Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,24

up before you moved in,” she remarked when she passed Nick the plate and took a seat beside him.

“That was the plan,” he said cheerfully. “I might have been slightly optimistic.”

“So you didn’t manage to get anything done before you moved in?”

“I’d say it’s probably in a slightly worse state than when I bought it!” He chewed his mouthful and licked at a blob of mayo at the corner of his mouth. “There was more work than I thought. Everything I touch seems to fall apart. I also wasn’t very realistic. I wanted to get a new kitchen and bathroom straight away, but I didn’t factor in how long it’d take for delivery.”

“But that should all arrive soon?”

He looked thoughtful as he chewed. “If everything goes to plan it should all arrive at the same time. The kitchen at the end of next week and the bathroom soon after that. I’ve got two weeks off after tomorrow, so I’m hoping to get a lot done. Logan’s set aside some time, so we should be able to fit the kitchen and bathroom.”

“You seem pretty chilled about it all.” Lexie wrapped her hands around the mug of hot chocolate between sips.

“Do I?” He caught a slice of tomato that fell from the sandwich and popped it in his mouth. “I’m not sure that’s true, but I figure it will all work out in the end.”

“I’m sure it will.”

When Nick finished eating she took the dishes to the dishwasher and set it running.

“Now I’m closing,” she said.

Nick pulled his wallet out. “How much do I owe you?”

She waved him away. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you.” He dithered by the bar. “Want me to walk you home?”

“You realise I live approximately twelve steps away?”

“I know. Just checking.”

She watched him cross the room. “Hang on a minute,” she said in a rush. They were going the same way; she may as well walk with him. “I just need to run up and tell Mum and Dad I’m leaving.”

She hurried upstairs and said goodnight, then went straight back to Nick, flicking the light switches as she went.

“What was it like growing up in a pub?” he asked as she locked the door behind them.

“Good, I think.” She set off with him to the bunkhouse. “I can’t really imagine anything different.”

“I think when I was growing up I thought everyone had the same kind of childhood. But growing up in a pub would’ve been pretty different.”

“I liked it,” she said with a shrug.

They’d already reached her front door and Nick shifted his weight from foot to foot. “You definitely didn’t need an escort.”

“No. But thanks anyway.”

He nodded and took steps away from her. “Goodnight.”

“Night,” she murmured as she stepped inside.

Chapter Twelve

The activity centre was busy over the weekend. Most of the cabins were booked out due to the school holidays, which meant lots of cleaning for Lexie. The weather was mild too, attracting more people to their outdoor activities.

Walking home on Sunday afternoon, Lexie was excited about putting her feet up and spending the evening in front of the TV.

She was almost at the bunkhouse when she saw Nick ambling along the shore.

“Elspeth roped you into babysitting?” she asked, glancing at wee Arran beside him, his little hand hooked around Nick’s.

“I went down to the cafe to try and scrounge some food, but Christine and Elspeth are rushed off their feet with the cafe. Isla’s helping them but she doesn’t look too happy about it. I said I’d take Arran for a walk. Hopefully they’ll feed me when I return him.”

“Hello!” Arran said to Lexie.

She smiled at him. “You’ve got stuck looking after Nick, have you? I hope he’s being a good boy.”

Arran reached for her hand, then almost pulled her over when he lifted his feet off the ground to use Lexie and Nick as a swing.

“You’re heavy,” she said, then moved her arm to swing him higher.

His little laugh was adorable as they swung him between them.

“I thirsty,” he said when they lowered him to the ground again.

Nick looked thoughtful. “Any chance we can come to your place for a drink?” he asked Lexie.

“What’s wrong with your place?”

“It has no heating, no warm water, a few missing floorboards, peeling wallpaper …”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “I didn’t mean a general list. I meant why can’t you get a drink there? You at least have cold water, don’t you?”

“Aye.” He stayed still while Arran continued to swing on his arm. “It’s not very child-friendly due to