Page 25 of The Romance Library

Once it was in his mouth, he chewed cautiously and then his eyes bulged with surprise.

‘It’s actually not… terrible,’ he said, quickly sliding another portion onto his fork.

‘Told you!’ The cod was perfection, the fish so fresh and the batter light and crispy. Much better than what I’d had in London. Fish and chips were always better by the sea.

It didn’t take long for us both to devour everything on our plates. Just as Candace came to take them away, I was relieved to see Edwin walking through the restaurant door.

‘So!’ He slid onto the seat at the head of the table. ‘How was it?’

‘Best fish and chips I’ve ever tasted!’ I enthused.

‘It was actually quite delicious,’ Theo added.

‘Excellent!’ He clapped his hands together. ‘Really happy you enjoyed it. So…’ He paused. ‘There’s been a development. I’m getting some pushback from the town’s residents.’

‘About?’ Theo asked.

‘My decision to sell Seaview High.’

‘But it’s your land,’ Theo added. ‘You’re free to do with it as you wish.’

‘That’s true,’ Edwin replied. ‘However, like I mentioned at our meeting yesterday, community is important to me and to everyone in this town. Ever since my parents passed, I’ve had offers to buy the place. But I’ve always declined.’

‘Why?’ I asked.

‘Because all I’ve ever had was the hit-and-run buyers: the people who just want to buy the land, make money and leave. They don’t care about the people. They only care about their profit margins. I want to sell to someone who fits in with the community. Who values it and wants to be a part of it. Is that you?’ Edwin’s gazed flicked between us.

‘Absolutely,’ Theo nodded.

‘Of course,’ I confirmed.

‘Wonderful!’ Edwin beamed. ‘I’m delighted to hear that because that means you’ll be happy to move forward with my new idea.’

‘New idea?’ Theo frowned.

‘Yes. Originally, I thought it would be sufficient for us to meet once or twice whilst you prepare your presentation. But now I’ve realised that won’t be enough.’ As Edwin paused, my stomach tightened. Sounded like he had some other challenge up his sleeve.

‘What did you have in mind?’ Theo clasped his hands and placed them under his chin.

‘I would like you both to stay in Sunshine Bay.’

‘Stay here?’ Theo’s brows furrowed. ‘For how long? A weekend?’

‘No.’ Edwin shook his head.

‘How long were you thinking?’ I asked.

My guess was that he’d like us to stay for a week. Maybe in the run-up to the presentation date.

Now that I’d committed to the challenge, I didn’t mind too much. What I’d said to Edwin earlier was true. This place was pretty. And I could bet that wherever I stayed here would be a whole lot better than my crummy bedsit.

‘Three weeks,’ he said casually.

‘Three weeks?’ Theo barked, his eyes popping from their sockets. ‘But you said the presentation was in two weeks!’

‘I know. But you’ll need more time to put something solid together. Let’s see.’ He pulled out a small diary and flicked through the pages. ‘It’s Wednesday today and you’ll need a day or two to settle in, so let’s set the revised presentation date for three weeks from Friday.’

‘I can put something together in two weeks,’ Theo said quickly. ‘In fact, maybe I could get it done in a week. I’m sure you’re a busy man. There’s no need to drag the process out unnecessarily.’

---