Some Like It Hot At The Picture House By The Sea by Holly Hepburn

Author:Holly Hepburn [Hepburn, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Chapter Seven

It was a strange feeling, knowing Max was in Polwhipple but not knowing exactly where, Gina thought as she crossed the car park next door to the Palace on Wednesday morning. She’d called him again as soon as she’d got off the phone with Sarah the night before; this time it hadn’t even rung.

‘Maybe he wants to surprise you,’ Ben had said, when she’d explained the reason for Sarah’s call.

Gina had let out a little laugh. ‘He’s certainly managed that.’

Ben had eyed her uneasily. ‘Do you think he’s come to sort things out between you?’

Gina considered the possibility; grand romantic gestures weren’t beyond Max. ‘I don’t know. Maybe.’

‘And how would that make you feel?’ Ben asked, in a tone that seemed carefully neutral.

‘Honestly?’ Gina had let out a long, unhappy sigh. ‘I don’t have the faintest idea.’

The last place she expected to see Max was outside the doors of the Palace. She stopped dead in her tracks and gasped. ‘What are you doing here?’

For a heartbeat, he looked almost pleased to see her, making her wonder if Ben had been right; Max had come to win her back. But then his expression clanged shut and he gave a stiff nod. ‘Hello, Gina. How are you?’

Her heart sank. ‘How am I?’ she echoed. ‘Surprised to see you here, especially since you seem to be ignoring my calls. What’s going on, Max? Why are you in Polwhipple? You’re obviously not here for me.’

‘No, it’s business,’ he said. He hesitated and his expression softened. ‘But it is good to see you.’

She stared at him as though he was a stranger; there was something about his manner that made her wary. ‘Don’t try to distract me. What business could you possibly have all the way down here?’ she demanded. ‘There are no riverside skyscrapers to buy and sell in Polwhipple. Or do you know something I don’t?’

Max said nothing.

Gina’s eyes narrowed as she detected a trace of guilt in his eyes. ‘What are you doing coming out of the Palace?’

‘Like I said, it’s business. Ask Gorran – I’m sure he’ll tell you.’

A cold, unpleasant feeling settled in the pit of Gina’s stomach. ‘I’m asking you, Max. What’s going on?’

This time, he sighed. ‘The Palace is drowning under the weight of Gorran’s debts. I’ve made him a very generous offer to buy the building, with a view to turning it into luxury sea-view apartments.’

Gina felt as though her head might explode. ‘What?’

‘Don’t worry about Ferrelli’s,’ Max went on, glancing sideways at the concession window. ‘That can stay. Your grandfather will simply lease it from the management company instead of Gorran. I’m sure we can come to some agreement over a fair rent.’

‘You – you utter snake!’ Gina cried in disbelief, her hands balling into furious fists. ‘You planned this all along, didn’t you? I could practically see the pound signs in your eyes the first time I showed you the Palace, and now you can see a way to get your grubby little hands on it.

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