“Where’s Seren?” he said, glancing over her shoulder, then standing abruptly and scanning all around.
“I saw her not long ago.” Keira’s eyes darted over the surface of the water, then she stood and looked around. The water was so clear you could see right to the seabed. Only the seaweed blocked the view in places. “There she is.” She pointed behind the boat.
Noah didn’t comment, but she saw the tension leave his features as he set eyes on Seren and couldn’t help the stab of jealousy she felt.
“Time to go!” he called out when Seren surfaced.
On the boat ride back, a cool wind whipped at them and, by the time they were pulling the boat onto the beach back at the cottage, Keira was shivering uncontrollably. Getting into a warm shower at the cottage was absolute bliss, and it was an effort to force herself out from it.
Seren had gone home to get ready for the race, giving Keira a bit of time alone with Noah. Except the atmosphere was tense as soon as she walked into the living room, where he was stretched out on the couch with his arm slung over his face.
“The shower was great,” she said, making her presence known. “I’m all warmed up.”
“Good.” Slowly, he sat up and pasted on a smile that looked painfully forced.
“Are you okay?” She sank down beside him.
“I’ve got a bit of a headache.” He checked his watch. “I should probably go up to Mum’s soon. We’ll have to leave for the race before long. I’m not sure what you want to do?”
“What are my options?” She tried to ignore the feeling that she was in the way, like an annoying child that he’d been tasked with looking after.
He scratched at the back of his head. “The race ends in Hugh Town, so you could have a walk around the town and meet us at the end. Or some of the day trip boats take tourists out to ride alongside the rowers and watch the race.”
“I reckon I’ve been windswept enough for today. Exploring Hugh Town sounds good to me.”
“You’ll easily find somewhere to watch the race. Then I can call you when we’re finished and come and find you.”
After checking his watch again, he massaged his forehead, his shoulders visibly tense.
“I might head off now,” Keira said brightly. “It’s not far to walk into Hugh Town, is it?”
“No. But you can drive down with us if you want?”
What she wanted was to give him the space that he so clearly craved. Maybe it was just the headache, but she really got the impression that he didn’t want to be around her.
“I’d like to walk,” she said as she stood. “It’ll feel adventurous going off on my own for a bit.” That was true at least. Obviously it would be nice if Noah was more cheerful, but the thought of getting out to explore on her own was exhilarating.
At the door, Noah attempted to give her directions until she pointed out that she had maps on her phone and didn’t feel she could go too wrong on such a small island anyway.
He gave her a quick peck and told her he’d see her later. As the door closed behind her, she could’ve sworn she heard him sigh with relief. That was impossible though. She was being paranoid, and even if she wasn’t, there was no way she was about to let confusion over their relationship spoil her day.
Chapter Sixteen
The scenery should have been enough to keep her thoughts from Noah as she walked, but Keira’s brain kept reminding her about the uncomfortable atmosphere between them. One minute she was annoyed with him for being so distant, and the next minute she was contemplating how out of character it was for him and wondering if there was something going on with him that she didn’t know about. Then she reminded herself that this could also be his personality. She felt as though she knew him well, but maybe she didn’t.
As Hugh Town came into view, Keira meandered off the road and onto a path leading up to some sort of stone monument perched on a hill. The well-worn path took her between vast clumps of heather and ferns. Scattered purple and yellow wild flowers were battling a breeze, and pretty white cow parsley swayed among them too.
The stone structure turned out to be the tower of what had once been a windmill. Windswept and slightly out of puff, Keira set her hands on her hips while she caught her breath at the summit of the hill. Briefly, she opened the map on her phone and compared it to the perfect view from the deserted hilltop.
Hugh Town was nestled on a thin strip of land on the western side of the island. A cluster of white houses were sandwiched between Porthcressa Beach on one side and the boat-filled harbour on the other. After catching her breath, Keira remained on the hill for a while, feeling invigorated by the breeze and stunning view.
When the clouds floated away, sunlight spilled down on the long stretch of beach, giving the pale sand a warm glow. The effect of the sunlight on the water was spectacular too, as though someone had shifted a brightness switch, turning it to a radiant blue.
With a spring in her step, she followed the path down the hill and was on the concrete promenade beside the beach in no time. Resisting the urge to take her shoes off and enjoy a barefoot walk on the sand, she followed her nose and the delicious scent of freshly baked goods drifting from a nearby cafe.
The Potter’s Cafe was a welcoming place, half eatery and half shop. In the shop section, shelves displayed a range of hand-crafted vases, decorative plates and other items of crockery. Eye-catching works of art sat alongside more modest pieces, clearly designed for the humbler tourist. Mugs with the outline of the Isles of Scilly would make a cute keepsake.
Keira was contemplating buying something herself as she indulged in a chocolate croissant with her dainty pot of tea. Only a few of the tables were occupied, and she turned to the door when it opened and a tall man backed in with a large cardboard box in his hands.