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Adam knew he’d have to talk to Paul. He couldn’t go on like this—that was for sure.
When he gets back, we’ll talk. I’ll tell him how I feel.

Adam might be a grown man, but his heart quaked at the prospect.

When the doorbell rang, he almost jumped out of his skin, he’d been so deep in introspection. He walked across the hall and opened the door.

“Good morning. The name’s Dave Kennedy. I’m here to see Mrs. Lambton about the building work we discussed.” The voice was mature, its gravely quality indicative of at least a pack and a half of cigarettes a day for the last twenty years.

Adam frowned.
Building work? What the fuck?
“Mr. Kennedy, I’m Adam Kent. Mrs. Lambton is my sister, but she isn’t here at the moment.”

“Oh, right. Damn, I knew I should’ve called first.”

“Is she expecting you?” This was the first Adam had heard about any building work being required.

Mr. Kennedy chuckled. “I doubt it. We spoke on the phone about, ooh, must have been six months ago. I told her at the time I was chocka with site work, but she said there was no hurry. Besides, it wasn’t as if we could’ve had it all done for this season anyway. Then she called me again in May, but I was still snowed under. I happened to be working down at the Ale & Oyster in Ventnor today so I thought I’d pop along here on the off-chance, see if I could get a quick look at the place.”

Adam was burning to know more. “Would you like to come in, Mr. Kennedy?”

“It’s Dave, please, and yeah, if you don’t mind, that’d be great.”

Adam stepped aside to let him enter, silently wishing Paul was there. Nothing about Dave’s manner rang any alarms, and there was a mystery here that needed to be solved. He closed the door behind them.

“Oh, now this is nice.” The genuine pleasure in Dave’s voice calmed Adam’s fears. “I love these old houses. How many bedrooms?”

“Six or seven.”

“Right-oh. Is it possible for me to take a look at them? Mrs. Lambton asked about the feasibility of taking a large room and dividing it into two, to make two singles. And of course we’d need to think about adding ensuites to the others. There might be rooms downstairs that can be altered, too.” A pause. “So, can I see them?”

That was further than Adam was prepared to go. He didn’t know Dave, and he certainly didn’t feel comfortable about letting him loose in the house.

“And I’ll need to see if you’ve got a room large enough downstairs,” Dave added, “that will accommodate all the guests for breakfast. We can always knock two rooms into one if there isn’t one.”

Cold spread through Adam’s body as Dave’s words sank in.
That sneaky, conniving bitch.
His heartbeat quickened and his throat dried up, making it difficult to swallow.

“Are you all right?”

Dave’s hesitant question dragged Adam’s attention back into the present. He swallowed, his mouth devoid of saliva. “Yeah, I’m fine.” The reply came out as a croak. “Would you excuse me a minute?” He needed water.

“Sure.”

Adam left Dave in the hallway and went into the kitchen. He searched the draining board for the glass he knew was there and filled it with water. Adam gulped it down, his heart still racing. He drew in a couple of long breaths in an effort to calm himself, his hands trembling. When he could breathe more easily, he put down the glass and rejoined Dave.

“Mr. Kennedy, I’m very sorry but you’ve had a wasted journey. There’s been a change of plan, I’m afraid. My sister will no longer be requiring your services.”

“I see.” The puzzlement in Dave’s voice was evident. “Okay, sorry to hear that. I think she’d have been onto a real winner here. It’s a lovely spot, isn’t it? The views are amazing.”

Adam gave a polite smile. “Thank you for stopping by.” He walked over to the front door and opened it.

“Yeah, well, thanks for letting me have a look. If she ever changes her mind, I’ll—”

“She won’t,” Adam interjected, his voice cool.

Silence. “I see. Well, thanks again.” Footsteps along the path, followed by the crunch of gravel. Adam listened to the car moving away before closing the door.

He walked into the office and sat behind the desk, his chest constricted, a fluttering deep in his belly. He ran over all the information he now possessed, assessing it coolly. Everything was clear in his head and he didn’t like what he was seeing.

What day is it?
He stretched out a hand to grab the Braille calendar that sat next to the monitor, his fingers tracing its surface. Wednesday. Perfect. Adam sat back to wait.

Hurry up, Paul.
The next bit Adam couldn’t accomplish on his own.

