Page 42 of Playing for Keeps

The song ended too soon, but neither of them moved to draw apart as the band lingered over the last few chords.

“I suppose we should finish our drinks and head off,” Hugh said, while the other couples moved from the dance floor.

“I suppose we should.” Reluctantly, she removed her arm from his shoulder, wondering what time the sea tractor ran until. The evening had gone by so quickly, and she’d given no thought to how they’d get back. Walking back to the table, she imagined having to stay the night in the hotel and felt a sliver of excitement at the thought.

“Darlings!” Arietta arrived with her hands raised to shoulder level as though perpetually ready to make a jazz hands gesture. “Lottie is preparing your bill. She’ll be over in a moment, but take your time and finish your drinks. Ernie tells me the tide is out, but the sand is still damp, so if you’d prefer he can get the Range Rover out and drive you back. Lovely evening for a stroll though, if you ask me.”

“I’m happy to walk,” Allie said, pushing down her disappointment at not being stranded for the night.

“Me too,” Hugh agreed.

“It’s been marvellous to see you both again,” Arietta said, wriggling her fingers and shimmying her hips a little. “Don’t leave it so long next time.” Seemingly from nowhere, she produced a business card and set it on the table in front of Hugh. “We do weddings, you know?”

Hugh had just taken a sip of water and put a hand to his mouth as he appeared to choke on it. “Excuse me?” he said, eyes watering.

“Just putting it out there.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “In case you’re ever looking for a place for a celebration.” Her gaze swept around the room. “Imagine it. Can you think of a more perfect setting for a wedding?”

Allie stifled a laugh at the panic in Hugh’s features. “It’s our second date,” she said.

“Never too early to start planning.” Arietta winked at Allie before sweeping away without another word.

Hugh slapped a hand across his forehead. “She’s nuts,” he whispered.

“Yes,” Allie agreed, her gaze following the older lady.

“I know I’m not an expert on dating,” Hugh said, “but just to be clear, most people would consider the second date a little early to start wedding planning, right?”

“Yes.” Allie grinned from ear to ear. “You have to admit, though – it’s a brilliant marketing strategy. If she goes around whispering to couples about weddings, the chances are any who do get married will remember what she said and at least consider getting married here.”

“That’s a good point.”

“I can see it now,” Allie said, a lightness spreading through her whole body. “One day you’ll propose and right after I say yes, I’ll tell you I already know where I want to get married …”

Hugh locked eyes with her. “And I’ll pull that business card from my wallet and you’ll be utterly charmed that I kept it.”

“Oh, I’ll be absolutely charmed,” she said dreamily. “We’ll laugh and kiss and then we’ll plan the perfect wedding here with a band and dancing and twinkling fairy lights filling the room.”

Hugh leaned on the table and his features turned serious. “I’m going to be honest with you, I’m worried I might be too good at second dates.” His teasing grin made Allie’s stomach flutter, and she was glad of the interruption when the waitress appeared with the bill. Allie made some vague noise about paying, but Hugh insisted he was getting it.

When he picked up the receipt, he took the business card with it.

“Hanging on to that, are you?” she teased. “Just in case?”

His cheeks flushed as he shook his head. “I can’t leave it. Arietta would be offended or disappointed or something. I’ll let her have her little delusion.”

“How very thoughtful of you,” Allie said as they stood. Halfway across the room an idea came to her and she snatched at Hugh’s hand.

He looked at her quizzically, while his fingers locked snugly with hers.

“It would make Arietta happy to think we’re leaving in a haze of romance.”

With a twinkle in his eyes, he raised their interlocked hands and aimed a triumphant thumbs up in Arietta’s direction.

“Don’t overdo it,” Allie hissed mildly, but at the look of delight from Arietta, she joined in with the ridiculous thumbs up gesture. She kept her laughter at bay while they dashed through the hotel lobby, but they both erupted into fits of giggles when they burst outside.

As their laughter subsided, she was conscious of their joined hands and had a mental battle over whether she should be the one to pull away. When Hugh wriggled his fingers from hers, she hoped the dim light of the moon would mean he couldn’t see her disappointment.

His zip whirred loudly as he did his jacket up, then his hand took hers again, giving her a rush of absolute joy. He grasped her hand tighter this time, his palm pressing firmly against hers as they set off on the slope down to the beach.

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