Page 147 of In at the Deep End

Robbie’s owner handed Matt a piece of carrot. “Here, give that to him.”

Matt thanked him, then held it out. Robbie crunched it into bits in seconds.

The other guy glanced at their bags. “Are you staying here?” When Owen nodded, he looked towards the bar. “Alex is around somewhere.”

Matt gave him an inquiring glance. “You wouldn’t be Martin Simpson, would you? The dinosaur expert?”

He blinked. “Wow. Didn’t realise I was that famous.” He grinned. “Yeah, that’s me. Who’s been talking about me?”

“My son, Callum, is a frequent visitor around here,” Owen told him.

Martin beamed. “I know Callum.”

Robbie’s owner chuckled. “Most people do.”

“Are you checking in?”

Owen turned to find a handsome man with a brown beard and piercing blue eyes standing behind them, a clipboard in one hand.

“Yes, we are. Double room for Owen Lane.”

The man’s smile reached his eyes. “You’re Callum’s dad, aren’t you?”

Owen gave another nod. “And you must be Alex.”

“That’s me. Give me a second to get your key, and then I’ll take you to your room.” Alex went towards the food ordering point at the rear of the bar.

Matt was busy gazing at the food carried by waiters. “This all looks so good. And I’m ready to eat.”

“Then isn’t it a good thing I booked us a table when I booked the room?”

Matt’s eyes sparkled. “You think of everything.”

Alex walked over to them. “This way.”

Owen and Matt followed him through the bar towards a door at the rear. They turned right and went up the stairs. Alex stopped outside room 4.

“This is yours.” He unlocked it, and they followed him inside.

The first thing Owen noticed was the view. The window looked out towards the sea. Then he took in the rest of the room, which was done in shades of grey. A double bed, with a couch at the foot of it, and a door leading off into the bathroom. He smiled at the walk-in shower.

“Very nice.”

“I think it’s the best bathroom.” Alex tilted his head. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you? A while ago, though.”

Owen gave another smile. “I haven’t visited the island for a few years, but yes, I used to come to the Sleepy Dormouse with my husband, Ben.”

Alex’s eyes lit up. “That’s my partner’s name too. And I thought you looked familiar.” He handed Owen the key. “Breakfast is served from eight-thirty. Enjoy your stay. And welcome back.” Then he left them to it.

Matt peered into the bathroom. “After a day on the bike, a shower sounds like a great idea.”

Owen laughed. “This desire to get clean doesn’t fool me for an instant.” He walked over to Matt, slid his arms around his waist, and nuzzled into his neck. “But yeah, it’s a great idea, as long as we don’t take too long. I need to eat as well.”

“I have something you can eat.” Matt’s tone was positively wicked.

He burst out laughing. “My, but you’ve come a long way in a very short time.”

And Owen wouldn’t change a thing about him.