Author
Polly Babbington
In a little white Summer House at the back of the garden, under the shade of a huge old tree, Polly Babbington creates romantic feel-good stories including The Boat House PRETTY BEACH.
Polly went to college in the Garden of England and her writing career began by creating articles for magazines and publishing books online.
Polly loves to read in the cool of lazing in a hammock under an old fruit tree on a summertime morning or cozying up in the Winter under a quilt by the fire.
She lives in delightful countryside near the sea, in a sweet little village complete with a gorgeous old cricket pitch, village green with a few lovely old pubs and writes cosy romance books about women whose life you sometimes wished was yours.
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A Pretty Beach
Wish
Polly Babbington
Copyright
© Copyright 2020 Polly Babbington
Pretty Beach Kindle Edition
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
CONTENT
Author
Copyright
CONTENT
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Books for Babbettes
Secret Evenings in Pretty Beach
Chapter 1
Juliette Sparkles opened the back door of her house on Mermaid Lane and stepped out into the garden. The lawn was topped with a bright blue sky and butterflies fluttered over the old roses in the flower beds to the left. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful, she thought to herself, and lucky, very, very lucky. She then stopped again, shook her head, and changed her mind. Actually, no luck involved, just a lot of hard, exceedingly hard, work.
Juliette walked all the way across the lawn to the small sitting area at the back. She and Luke had cleared out the small section of the garden by the back fence, levelled it off, and then landscaped it with tiny white stones her friend Sallie had left from the renovation of her Orangery.
As Juliette walked down the path she looked at the small seating area in the suntrap and thought how incredibly pleased she was with how it had all turned out. She’d placed a couple of striped blue and white deck chairs and a side table in the middle with a huge white sun umbrella nestled over the top. Little terracotta pots she’d painted a pale pink full of lavender were grouped on top of the table, and a large lantern sat on the floor next to the deck chairs. Nestled up against the old stone Victorian wall, climbing roses laden with flowers dropped petals all over the white stones, and two huge grey pots with olive trees sat on either side of the deck chairs. Juliette had always fancied a couple of deck chairs and a white parasol in a little sun trap looking over a pretty garden full of flowers. Now, those wishes were no longer just that, now they were hers. Juliette Sparkles was living the dream.
Juliette, in a white linen frilled dress, slipped off her flip-flops, put a large glass jug of home-made lemonade down on the side table and sat back in one of the deck chairs. She looked all the way down the lawn to the back door and smiled at the sight greeting her.
Luke, in a pair of navy-blue shorts, barefoot and shirtless strolled down through the garden in the sunshine. Juliette watched him from behind her sunglasses and smiled to herself. Was it possible that he was getting more gorgeous? Possible that she loved him more? It seemed quite preposterous that either of those things were true. But, since he’d moved in with her and her daughter Maggie to Mermaid Lane she definitely loved him more. And she wasn’t sure how he’d managed it, but he seemed to be even better looking now than when she’d first seen him in the car park of the hospital in Newport Reef. He’s getting better looking and I’m getting plumper, she thought to herself.
‘What a day!’ Luke exclaimed, looking back towards the house and up at the deep blue sky.
‘I know. What a day for an extended weekend off work more like. Four days of nothing. We couldn’t have picked it better. Who wants to be anywhere other than Pretty Beach when the sun is shining?’
‘Tell me about it. I had my doubts about not going away. I thought we might get a run of rain and drizzle, but by the looks of the forecast, it’s going to be nice all week. All the better for the day trips we’ve got planned.’
‘Absolutely. If the sun is out like this and it’s this glorious, I’m actually quite happy sitting here with my feet up to be honest. Not sure if days out are what I want. I could just potter and garden and doze here all day long.’
‘Yeah, maybe we’ll knock a couple of the days out on the head. Just saunter down the beach with a picnic and get fish and chips on the way home.’
‘Sounds good to me. I couldn’t ask for anything more - no work, no worries and a weekend off with you. Bliss.’ Juliette said, as from behind her sunglasses, she continued to feast her eyes on Luke and the abs as he sat down on the deck chair beside her.
‘I’ve made the booking for the kayaks tomorrow though, so we’ll keep that,’ Luke said taking a sip of the lemonade. ‘Oh wow, glad I didn’t plump for the beer now. This is delicious!’
‘Long-perfected recipe Luke. It’s taken years. Holly said I should bottle it and put it in the shop as a Locals Only thing.’
‘You should. It’s really, really good. I didn’t think I would say that, either.’
‘I know. Trust me, it’s even better in the evening when the sun’s going down with a dash of vodka and a few ice cubes in it.’
‘You don’t need to tell me - I can tell it’d be nice with something a bit stiffer.’ Luke said as he scrolled through the weather app on his phone. ‘Okay, sorted, that’s what we’ll do tomorrow then. According to the weather on here, it’s going to be full sun and warm all day - we’ll do the kayak hire, then a BBQ and a vodka and lemonade in the garden
. Fancy that?’
‘I do, I certainly do. Will there be a nice ending too? You know, right at the end of the day,’ Juliette asked, giggling.
‘Juliette Sparkles, what are you proposing? Next thing we know you’ll be asking me to get a room. Oh no, wait, you already did that when we hadn’t even been going out very long. You wined me and dined me, and whisked me up to a hotel room at the end of the night.’
Juliette swirled the straw and slices of lemon around in her glass and laughed.
‘Has to be said Juliette, that night in the hotel is up there with one of the best nights of my life.’
