A Perfect Cornish Escape by Phillipa Ashley Page 0,73

sorry for her.

‘What would Nate think?’

‘I don’t know because, however much I wish he wasn’t gone, he is. He’s not coming home, and we all need to move on.’

‘Well, I can see that’s what you’ve done.’ He curled his lip.

At that moment, Lachlan returned with a couple of beers. ‘Hi there.’

Marina cringed. This altercation was the last thing she wanted to happen when they’d been having such a lovely time.

‘They ran out of Doom Bar, so I got a lager.’

‘Hello, Lachlan,’ said Craig. Even though Lachlan was six feet, Craig was a giant and towered over him. ‘I’m a good mate of Nate’s. That’s Marina’s husband, if you didn’t know.’

Marina was annoyed but tried to sound as pleasant and neutral as possible. ‘Of course Lachlan knows,’ she said. ‘Your Hayley’s waving at you.’

Craig ignored her. ‘Do you know what tonight is?’ he asked. ‘It’s a very special night. A very significant night.’

‘Craig, leave it.’ Marina was trying to shut things down, aware that Lachlan was bristling by her side.

Craig’s eyes flicked from Marina to Lachlan. ‘You haven’t told him, have you?’ he slurred. ‘I guessed as much.’

Her heart sank as Lachlan was stung into a response. ‘Look, pal, I don’t know what you’re getting at here but now’s not the time. Why don’t you go back to your family?’

‘I will, but first I’m going to tell you. Nate went missing seven years ago today. That’s seven years since he drowned trying to make a living for his family.’ He stabbed a finger at Marina. ‘That’s you, Marina, and yet you’re here with another man as if you’d forgotten Nate even existed.’

‘I haven’t forgotten Nate and I never will, but seven years is a long time,’ she snapped, growing angry.

Lachlan cut in, his tone silky. ‘You don’t have to justify yourself to this guy, Marina. I’m sorry for your loss, Craig, and I appreciate you’re still upset, but Marina’s life is none of your business.’

‘Upset?’ Craig laughed but his eyes blazed with rage. ‘You have no fecking idea how I feel, mate.’

Marina was aware that people had started to gawp at them, and she was ready to pack up and leave. She felt sick watching Lachlan and Craig square up against one another. Craig was big, but drunk and unsteady. She knew who’d come off worse if things kicked off.

Luckily, Craig’s wife and kids came to Marina’s side before anything could.

‘Come on, Dad. A seagull might steal your pudding,’ the youngest trilled.

‘You’ll not want that to happen,’ said Lachlan with a smile for the girl.

Hayley Illogan linked her arm through her husband’s, probably to stop him from falling over. ‘Come on, love,’ she said, exchanging a desperate look with Marina.

Craig seemed about to say something but then smiled at his daughter and ruffled her hair. ‘I’d better do as my missus says.’ He shot an accusing look at Marina, but still allowed himself to be shepherded away. His wife glanced over her shoulder, mouthing ‘sorry’.

When they were out of earshot, Marina breathed a huge sigh of relief, although she was still mortified that Craig had caused a scene and dragged Lachlan into it.

‘I’m so sorry. Craig’s obviously worked up about tonight. He’s out of order, though,’ she said trying to defuse the situation. ‘The situation’s not helped by the fact that he likes a drink or ten.’

‘Don’t worry about me … the guy’s upset and he’s clearly had a few too many. Bad combination. I’m more worried about you. Honestly, I had no idea that tonight was the anniversary of Nate’s disappearance or I’d never have put you in this position by asking you out.’

‘You didn’t know it was a …’ She paused, still trying to get her breath back from the encounter with Craig. ‘A landmark day. I could have refused to come out, stayed home and wallowed in misery and self-pity, but I wanted to be here, with you and with my friends, and I’m really glad you asked me.’

‘I’m happy you said yes, but why didn’t you warn me?’

‘Why would I spoil the evening by telling you? When all’s said and done, it’s only a date on the calendar. One more day further on from the worst day of my life. That’s something to be happy about. I loved Nate, but I’d started to rebuild my life a long time before you came to Porthmellow.’

His fingers brushed hers, lingering against her. She knew he wanted to hold her but felt it was wrong to do so in a