Page 11

Lucy was silent for a moment before she quietly explained, “This business has been completely mine. I built it up from nothing and I’ve worked really hard. I never planned to share it with anyone. I’m accepting the fact that going into business with you is the best thing for me to do at the moment, but I’d like a get-out clause.” She hated feeling so vulnerable with him in the equation. Needing him. Knowing that if he said no, she’d have to accept his terms, and suspecting that he was well aware of this.

The line was quiet. “OK,” Dylan said. “If after three years, you want to buy me out, you can. I’ll have it written into the contract.”

“Cool,” Lucy replied, amazed at how normal she managed to make her voice sound.

“And, obviously, as you live in the building, there will be clauses put in to protect your home. I’ve looked into it, and we can keep the business separate to the building itself. Basically, the coffee shop will pay rent to us as the building owners. The same with your flat. It means that your home will be safe if something goes wrong with the business. Not that it will.”

Lucy nodded. There was some relief in what he said.

“So, have you got five minutes to quickly go over some of the figures? Just the general turnover and profits for now,” Dylan said, in business mode it seemed.

“Sure,” said Lucy, taking a deep breath and preparing to enter into a partnership she didn’t want, but reluctantly needed.

Chapter 4

Lucy was wiping down a table in the coffee shop and saying goodbye to some customers a few days later, when Dylan came in. He had an A4-sized envelope in his hands.

“I come bearing our contract!” he said, back to his usual relaxed self it seemed. “My solicitor drafted it out today, so I thought I’d drop it round as I was coming to see Michael. I’ve signed it already.”

“Right, um, thanks. That was fast.”

“That’s what she said,” Dylan quipped. He received a glare for his troubles. How was he in his late thirties and still had the sense of humour of a twelve-year-old?

She hustled him into the kitchen. “I’d rather the whole town didn’t hear our business,” she hissed.

“Fair enough.” He sat up on the counter. “Anyway . . . the contract has the clause for you to be able to buy me out if you want to. Get your solicitor to take a look over it, and, if you’re happy, we’ll get it signed and put in an offer for the building. I think we can go in a little under the asking price.”

“Really?” Lucy asked. “I don’t want them going with someone else . . .”

“I think it’s worth asking. We can always just agree to the asking price afterwards, if the owner says no.”

“All right,” said Lucy. “That sounds sensible. I’ve never bought a property before so it’s all a bit of a mystery.”

“Hopefully this will go through really easily, as you’ve already been offered first refusal on it, and it sounds like your landlord is keen to sell fast and as simply as possible.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, let me know when you’ve had the contract looked at and, once that’s sorted, we’ll contact the estate agents.”

“Great, thanks. I’ll be in touch then . . .” Lucy said.

Just how awkward was she feeling? It was always going to be challenging working with someone she didn’t like, and who didn’t like her back. And then there was the added nightmare of them having slept together. But she’d get over it, she had to.

“Speak soon,” said Dylan, getting down and heading back out of the door.

“Yep,” Lucy replied, forcing a smile.

She ripped open the envelope and took out the thick wedge of papers. They looked very businesslike and serious . . . and complicated, she decided as she flicked through them. She guessed she’d need to find herself a solicitor.

Thankfully, Carrie’s wonderful aunt Mary arrived at that moment with her sister, Ellen, who was due to start her shift.

“Hello Ellen, hello Mary,” Lucy said.

Ellen set straight to serving a couple who came in after them.

“Could I have a couple of fruit teas to take over to the bookshop when you have a minute, love?” Mary asked Lucy. “Oh, what have you got there?”

Before she knew it, Mary was calling her solicitor and arranging an appointment for Lucy in just an hour’s time.