Page 41 of The Boathouse By the Loch

‘So, he was going to ask me if I knew or had known him.’

Gayle nodded. ‘I expect so.’

‘Nope, never known a Ralph.’

Gayle said, ‘Me neither.’

David took the photo out of her hand. ‘Looks like him, though.’

Gayle was just about to pocket the photo for when Jake returned, in case it got lost or, heaven forbid, Olive got in the room and nabbed it. She looked up sharply. ‘Huh?’

‘Jake. The kid looks just like him.’

Gayle frowned. ‘Give that here.’ This time she put on her glasses. ‘Well, I’ll be … how strange.’

Gayle studied it some more. She took off her glasses and looked at David. ‘Sometimes people fail to see what’s right in front of their noses.’

‘Or they don’t want to believe it,’ he replied sullenly.

Gayle had an idea that David was no longer talking about the photo. But was he in for a surprise very soon.

He handed the photo to Gayle. ‘I guess you’d better contact him, let him know he left this behind. Otherwise he might be searching for it.’

‘I think he’s got more important issues on his plate right now than an old photo.’

‘Woman trouble?’ David asked knowingly.

Gayle thought of Natty. She didn’t want to elaborate. ‘Yeah – that.’

David sighed heavily. ‘Well, I expect he won’t be coming back.’

‘Oh, I hope he does. He’s paid upfront for the room for the rest of the week, although I said I’d put the money towards another week if he can’t make it. But I really hope he can, and he brings the ladies with him.

‘Ladies!’ David chuckled. ‘Wow.’

‘Oh, goodness, David! It’s not what you think. It’s a colleague who works at the school where he is teacher training and her young daughter.’

‘Hmm, colleague. The trouble is that if they come here, by the time they leave they’ll undoubtedly be more than just colleagues, or friends.’

Gayle didn’t have to ask what had made him say that. She smiled knowingly. He was talking from experience.

‘It’s once people leave. That’s the problem.’

Gayle’s smile faltered. Gayle knew he was talking about himself and Robyn.

She looked about her. It might not be The Ritz or one of the fancy local hotels, but the house had a special place in Robyn’s heart – and David’s. She was thrilled that Robyn had returned, although she had made Robyn promise that it was only for one night. It was not that Gayle wanted to see the back of her – not at all. She was just afraid that if Robyn got too comfortable back at Lark Lodge, she might not want to leave. Gayle didn’t want that. Robyn and David were a young couple with their lives to lead. Whatever had been going on with Robyn since she’d moved into the boathouse, Gayle hoped this surprise marked the end of it. The only thing she had to make sure of was that David didn’t go out.

‘Right – let’s get this lot downstairs, and in the wash. Then I can get that stew on.’ She dumped the wash basket in David’s hands.

‘Seriously, don’t worry about it. I’m heading out anyway.’

Gayle turned around at the bedroom door. ‘Now?’

He nodded.

‘Oh, so you don’t like my cooking?’ Gayle joked, feigning shock.

‘Oh, of course I like … love it.’

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