“Sorry,” he said, sounding utterly unapologetic. “I told you I won’t answer questions I don’t like. But you can be assured that it’s a long and boring story and I’m doing you a favour by not telling it.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute!”
He smiled, glad she didn’t seem annoyed with him for being mysterious. It was no reflection on her that he didn’t want to tell her about how he and his brothers had come into money. It just wasn’t something he spoke about. Even within his family there seemed to be an unspoken rule that they didn’t talk about it.
“I can’t thank you enough for coming with me.” Holly pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I had a great time.”
“Me too. Thanks for inviting me.”
She looked him right in the eyes and he had a horrible feeling she was going to try and kiss him properly. He took a discreet step back, and Holly turned to let herself inside. “See you soon,” she called over her shoulder.
“Night,” he replied as he set off for home.
By the time he clambered into bed, his mind was a jumbled mess. Spending time with Holly was far more enjoyable than he’d anticipated. She was easy company and fun to be around. If the timing wasn’t so bad he suspected there could be something between them. As it was, his heart belonged to Seren, and he felt increasingly guilty that he hadn’t been clear with Holly about the situation.
* * *
Felix peered over the dashboard to look up at the Treneary house when Seren slipped into the passenger seat.
“It’s a blast from the past, picking you up from here,” he remarked, turning the car to set off back down the lane.
“Is it?”
“I think you were over there more than you were at home when we were dating. Pretty much every time I called you were at their place.”
“I was still living at Dad’s.” She thought back. “Naomi had moved in and things were a little awkward.”
“Do you get on with her better now?”
“Yes. We got on fine as soon as I moved out.”
Felix glanced in the rear-view mirror. “How’s Mirren these days?”
“Fine.” Seren shot him a sidelong look, surprised by the question. It felt as though there was an agenda to everything with Felix.
“It must be hard for her, on her own.” He geared down at the junction. “I remember hearing about Terry’s death from Cadan. So tragic.”
“Yeah.” Somehow, having a normal conversation with Felix was more unsettling than him being obnoxious. “How is it being back on St Mary’s? Are you enjoying it?”
“Enjoyingis probably the wrong word. It’s nice to chill out for a while. Good to have a proper catch-up with Rebecca too.”
His sister had been in Kit’s year at school. Seren remembered Rebecca hero-worshipping Felix. Sometimes she’d tagged along with them for day trips to the off islands or come out for lunch with them.
“Have you been working a lot while you’re here or are you taking some time off?”
“I have a few projects on the go, but it doesn’t feel so strenuous when I’m sitting out on the patio with a sea view.”
“I imagine that’s nicer than your office in London.”
“I have a home office, but the view definitely isn’t as good as it is here.”
His parents’ place was on the northwest side of the island, standing alone on high ground, overlooking the sea.
“The house is beautiful,” Seren commented, taking in the wraparound patio, which was a new addition since she was last there.
“Mum and Dad have done a lot of work on it.”
She followed him around to the back of the house. Cadan sat on the patio with his feet up on a chair and a glass of whisky in his hand.