“You’re very good at seeing stuff that isn’t there. Anyone ever told you that before?”
“No,” she said, the corners of her lips pulling upwards. “Aren’t you tempted to check her relationship status? Maybe she’s single and you could ask her out.”
“You’re really getting into this matchmaking thing, aren’t you?”
“I can’t seem to help myself.”
“Are you hungry?” he asked when they looped back to the promenade by the beach.
She nodded. “How about the Pottery Cafe? I love looking at Lowen’s creations.”
The cafe which sold his older brother’s ceramics wasn’t overly busy and they found a table easily. Once they had food in front of them, Kit broached the subject of Keira driving the train again. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of having someone to help him on a regular basis. If Keira wasn’t up for it, he might look into finding someone else.
“How are you feeling about driving the train?” he asked bluntly. “If you’ve decided it’s not your thing you can say so. Driving a tourist train isn’t for everyone.” He took a bite of his sandwich, then wiped a blob of mayo from the corner of his mouth. “I promise I won’t be offended.”
“It wasn’t quite how I expected,” she admitted with a bashful smile.
“That’s fine. You don’t need to feel bad. It’s not the sort of thing you should do if you don’t enjoy it. The customers would pick up on it.”
“It’s not that I don’twantto.” Keira set her sandwich down and looked at him intently. “I don’t think Icando it.”
He gave a quick shake of the head. “The lanes seem narrower than they are. There are plenty of places to pass any cars you meet. You can take a turn driving while I’m with you and you’ll see it’s actually pretty easy.”
“It’s not that. It’syou.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I can’t do what you do. People love the train because of you. You’re so knowledgeable … and you’re funny too. You had everyone hanging off your every word. Kids and adults alike. How do you engage everyone and make it seem effortless?”
“It’s just practice. Once you’ve memorised all the information it won’t feel so daunting.”
She shook her head. “I love that you think anyone can do what you do, but I’m telling you they can’t. I’m fairly sure I can’t.”
“You can,” he insisted. “You’re good with people. You were great with the kids today.”
“I can’t make balloon animals,” she said with a crooked smile.
“Neither can Noah. You don’t need to. And you don’t need to do the trips exactly like I do. You can add your personality. I honestly wouldn’t have suggested you doing it if I thought you wouldn’t be a hit with the customers.”
She took a tentative bite of her sandwich, then put a hand in front of her mouth, talking as she chewed. “I also feel a bit of a fraud playing tour guide when I’m not from the island. That’s what makes your tour special.”
“So long as you love the place it doesn’t matter.”
“What about when people ask me questions and I don’t know the answer?”
He smiled widely. “Tell ’em to Google it.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I. It’s what I do … then I get them to share the answer. Everyone learns something. If you’re genuine it doesn’t matter if you don’t know absolutely everything.” He chuckled. “You’ll never know everything anyway. People come up with weird questions sometimes.”
“Maybe if I do a few more ride-alongs I’ll feel more comfortable, but I won’t be ready to go it alone by the weekend, if ever. I’m thinking a career in matchmaking might be a better idea after all.”
He grinned. “No way. I’m not interested in Holly, and Seren turned me down for the trip to London. You agreed you’d leave the subject alone when she did. You have to back off now.”
“It just seems wrong.” Keira pushed her bottom lip out. “You’d make a lovely couple.”
Kit finished his sandwich and wiped his hands on the paper napkin. “I don’t mean to sound harsh, but …” He paused and cleared his throat. “Could you please pretend you don’t know how I feel about Seren? I seem to spend my life trying not to think about her. Noah and Trystan mostly do me the courtesy of not mentioning it. Generally, I’d rather not talk about it. If you don’t mind.”