Raincoats and Retrievers, A Novella Read online

  Harper

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  First published in Great Britain by Harper 2015

  Copyright © HarperColl‌insPublishers 2015

  Cover layout design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2015

  Cover images © Shutterstock.com

  Cressida McLaughlin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

  Ebook Edition © September 2015 ISBN: 9780008135225

  Version: 2015-08-25

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Keep Reading_ Primrose Terrace

  About the Author

  Also by Cressida McLaughlin

  About the Publisher

  Chapter 1

  Cat Palmer was about to go on her first date in a very long time, and her nerves were making her indecisive. She rearranged her chestnut, elfin-cut hair. She ruffled it, smoothed it and ruffled it again, turning her head in the mirror.

  It was partly the long gap – she’d been single since her relationship with teacher Daniel had come to an end nearly two years before – and she’d settled a bit too well into single life. They’d been happy together, at the beginning, but Cat had never been able to summon up the adoration for Daniel that he undoubtedly felt for her. Cat sometimes wondered whether she was looking for something that didn’t exist, whether she should have stayed with Daniel and waited for her affection to grow into love, but the dominant, more romantic part of her brain told her that there was more out there for her, someone she could truly fall for. Was tonight the start of that?

  There was no denying that her nerves were mostly to do with the man she was meeting. Mark. Scriptwriter and dog owner, effortlessly good-looking, as charming as he was quick-witted. Cat shuddered just thinking about him. Tonight was the culmination of months of fancying and sidestepping, flirting and innuendo, one kiss on the front steps in early summer.

  She had chosen her best dress for the occasion; deep red with a cinched-in waist, full skirt and scooped neckline. Her sandals were pale gold with a low heel, her toenails as red as her dress. Fairview was under the spell of a shimmering August sun, and it had been the kind of day when winter seemed impossible, something that never visited the south coast. Cat couldn’t imagine a setting, or a scenario more perfect – and yet, along with the anticipation, she was apprehensive.

  Cat had never met anyone as good at flirting as Mark was. He had the ability to make her feel like the only woman in the world, and could turn on the charm like a Bunsen burner. And despite his promising her dinner almost as soon as they met, it had taken months to pin him down. Their dinner date had originally been booked for three weeks earlier, but he’d been called away to London, his latest script in the early stages of production. Mark was mysterious and elusive, and Cat had had enough of that. She wanted to get to know him.

  ‘Cat,’ Joe called from the bottom of the stairs. ‘It’s seven fifteen. Isn’t he coming at half past? Are you still in the shower?’

  Cat grinned. ‘I’m nearly done!’ she shouted. ‘Thanks, though!’

  Joe, housemate, brother of her best friend Polly and – Cat hoped by now – good friend in his own right, wasn’t mysterious. He was dependable, honest (sometimes a bit too honest), and straightforward, qualities Cat was beginning to find as attractive as the man himself. He was blond, but with skin that tanned easily – Cat had been treated to more of his well-honed body this summer than was strictly necessary – and his blue eyes could beat her in a staring contest hands down. After a rocky start, they were slipping into an easy friendship, which apparently now included timekeeping duties.

  She spritzed perfume behind her ears, checked the contents of her red evening bag and went downstairs, treating the others to a full twirl.

  ‘Wow.’ Polly looked up from her revision notes, her chewed pen-lid falling onto the table. She had her final exams over the next few weeks, an anxious wait until the end of September and then – Cat was confident – would be a fully qualified veterinary nurse. At the end of the month Cat would have her best friend back, and she couldn’t wait.

  ‘Cat Palmer,’ Polly said, ‘you look amazing.’

  Cat gave a nervous smile. ‘Thanks. Thought I’d make an effort.’

  ‘You’ll knock his socks off,’ Polly assured her.

  ‘He probably doesn’t wear socks in the summer,’ Joe said. ‘He’s probably the kind of guy who wears brogues without socks. I bet he’s that guy.’

  ‘Joey.’ Polly hit her brother’s arm and Shed, Joe’s large ginger cat, looked up with one open eye from where he was lying splayed out along his owner’s lap. Cat and Shed hadn’t made friends when she’d moved in at the beginning of the year, but since finding out from a neighbour that his purr was bigger than his pounce, Cat had warmed to him. Not that she’d admit that to Joe.

  ‘Sorry,’ Joe said. ‘You look fantastic, Cat. I just – I hope he treats you well, that’s all.’

  Polly laughed. ‘You’re not her dad.’

  ‘No,’ Joe admitted, ‘but that doesn’t mean I can’t look out for her. I’d look out for you.’

  ‘Awwwww.’ Polly grabbed her brother round the shoulders and pulled him towards her. Joe rolled his eyes and put up with the hug for three seconds, before shrugging himself out of it.

  ‘Thanks, Joe,’ Cat managed. His comment was working its way into her brain, mixing with her own anxieties, but the doorbell rang, making her jump, and she realized she no longer had time to worry.

  This was it.

  Cat ran her hands down her dress and, turning away from her friends, went to open the door.

