Page 31 of Love in the Air at The Cornish Bakery

‘Yes! Dinner’s on you two.’ Max laughed as he held out his hand for Brooke.

Swallowing, she turned around. ‘Well done, guys. That was a good game.’ Walking to the bench, she picked up her bag and flung it over her shoulder. ‘I don’t know about you three, but I’m starving. Where’s a good place to eat around here?’

‘Me too.’ Brooke took Max’s hand, and they led the way out of the bowling alley.

‘Nina?’

Pausing, Nina looked back at Rowan. ‘Aren’t you coming?’

‘What’s going on?’

‘I don’t know what you mean? We’re going to get food.’ Nina shrugged.

‘You know what I mean.’

‘No, I don’t. come on, I’m starving. I could literally eat a horse right now.’

‘You’re vegetarian.’

‘That’s how hungry I am.’ She laughed.

‘Just wait up a moment.’ Standing still, he indicated to her to wait.

‘What?’ Pulling her handbag strap higher up onto her shoulder, Nina shifted on her feet before sighing and walking back to him.

‘Just sit down for a moment.’ Sinking onto a metal bench next to the large planter in the middle of the foyer, Rowan held his hand out for her.

Ignoring his hand, she sat down next to him.

‘You do know that you can talk to me if something is bothering you, don’t you?’ Rowan held her hand.

‘There’s nothing bothering me.’ Pulling her hand away, she tapped her foot against the tiled floor. ‘Brooke and Max will be wondering where we’ve disappeared to.’

‘A few minutes won’t hurt.’

Looking across at him, she shrugged. ‘I don’t know what you want me to tell you. I’m fine. Everything is fine.’

‘Nina, you got distracted. Your bowling ball ended up in the gutter.’ Rowan took her hand in his again.

‘So, am I not allowed to have a bad game? Did you see how many times Max and Brooke’s bowling balls ended up in the gutter? You’re not interrogating them.’ She leaned forward, ready to stand up.

‘Nina, the only time you’ve ever sent a bowling ball down the gutter was the night after your gran had told you she was emigrating to Australia. I know something’s wrong.’

Sighing, Nina slumped her back against the cold metal of the bench. He was right. That had been the only time she’d ever been off her game.

‘Look, you don’t have to tell me what’s bothering you, but has it got something to do with this message you need to deliver from your gran?’

Nina nodded.

‘And it has something to do with Brooke, too?’

She nodded again.

‘But you can’t tell me until you’ve spoken to all involved?’

Shaking her head, Nina closed her eyes. ‘Sorry.’

‘Hey, don’t apologise.’ Leaning forward, he looked at the floor before turning back to her. ‘You know that I’m here for you, though? Whatever happens.’

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