“Not long enough.” Posy slid a large slice of brownie onto a plate.
“Now I understand why you kept hinting about things going on in your life, too.” Beth watched as he shrugged off his weatherproof jacket to reveal broad shoulders encased in a cable-knit sweater. “He looks like an advert for quality outdoor wear. Tough enough to withstand buffeting wind, sluicing rain and freezing ice.”
“He’s easy on the eye, that’s true.” Posy poured the silky milk onto the coffee, producing the pattern of a Christmas tree. She dusted it with cinnamon and carried the coffee and brownie to the table.
Beth waited until she returned. “So you weren’t kidding when you said you were in bed with a tall, dark, handsome man.”
“I wasn’t kidding. And can I just say I’m a little offended that the mere thought of me having a sex life seems so hilarious to you.”
“It was nothing to do with you, and everything to do with the fact that there aren’t exactly that many sexy strangers roaming the village.” Beth studied Luke. “And you left him to fetch me from the airport.”
“I did. Which means you owe me in a massive way.” Posy glanced at Beth. “Your eyes are shiny. Are you crying again?”
“I’m very emotional this morning.”
“That’s what happens when you drink ten bottles of champagne.” But Posy gave her arm a squeeze. “Everything will be fine. You need to chill.”
“I’m not a very chilled person.”
“Then go and roll in the snow or something, but stop crying or you’re going to worry Mom and Dad.”
“Do you ever think about the sacrifice they made taking us in?”
Posy looked incredulous. “Not in the middle of my working day, no. What is wrong with you?”
“I’ve been thinking about some stuff, that’s all.”
“Well, stop thinking. It’s bad for you and it makes your eyes red. Drink some strong coffee and put some makeup on, or whatever it is you do to make yourself feel normal. And stop wallowing.”
“I’m not wallowing.” But Beth whipped out her lip gloss and slicked it over her lips. In fact, Posy was right. She was wallowing, and she needed to stop. “It’s good to know your love life is flourishing, because mine certainly isn’t.” At that moment her phone rang and she grabbed it, relieved. “Finally! That must be Jason. I was starting to worry. Do you mind if I take this?”
“Go.” Posy gave her a gentle push. “Take it in the kitchen. I don’t want your emotional make-up session putting my customers off their food.”
Knowing that Duncan would be in the kitchen, Beth chose to step outside the café.
It was only as she pressed the button to answer that she realized it wasn’t Jason, it was Corinna.
“Hi, Corinna.” She should have been thrilled to hear from Corinna, but all she could think was how much she wished it had been Jason.
“I want you here this afternoon. We’re having a team meeting.”
No small talk. No how are you? No are you ready for the holidays? No question about whether it was convenient for Beth.
Still, at least Corinna was still keen to have her on the team.
“I’m not in Manhattan, Corinna. I’m in Scotland. I decided to travel early.”
There was a brief silence. “Beth, I’m asking myself if you’re taking this seriously. If you really want to be involved, then I need to be sure of your loyalty and commitment.”
When she’d worked for Corinna the first time round, she’d been bombarded with the same kind of emotional blackmail. It was as uncomfortable to listen to now as it had been then. “I’m committed, Corinna. I’ve been working hard, pulling together ideas.”
“Send them across. I’ll take a look.”
“I’ll email them later today.” She’d intended to think about the campaign on the flight, but instead she’d focused on champagne and the novelty of having a chair to herself and sole charge of the remote control.
“If you can get them to me by 2:00 p.m., I can take them into the meeting. We’ll send you a link and you can join us.”
“I can’t.” Beth cringed as she said it. Was she going to blow this chance because she’d come home early? “The signal isn’t strong enough where I am. I’ll email you.”