“I didn’t think you’d be back yet,” Noah remarked, walking to the front of the train after collecting money from the passengers, who were all seated and waiting to go.
“We just got back. I thought I could take over.”
“You don’t have to,” Keira said.
“I want to.” It was preferable to sitting around at home feeling sorry for himself.
Noah slung his arm around Keira’s shoulder. “I reckon Keira’s going to be fighting you for train trips soon.”
“I am,” she agreed. “I love it.”
“Have you been driving?” Kit asked her.
“Yes. And I’m feeling more confident about talking too. Noah did most of it, but there were a few times where I took over to give bits of information.”
“That’s great.” Kit slipped into the driver’s seat and had the feeling he was spoiling Noah and Keira’s fun. He really needed the distraction of work though.
“How was the weekend?” Noah asked, with a meaningful look.
“Good,” Kit said. “We had fun.”
“How are things between you and Seren?” Keira asked.
Kit wished he’d never told Keira anything about the situation with Seren. “Same as always,” he said, then glanced back at the waiting passengers. “I better go.”
Keira gave him a sympathetic look before breaking into a spontaneous grin. “That woman from the tourist information was here looking for you yesterday.”
“Holly? What did she want?”
“She didn’t say,” Keira replied. “She’s sweet though.”
“No doubt she wants to give me business advice or something.”
“Or ask you on a date,” Keira suggested.
“You should get a hobby.” Kit shook his head, then turned the PA system on to welcome the passengers and launched into his quick safety speech as he set off through the town.
* * *
Seren collapsed on the couch when she got home, covering her face with a cushion as though she could muffle her thoughts, which were too loud and annoyingly disorganised. As though her own feelings weren’t enough to deal with, she now had Kit’s to contend with. She was sure his bad mood on the journey home had been caused by her and Trystan falling asleep together. She was also convinced he’d been gearing up to say something momentous when she’d dropped him off.
The moment in the car had been excruciating. She hadn’t had time to decide whether she’d wanted him to broach the subject or not. What she’d really wanted was for him to lean over and kiss her. That didn’t seem like Kit’s style though. She’d briefly contemplated kissing him but had managed to control herself. It was a good thing too. And a good thing that he’d left the car without saying anything. If he said something, she’d be forced to tell him she didn’t feel the same.
The best thing to do would be to avoid each other for a few weeks until the feelings passed, which they no doubt would. They were probably both lonely and that was manifesting as an inappropriate crush. They’d get over it.
At the sound of the doorbell, she flung the cushion aside and stood up. Once upon a time she’d have assumed an unannounced guest would be Noah, but it was a long time since he’d shown up at her door without warning. After spending ages looking forward to him moving back from Bristol, it hadn’t quite worked out as she’d expected.
Kit had been right that Noah didn’t have time for her now that he had a girlfriend. Not that she was complaining … she liked Keira and was glad that Noah was happy. Maybe that was partly why she’d suddenly developed feelings for Kit. Her best friend was all loved up, and it looked like an appealing prospect.
Annoyingly, there was no intercom system to her flat. Answering the door involved descending the steep flight of stairs to the door that opened directly onto the street. She was halfway down them when the doorbell sounded again, and she muttered that she was coming, not loud enough for her impatient visitor to hear.
“Sort of wishing I’d stayed on the couch,” she said as she clapped eyes on her cousin. “Hi, Cadan.”
“What kind of greeting is that?” Stepping over the threshold, he wrapped her in a hug which lifted her off the ground. He was about a foot taller than her.
“Get off me.” She gave him a playful shove. Underneath her air of hostility, she was secretly happy to see him. At least he could distract her from thoughts of Kit. “When did you arrive?” she asked as they set off up the stairs.
“Saturday. How was London?”