Summer in Your Eyes: The brand new utterly heart-warming romance about second chances by Chris Penhall

Author:Chris Penhall [Penhall, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Choc Lit Contemporary Romance: A Joffe Books Company
Published: 2023-07-19T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Holly sat at her desk in the office with her headphones on to block out the steady drip of another leaking pipe into a bucket. She had taken on the responsibility of emptying it as it was closest to her. She’d also downloaded the Lights’ Greatest Hits out of curiosity. Their sweeping guitar riffs and punchy rhythms were loud enough to cover irritating noises, and she found their songs rather upbeat and beautiful.

Saving a document about some research she had done in Russell Square, she added it to the shared drive folder and took her headphones off.

‘I am taking it seriously.’ Claudette’s voice drifted from Jack’s office. ‘This project is hugely important for the business. Without it, we don’t have a business.’

‘I’m beginning to wonder if we should have sold it when we had the chance,’ Jack responded with a sigh.

Holly had the headphones in her hand, hovering between the table and her ears, knowing she shouldn’t be listening, but also wanting to know what was going on.

‘I understand. But Barney said it was a bad deal, and when we found those old guidebooks, it felt like a sign we should carry on.’

‘It’s just that we’re leaking money as quickly as that leaky pipe is leaking water.’ Jack sounded disconsolate. ‘Maybe we should have let the past be? I’m an outdoor pursuits instructor, Mum. Not a publisher. Or a writer.’

‘And I’m an artist. I was ready to let go, you know? But finding those books when we did, it was as if your father wasn’t ready.’

‘His other travel books would have had another life with that company, though. I just don’t want to let you down, Mum. Or him.’

‘This is the right thing to do!’ Claudette almost shouted. ‘I’ll find the money.’

‘I don’t want you to do that. We need to be cautious.’

‘Well, maybe we should listen to Holly and bring some money in via the website before the books are published. It’s about more than money, Jack. It’s putting a line under the past. For us both.’

Holly held her breath.

‘Maybe. I’ll think about it.’

Holly breathed out. She felt frustrated and confused. What was holding him back? Didn’t he trust her? She put the headphones back on and opened up another document, typing Regent’s Park Road on the top. ‘Oh well, at least Viktor and Paulo are doing something to help themselves at Farthing Street tonight,’ she mumbled, opening a Facebook event inviting everyone to the Midsummer Evening Tea — cakes, drink, music and stalls to celebrate summer!

Claudette walked out into the office and sat down. ‘Oh, it’s so hot, isn’t it?’ She smiled at Holly. ‘I could do with a swim.’

‘That’s a good idea.’ Holly looked at her. The smile wasn’t real. The sadness she’d noticed when they’d first met was there again. ‘I’ve just this moment decided I’m going to swim in the mixed pond on Hampstead Heath tomorrow morning. Do you want to come? You said you’d like to a while back, but we never actually did it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.