  ‘Hello,’ Mark said, giving her his full-beam grin, and Cat’s nerves were swallowed by desire.

  Mark was wearing a white Ralph Lauren shirt, the top two buttons open, over dark jeans and navy shoes. Cat couldn’t see socks, but then she couldn’t see ankles either. His dark brown hair had been cut recently, but still had enough length to be attractively messy, and his brown eyes latched instantly onto hers.

  ‘Hi,’ Cat said.

  ‘I’ve come to take you for a walk, if that’s OK?’ Mark raised his eyebrows.

  ‘A walk? I thought we were going out to dinner.’

  ‘A short promenade with the owner of Pooch Promenade, before our meal. I’ve been harbouring a lot of jealousy for all those dogs, so now it’s my turn.’

  ‘Ah. Well, I’m not really wearing the right shoes…’

  ‘No,’ Mark agreed, eyeing her appreciatively, ‘you don’t te
nd to walk them looking like that. You’re stunning. It’s a very short walk, I promise. Shall we?’ He held out his elbow and Cat leant back into the living room, gave Polly and Joe a final wave and then took Mark’s arm and closed the door behind her. They walked the short distance from number nine Primrose Terrace to number four, and Mark unlocked his Audi.

  ‘There,’ he said. ‘That’s the walking part done with. Though I guess if we’re both well behaved…’

  ‘What?’ Cat asked, sinking into the warm leather passenger seat.

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘you give your dogs treats, don’t you?’ He flashed her another grin and started the engine.

  ‘Little bone-shaped chews,’ Cat said. ‘Though I wouldn’t recommend them as an appetizer. I tried one once and it was disgusting.’ Her mouth was drying out. She wasn’t in Mark-mode, ready to deflect his quick comments and his innuendo.

  ‘That’s not quite what I meant,’ Mark said, his voice light.

  ‘Oh.’ Cat closed her eyes as realization dawned, feeling a warm flush creep up her neck; nerves were jumbling her thoughts and she felt clumsy and awkward. ‘Where are we going?’ she asked, hoping the change of subject would give her some breathing space.

  ‘You’ll see.’ Mark pulled away from the kerb. Like everything else about him, his driving was assured. He wasn’t overly fast, but once they’d left the wide streets of Fairview, then the sprawling suburbs of Fairhaven, and made it onto the A-road that rose up behind the town and gave a stunning view of the sea, he put his foot down. They were going east, and Cat had to peer past Mark to watch the sun dropping spectacularly over the water.

  He was so close, his thigh just beyond the gear stick, and Cat wished she could reach over and casually put her hand on it. But her palms were sweaty, and she’d probably end up grabbing it too hard, or missing it altogether and…she shook the embarrassment of that thought away. ‘You didn’t want to stay in Fairview, then?’ she asked.

  ‘I told you I’d take you somewhere special,’ Mark said. ‘Not that Fairview isn’t great, but – I owe you this. For taking so long to get round to it.’ They’d met in March and had been dancing round each other for five months, though Mark had allowed Cat to look after Chips, his Border collie, when he’d gone to London. ‘I’m intrigued,’ she said. ‘I don’t know the area beyond Fairhaven very well.’ This was much safer ground. She leaned her head against the headrest.

  ‘Neither do I, but I had help. Someone we both know who’s quite good when it comes to food.’

  Cat sat up and looked out of the window, hiding her face from him. Jessica. Food writer and owner of three beautiful Westies, she had been Cat’s first official client for her dog-walking business Pooch Promenade. Cat had originally believed that Jessica and Mark were an item. They were both beautiful, both writers. Jessica was a bona-fide celebrity and Mark moved in the same circles, with two films under his belt and a third in pre-production. More than once, Mark had assured her they were just friends, but had he really been talking to her about their date? Did he confide in her about everything?

  ‘Jessica suggested it?’ she asked, trying for lightness and not managing it. ‘Then it must be good.’

  ‘We’re about to find out.’ Mark, unaware of, or ignoring, her discomfort, indicated right and drove down a twisty, narrow road, before turning between two trees and onto a gravel driveway. They were still high up, and the low building they parked in front of sat snugly on the side of the hill, as if it had been carved out of the rock. Mark helped Cat out of the car, and they approached the entrance, the sign above confirming they’d reached Highcroft Manor and Vineyard. Beyond the building, Cat could see neat rows of vines sloping down towards the sea, rays of golden sun picking them out in sharp relief.

  ‘If the food is as good as the view…’ Cat murmured.

  ‘And you already know the company is,’ Mark said cheekily. He put his hand on the small of her back and led her through the door.

  They were greeted by a smartly dressed woman with a high, tight ponytail. Mark gave his name and she led them into a large square room with a bar at its centre, floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the landscape beyond. The carpet was cream, the tables and chairs dark wood to match the bar, the lighting low but warm. The whole place exuded luxury. They could easily be in southern France rather than perched on a hill overlooking the English Channel.

  Mark had reserved them a table against the window, and he held back Cat’s seat for her, then sat opposite as the restaurant manager handed them the menus.

