“How come you always feel the need to defend him?”
Keira was using all her concentration to navigate the gravel path so hadn’t managed to jump in and ask who they were talking about.
“I’m not defending him,” Trystan said. “But you can’t complain about him not making time for you when he was the one to come to St Mary’s. You and Kit never visit him.”
“I’m fairly sure he doesn’t want us to.”
They’d stopped on the lane, and both turned and smiled at Keira.
Curiosity got the better of her. “Who are you talking—”
“Do you want to bring a jacket?” Trystan asked, cutting her off before she could get the question out.
She shook her head. “I’m fine. I don’t really feel the cold.”
“Let’s go then.” He hopped into the driver’s seat while she and Noah sat behind him.
As they set off, Keira was mesmerised by the surroundings. With the sun sinking towards the horizon, the light was softer, casting a warm glow over the water.
They passed several cyclists on the narrow road and a few walkers too. Plus two cars and one golf cart. Traffic wasn’t exactly heavy. It felt a million miles from Bristol.
Driving into Hugh Town, Keira peered at the cute stone cottages and cosy bungalows. More people milled around but the roads were still pretty empty.
“You must have had so much freedom growing up here,” she remarked, thinking how much worry could be eliminated for parents when you took traffic out of the equation.
“It’s a strange place to grow up,” Noah said. “In some ways it’s amazing, but it can also be lonely. I’m glad I had brothers. There was always someone to hang out with.”
Trystan parked the buggy around the corner from a traditional-looking pub. After almost forgetting about her inappropriate attire, Keira was rudely reminded as soon as she took a step and silently cursed the shoes.
She held Noah’s hand to steady herself, then took a deep breath as they walked into the pub.
Chapter Eleven
The decor in the pub paid homage to all things nautical. Every inch of wall space was covered with shipping and fishing artefacts, from ships’ flags and boat oars to postcards and framed photos of locals through the years. In the centre of the room a chandelier had been crafted from a ship’s helm, with lightbulbs adorning each spoke of the wheel.
In a nook at the end of the bar, Mirren sat at a rectangular table with a young guy opposite her and another man beside her. The redheaded woman with them shot out of her seat and crossed the room quickly to fling herself into Noah’s arms.
“I missed you,” she said, closing her eyes as she pressed her cheek against his.
“I missed you too.” He hugged her hard while Keira hovered in the background feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Not just because of the stupid bloody shoes.
When she finally let him go, Noah introduced Seren, whose eyes swept appraisingly over Keira. “Great dress,” she said, then gave her a brief hug before moving back to the table.
“Nice to see you too,” Trystan said sarcastically.
Seren shot him a mischievous look and backtracked to hug him too.
“This is Kit,” Noah said, indicating the fresh-faced guy with messy blonde hair a shade lighter than Noah’s.
“The train guy?” Keira asked, shaking his hand. She certainly wouldn’t have pegged him as a successful entrepreneur.
“That’s me!”
Noah gestured to the guy next to his mum. “This is Lowen.”
He gave her a polite smile as he said hello.
Keira tried to figure out the connection. “Are you Seren’s boyfr…” She trailed off, her eyes darting between him and Seren. From the way she was hovering behind him she’d thought for a moment that they were together, but now she realised there was quite a significant age gap. He looked around forty while she knew Seren was in her twenties – the same age as Noah. Swallowing hard, Keira hoped her dress was distracting enough that no one had noticed she’d spoken.