Page 23 of The Summer Escape

“No.” Beth’s eyes widened. “There’s really no need.”

“It’s your fortieth,” Trystan said. “That definitely calls for a meal out.” The way he looked at her with his easy smile made goosebumps ripple across the back of her neck.

She gave a subtle shake of the head. “I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Mirren insisted, taking a seat and gesturing for Ellie to go to her. “I’ll take care of this little angel. You two go out and enjoy a nice meal.”

Ellie’s brow wrinkled. “I’d like to go out for dinner with Trystan too.”

“It’d be very boring,” Mirren told her.

Trystan stretched his legs out. “Thanks a lot!”

“A meal with grown-ups is boring,” Mirren clarified. “You can stay here with me, and after dinner we can watch a bit of TV and eat ice cream. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“Yes,” Ellie agreed. “Will you read my bedtime story?”

“I’d love to.” Mirren nodded firmly. “I’ll call the Castle and get you a table in the restaurant there. They’ll be full, but I’m owed a favour.” Mirren pursed her lips as she ran her eyes over Trystan. “Go and put a shirt on.”

He chuckled. “Are you going to tell Beth what to wear too?”

“No, just you.” She turned her wrist to check her watch. “Shall I make the reservation for eight o’clock?”

“I’m really very happy to eat here,” Beth said. “I feel terrible leaving you to look after Ellie.”

“Why?” Mirren asked. “We’re going to have a lovely girls’ night. I’ll enjoy it.”

Trystan caught Beth’s gaze. “Sometimes it’s not worth arguing. Mum always gets her own way in the end.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Beth asked him.

“I don’t mind at all.” His left eyebrow twitched as he smiled at her. “I’d better go and put a shirt on.”

“I might have a quick shower then,” Beth said, with a quiver of excitement at the thought of getting dressed up for a child-free meal out. The fact that she got to spend time alone with Trystan increased her anticipation for the evening even further.

Her birthday might not be a total washout after all.

CHAPTEREIGHT

“You look pretty, Mummy,” Ellie remarked through a mouthful of pasta when Beth walked back onto the patio.

“Thank you.” She’d opted for a simple green cotton sundress and sandals. Upstairs it had felt fresh and cute, but now that she was faced with Trystan in a pair of stonewashed jeans and bright white shirt she felt slightly under-dressed.

“Ready to go?” he asked, getting up from the chair.

“Yes.” The twinkle in his eyes made her stomach flutter, and she wasn’t sure going out with him was a good idea after all. Should she really be leaving her daughter with a woman she barely knew so she could go out for dinner with a guy she knew even less? Pulling her shoulders back, she told herself she was being silly. They might not have known Mirren long, but Beth absolutely trusted her with Ellie.

“Should I get Ellie ready for bed before we go?” she asked Mirren. “I left her pyjamas out, but I could wait and help her get ready first.”

“No,” Mirren said with a gentle smile. “We’ll be fine. You just worry about enjoying your evening.”

“Thank you. I won’t be late back …”

“Be as late as you want,” Mirren said. “It won’t make any difference to us. We’ll be all tucked up in bed.”

“Thank you,” she said again and kissed the top of Ellie’s head, not wanting to risk being smeared with pasta sauce. “Be really good for Mirren, won’t you?”

“Bye, Mummy.”