* * * * * *

Paul closed the gate and trudged down the driveway, his thoughts calmer. The sea with its smells and sounds always did that for him. Thankfully there’d been no sign of Taylor down in the bay: Paul couldn’t have coped with that. He’d clambered over the rocks by the Lighthouse, peering into rock pools as he’d done when he was younger. By the time the tide was lapping at his feet, he’d made his decision.

No more hiding. I’ll tell him how I feel. And then when it’s all out in the open, I’ll know where I stand.

It was that last thought which had brought him the peace he sought.

Paul reached the house and opened the front door. “Adam?” he called out into the quiet.

“In the office.”

The note of agitation in Adam’s voice had him hurrying into the room. Adam was seated at the desk, his forehead furrowed. He lifted his chin when Paul entered. “Paul, I need your help.”

Any thoughts of what he’d rehearsed in his head over and over while he’d walked home fled instantly. “What’s wrong?” Because it was clear
something
was.

“Do you think you’re up to driving?”

Paul gave a half smile at the implication. In spite of whatever was worrying Adam, he was concerned for Paul’s comfort. “Yeah, I think so, unless you’re thinking of a trip off the island. I’m not sure I could sit in the driver’s seat for that long.”

“Nowhere that far,” Adam assured him. “We’re going to Ryde.” He stood up, still wearing a frown. “I’ll tell you why on the way.”

“Let me grab my keys.” Paul hurried over to the small hall table and picked them up, Adam behind him. They left the house and once Adam was belted up in the passenger seat, Paul switched on the engine and drove them away from the house.

“We had a visitor while you were out,” Adam said as they turned onto the main road.

“An unwelcome one, judging by your expression when I came home.”

Adam gave a low growl. “You are
not
going to believe this.”

Paul listened while Adam recounted his meeting with a builder. “I… I don’t understand. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Adam barked out a bitter laugh. “Oh, trust me, it makes perfect sense.”

Paul stared at the road ahead. “Now might be a good time to tell me where we’re going,” he remarked as he negotiated the turns.

“St. John’s Road, near the railway station. Number 201. There’s no parking on the main road, because there are double yellows everywhere, but you can park in the station car park.”

Paul snuck a glance at Adam. His face was flushed, his hands clenching and unclenching on his thighs. Adam was seriously pissed off. Paul fell silent for the rest of the twenty minutes it took to arrive in Ryde, which seemed to suit Adam. Paul longed to reach out and hold Adam’s hand but held back: one look at Adam’s tight expression told him to leave him alone.

“We’re here.” Paul parked the car in an empty space and turned off the engine. Adam had unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed out, cane in hand, before Paul was out of the car. Paul walked at Adam’s side, his fingers resting lightly on Adam’s elbow. When they reached the house, Paul caught sight of the car in the small driveway. “That’s your sister’s car.”

“Good.” Adam snapped out the word, his voice grim. “I’d hoped that’d be the case. Wednesday is her day off.” He let Paul lead the way up to the front door. Adam lifted his cane and rapped sharply on it, the sound loud against the plastic. A moment later it opened and Caroline appeared, her eyes wide.

“Adam? What are you—?”

“Mind if we come in, Caroline?” Adam said, pushing past her, his hand wrapped around Paul’s upper arm. He entered the first room on the right. “This is your living room, isn’t it? I know it’s been a long while since I was here.”

“Well, actually, I was—” Caroline gaped, her face flushed.

“Paul, where can I sit?” Adam asked, ignoring her.

Paul glanced at the room. Dean was sprawled out on the couch, but there were two armchairs free. Paul guided Adam to one of them and took the other, his heart hammering.

This could be ugly.

Adam sniffed the air. “Good afternoon, Dean.” His nephew stared at him, mouth open.

Caroline followed them into the room, her hands on her hips. She glared at him, as though he was to blame, before turning her attention to Adam. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“Because I wanted to surprise you.” Adam gave a thin smile. “Surprise!” He sat upright, his back rigid, cane held between his knees.

Paul’s stomach quivered.

Caroline recovered quickly. She cleared her throat. “As a matter of fact, I was coming to see you today.” She glanced at Paul, her eyes glacial. “About a matter of some urgency.”

