Page 28 of Just the Beginning

She did her best to distract herself. There were half a dozen new emails, all of them sales messages from various suppliers,that she gave a quick scan before consigning to the trash. She’d already printed off the booking details for that day’s expected arrivals, but she double-checked them against the diary and reread their details to make sure there weren’t any special requests she’d missed.

The office door opened and Rick emerged, looking a little upset.

‘Everything all right?’

‘Just family stuff. Nothing to worry about.’

It shouldn’t hurt to be brushed off like that, but after what Davy had said to her earlier, she couldn’t help it. ‘Okay. Is that what you came here for, then? To speak to Davy?’

Rick smiled. ‘Yes and no. Mostly I was just passing and thought I’d see if you’re free for lunch.’

‘Oh.’ Well, that was unexpected. Though she’d dismissed it at the time, Chloe’s teasing comments about Rick having a crush on her came zooming back. A man as handsome as him would surely have his pick of women to choose from, though?

‘I just wanted to thank you for making dinner the other night, no big deal.’

‘Oh,’ she said again, not quite sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. ‘You don’t have to do that.’

‘Maybe not, but I’d like to. I’m on my way to the café anyway as I’ve got a meeting in the Hub later.’

‘Well I was planning on going there to pick up some sandwiches for me and Davy…’

He smiled. ‘Then we can walk there together at least.’

It would seem churlish to refuse and it would be nice to catch up. She’d hardly seen Rick since that first week of her arrival. ‘I’ll just let Davy know. I’ll meet you outside in a minute.’

When she peeked into the office, Davy was staring unseeingat the drawing Freya had done for him. ‘I’m popping to the café to grab some lunch. Any special requests?’

Davy roused himself from his contemplations. ‘No, pet. I’m not hungry.’

She frowned. ‘You need to eat something…’

He slapped a hand on the desk in front of him. ‘Good God, will you stop fussing around me like a bloody mother hen!’

Anya took a step back, shocked at both his tone and his angry gesture. They might niggle at each other, but it was always in jest. Even when she’d made a silly mistake he’d never done more than roll his eyes or call her a twit. ‘I’m sorry.’

The flash of temper vanished, blowing over like one of the freak storm squalls that sometimes hit the village, turning the sky from blue to grey and back to blue again in a matter of minutes. ‘No, I’m the one who should apologise.’ He leaned forward and rubbed the base of his back on the left. ‘I’ve got a bit of stiff hip and it’s giving me gyp. I should’ve known better than to sit on the hard toilet seat earlier.’ He smiled. ‘I’ll have whatever’s going. No need to hurry back, I’ve got everything in hand here.’

Anya didn’t believe him for a minute. He might well have a pain in his hip but that wasn’t what was upsetting him. It was obvious he and Rick had had words about something. Maybe Rick would give her a clue over lunch, because she didn’t like Davy being out of sorts like this. ‘Well, as long as you’re sure?’

‘I am. Oh, hold on.’ Davy pulled his wallet out of his pocket and fished out a twenty-pound note. ‘Lunch is on me, by way of an apology for biting your head off just now.’

She stared reluctantly at the note for a long moment before deciding there was no point in arguing with him about it. ‘Thank you, I won’t be long.’

‘Take your time. You’ve got everything ready for this afternoon’s arrivals, I take it?’

‘Yes.’ Anya nodded. ‘Everything’s laid out on the desk ready, but I’ll be back well before then. Mrs Taylor requested oat milk and I’ve already popped a carton in their fridge.’

Davy smiled up at her. ‘I probably don’t say it often enough, but you’re doing a marvellous job. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

She felt her cheeks warm at the unexpected praise. ‘I’m sure you’d get along just fine, but I love working here, Davy. Thanks for giving me a chance.’

A telltale hint of redness showed on his own face as he waved her away. ‘Go on with you, girl. I’ll see you in a bit.’

15

Rick was grateful at Anya’s suggestion he wait for her outside as it gave him time to calm down after his row with Davy. Perhaps row was a bit strong because neither of them had raised their voices, but his great-uncle had been furious with Rick for asking him to consider opening up to everyone else about his condition. When he’d raised the subject of the two of them visiting the doctor so Rick could get a handle on what to expect in the coming weeks and, hopefully – he crossed his fingers – months, Davy had shut him down at once. ‘This is my business. No one else’s.’ Rick had pointed out that Davy had made it his business by telling him, but that had only earned him a nastily snapped comment that if he spent less time being the village busybody it would be to everyone’s relief. Something so childish shouldn’t have the power to hurt him, but it had stung nonetheless. All Rick had ever wanted to do was help people, and the idea he might have a reputation around the Quay for interfering didn’t sit well.

It was a relief when Anya exited the revolving door with a smile. ‘Sorry to keep you.’

---