“Nobody ever likes to leave. Not when the weather’s like this.” Mirren glanced out of the kitchen window at the dazzling blue sky over the calm sea.
“The next time I have a day off I’m going to spend it lying on the beach. I sometimes forget to take advantage of living in the perfect holiday spot.”
“You should take a proper holiday. Get away somewhere.”
“Don’t you start. Everyone seems to be on my case about that today. First Kit, then Charlie, now you.”
“What was Kit saying?”
Chewing slowly on the last mouthful of her dinner, Seren set her knife and fork neatly on the plate. “He asked me to go to London with him to visit Trystan.”
“That’s a good idea. When?”
“Next weekend. But I’m working.”
“Take the time off. It’d be good for you to get away.”
“I need the money. And London’s hectic. That’s not the sort of holiday I need.”
“Trystan would love to see you.” Mirren looked at her with raised eyebrows. “And I won’t have to worry about Kit if you’re traveling with him. You know what he’s like – he’ll just about get lost en route.”
“I’m sure he’ll manage,” Seren said, trying to ignore her instinct to say she’d go.
Mirren finished her dinner in silence, then reached over and put a hand on Seren’s arm. “Please will you go to London? I’d like to know how Trystan’s doing and I’m not going to get anything out of Kit. You go and report back for me. I’ll pay for your flights if you’re strapped for cash.”
“Maybeyoushould go,” Seren said, feeling as though she was being sucked into a trap.
“I’m too busy with guests. You go … keep an eye on Kit and see how Trystan’s doing. Please!”
“Stop looking at me like that!” Keira laughed as she brushed Mirren’s hand away from her arm. “How can I say no when you look at me like that?”
“You can’t. That’s why I’ll keep looking at you like this until you crack.”
“Okay. I’ll speak to Charlie tomorrow and see if I can get the time off.”
“You’re the best.” Mirren gave Seren’s shoulder a tap before taking their plates to the dishwasher.
Seren was left wondering what she was getting herself into, and trying her best to pay no attention to the tingle of anticipation deep in her stomach.
CHAPTERFOUR
When Kit’s train had first gone into operation, alterations had been made to the promenade at Porthcressa Beach. At the far end of the concrete walkway there was now a turning space and dedicated parking spot. A noticeboard gave the timetable, price list and other information. Kit left the train there during the day and drove it back to the garage near his studio flat at the end of the day.
On Tuesday, Keira came with him on his first train trip of the day. Initially she’d seemed excited about the ride-along and had been at ease with helping him welcome passengers, but once they’d set off, she’d gone suspiciously quiet. Of course there wasn’t much time to chat while he was giving the tour, but even afterwards she was withdrawn and smiled benignly while he made balloon animals for the lingering kids. It was his little party trick that the children always went mad for.
“They’re biodegradable,” he told Keira after the crowd had dispersed.
She looked at him in confusion. “What?”
“The balloons.” He stretched one out before shoving it into his pocket. “If you’re worried about me destroying the environment and polluting the sea … they’re biodegradable ones from a sustainable source.”
“That’s good. But I wasn’t judging you for your balloons.”
“You look very serious. Didn’t you enjoy the train trip?”
“It was great,” she said. “I loved it.”
He wasn’t convinced she was telling the truth but decided not to press her on the matter out in public. He’d promised to buy her lunch so they set off at a slow walk along the promenade. The long stretch of sand beside them was dotted with holidaymakers enjoying the warm weather. Several small children played nearby, building sandcastles and splashing in the shallow water – their laughter mingled with the gentle rush of the waves and the piercing cries of gulls overhead.