Page 8 of Playing for Keeps

“Thanks,” she called after him.

Hesitantly, she stepped inside to investigate her new home while fervently reminding herself it was only temporary.

CHAPTER 4

It soon became clear that Allie’s concerns about returning to Hope Cove were unfounded. When she walked into the village to pick up supplies from the local shop, she felt the odd spark of nostalgia but nothing more. There was certainly none of the overwhelm she’d expected when faced with her past.

It was the same when Kevin gave her a tour of the clubhouse and driving range on Friday morning. Following the tour, he spent a long time explaining how everything worked in the restaurant. The food ordering and payment systems were the same as at Fox Hill, so she spent an hour feigning ignorance and asking unnecessary questions.

Maybe she shouldn’t have tried so hard to be convincing. After all, making Kevin suspicious wouldn’t be the worst thing. She could abandon the undercover operation before she properly got into it. That would have the benefit of being able to stay in the upstairs flat for the duration of her stay rather than in the pokey staff accommodation.

Arriving for her first restaurant shift on Saturday evening, she found Kevin busy pouring drinks behind the bar. He flashed Allie a smile and handed over the tray of drinks to a waiter. The tall, fresh-faced young guy beamed at her.

“I’m Dean,” he said.

“Allie,” she replied.

“I haven’t worked here that long,” he told her. “But if you need any help with anything, just ask.”

Kevin’s eyebrows lifted. “Don’t let the customers die of thirst, Dean.”

“Oh, yeah.” Smiling, he walked away.

“Do you need me to talk you through everything again?” Kevin asked Allie.

“No.” She managed to keep a straight face. “I think I remember everything.”

“That’s great. If you have any problems, just ask. We’re all very friendly.” He pulled out a clipboard and set it on the bar between them. On it was the floor plan for the restaurant, with the tables sectioned off in blue biro and a few scribbles around it. “I’ve put you on this section for this evening.” He pointed to a group of tables with her name by them. “We’ll keep your section quiet so you can find your footing without too much stress.”

“Thanks.” So far, he seemed to be a decent manager despite his subpar handshake.

“This guy just arrived,” Kevin said, tipping his head. She turned and spotted the middle-aged guy poring over the menu. “He’s waiting for someone, but you could ask if he wants a drink while he waits.”

Confidently, she strode over to the only person currently in her section. “Hi,” she said brightly.

The guy was off his feet in an instant. “Sorry,” he said, wiping his palms on his jeans. “I was miles away. You must be Rebecca? I’m Hugh.”

“Hi, Hugh.” She backed up a step since they’d ended up standing incredibly close. “I’m Allie.”

“Oh.” His brow crinkled. “So not my date?”

Her lips twitched in amusement. “Your waitress.”

“Right.” He sat down again. “Sorry.”

Now that she looked at him properly, he was younger than she’d first thought. Maybe forty, possibly even younger. The grey flecks at his temples gave him a mature air that matched his dress sense. She couldn’t help but cringe at his ill-fitting navy-blue shirt.

“I take it you’re on some kind of blind date?” she asked.

He nodded. “It’s the first time I’ve been on a date for a while.” That was pretty clear from the way his leg was jiggling.

She wondered how he’d got her confused for his date. “Haven’t you even seen a picture of her?” she asked, as curiosity niggled at her.

“Yeah, I have. On her dating profile.”

“And she looks like me?”

His leg stilled as he looked her up and down. “Not really. She’s in her mid-thirties, so you’re about the right age. Kind of …” He tilted his head and winced as though he might have said the wrong thing.

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