Page 3 of The Summer Escape

Ellie nodded solemnly and stared at Kit in wonder as he put a microphone headset on and announced to the entire train that they were ready to go now that the VIP guests had arrived. Beth felt her cheeks flush and was glad when they set off and Kit switched to talking about the scenery.

Initially, she was concerned that Ellie might get restless, but they were both enthralled by Kit’s commentary. When Ellie inched closer to him, Beth pulled her back along the bench seat, quietly telling her not to distract him.

“I hope she isn’t bothering you too much,” Beth said, when Kit stopped the train on the northern tip of the island, giving the passengers five minutes to enjoy the view and take photographs.

Kit looked confused as he slipped his headset off. “I forgot she was there, she’s so quiet.” He stepped out of the train and stretched his neck. “Do you want to take some photos?”

“I wish I’d thought to bring my camera,” Beth said, getting out to stretch her legs.

“You forgot your phone?” Kit asked, smiling down at Ellie as she leaned against his leg.

Distracted by her flirt of a daughter, it took Beth a moment to register his words. “Oh, yes, I could use my phone.” She pulled it from her pocket and opened the camera. “I’m a photographer for my job, so I usually have a better camera than my phone.”

“I’d say you can come with me again tomorrow and bring it then, but it’s your last day today, isn’t it?”

“We’re actually staying a few more days.” Beth raised her phone to take a few photos of the crystal-clear water and the smaller islands in the distance. “Your mum took pity on us because it rained all week. She said we can stay on until Wednesday.”

“At Mum’s house?”

“No, in Peswera Cottage.”

He smiled widely. “Trystan’s going to love that.”

“Oh god. Is he going to be annoyed? Mirren said it was fine, but I get the feeling I might not be very popular with your brother.”

“He won’t mind,” Kit said. “I’d like to be there when he finds out though.”

“That definitely sounds as though hewillmind.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Kit looked down at Ellie, who’d curled herself around his leg. “Why don’t you hop into my seat for a minute and your mum can get a photo of you driving the train?”

“Can I really drive it?” Ellie asked.

“No!” Beth laughed. “Just pretend for the photo.”

Once Ellie had posed for a photo, Kit pointed beside the steering wheel. “Press the button for the horn,” he instructed Ellie. “That will make everyone get back on the train.” He slipped in beside her and lifted her onto his lap. “How about helping me drive the train?”

The look of glee on Ellie’s face filled Beth with joy. She took a few photos with her phone while Ellie proudly clutched the steering wheel as they drove the rest of the route.

When the train came to a stop back at Porthcressa Beach, Kit hopped out to chat to the passengers while deftly creating balloon animals for a bunch of eager children.

“Please can I have one?” Ellie asked once the crowd had dispersed.

He smiled down at her and began to pump air into the long thin balloon. “How about a giraffe?”

“Yes. Can I have a dog as well so the giraffe doesn’t get lonely?”

“That’s a good idea,” Kit said, before Beth could jump in and tell Ellie it wasn’t polite to ask for two.

“How much do I owe you?” Beth asked Kit, pulling out her purse as he handed over a yellow giraffe to Ellie.

“Nothing,” he said. “VIPs get to ride for free.”

“What’s a VIP?” Ellie asked, gazing up at him.

“Very important person.”

“Are you sure?” Beth said.