Page 51 of The Weekend Getaway

“Not long.” She frowned, not sure that they were even really together. “I’ve known him for a while from the pub. He works in my local. We’ve only recently got to know each other better.”

“You were brave to come and meet the family.”

She thought about the confusion over the destination again and stifled a laugh. Lowen hadn’t been around to witness her confession about Sicily, so she didn’t need to be embarrassed about that in front of him.

“A little weekend getaway sounded good. I pretty much never go on holiday.”

He smiled lightly, then gestured at her half-eaten croissant. “Is there something wrong with that?”

“No. They’re just huge, I couldn’t manage it.” She pushed the plate in his direction, and it didn’t look anything like as big when he devoured it in a couple of large bites.

“That’s actually pretty good.” He licked a smudge of chocolate from his thumb. “Don’t tell Pippa I said that.”

Keira promised not to before her attention was drawn to the crowd which had gathered on the beach. “Will the race already have started?”

Lowen checked his watch. “They’re probably about finished by now.” He rose in his chair to peer out of the window. “Looks as though they’re cheering the first boats in.”

“I was supposed to be watching,” she said in a panic.

“Don’t worry about it. Noah and the rest of them probably won’t be one of the first boats. Go out now and have a look. I’ll sort out the bill.”

“No. You already gave me the mug.”

He waved dismissively. “I honestly don’t mind. Go out and watch. I’ll catch you up.”

“Thanks.” Carefully, she placed the mug in her handbag and called goodbye to the shop owner.

The beach and promenade were a hive of activity, with people on the beach cheering the boats in. Some teams had already finished, and the long wooden boats rested on the sand while the rowers hung around chatting to people on the beach.

“I can’t see them,” Keira said, when Lowen loped up beside her on the promenade.

“There they are.” He pointed to the water. “The green boat, just crossing the finish line.”

Keira frowned. “Where’s the finish line?”

“By the green boat,” he teased, then pointed again. “There are two markers in the water. The buoys with flags on them.”

Keira nodded, her eyes trained on the green boat, which slowed as soon as it passed between the markers. “They didn’t win then.”

“No. But there’s only Kit who rows regularly these days, so that’s no great surprise.”

“Are the races a regular thing?” Keira asked. “The boats look kind of old-fashioned.”

“There are races every week,” Lowen told her. “Centuries ago gig boats were used to guide ships to the islands. Usually, the first gig out to meet the ship would get the job, and payment. Now it’s island tradition.”

“It looks like fun,” she said, watching another boat cross the finish line.

They stood quietly until the green boat was almost at the shore and Keira could finally make out the faces in it. Noah’s features were tense, and she wondered whether his headache had persisted since he didn’t appear to share the joy and energy of the others around him.

“I need to get some shopping while I’m here,” Lowen said, his tone dulled, as though he was making up an excuse to get away. “You should go down and meet them. There’ll no doubt be a good crowd in the pub later. I’ll call in for a drink before I head back to Bryher.”

Keira nodded as he took steps away. “See you later then. Thanks for the mug and for getting the bill.”

“You’re welcome. See you later.” He tipped his chin, then strode away.

Left alone, Keira wandered to the far end of the beach and found a rock to sit on while she watched the bustle. She didn’t feel like being sociable just yet and had lost sight of Noah and his family anyway. Eventually her phone rang. At least Noah hadn’t forgotten about her altogether. He said they were heading up to the pub, and she told him she’d meet them there.

Wandering through the town, she passed groups of people chatting in the street. Most of the conversations seemed to be about the race, with banter being thrown about who was the best rower and who had an unfair advantage.