Chapter 39

‘Get out of my way!' Johan's voiced boomed around the old station, bouncing off the cast iron rafters, turning heads and sending pigeons scattering. ‘I need to get my train!'

Stella rushed over to them, her heart still racing, the acrid smell of diesel fumes permeating the air. Behind her came the screech of brakes as the train ground slowly to a halt.

‘Stella needs to talk to you. Until she's done, I won't be moving an inch.' Alex squared up to Johan, his shoulders appearing broader than ever.

‘Same here.' Zara's smile had been replaced by a surprisingly fierce expression.

‘That's my train, I need to get it.' Johan looked distinctly agitated, his eyes shifty.

‘You're not going anywhere until you hand over my mother's purse. We know you took it,' said Stella, her voice confident and strong.

‘I have no idea what you're talking about. Now move, I need to board my train. I have a ferry to catch.' He went to push through them but Alex stood firm.

‘Move,' said Johan, baring his teeth.

‘If I were you, I'd hand over the purse before I call for that rather surly police officer who was standing by the entrance to come and give us some assistance.' Alex locked eyes with Johan, his gaze unwavering. ‘I doubt very much you'd like to explain to him what it's doing in your possession,' said Alex. Johan wasn't to know he was bluffing, that there was no police officer.

Maintaining eye contact, Johan didn't budge. ‘If you don't let me through I'll tell the police officer you've been harassing me.'

‘Fair enough,' said Zara, ‘I'll go and get him now; he can decide who's in the wrong here.' She turned to walk away.

‘Wait!' Johan dropped his holdall to the floor, where he unzipped it and began rummaging around its contents, cursing under his breath. The flash of a shiny, dark object caught Stella's eye, sending a spike of recognition through her, but the item was hurriedly nudged out of view as Johan delved deeper into his bag.

Standing upright, he said, ‘Here. Have it.' He pushed the purse roughly at her before scooping up his holdall and barging through them. ‘Now get out of my way.'

They watched as he ran across the platform and jumped onto the train just before it started to pull away, its whistle tooting shrilly as it went.

‘Wow! Is it always like this in Micklewick Bay?' asked Zara.

‘No.' Stella shook her head, her mind reeling. ‘It's usually a quiet little seaside town where nothing much happens.'

‘You okay, Stella?' Pulling her gaze away from the disappearing train, she turned to see Alex looking at her, his eyes loaded with concern.

‘Yeah, I'm fine, thanks, especially now I've got my mum's purse back. Thanks for your help, both of you. I wouldn't have caught him if it wasn't for you.' She gave a weak smile.

‘You look drained.' Alex rested his hand on her shoulder, warmth from his touch radiating through her, igniting the spark that had been slumbering in his absence. ‘I can imagine you're keen to get your mum's purse back to her, but why don't we meet back at my apartment in, say, an hour from now, then we can continue the conversation we were having before the drama kicked in?' He smiled at her, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

That Alex was open to talking about their misunderstanding – or rather, her misunderstanding – with the underwear filled Stella's heart with hope. ‘I'd like that, thanks.' Despite the situation, she couldn't help but smile back at him. ‘I'll give my mum a call, tell her we've got it and that Johan de Groote has left town; not sure which she'll be pleased to hear most.'

‘I think I do.' He gave her a smile.

‘Yeah, me too.'

By the time she'd returned home, Stella's skin was covered in goosebumps and she was shivering from the cold. She flicked the heating on, peeled off her wet clothes and treated herself to a tinglingly hot shower which helped warm her through. With her hair tied back in a plait, she pulled on her favourite loungewear, the urge to feel snuggly overriding her usual need to look smart and groomed.

Her mood felt suddenly lighter.

Armed with a bottle of wine, she knocked on Alex's apartment door, her heart lifting at the prospect of repairing their fledgeling relationship. She heard Fred give a cursory bark in the background.

‘Hi, come in.' Zara greeted her with a warm smile, Fred pushing his nose through, the sound of his wagging tail hitting the wall. ‘Alex is just in the kitchen.'

‘Hi.' Stella smiled back, struck by just how much Zara looked like her brother, something that had completely escaped her attention the first time she'd set eyes on her at the Jolly. ‘Hi, Fred.' She stooped to ruffle the Labrador's ears.

‘Peace offering.' Stella headed towards Alex, waving the bottle of wine at him. She'd selected it from her rack; it was one she'd picked up at an exclusive wine shop to save for a special occasion.

‘I'm shocked that you think I could be won over by a bottle of wine,' he said, adopting a faux offended tone as he took bottle from her. Glancing at the label, his eyebrows lifted. ‘Actually, scrap that, this is a goodie. Apology well and truly accepted.' He gave a wide smile, his eyes crinkling appealingly at the corners.

‘Phew!' Stella mimed wiping sweat from her brow. ‘That's a relief.'

‘Right, I'm going to take myself off for a soak in the bath, give you two a chance to talk,' said Zara.

