The Secret Beach by Veronica Henry

Author:Veronica Henry [Henry, Veronica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781398703209
Published: 2024-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

27

She was still on a bit of a high when she sailed into Salacia with Adam on Friday evening. She felt on top of the world. A match for Tamara and her glitzy friends. She’d dug out an emerald-green lace shirt dress to show off the fact that her legs were brown and toned from climbing up and down the steps to the secret beach for a swim as often as she could. She and Adam had walked into town together along the cliff path, basking in the evening sun. She could tell from the glances they were getting that they looked the part as she walked in on his arm. He had on a pale blue lawn shirt, and yet again she was conscious of the warmth of him underneath the soft fabric.

‘Blimey,’ he said, ‘I wasn’t expecting this kind of joint around here. This is something else.’

‘Speedwell’s changing. There’s a lot of new money here in summer.’ Nikki looked around, impressed. Tamara and Duke had made quite a statement. The bar was decorated in eau de nil and gold, with a huge mural of Salacia emerging from the waves and a chandelier made from a tangle of green glass, like Medusa’s hair. The floor tiles glistened like fish scales, and private booths with velvet banquettes lined the walls. Outside, the water in the harbour shone like newly polished silver. It felt glamorous, more Côte d’Azur than Cornwall. The usual Speedwell uniform was jeans or shorts and sweatshirts, but tonight everyone had dressed up and the air crackled with excitement.

‘I keep expecting Liz Taylor and Richard Burton to walk in.’ Adam took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed her one. Then he held his glass up to her. ‘Cheers. And thank you for asking me to be your plus one. I haven’t been out on the town for ages. I miss it. Though I am slightly dreading it.’

‘It must be difficult. I’m so sorry.’ Nikki felt mortified that she’d babbled on about work on the walk in when he had probably been battling his nerves.

‘The funny thing is, I’m fine about it. It’s other people who find it hard. I always hate the look of panic on their face when I explain I’m widowed. Some people hide it better than others but I can see them wondering what they should say. And I don’t want them to say anything much. I want to have a normal conversation, about whatever. Global warming or Miley Cyrus or whatever … Anyway—’ he took a glug of champagne – ‘a bit of Dutch courage and I’ll be fine.’

‘Come and meet my brother,’ suggested Nikki. ‘He’s pretty easy to talk to. He’ll break you in gently.’

Even Graham had dressed up. He was usually in sportswear and trainers, for when he wasn’t working, he was playing football or going for a run, but tonight he was in dark blue jeans and a pristine white shirt and proper shoes.

‘Don’t say anything,’ he said as she approached.

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