Page 23 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
‘Claudia.’ It was a statement rather than a question. ‘Yes, it’s me.’
For the first time that day, Claudia’s smile was wide and genuine. It felt like her mask was cracking in half to show the real person underneath. The sensation was weirdly uncomfortable.
George’s slightly stony expression melted into the warm grin that had always managed to make her knees wobble.
‘George, what are you doing here?’ she said, unable to keep the joy out of her voice. What did she care that the other diners were now ogling the pair of them? Her heart was pounding, and not in the horrific way it had been when she’d nearly wiped out that poor post van earlier.
‘I live here,’ he laughed.
‘I knowthat,’ said Claudia, without thinking.
‘You do?’ said George, looking thoroughly surprised.
Claudia winced and cleared her throat.Damn, that had just slipped out!What if he thought she was in Seabury looking for him? God, how embarrassing!
Shaking her head, Claudia gave herself a mental slap. That was her mother’s voice in her head.Shewas the one who cared what everyone else thought—Claudia didn’t give a flying sausage! After all, even if itwastrue and she’d come on this trip just to search for George, why should it be embarrassing?
Besides, it wasn’t true… at least, not completely. It was time to come clean.
‘Freya’s getting married,’ she said, launching right into the middle of the story. ‘Remember my little sister?’
George nodded.
‘Well, my mother wanted me to come and erm…meetthe groom’s family.’ Claudia did her best not to let her resentment show, but judging by the look on George’s face, she’d failed spectacularly.
‘Ah, so your mum’s still her usual warm and welcoming self then?’ he said lightly, his eyebrows going up.
‘Afraid so,’ sighed Claudia.
She shouldn’t be surprised that George had cottoned on so fast. Her mother had loathed him when they’d been together, and he’d returned the favour as much as his youthful, easy-going nature had allowed.
‘Anyway,’ she said, forcing a smile back onto her face, ‘someone mentioned years ago that you’d settled in Seabury, and I’ve always wanted to…’ she trailed off, searching for the right words. ‘I just figured I’d keep an eye out for you while I was in town,’ she finished lamely.
‘Well… you found me!’ said George, glancing over his shoulder, then back at her.
‘Technically,youfoundme!’said Claudia. Suddenly realising that she was still on her feet, she sank back into her chair. ‘Are you here with someone?’
She crossed her fingers in her lap. The idea that George might have a wife and kids waiting for him in reception made her feel mildly sick. But… a lovely guy like him? He was bound to be happily settled by now, wasn’t he?
The minute George shook his head, tingling relief shot through her.
‘Join me for a minute?’ she said, nodding at the chair across from her. The combination of relief and hope seemed to have clogged her throat, and the request came out more like an order. ‘I mean… only if you want to!’
George cocked his head. ‘I don’t want to intrude.’
‘Don’t be daft,’ she said. Her shoulders sagged, and she smiled at him. ‘Let me buy you a drink at least.’
George paused for a long moment. With another quick glance over his shoulder, he nodded. ‘Okay, I’d love to,’ he said, slipping into the chair across from her. ‘I want to hear all about what you’ve been up to!’
Claudia cringed. It hadn’t occurred to her that George might be just as curious about her life as she was about his.Urgh.
‘Tell me all about you, first,’ she begged.
‘My life went pretty much where you’d guess,’ said George. ‘It doesn’t make for much of a story, I’m afraid. No kids, no wife. I’m just a small-town postman.’
‘You’re… you’re a postman?’ she stammered.
Uh oh!
