Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,3

that.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she pulled into the carpark of her parents’ pub, the Old Inn. Her home.

Actually, she lived next door in the converted garage. It had been rented out to holidaymakers until Lexie had moved in there with her best friend, Leana, when they were eighteen. Leana had since moved in with her boyfriend, so Lexie had the place to herself. She was thankful for that fact as she got out of the car in the previous day’s clothes. No doubt she had streaks of mascara under her eyes, and if she looked as rough as she felt, she must be a frightening sight.

“Hello!”

“Oh my God!” She put a hand to her chest as she swung around and came face to face with Nick. “Where did you come from?”

“You were miles away,” he said in his usual chirpy tone. “Are you working at the activity centre today?”

“Yes.” She checked her watch. She was already an hour late.

“I might see you there then. I’m going over for kayaking this afternoon.” Nick had become a regular customer at the activity centre. He often joined the guided kayaking or hiking groups.

“I’ll probably see you later,” she said, moving towards the house.

Instead of taking the hint, he followed her. “I’m sorry about last night,” he said. “I hope you didn’t think I was ignoring you.”

“Not at all. How was your date?”

“Oh, no, it wasn’t a date. Meghan’s just a friend.”

“If she’s coming up from London to visit you, I’d guess she sees you as more than a friend.” Lexie had her hand on the door handle. She really didn’t want to hang around discussing Nick’s love life. What she really wanted was a shower.

“She didn’t come up to see me,” Nick said with a frown. “Her gran died. She’s come up for the funeral and to clear out the house.”

Lexie took a steady breath through her nose as a wave of nausea washed over her. She could blame it on the hangover, but it wasn’t just that. She’d been jealous when she thought Meghan was on a date with Nick. It was stupid to be jealous in the first place, and even more stupid to use alcohol and Craig as a crutch.

“Poor Meghan,” she murmured.

“She’s taken it badly. She was really close to her gran. I bumped into her yesterday and offered her a shoulder to cry on.”

“That was kind of you.” It was typical of Nick. Always looking out for people.

“Did you have a good night?” His gaze travelled over her in a way that made her self-conscious. “Are you only just getting home?”

“Aye.”

He paused for a moment, surveying her. “Did you stay at Ruth’s place? You would have been very welcome to stay at my flat.”

“I need to get ready for work.” She fumbled with the key until it finally clicked in the lock. Where she’d spent the night was definitely not something she wanted to discuss with Nick. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah. Probably.” He didn’t move, but stood watching her until she’d completely closed the door.

Chapter Three

Hangovers never used to be such a problem. A year earlier it would have been completely normal for Lexie to go to work with a hangover. Now every movement was a struggle. Once she got under the warm shower it was an effort to get out again. Hurrying seemed impossible.

When she finally walked into the office at the activity centre, she swallowed another wave of nausea. “Sorry I’m late,” she muttered, her voice rattling around her head like a pinball against her skull. Her boss, Tim, was sitting at his desk, peering at the computer.

“You’ve got five cabins to clean by three o’clock.” He checked his watch. “You can manage that, can’t you?”

“Yes.” She winced at the volume of his voice, which felt like an assault on her senses.

“After that I need you to help Damian with the kayaking group.” He glanced up at her. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

“I’ll be all right,” she said. “I better get on.”

The nausea came like the tide – constant waves. Her jaw stayed clamped tightly as she worked, and she inhaled steadily through her nose, hoping she wouldn’t actually vomit. Cleaning was about the last thing she felt like doing, but she battled on, not daring to check the time. Methodically, she went through the log cabins, which were scattered in a clearing a few minutes’ walk from the main building. In the summer months they’d be booked out constantly with holidaymakers