Page 57 of The Clockmaker's Cottage
He nodded. ‘You wore it in the library and in that awful seminar room with the flickering light. It was always a distraction.’
‘I can’t believe you remember, and that you remember that seminar light.’
‘I remember a lot of things,’ he said, holding her gaze, causing Pippa’s heart to race just a little bit faster. ‘I’m glad to see you didn’t opt for your wedding dress tonight.’
She laughed. ‘I think the odds of me wearing a wedding dress again are not very favourable.’
‘Just depends if the right man comes along.’
That look passed between them again; steady, quiet, familiar, and a little charged. Pippa tried not to read into it, but part of her couldn’t help wondering if his words meant something more.
‘If you want my opinion– not that you ever did, but for what it’s worth…’ Theo took his coat down from the hook in the hallway. ‘Rob was a fool. He should have been proud to be with someone who gets excited about clocks and stories and strange little details. The right person doesn’t roll their eyes at that. The right person would have married you under a clock tower.’
Pippa swallowed. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘That means a lot.’
‘It’s true.’ He cleared his throat, shifting the mood back to light. ‘Now, I’m starving. I can’t wait to sit down and have a peaceful meal, especially after today.’ He took her coat from the hook and held it open for her to slip her arms into it. She felt his presence so close and took in his aroma. Just like he’d recognised her perfume, she recognised his. The smell of Theo Blake hadn’t changed since their uni days, and somehow, that felt strangely comforting.
After pulling on their boots, they headed for the door. He did the gentlemanly thing and held it open for her, then locked up behind them. He opened an umbrella over them and offered his arm so she could cosy up to him. She slipped her hand into the crook of it without hesitation.
They walked a few paces in comfortable quiet. Rain misted the air and slicked the pavement beneath their feet, puddles rippling as they walked. Pippa noticed he adjusted his pace to match hers. She liked that.
They stopped at the end of the jetty and took in the view. The Sea Glass Restaurant looked spectacular. Fairy lights were strung along the jetty leading out to the boat, which glowed warmly against the dark water, its reflection shimmering with every drop of rain.
‘If this was a date, it would be very romantic.’ The words had left Pippa’s mouth before she could stop them. ‘I don’t want you getting any ideas,’ she added quickly.
‘Oh, I won’t. You’ve made it pretty clear what you thought about me in the past. But I’m glad we’ve called a truce for the time we’re stranded together. You can go back to disliking me with a passion when we leave the island.’
‘Well, we could just stay here forever to make sure that doesn’t happen.’
Theo looked at her and grinned. ‘For a moment there, I got the impression you might actually like me.’
‘I can neither confirm nor deny.’
Pippa couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her face as Theo opened the door for her. They were greeted immediately by a waiter in a crisp white shirt and navy waistcoat.
‘Booking for Doctor Miriam Bowes,’ Theo said. ‘But she won’t be joining us this evening due to the storm. It will just be the two of us.’
The waiter nodded, all smiles and efficiency. ‘Of course, sir. Right this way.’
Pippa followed Theo inside and her eyes widened. The Sea Glass Restaurant wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a proper boat moored on the harbour. Inside was even more beautiful than she’d expected. The place gleamed with polished wood and brass details, a blue-and-white colour scheme running through everything from the napkins to the curved walls. Glass lamps hung low, throwing soft light across the tables. Someone was quietly playing a grand piano in the corner and, at the bow, a private terrace with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the lighthouse, the ocean, and the harbour.
As the waiter led them through the dining room, Pippa noticed the glass-bottomed floor. Spotlights glowed softly in the water below, lighting up silver fish that darted back and forth under their feet. It was like walking on light.
Sea glass had been set into one of the walls, the shades of green, turquoise, and pale blue catching the light every time the boat shifted. It was elegant without being overdone; the kind of place where every detail had been thought through.
‘This is incredible,’ Pippa said quietly as they followed the waiter to a table near the window.
Theo nodded, also clearly impressed. ‘Absolutely stunning.’ Theo’s eyes landed on her when he said those words, and as he held her gaze Pippa felt herself blush.
Their table overlooked the harbour, and Pippa could see the reflection of the lighthouse beam sweeping slowly across the water outside. Despite the continuous torrential rain, it felt peaceful, and just a little magical.
The waiter handed them menus and filled their glasses with chilled water before taking their wine order. He returned a few minutes later, uncorked the bottle, and poured a small measure for Theo to taste. Theo nodded his approval, and the waiter filled both their glasses before stepping back with a polite smile.
‘This looks very fancy,’ Pippa said as she held up her glass. ‘Let’s toast to good food and good wine.’
‘And good company,’ Theo added. ‘It’s been a while since I’ve done this.’
‘All work and no play makes Doctor Blake a dull boy.’ Pippa noticed the smile slip slightly from his face. ‘I didn’t mean anything by that.’
