Read Online Winter Storms by Lucy Oliver - Free Book Online

to Padstow? It can’t just be due to the gala, Daniel’s a great person to open it, but we didn’t even know last week that he was going to return.”
    “If we advertise that he’s going to be part of it, we’ll get more visitors.” Carly switched on the coffee machine. “But you’re right, that’s not why I’m going, I’ve never been into selling myself. I just feel I owe it to him.”
    “Owe him?” Linda’s mouth dropped open.
    “I should put it all behind me. It was an accident, and it’s separated him from his family and friends for two years. It’s easy to blame him, but I’m at fault too.”
    “I think you’re going because you still love him.”
    Carly jerked her head up, but her friend looked at her through narrowed eyes.
    “Be careful,” Linda said. “He has the means to hurt you terribly, it’s taken you a long time to get to this point, where I see you laughing and smiling. Don’t let him take it away from you again. If you can work it out, then great. You’re perfect together, but what will you do if it doesn’t?”
    “That’s why I’m not getting involved with him.”
    “And last night?”
    “He walked me home.”
    “It’s common knowledge he stayed the night with you. I had to share a taxi home with Ali. He left her at the sailing club, nine months pregnant.”
    “Oh no.” She clapped a hand to her mouth. “I’d better apologise to her. Is she all right?”
    “It’s her brother who needs to apologise; don’t worry, she’s fine, looked quite amused actually, but it’s out of character for Daniel. Either he’s changed completely in the time he’s been away, or got so caught up in thinking about you, he forgot her.”
    Carly slammed the till shut and took her keys from the shelf.
    “I’ve got to run now, thanks for looking after the place. When your mum drops Jack off, he can have couple of the chocolate mice from the window display, I promised them to him.”
    “You’ll be lucky if that’s all he goes home with.” Linda smiled. “Have a good day, and I hope you get it sorted out with Daniel. You were good together.”
    “Thanks.” Carly pulled her coat on, grabbed her cane and went out the door.
    A truck waited opposite, attached to a large trailer holding a boat, covered by a blue tarpaulin. Resting on her stick, she stepped cautiously over the icy road; Daniel would have to drive carefully. The driver’s door opened and he climbed out. Without looking at her, he went around to the passenger door and held it open, a waft of hot air from inside the car warming her chilled cheeks. The radio played softly, put on to cover any awkward silences, she suspected, and a silver flask stood in the passenger foot well.
    “You assumed I would come?” she said, putting her cane in and frowning at the height of the seat. This was going to be tricky.
    “Let me lift you,” Daniel said. He put his hands around her waist, unnecessarily, she thought, and assisted her into the car. Slamming the door behind her, he went around the bonnet, snowflakes drifting onto his shirt. Climbing into the driving seat, he started the engine and put it in gear with a hard yank. Carly sat still, staring out the windscreen at the early morning sunrise, glowing yellow over the choppy harbour waters. Her stomach rumbled and she flushed; nervous at being alone with him, she hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning. What did he have to say to her? Tired, she leant back against the seat and sighed.
    “Boring you with my constant conversation?” he said.
    She jumped, glancing at him. The corners of his mouth had turned up in a slight smile and she relaxed. They would talk later, he looked as much in the mood for another confrontation as she was.
    “I’ve brought croissants, warm from the bakery, they’re in the bag behind your seat,” he said.
    Twisting around, she took two out, holding one toward him. Signalling, he drew the car to a halt on the side of the road and took the pastry, his fingers