  ‘This is spectacular,’ Cat whispered, feeling awkward and underdressed, despite the effort she’d made. The restaurant was full, but the atmosphere was soft, quiet, well-behaved. Cat’s nerves ratcheted up a notch as she was handed a wine list as long as her arm, the offerings mostly in French. ‘But I don’t know anything about wine.’

  ‘Let me pick that,’ Mark said. ‘Just focus on the food.’

  ‘Oh, right,’ Cat said, ‘OK.’ She felt a burst of anger that he was taking charge, that he’d brought her to a place where she couldn’t be in control of her choices. But then, was that his fault? It was Jessica who’d suggested this place, and the reminder of that didn’t make her feel any better. She glanced over the menu, her eyes widening at the descriptions: Seared, hand-dived scallops; Beetroot with nuts, seaweed and chocolate.

  ‘This place is something else,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t know where to start.’

  She tried to keep the exasperation out of her voice but Mark looked up, a hint of a frown lowering his brows. ‘We just need to pick what we like the look of, identify some ingredients we know. Beetroot and chocolate?’

  Cat screwed her face up.

  ‘You’ve never had chocolate beetroot cake?’

  Cat shook her head. ‘You have?’

  ‘No,’ Mark said, grinning. ‘It sounds disgusting. Jessica’s really outdone herself here,’ he said, eyes scanning the menu again. ‘One of them looks like it might be a steak, if you ignore the fancy bits. Do you like steak?’

  Cat smiled, loosening up a little; Mark’s cheeky good humour was starting to infiltrate her tense mood. ‘Love it. And I think that starter is pâté and toast, even though it says galantine de canard with organic olive crostini and champagne jam.’

  ‘What a waste of champagne.’ Mark shook his head. ‘But that’s two courses we’ve deciphered. Let’s leave the pudding and be spontaneous, pick the one that makes the least sense.’

  ‘And the wine?’ Cat held up the wine list.

  ‘We could make up for the jam and have champagne.’

  ‘But you’re driving.’

  ‘I can have one glass.’

  ‘No, wait—’ but Mark had already called the waiter over, and Cat didn’t want to hiss at him to stop, so she focused on the orange glow of the sun as it sank over the horizon. If she lived somewhere with a view like this then she’d give up on life. She’d sit in a chair, slowly fusing with the fabric as she watched the changing sea and sky, the clouds, the sun, birds and boats passing her …

  ‘Cat?’

  ‘Sorry.’ She turned back and smiled. The lights in the restaurant had dimmed, a candle in a tarnished silver holder flickering between them, and Mark was looking at her with his dark, smiling eyes. Cat felt the butterflies low down in her stomach.

  ‘If I’d known this place was going to be quite so pretentious, I would have taken you somewhere else.’

  ‘It’s definitely impressive. And the view is stunning.’

  ‘I was going for special, not incomprehensible.’

  Cat shook her head. ‘I’m sure the food will be delicious, even if the descriptions are a bit over the top. Mark, you’ve brought me to a beautiful restaurant for dinner. There’s nothing to apologize for.’ She felt that maybe, after her initial awkwardness and nerves, things were changing. He was apologizing – she’d never seen him anything but entirely confident up until now – so perhaps she was about to see beyond his charm and flippancy, a
nd discover more of the real him? This was what she’d been waiting for, and she wasn’t about to let the chance slip by. ‘Tell me about your films. I want to know everything.’

  ‘Everything?’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘Not about the disaster.’ ‘Especially the disaster.’

  She listened intently, pausing only when the waiter interrupted them with the champagne, as Mark told her about writing the screenplays, about the challenge of finding someone to make them, the shooting process, artistic differences, location nightmares. His films sounded like the gritty British horrors that Cat would find late at night on BBC2 and turn off, because she couldn’t bear the thought of going to bed alone afterwards. Not Hollywood slashers, full of glamorous people and too much unrealistic blood, but dark corners on dingy estates, things lurking where they shouldn’t, scenarios on the edge of being possible.

  Since they’d met, Mark had been smooth and over-confident, but now he was self-deprecating, telling Cat about mistakes he’d made, personality clashes, upsetting one lead actress by mistaking her for the make-up assistant. He made Cat laugh, and he seemed entirely focused on her, the candlelight flickering along his handsome jawline. It was still smug, but now that smugness seemed somewhat justified.

  Mark topped up her glass as their empty plates – which had contained excellent pâté and toast – were cleared away.

  ‘It’s another world,’ Cat said. ‘It sounds impossible, juggling all the different elements, making sure everything works and the film gets made. And everyone swallows them up in an hour and a half and then forgets about them.’

  ‘Or not,’ Mark said. ‘Like everything creative, some films stay with people for a long time. That’s all I’m trying to do, make a film that matters to some people.’

  ‘You know, you don’t look like a horror-film writer.’

  ‘And what’s a horror-film writer supposed to look like?’ Mark narrowed his eyes, and Cat could see that he was intrigued, wanting to know what she thought of him.