I'm Virtually Yours by Jennifer Bohnet Read Free Book Online

could get in that boat I would — but I can’t.”
    â€œIs there any reason why you’re so petrified?” Will asked, his voice unexpectedly gentle. “Or is it just an irrational phobia?”
    â€œI fell out of a rowing boat once when we were on holiday. I couldn’t swim and I thought I was going to drown. Haven’t been in a boat since.” She looked at him dejectedly, hoping that he wasn’t about to make fun of her. “I did learn to swim though — my dad insisted after the accident,” she added. “Took me a lot of Saturday mornings at the local swimming baths before I managed it. But I don’t like it. I’d rather look at the water than be in it or on it.”
    â€œHow old were you?”
    â€œSeven.”
    â€œYou don’t think it’s time you faced up to your fear?”
    â€œI know I should,” Polly said, shaking her head. “But not today. Sorry.”
    Will sighed. “OK. Go and wait for me in the Sail Loft Cafe on the quay. I’ll fetch the papers from the barge and we’ll look at them together over lunch. Back in ten minutes.”
    Polly stood and watched as Will expertly manoeuvred the dinghy away from the slipway out into the river before she turned and made for the cafe. Perhaps now he knew how she felt about boats he’d stop badgering her about getting in one to go across to the barge. She could only hope.
    The cafe, popular with locals as well as holidaymakers and yachties, was reasonably busy but Polly managed to stake a claim on a vacant window table. She slipped into the high-backed wooden settle seat that offered some privacy from the other diners.
    When the waitress brought her the menu she asked for some water and said, “I’ll order when my friend arrives.” Who’d have thought she’d be sitting here waiting to have lunch with Will? Hopefully his stressed-out, blunt rude side wouldn’t be in evidence for the next hour. When he was being nice he was very nice — and incredibly sexy with it.
    Sipping her water, Polly became aware that there was an an angry low-pitched confrontation going on between two men in the settle behind her. Her own settle rocked as the two men stood up and, still arguing, prepared to leave. She recognised that voice. Quickly she picked up the menu and pretended to read it, sinking down in her seat trying to be as inconspicuous as possible as the two men walked past.
    â€œWell, I’m not paying you for your last effort. That was my yacht that got damaged. Mess up again like that next time, mate, and I warn you, not only are you off the payroll but I’ll make you suffer.”
    Slowly Polly lowered the menu and watched as Jack Pettyjohn and his companion left the cafe. Mentally she made a note of the other man, hoping Will would be able to recognise him from her description.
    Will arrived five minutes later clutching a large folder which he carefully placed on the table. He glanced at her.
    â€œYou all right? You look a bit pale.”
    Polly told him what she’d overheard. “The other guy was quite tall, black jeans, black sweatshirt, dark blue waterproof jacket — oh and he walked with a limp.”
    â€œBlack Sam,” Will said instantly. “He started working for Pettyjohn about six months ago.” He clenched his fish. “I knew Jack was behind last night’s debacle. And the rest of the stuff.” The salt and pepper pots rattled as his fist banged the table.
    â€œSounds as though he’s planning something else. Can you go to the police?”
    â€œWhat with? Still haven’t got any hard evidence. No. Dad and I will just have to rely on staying vigilant and phone the police if something kicks off. You didn’t hear anything else did you?”
    Polly shook her head. “No, sorry. Told you everything. Can I do anything to help?”
    â€œThanks but no thanks. The Robertsons fight their own