‘Okay, sis, enjoy.'

‘I will, I've got this.' She held up a crumpled-looking paperback and smiled. ‘I could be gone some time.'

Stella caught a glimpse of the cover. ‘Ooh, yes, there's quite a buzz about that book. I've been meaning to read it myself.'

‘I'll pass it on to you when I'm done.'

‘Thanks, Zara.' Stella beamed at her, taken by her friendliness.

They watched Zara head in the direction of the bathroom. ‘Coffee?' Alex asked.

‘Sounds good.' Stella nodded, a thrill rushing through her at being in his company again.

Conversation was light-hearted while Alex attended to the coffee making. Stella learnt he'd been to visit his parents over the last few days, as had Zara. She'd been relieved to hear he'd been looking in the estate agent's window on behalf of his sister who was keen to get away from city living and relocate to Micklewick Bay. It was the reason she was staying with her brother, while she attended interviews at nearby hospitals.

With the small talk over and done with, Alex slipped into the seat opposite Stella at the island. She lifted her gaze from her cup, her eyes meeting his, a frisson of attraction sparking between them. It didn't make what she was about to say any easier. She swallowed, carefully marshalling her words.

‘I want you to know how desperately sorry I am for accusing you of stealing my underwear. It's a terrible thing to do and I should have listened to you when you tried to explain, instead of storming on, bulldozing your words.' She paused, inhaling deeply, conscious of Alex's eyes on her. ‘I'm ashamed to say I let the barrister in me override the real me – something I always said I'd never do – and it was unforgivable. It's actually been a real wake-up call; the last thing I want is to make a habit of it. I really am very sorry. And I hope with all my heart you can forgive me.' She was reluctant to explain how fear of the strength of her feelings for him had more than likely contributed to her explosive reaction. She didn't want him to think she was high maintenance, but the depth of her feelings for him, and the fact that they'd appeared so suddenly, had taken some getting used to.

Alex sat quietly for a moment. He steepled his fingers, resting his chin on the tips, his eyes searching her face.

Stella held her breath, it seemed like an age before he spoke.

‘From what you've just said, I don't think I need to tell you how shocked – and hurt – I was that you'd think I was the sort of man who goes around stealing women's underwear for some kind of sick gratification.'

Stella winced. Take it on the chin, girl.

‘But what I also found difficult was the fact, like you mentioned yourself, that you didn't give me the opportunity to explain. Instead, you just raised your voice and spoke over the top of me, then stormed out. It was hardly a fair battle, but you already know that.'

She nodded, remorse gnawing at her insides. ‘I do. I'd give anything to turn the clock back.'

‘I can honestly say, hand on heart,' he pressed his hand to his chest, ‘that I have no idea how the underwear got in here. The first I knew of it was when Fred was running around with a pair of lacy knickers in his mouth.'

A bubble of laughter rose up inside Stella as she recalled the image of Fred with a pair of her knickers on his head. ‘I know how they got here.'

‘You do?'

‘I do.' Stella nodded, recounting what Brooke had told her. ‘So Fred's the phantom knicker-nicker.'

Alex's eyes went to the Labrador who was stretched out on the rug in front of the fire, snoring contentedly. ‘The little ratbag!' He shook his head in disbelief. ‘All that trouble he caused me, almost ruining my reputation. There'll be no treats for him for a week.'

At the mention of the word "treat" Fred scrambled to his feet and ran across the room. Parking himself beside Alex, he looked up hopefully, his tail swishing across the floor.'

Stella couldn't help but giggle. ‘How can you resist that face?'

‘Very easily after hearing that.' The affectionate look in Alex's eyes belied his serious tone.

When Fred had returned to his place in front of the fire – only after being given a treat! – Stella said, ‘So, can you forgive me? Do you think we can start again, without my barrister sass?'

Alex looked directly at her, his expression turning serious. ‘Of course I can forgive you, but…' He paused, inhaling deeply.

There's a but?Stella's stomach started churning, dreading what he was about to say.

‘I really like you, Stella, more than like you.' He rubbed his fingertips over his brow. ‘I've never been drawn to a woman in the same way I'm drawn to you, never had such strong feelings.'

‘But?' she said, bracing herself for disappointment.

‘The way you reacted to the underwear situation isn't the first time you've gone flouncy and huffy on me. When you mistook Zara for my girlfriend that night at the Jolly is another example. I could have got you completely wrong here, but the impression I have of you is that you seem to jump to conclusions without hearing an explanation, or waiting to find out if you've got it right.' He gave her an apologetic look. ‘Much as I have these strong feelings for you, I'm not sure that's something I can live with, I'd find it too unsettling, wondering what was going to happen next.' He picked up his mug of coffee and took a sip. From the expression on his face, he wasn't finding this easy.

Stella sat quietly for a moment, processing his words, her whole body aching. She'd blown it.