The door almost immediately swung open, the scent of cinnamon and fresh baking wafting out.

"Come in, come in. It's ever so cold out there, isn't it?" She smiled warmly, as the pair stepped inside.

"Absolutely bloody freezing." Louis nodded, "you better have the fire going."

"Of course I do." She chuckled, "now go in there and warm yourself up. And how are you Harry?" She turned to the quiet boy, taking his coat and hanging it up delicately.

"I'm okay." He said softly, "how are you?'

"I'm good thank you love."

"These are for you." Harry held out the flowers after she had ushered him into the living room.

"Oh, they're gorgeous! Thank you." She grinned, "I better go and put these in some water."

Harry sat down on the sofa next to Louis, playing with his hands as he looked around.

Barbara soon joined them again, sitting on the opposite sofa.

"Where did you get that?" Louis motioned to the painting hung above the fireplace, "I've not seen it before. It's lovely."

It was a painting of the cove, a black dog running along the beach.

"Oh," Barbara's face lit up, "that's Harry's. It's wonderful, isn't it?"

A dark blush coated Harry's cheeks as he looked down to his lap.

"That's Harry's? As in Harry sitting next to me Harry?" Louis asked in astonishment.

"Yep."

"You what? Since when have you been such a fucking brilliant artist?" He turned to Harry, though he could feel Barbara's pointed look so quickly added, "I'm very incredibly sorry for my language."

Harry just shrugged, looking up slightly with a shy smile on his face.

"Can't believe nobody thought to tell me that I have fucking Monet living under my roof. Again, I'm very sorry Barbara, it might be best to cover your ears."

"It's not that good." He said timidly.

"It is. It's amazing."

Harry didn't seem entirely convinced but gave a polite smile anyway.

"I'm being serious, you should paint the cats. They're like royalty so they'd love it."

"Maybe. If you want."

"Do you mean Jane's cats?" Barbara raised an eyebrow.

"Come on Barbara, let's be real." Louis threw up his hands. "They're basically my cats. They eat at mine and sleep at mine and spend all day at mine."

She just shook her head fondly, "I'll go and dish up dinner."

Louis turned to Harry expectantly, "so how often do you paint?"

"I've painted everyday since I've been here." Harry spoke, "and sketched."

"May I see some of your art when we get back?"

"If you want." Harry shrugged, "it's not the best though. It's average really."

And usually it annoyed Louis when people said that, because often they knew they were wonderful. But with Harry, Louis could tell that Harry truly believed that his artwork wasn't the best.

"If that," Louis pointed to the painting of the cove, "is anything to go by, your stuff is amazing."

They were interrupted as Bonnie bounced in, wagging her tail furiously as she sniffed at Harry first, then Louis.

"Hey Bon Bon!" Louis grinned, stroking her head, "how are you? See, you get my code! The cats don't."

Harry watched in amusement, "are you friends with all the animals on the island?"

"I'm friends with everyone but Mr French and the people who don't talk to me."

"Louis's just so lovable." Barbara chimed in as she placed three plates on the table. "Dinner is served."

"Thank you." Louis smiled, sitting down in his usual place at her table.

Barbara was like a grandmother to him, and he had spent a large amount of time at hers since he was younger, and whenever he wanted to talk about something he would go to her.

Harry sat down opposite, smiling when he saw his flowers in a vase in the centre of the table.

"They're beautiful." Barbara said when she noticed him smiling at them. "What would you two like to drink?"

"I'll just have water please." Harry said, too shy to ask for anything else.

"Do you have cherry wine?" Louis asked.

"I do. But since when have you liked cherry wine Louis?"

"Oh, I'm not keen, but Harry likes it." Louis shrugged, Harry looking surprised.

"I'll go and grab a bottle, anything you want Louis?"

"Just a beer please."

//

"So, what made you want to visit?" Barbara asked Harry.

"I didn't know anyone here." Harry answered simply, "it's not something I really want to talk about if that's okay."

"Of course, that's fine." She nodded, "how long are you planning on staying?"

"No longer than a month or two. Probably around a month." He swallowed, playing with his rings. "This is lovely by the way, thank you."

"Oh, I wish you could stay longer." Barbara sighed, "and thank you."

"Yeah, it would be nice if I could."

"If you do want to stay longer you know I won't have any complaints." Louis added, "as I've said, you're the best guest I've had. It makes it even better that you can bake."

Harry gave a small smile before returning to his food. "Is it okay if we don't talk about me?" He asked meekly.

Barbara nodded, looking understanding.

"Thanks. Sorry."

"No, no, don't apologise sweetie."

//

"I think I might go for a walk." Harry told Louis on the way back.

"But you have to show me your art." Louis pouted.

"It'll be better in daylight."

"Okay, but I think you should come back. It's cold and looked like there was gonna be a storm soon."

"Alright." Harry sighed, not wanting to disagree.

The two made their way back, keeping their heads down as the wind nipped at their skin.

"You know, I haven't actually explored the island yet." Harry said quietly.

"What? But you've been here like more than a week."

"I know, but I've always been either to the cliffs or the cove."

"You should head down to the quay. It's pretty down there with all the boats in the harbour. And there's a pub as well."

"I'll take a look soon. Which pub is the best?"

"Mine." Louis replied without skipping a beat.

Harry gave a small laugh, "obviously. But, I wanna see the others."

"Go to the one a few doors down on the other side of the street. It's called the Rose and Crown."

"Okay."

"The White Horse down on the front is nice as well. But my one is definitely the best."

"We'll see. I'll report back to you."

Louis just chuckled at that, unlocking his door. "Be careful what you say."

"Or what?"

"We'll see." Louis echoed, allowing Harry in first.

"I think I'll be heading to bed now."

"Okay, goodnight." Louis smiled.

"Night." Harry smiled back as he made his way upstairs.

Louis followed a few minutes later, entering his room and tugging off his jeans before climbing into his bed.

He wasn't stupid, and he could tell something was off with Harry, but he just couldn't work out what.

He suspected that the people from his past hadn't treated Harry well. Harry had hinted at it often, when saying how he wanted to be here because he didn't know anybody.

Harry was quiet, and it may have simply been because it was just his nature. Or he may have had something in his past that had made him like that.

Louis wondered if there was a way to help Harry, but he'd have to get to know him first.