Page 34 of The Boathouse By the Loch

‘In her guesthouse?’

‘Well … yes.’

‘What’s wrong with his boathouse?’

Jake knew there was nothing wrong with the boathouse, apart from the fact that Robyn wasn’t there.

‘What is going on?’ Duncan’s frown deepened.

Jake stood up from the stool and looked at the door.

‘Annie!’ Duncan shouted across the shop.

It didn’t sound like a request; more like an order. Jake remained rooted to the spot, eyes wide, wishing he could just leave. He did not want to get drawn into whatever was going on between two people he barely knew, or in the case of Robyn, didn’t know at all. Jake’s followed Duncan’s gaze to the interior design outlet.

A slim young woman, dressed in tailored trousers and a blouse, left her customers to report to Duncan at the desk. She looked from Duncan to Jake. ‘I’ll be with you in a minute,’ she said to Jake, mistaking him for one of her customers.

‘He is not one of your customers,’ Duncan said.

‘Then what is it, Duncan? I’m busy.’

‘It’s David. Jake here says he’s staying at Lark Lodge, apparently.’

Jake looked at Annie. This was awkward. He’d thought Duncan would introduce him. ‘I’m Jake.’ He held out his hand. ‘I’m staying at Lark Lodge too. That’s where I met him.’

Annie shook his hand. ‘Um … pleased to meet you, Jake.’ She paused. ‘Have we met before? Your face seems familiar.’

‘No, no – we haven’t met before.’ Jake really didn’t want to divulge his full name.

‘Of course his face is familiar,’ Duncan boomed. ‘His name is Jake Campbell-Ross.’

Jake rolled his eyes at Duncan. As he did so, he caught sight of the young couple who had been choosing curtains, oblivious to the conversation in Duncan’s grocery shop. Now they were looking in his direction, all ears.

Jake heaved a sigh. ‘Well, it’s been very nice meeting you, but I really ought to get going …’ He looked at Duncan, who had the keys to the locked shop door in his hand.

Duncan ignored him and turned to Annie. ‘So, did you know he’d moved out of the boathouse?’

‘He hasn’t moved out. He’s just staying with Gayle for—’

‘Oh, so you did know.’

Jake pursed his lips, looking over at the door and wishing he could escape the awkward conversation.

‘Have David and Robyn split up? I knew he shouldn’t have got together with an out-of-towner.’

‘Look, do we have to do this now?’ She glanced over at her customers.

Jake noted they’d quickly returned to looking through the curtains samples, probably feeling as embarrassed as he did at overhearing the conversation.

‘I warned him he knew nothing about her. She appears out of nowhere on Christmas Day…’

Jake looked at him.

Duncan continued. ‘And why has David moved out of the boathouse? Why hasn’t she?’

‘She’s not at the boathouse. And David hasn’t moved out. He’sjust staying with Gayle for a bit.’

‘As good as,’ Duncan scoffed. ‘So, where is she?’

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