Page 42 of The Summer Escape

“Stop what?”

“Touching me.” She pushed his hand away. “Stop all of this. I barely even know you. I’m on holiday with my daughter and you’re ...”

“I’m what?” he asked weakly.

“You’re crowding me. I can’t do this. I need you to back off.” Even as she tried not to look at him, she was aware of the hurt in his eyes. He started to speak and she cut him off. “Please leave me alone.”

“I’m sorry,” he muttered as he rose from his chair.

By the time Beth braved looking, he was already at the gate. Even from that distance, the set of his shoulders radiated anger. Not that she could blame him. Taking a deep breath through her nose, she contemplated chasing after him to apologise. Where would that get her though? Her words might have been harsh, but putting an end to whatever was going on between them was the right thing to do.

“Mummy!” Ellie called running over to her. “Where’s Trystan gone?”

“He had some work to do.”

Ellie looked over to the cottage where he was walking inside. “Is he coming back later?”

“I don’t think so.” At least she couldn’t imagine him returning any time soon after the way she’d spoken to him. Oh god, she’d been awful.

Shaking her head, she told herself it didn’t matter anyway. There was space on a flight on Thursday, so she’d soon be a distant memory to him. And vice versa. She picked up her phone again, intent on booking the flight.

“Can you play with me, Mummy?” Ellie asked.

“I just need to—”

“Please, Mummy. Let’s play chase. It’s really fun.”

“Okay.” Booking the flight could wait until later.

* * *

“I’m so excited,” Keira said when Trystan joined her and Noah at the round table in the back corner of the pub. “I’ve been wanting to do the quiz ever since I moved here, but Noah always says it’s lame.”

Noah screwed his face up. “I don’t like the quiz because I’m not allowed to win it. Charlie thinks it would be inappropriate for the staff to win.”

Kit arrived, taking the stool beside Trystan. “Otherwise you’d win it every week, wouldn’t you?”

“I’m pretty good actually,” Noah retorted.

“Who invited you?” Trystan asked Kit.

“What do you mean who invited me? I thought we were having a Treneary family quiz team.”

“No. That’s not what we were doing. It was supposed to be a double date vibe.”

“Who’s your date?” Kit asked. “And why did you choose Noah and Keira over me and Seren?”

“Because Seren’s working.” Trystan managed a smile, hoping his baby brother didn’t quiz him further on that one. Serenwasworking. He just hadn’t known that at the time he’d hatched his double date plan.

“So who’s your date?” Keira asked.

Before he could answer, Seren appeared beside him and slid a tray of drinks onto the table. “Have you got a date?” she asked.

Trystan frowned as he took his glass of water. “Maybe I should drink tequila this evening … No, please remind me that I don’t drink. I might need reminding.”

“What’s going on?” Seren said, perching on Kit’s lap and looking at Trystan intently.

“Do you think I’m creepy?”