“Well, looks like I’ve saved you a journey,” Adam responded, that smile still fixed on his face. Paul’s scalp prickled. “So, now that I’m here, what did you want to see me about?”

“I’m afraid it’s not appropriate for Paul to continue working for you.”

What the hell?
Paul straightened, a gasp escaping his lips. From the chair next to him, Adam reached across slowly and laid a hand on his thigh. The gesture reassured him.

“And why is that?” Adam asked, his tone polite. Paul knew that tone. Something was coming.

Caroline arched her eyebrows. “You have to ask? The two of you are having sex.” She wrinkled her nose, her lips curling.

Paul sucked air in through his teeth, but Adam gently squeezed his thigh. “And how would you know that?” Adam asked, his tone even.

Caroline snorted, an unladylike sound Paul would never have believed possible of her. “I see you don’t deny it. As for how, Dean spied a used condom”—she grimaced—“in your bathroom when he came to fix your shower.”

“So?” Adam sat back and folded his arms across his chest, his face impassive.

How the fuck can he be so calm?
Inside, Paul was a wreck.

“So?” she echoed, her expression incredulous. “You can’t have sex with your employee!”

Adam lowered his arms slowly, his gaze focused on the direction of her voice. “I’m sorry,” he began, speaking slowly, “I didn’t realize that was part of his contract.” When she fell silent, Adam tilted his head to one side. “You
did
stipulate in his contract that he wasn’t allowed to have sex with his employer, didn’t you?”

Caroline spluttered. “Well, no, but—”

“But
nothing
.” Adam straightened. “And I wouldn’t pursue that any further if I were you, not after what I learned today.”

“Which was what?” Caroline spat out.

“I had an interesting visit,” Adam said, his smile widening, “from Dave Kennedy.”

Paul could almost taste the silence.

“Oh, Lord,” Caroline said weakly.

“I don’t think the Lord had anything to do with your plans,” Adam retorted. “When did you intend telling me you were going to turn my house into a B&B? The first day it opened for business?” His nostrils flared. “At least now I know why you were so keen for me to live in monitored accommodation. How did you think you’d get away with it? Did you imagine I wouldn’t find out, on an island this size?”

“Adam, I—”

“Why would you do this, Caro?” Adam thundered, his face mottled. “You already have a tea shop. Isn’t that enough for you?”

“Business has been very poor the last few years,” she said, her face white. “It’s been hard to make ends meet.” She bit her lip. “I thought a B&B would do well in Steephill, seeing how the rental properties down there are always fully booked all year round.”

“Christ, Caro, if you need more money coming in, get your son off his fat arse and into a job!” Dean growled at the back of his throat and Adam whipped his head around to glare in his direction. “And you can shut it, after the stunt you pulled.” He turned his attention back to Caroline. “I’m surprised at you. That could have been nasty.”

Caroline frowned. “What are you talking about?”

Paul took in her genuine air of puzzlement. “Adam, she has no idea.”

Adam lifted his eyebrows. “Dean thought that one up all on his own?” His lips twisted into a thin smile. “Why, Dean, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Shut it, you,” Dean muttered.

Adam ignored him. “Your precious son left the cold water feed shut off on the shower, so the next time I used it, things got a little… hot.”

“Dean?” Caroline gaped at him. “Is that true?”

Dean lurched to his feet, fists clenched tightly. “I wanted to do something to help you,” he whined. “I thought if he called you and told you how he’d got burnt in the shower, it would’ve been another argument for him moving out like you wanted.” He gave Adam a filthy look. “Only he didn’t call you, did he? I didn’t count on that.”

Caroline sank onto the couch, her face still pale. “I never asked you to do that! You… you might have seriously hurt him! You took a chance, too, that it would be Adam who took the next shower.”

“I thought you’d be pleased,” Dean said belligerently.

“Why on earth would I be pleased about that? He
is
still my brother!”

Paul felt sick to his stomach. He couldn’t imagine his parents doing something so… unfeeling.

“Just so we’re clear,” Adam said, rising to his feet, “I have no intention of moving out of
my
home. Paul and I are coping just fine with things the way they are, so please feel free to stay out of our way.”

Caroline appeared to have regained her composure. She sneered at Adam. “You and Paul. I hire someone to help you out and you turn him into your whipping boy, literally.”