Page 96 of Playing for Keeps

Caitlin cast Hugh a rueful look. “I feel as though you could have given Allie a heads up there.”

“Yep.” His smile was part grimace. “I see that now.”

“Help yourselves to drinks.” Caitlin tipped her head to the selection of glasses on the counter while Alice squirmed in her arms. “I need to check Leo has the food under control.”

“I feel as though I just put my foot in it,” Allie whispered once she was alone with Hugh.

Shifting closer to her, he rested a hand at the small of her back. “Sorry. I should have explained. Leo was never together with Alice’s mother.” He twisted his lips to one side. “Well, he was, obviously, but they were never in a proper relationship. He met Caitlin right after Alice was born. I’ll tell you the whole story another time. Let’s get drinks and I’ll introduce you to people.”

They didn’t make it out of the kitchen before a smiley older lady walked in. “I didn’t know you were here,” she said, eyes lighting up as she moved to embrace Hugh. Allie recognised her immediately as the owner of the cafe.

“We just arrived,” Hugh said, as he hugged her. “The cake looks amazing.”

“I can’t believe a year has gone by …” Her voice trailed off as she looked at Allie.

“You two haven’t met yet, have you?” Hugh said. “Allie just started working up at the golf club.”

Verity opened her mouth but was interrupted by Bill walking in through the back door.

“Oh, hello, love,” he said jovially. He dropped a hand on Verity’s shoulder. “I told you about Allie – the new waitress up at the golf club. Perry has a soft spot for her.”

“Perry has a soft spot for everyone,” Verity said, then smiled mildly as she extended her hand to Allie. “I’m Verity. I own the cafe in Hope Cove.”

“It’s a lovely place,” Allie said while her heart pummelled her rib cage. “I’ve only been in for a coffee so far, but I’ve heard great things about your cakes.”

“We’ll have to go in for scones one day,” Hugh said. “They’re the best.”

“I’d like that,” Allie said, feeling like a fraud and knowing without a doubt that she needed to put an end to her lies. And soon.

“I was just going to put the kettle on,” Verity said. “Anyone want a cuppa?”

They politely declined and moved outside. Even though Verity hadn’t recognised her, Allie still felt as though she was on high alert and couldn’t quite relax as she met Hugh’s friends.

Having already met Damian, she felt comfortable around him and spent most of the next hour chatting with him and his girlfriend, Amy. Occasionally they were interrupted by their lively twin boys. Leo came over to introduce himself but then spent most of his time either mingling or manning the barbecue alongside his dad.

The two guys Allie had met in the pub were there with their families, and there were enough kids running around the garden that Allie didn’t even bother trying to figure out who they all belonged to.

After an hour, the cake was brought out to the outside table to a chorus of “happy birthday”. Alice looked a little bemused, more interested in the balloons tied to her high chair than the cake.

“I need to get going in a few minutes,” Hugh told Allie. He’d checked his watch several times over the last half hour, clearly anxious to leave in plenty of time to get to the airport. “We’ll eat cake and then go.”

He excused himself and ducked inside to the bathroom, leaving Allie hanging back, watching a bunch of parents distributing cake to their kids.

She didn’t register Verity approaching until she was right beside her.

“How are you enjoying working up at the golf club?” she asked, eyes on the long table where the children devoured large slices of cake.

“I really like it,” she said happily.

Verity nodded. “And it’s always Allie these days? Not Alegra?”

“I … umm …” Allie’s eyes darted to Verity whose features remained entirely neutral.

“Your mum hated it when anyone tried to shorten your name. She said she hadn’t chosen a beautiful name for it only to be used on official documents.”

Allie had always thought her insistence on people using her full name was her own preference. She hadn’t known it had come from her mum. Her brain felt as though it had stuttered again, and she swallowed hard before she found words. “I didn’t think anyone would recognise me,” she said quietly, sounding pathetic even to her own ears.

“I was close to your mum,” Verity said sadly. “When you started to do well with your golfing, I followed your career. Your dad kept me updated too when I saw him, but I wouldn’t have known your face if I hadn’t seen you on social media. And regular media for a while there.”

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