Page 50 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘Oh.’ Mel practically melted on the spot and Nula let out a dreamy sigh.

Just then the changing-cubicle curtain was whipped aside.

‘What do you think?’ The visiting tourist did a half-twirl to show Nula her swimsuit and placed a hand over her decolletage. ‘I’m not sure it’s long enough in the body. It feels a bit low at the front.’

That was an understatement. She’d had balls to come out like that, Katie thought. Although, to be honest, if she did have balls, they’d be currently on display; the one-piece was high where it needed to be low, and low where it should have been high, and consequently left very little to the imagination.

Katie coughed loudly and grabbed Barney’s arm to pull him out of her eyeline while Nula bundled the woman back inside the cubicle, trying to shield the woman’s dimply bottom from view.

‘You’ve got it on back to front,’ Nula muttered. ‘And we do ask customers to keep their underwear on.’

‘That’s me put off thongs for a while,’ Mel said in a whisper. She took out her credit card. ‘I’ll take your advice and go for these Brazilians.’

‘Good choice.’ Katie quickly wrapped them in tissue paper. ‘And good luck with the man.’

‘Likewise,’ Mel murmured, her lips twitching as she cast a furtive glance to where Barney was waiting.

Katie tried to think of a witty response but failed. Anyway, the more she said, the more likely she was to blush. She couldn’t help it; good-looking single men were in short supply in Merle Bay and there was just something so lovely about Barney. ‘See you soon,’ she said simply, handing Mel the bag.

Mel waved at Barney before leaving just as Nula and her lady approached the cash desk to pay for the swimsuit.

‘So.’ Katie fought to keep her smile under control. ‘Hello again.’

‘Apparently a miracle has happened,’ Barney said, feigning amazement. ‘And you owe me money.’

‘That’s true. One sec.’ Katie rummaged under the counter to find the note she’d made of the amount.

The swimsuit lady paid cash and left hurriedly, giving Nula the opportunity to loiter and gaze unashamedly at Barney.

‘Four pounds ninety pence to go back on your credit card,’ said Katie.

‘Thank you.’ Barney delved into the pocket of his jeans and brought out his wallet. ‘And thanks for helping her out… ’ He glanced awkwardly in Nula’s direction.

‘You’re welcome. Nula, would you mind putting the kettle on?’ Katie asked her. ‘I’m parched.’

Nula had propped her elbow on the counter, chin in hand. ‘There’s coffee in the pot.’

‘I’d like herbal tea please,’ said Katie, keen to have Barney to herself.

Nula reluctantly offered Barney a drink, but he declined, and she gave Katie a sulky look before trudging off to the kettle.

‘We had a good chat, Amber and I,’ Barney continued, with a shy smile. ‘I told her about the time I’d bought Sophia underwear for Valentine’s Day and messed it up and she said her goal is one day to order a massive amount of posh underwear just like her mum used to do.’

‘On Black Friday,’ Katie said, nodding. ‘She told me that too.’

‘Did she?’ His face lit up and then faded. ‘Bless her.’

Her heart twisted, watching the emotions flash across his face; love for other women in his life, his past, his present.

‘Herbal tea.’ Nula thumped the mug down on the counter and resumed her position admiring Barney.

‘Oh, I probably shouldn’t say anything, but I guess you’ve received the letter?’

Katie’s heart pounded. ‘Letter?’

He nodded. ‘Congratulations! Nominated for Independent Retailer of the Year! You must be chuffed.’

She let out a breath and chided herself; what did she think he meant? There was no way he’d know about the other letters. She suppressed a shiver; she hadn’t heard anything else from the mystery sender. Was it too much to hope that whoever was behind them had decided not to pursue her?