Stranger at the beach house by L J Dee Read Free Book Online

developments on the love front?” I asked as her face fell.
    “I’m in a bit of a drought to be
honest. I had a couple of visits from the mystery taxi in the summer and it’s
fair to say that put me off for a while,” she giggled.
      “Mystery taxi?” I
quizzed.
    “Yeah, you know the one. When you
go home with a gorgeous, charming guy and the mystery taxi comes and replaces
him with a complete prick while you’re sleeping. One that gets up in the
morning and is absolutely nothing like the man you went to bed with. Mystery
taxi, Rose, it’s the only possible explanation”. I could only nod through my
laughter. I knew exactly what she meant.
    “I can’t get off the bus forever
though, I’m thinking of trying the internet next,” she laughed. I couldn’t
understand why Joy had struggled so much since she’d split with Jon. Confident
and naturally pretty with long chestnut hair and huge green eyes, she was one
of the nicest and funniest people I knew. “It’s a bit tricky though living with
the parents again, I can’t exactly bring a string of men back here, they’d
freak. I’m saving up to buy one of those new apartments near the sea front. My
dream place.” she smiled.
    “They’re lovely, Joy and right
next to all the bars so not too far for you to stumble home,” I said.
      “Why do you think I want one? Anyway, how are
you getting on at the beach house, do you know who’s bought Joe’s place? It’s
quite the mystery in town. I’ve seen Harry once but he’s not talking, and no
one has ever seen the new owner, except Mr Hong. Apparently he calls in early
for a takeaway some nights. I started hanging around there myself when I heard
a guy had bought the house, trying to get a glimpse of him, you know... just in
case,” she winked, laughing. I could imagine she wasn’t the only face in town
loitering at Mr Hongs on the off chance. I bet his early evening business had
never been so brisk.
      “I never saw him though and all those noodles
were playing havoc with my thighs so I stopped going. I’ve come to the
conclusion that he must be some sort of recluse with a major deformity,” she
said and I raised my eyebrows at this.
      “It’s a good Job you didn’t get a glimpse
then, Joy, you would have fallen off your chair” I laughed.
    “Why?” she gasped, unable to
contain her curiosity, “is he hideous?”
      I took a very deep breath. “No, Joy” and I
couldn’t stop the broad smile that was spreading across my face. “He’s a
fucking God”.
    The afternoon flew by as I filled
Joy in with every detail of the gorgeous new addition to the town. “So what’s
the back story?” she quizzed and I had to admit I didn’t know yet.
    “But you’ll be the first to find
out as soon as I do. I’m cooking him dinner tonight,” I smiled.
    “You lucky bitch, you’d better
text me to let me know how it goes. It looks like I might have to live my love
life vicariously through you for a while,” she laughed.
    “Well I think that’s jumping the
gun, Joy, it’s only a neighbourly dinner,” I explained, not sure who I was
trying to fool the most as my stomach exploded in a flurry of butterflies just
at the thought of it.
    “Bollocks,” she said quickly. “If
you fancy him, you need to bag him and fast. If this guy is half as hot as you
say and word gets out, you’ll see more than the odd dog walker out at your place.
There’ll be naked beach yoga going on outside your front door,” she grinned.
    “Probably, and you’ll be the one
running the class,” I laughed. We giggled at the prospect as I stood up to
leave and I hugged my friend again. “It’s been great to see you, Joy” and it
really had.
    “Text me later, let me know how
it goes,” she winked.
      “If I can get a damn signal,” I said, leaving
a £20 note on the table for the wood and making my way out to the car. The day
had passed in a blur. It was four o’ clock already.
    I didn’t see Sam as I drove up
the