“I like it more here.” Ellie leaned close to Trystan, then pulled back, nostrils flaring. “You smell funny.”

“Ellie!” Beth hissed, while Mirren chuckled.

“I’m a bit sweaty,” Trystan said.

Beth cast Ellie an impatient look. “It’s not very nice to tell someone they smell.”

“To be fair, she’s not the first person to tell me that today.” Trystan cast a glance in his mum’s direction.

Mirren pulled a face. “I was trying to convince him to go and shower right before you arrived.”

“I’m going for a swim in a minute,” Trystan said.

“We’re going to the beach today,” Ellie said, grinning up at him.

“To build sandcastles?” he asked.

She nodded. “And have a picnic.”

“That’s right.” Beth took a step forwards. “We should go now and leave Mirren in peace.”

Ellie rested her head against Trystan’s bicep, the casual gesture making Beth’s heart swell. “But you haven’t asked Mirren if we can come again next year.”

“Right. Yes.” Beth swung around. “I wanted to ask if we could book in for next year. I think Ellie might refuse to leave the island unless she knows we’ll definitely be coming back. I also need to pay for our extra time in the cottage.”

“I’d love to have you back.” Mirren went to the table and opened her laptop. “Let’s see what’s available.”

“Where doyoulive?” Ellie asked Trystan.

“Most of the time I live in London,” he told her. “And sometimes I come back here. The cottage you’ve been staying in belongs to me.”

Her nose crinkled. “Why did we stay in your house?”

“Because when I’m not staying here, I rent it out to people who want a holiday.”

“You have two houses?” she asked.

“Kind of.”

“We only have one,” she told him.

“One is usually enough,” he said, amused.

“Why do you have two then?”

“Sorry,” Beth said, shooting Trystan an apologetic look before switching her attention to Ellie. “I think that’s enough questions. And I think we also need to have a conversation about personal space.” Her fingers grazed Trystan’s arm as she lifted Ellie from the counter.

Mirren looked up from the laptop. “Did you have a particular time in mind?”

“The beginning of the school holidays would be perfect if you have something available then. I think we’ll come for two weeks next time. A week wasn’t long enough.”