The Island in Bramble Bay: a sun-filled summer island romance, the perfect holiday read. by Victoria Walker

Author:Victoria Walker [Walker, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ever After Books
Published: 2022-04-22T16:00:00+00:00

31

IT HAD BEEN a strange couple of hours. Maggie had left Charlie at the High 5 offices where he was catching up with some of his old colleagues and she’d gone back to the coffee shop they’d been to earlier that morning.

She was pleased that it seemed to have gone well; the signing itself was never going to be a problem, it was everything that went along with it, but Charlie had seemed fine once he’d walked in. She knew he’d convinced himself that going back to High 5 for the first time since his breakdown would have immediately brought everything he’d felt on that last day flooding back, but everyone had been so pleased to see him that he’d relaxed pretty quickly and she was glad for him that the worst was over and now he could enjoy their holiday.

After enjoying an hour or so drinking great coffee and watching people going about their business, she strolled back to the offices where this time the receptionist let her straight into the inner sanctum. There was hardly anyone in there and the conference room was empty save for the detritus from the signing party.

‘Where is everyone?’ she asked a young man, who was typing furiously and barely looked up to answer her.

‘Out back.’ He jerked his head towards the other side of the conference room. ‘Follow that corridor past the kitchen and it’ll take you outside.’

‘Thanks,’ said Maggie, heading towards the corridor. She emerged into the sunshine at the top of a metal fire escape at the bottom of which was a basketball court where a game was going on and being extremely well supported from the sidelines.

Charlie had taken his jacket off, rolled his shirt sleeves up and was bouncing the ball in front of him, contemplating his next move. His hair had escaped its grooming and was flopping across his forehead. Maggie found it inexplicably arousing to see him in this environment that was part of his old life that he had fallen back into so naturally. His forearms, tanned from working outside were rippling as he played and… absolutely perfect.

Charlie scored and the spectators erupted. His team were high-fiving each other, how appropriate, and clapping each other on the back. From her vantage point, Maggie looked to see whether Jessica was still there. She wasn’t, which was good and she couldn’t help but feel relieved.

‘Hey, Maggie!’ Charlie had spotted her and raised his hand in greeting. She waved back and walked over to stand on the sidelines. ‘Time out, guys!’ He gestured a T-shape with his hands and jogged over to her. ‘Sorry, honey, I couldn’t resist, for old times’ sake,’ he grinned, before planting a lingering kiss on her lips.

‘It’s fine, I’m glad it’s gone so well.’ She squeezed his hand. ‘Look I’m going to head back to the hotel.’ She could see he was in his element and didn’t want to hang around making him feel like she needed entertaining or anything like that. She was quite capable of looking after herself for a few hours.

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