Page 39 of The Summer Escape

“No.”

“Take your camera when you go out on Thursday and get some good ones.”

“Maybe.” She shook her head. “Of the scenery and wildlife, I mean. Not of him.”

“At least getoneof him!”

“I’ll try. How’s everything with you?”

“Same old. I’m missing you. I could do with an evening of drinking wine and slagging off Hugh.”

“Has he been around much?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Acting the model father and begging me to take him back. He’s such a prick.”

Beth rolled her eyes, knowing it was only a matter of time until they got back together. He wasn’t a bad guy in Beth’s opinion, but the pair of them had fiery personalities and the relationship was inevitably similar to a volcano: all calm until things exploded. She suspected Dee enjoyed the drama but would never say so.

“At least he’s making the effort with Ferne.”

“I guess so. And while I’m not saying being a single parent is easy for you, there are times I’m envious of you not having a fella interfering in your life.”

“I think the grass is always greener on the other side. I’d quite like having someone to share the responsibility with.”

“Can I interest you in Hugh?”

Beth’s shoulders shook as she laughed. “Not really, no.”

“Not when you’ve got some hunky thirty-two-year-old chasing after you.”

“I should go and see what Ellie’s up to. Check she’s not getting under Mirren’s feet.”

Dee told her to have a good day and they ended the call.

The kitchen was filled with the sweet scent of baking, and Beth inhaled deeply as she walked in.

“I helped Mirren,” Ellie said, twirling on the stone tiles to the music drifting from the radio.

“What did you make?”

“Flapjack,” Mirren said, her cheeks flushed as she sliced it up. “I should have made it yesterday so it had time to cool. The Tupperware will get all steamed up now. And I’m a mess.” She dusted off her jeans, then pushed her hair from her face. “Maybe I should get changed. I don’t really have time though.”

“Are you all right? Ellie hasn’t been getting in your way, has she?”

“No. Sorry, I’m just waffling on. Ignore me.” She rifled through a cupboard for a Tupperware container. “I’ll be out for most of the day, so you’ll have the place to yourselves.”

“Where are you going?” Ellie asked, continuing to twirl until Beth put her hands on her shoulders to stop her.

“I’m getting the boat over to Bryher,” Mirren said.

Beth didn’t like to pry but her curiosity was piqued; Trystan had mentioned needing to go to Bryher too, and she wondered if the two were connected.

“I’ve a friend who owns the hotel there,” Mirren said, placing slices of flapjack in the container. “I’ll have lunch with her. And call in and see Lowen too. The flapjack’s for him. It’s his favourite. Though he’ll no doubt tell me it was his favourite when he was eight and claim he’s not bothered now that he’s almost forty.”

Beth was confused as to who they were talking about, and also by Mirren’s nervous energy. She’d never known her waffle on so much. “Who’s Lowen?”

“My eldest!” she said, swinging round and raising her eyebrows. “I must have told you about Lowen. He has the pottery studio on Bryher.”

“I don’t think you’ve mentioned him.”