Secrets at the Loch (Loch Lannick #5) - Hannah Ellis Page 0,73
lightly. “But I have to be at work soon anyway.” She set her mug by the sink and continued to the front door.
“Sorry about him,” Leana said.
“It’s fine. I really do have to go to work.”
“You’re just sick of me going on about Craig, aren’t you?”
“Yes!” She looked at Leana seriously. “I’m not interested in him. I appreciate the sentiment, though.”
“Maybe we should have a night out sometime. Or have a night in, scouring the dating apps.”
“I’m really quite happy as I am,” Lexie said.
“You do seem very happy at the moment,” Leana agreed. “Which is a shame, really. I was excited about a bit of matchmaking.”
“I’m very sorry to ruin your plans by being too cheerful!”
Leana gave her a quick squeeze. “We should have a night out soon anyway.”
“Yes, please,” Lexie said. “At the weekend maybe? I can try and organise a night off for us together.”
“Perfect.”
“Enjoy your night away!”
Lexie walked around the back of the house and dropped down to the waterside to amble home. It was hard not to dwell on what Leana had said about Nick spending the previous evening hanging out with Meghan. Deep down she was sure it was just Nick and his usual friendly nature. She also realised she was lucky that Nick had waited around for her as long as he had.
There was no way he’d do anything to mess it up now.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Nick messaged Lexie that evening to say he was in Portree with the guys who’d helped with his house. He’d spontaneously taken them out for dinner and drinks as a thank-you. She was disappointed not to see him, but he invited her to dinner at his place the following evening. It was good to have something to look forward to.
On Wednesday morning, she got a message from Leana asking if she could cover her shift at the pub so she didn’t have to rush back from Inverness. Lexie wasn’t particularly keen. Her mum was going out for the evening so either Lexie or Leana needed to work. After telling Leana it was fine, she messaged Nick and said there was a change of plan and he’d have to come to the pub to see her. He replied saying he’d get some paperwork done and come over later. It wasn’t ideal but at least she’d see him.
It was just after nine and Lexie was carrying wine up from the cellar when she was startled by a cheery voice saying hello.
“Hi,” Lexie said as she registered Meghan sitting at the bar.
“How are you?” Meghan asked with a wide smile and a slightly manic tone.
“Good, thanks. How are you?”
“Bit stressed, to be honest. I needed to get out of the house.” She swivelled on the stool and scanned the room. “I thought Nick might be here.”
“Did he tell you he would be?”
“No. He just mentioned that he’s quite often here in the evenings.” She beamed at Lexie. “I wouldn’t usually go to pubs on my own, but I was going stir-crazy. Elspeth’s been a great friend but I hate to keep descending on her. And I was thinking it’s probably different when you live in a village – in London I wouldn’t go in bars on my own, but it’s much more personal here, isn’t it? I bet you get lots of locals who come in to chat to you as much as anything. Or just to see who else is around.”
“Yeah. I guess so. What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll have a beer please. I feel like I need a drink after the day I’ve had.”
“Are you planning on staying in Lannick?” Lexie asked, trying to be friendly and not dwell on the fact that when Nick came in he was probably going to spend the evening talking to Meghan.
“I don’t think so.” She put an elbow on the bar and propped her chin up on her hand. “It’s just taking a while to sort through my gran’s things.” She smiled sadly. “And I’m probably dragging it out a bit because I don’t really want to let the place go.”
“So you’ll sell the house?”
She nodded slowly. “That’s the plan.”
Lexie realised she didn’t know much about Meghan, apart from the fact she’d had a grandmother on Skye and had spent the last few summers helping Elspeth with the cafe.
“Do you have a job you need to get back to?” Lexie asked as she set the beer in front of Meghan and took the money.