Singing in the Rain at the Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn

Author:Holly Hepburn [Hepburn, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Gina arrived at Polwhipple station just before midday on Sunday, a large bag of popcorn tucked under one arm and a tub of her grandfather’s brand new gelato flavour in her hand. The gates were wide open and parked outside the station itself was a red Audi TT. Gina’s heart sank. What possible reason could Rose Arundell have for being at Ben’s on a Sunday? What possible reason could she have for being at Ben’s any day of the week?

Gina thought about turning back, but then she remembered Manda’s comment about Rose disliking her friendship with Ben and she squared her shoulders. She wouldn’t be intimidated by Rose – Ben was one of her oldest friends, after all, and they had plans.

Pushing open the door of the station, she peered inside the ticket hall. ‘Hello? Ben?’

Silence. Feeling a little like a trespasser, Gina crossed the tiled floor to the door leading out to the platform. There was no sign of anyone. Swallowing her misgivings, she made her way along the platform to the white fence at the end. Beyond it, she could see Ben’s home, the converted railway carriage parked in one of the sidings. Gina’s guts twisted unpleasantly; was Rose inside with Ben?

The question was answered a few seconds later, just as Gina reached the bottom of the steps that led up to the carriage entrance. The door sprang open and Rose stood there, a triumphant smile on her face. Beyond her, Gina could see Ben, half-dressed in a pair of jeans and nothing else.

Rose glanced backwards. ‘Thanks, Ben,’ she said, her voice low and husky. ‘For everything.’

She swept down the steps, pushing past Gina with just enough calculated force to make her stumble. Gina’s cheeks burned with fury and she longed to push the other woman back but she clenched her fists instead and counted to a long and uneven ten.

Ben appeared in the doorway, his jaw shadowed with blond stubble, and saw her for the first time. His eyes widened. ‘Gina! Is that the time? Bloody hell, it’s not—’ He seemed to realise he was semi-naked and stepped back hurriedly. ‘Sorry, can you give me a minute?’

Gina averted her gaze from his six-pack and stared at the gravel beneath her feet. ‘Of course,’ she said in a voice that sounded tight and angry even to her. ‘Take your time.’

Still looking dazed, Ben stepped back and closed the door. Gina heard muffled thumps and curses and she guessed he was either trying to get dressed or tidying up – possibly both. A few minutes later, the door opened again. This time, he was wearing a Rip Curl T-shirt and a pair of mismatched socks to go with his jeans.

‘Sorry about that,’ he said, giving her a look of sheepish embarrassment. ‘Come in.’

Taking a deep breath, Gina climbed the steps. Once inside, she handed him the popcorn and ice-cream. ‘That will need to go in the freezer.’ She looked at him, trying to conceal her bewilderment and hurt at the same time as wondering why she felt as though she’d been kicked in the stomach.

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