‘Up there with? Not sure if I’m happy with that Luke. I thought that would have been the best night of your life.’
‘You’re kidding me! Have you forgotten the night I moved in here?’
Juliette smiled to herself. How could she have forgotten that night? The night when the trombones in her head had moved into a whole new league and entered the arena as a full-on all-singing, all-dancing marching band.
Chapter 2
Juliette, with her hair in a high ponytail, cut off denim shorts, oversized white t-shirt, and big sunglasses, held tightly onto Luke’s hand as they walked down the jetty to Pretty Beach Kayak Hire.
‘Are you sure this is a good idea, Luke?’ Juliette asked, nervously.
‘What do you mean? Look at the water - it’s a glorious day. You couldn’t ask for better and the bay is like a millpond. You don’t see it like this very often. Take it from me; these are perfect conditions.’
‘Hmm, I’ll take your word for it. I just don’t like the idea of falling in. I’ve always looked out wistfully at the boats when the weather’s nice in Pretty Beach. The dream version is me paddling along all confident, sea breeze in my hair, and then I think of the reality and, you know, ending up in the water. A bit like a drowned rat.’
‘You’d be hard pushed to fall in in one of those things,’ Luke said, pointing to the long line of orange kayaks tied up to the jetty rocking back and forth on top of the sparkling blue water.
‘What? There’s not a lot of chance of one of them capsizing?’ Juliette asked, lifting her sunglasses and peering at the line of kayaks assembled together.
‘Juliette, one of those won’t capsize, trust me. And even if something did happen, firstly, you’ll be wearing a life jacket, and secondly, I’m a swimmer, remember? I will be able to save my princess,’ Luke replied and winked.
‘I know. But I read an article that there are a lot of accidents out on the water - boating accidents are very common apparently.’
‘They are. If you are an idiot and don’t take safety precautions and don’t be sensible. You have Captain Sensible right here with you. Plus, I’ve swum in Dover harbour, and if I can survive that we can certainly manage this. May I point out also, Dover harbour did not, in any shape or form, look like this,’ Luke said, pointing out over the very blue, very flat bay of Pretty Beach.
Juliette looked up at the lighthouse far off in the distance and crossed her fingers in the pocket of her shorts. She knew she’d be fine, but she’d had a bit of an uneasy feeling about it all for some reason.
‘Maggie would have loved this!’ Luke exclaimed, as they walked over the old silvery-grey weatherworn slats of the jetty.
‘She would, true. It’s a shame she had the horse riding camp this weekend. I’m glad she’s more into horses and ballet though at the moment,’ Juliette replied about her daughter Maggie and followed behind Luke as they navigated their way over the creaking timber boards down to the end of the jetty.
As the sun shone and the kayaks bobbed around on top of the water, they walked up to the door of the kayak hire centre to see Ed the owner sitting inside the little cabin with Pretty Beach Radio playing on a small old-fashioned radio beside him.
‘Jools! Haven’t seen you for such a long time! How are you my lovely?’ Ed said with a huge smile, and hauled himself out of his chair.
‘I’m really good thanks, Ed. How are you?’
‘Can’t complain, can’t complain. I’ve had a lovely Winter off as it goes. We had a trip to Lanzarote for some sun, and now Anna’s cake decorating business is going gangbusters. In fact, it’s doing so well that I’ve been dragged into being the delivery boy. So much for semi-retirement.’
‘Ha, well no rest for the wicked, eh?’
‘Not at all! It all started with the wedding cakes she did for the Boat House and Sallie putting Anna’s stuff on her social media accounts. It’s making us a very tidy little income to fund our trips away. Now, what can I do for you? I didn’t see your name on the booking today.’
‘We’re here for kayak hire. Lovely day for it,’ Juliette replied.
‘It certainly is. Did you book? No Sparkles on here as far as I can see,’ Ed said as he scrolled through the bookings.
‘That’s because I didn't book it, Ed, Luke did - this is Luke, Luke Burnette, my partner.’ Juliette said and gestured to Luke and put her hand on his back.
Ed pushed his glasses up to the top of his head and looked at Luke. ‘Ahh, yes, I’ve heard a lot about you, Luke. Not quite had the chance to meet you yet though.’
Luke held his hand out to Ed and smiled. ‘Nice to meet you, and where would you have heard about me?’
‘Hmm,’ Ed said with a wink and rubbed his chin, ‘Might have been a bit of a kerfuffle about you in the Smugglers around Christmas time. Word on the street said you’d better watch yourself around our midwife,’ Ed continued and laughed.
Juliette smiled to herself. Being the local midwife in Pretty Beach was hard work, but came with many benefits including the people of Pretty Beach having her back, and she loved how that made her feel.
‘Ahem, yes, right,’ Luke replied and they all chuckled.
‘Rightio. So, we have the double kayak, two life jackets and one wet bag. That’s what you booked in for, Luke. Correct?’
‘Correct,’ Luke replied.
‘Okay. Seeing as it’s Jools, have it on the house. You can sling me a few beers next time you're in the pub, eh?’
‘Wow, thank you Ed, that’s so kind of you,’ Juliette said with a smile.
‘The Pretty Beach way, my lovely. This place will be teeming with tourists in not so long and I won’t have a free kayak to my name to be able to offer anyone.’
‘Very much appreciated. So nice of you,’ Juliette said as Ed started to take two red life jackets from the timber cubby holes behind him and popped a tablet open to an insurance form on the counter.
‘Fill that in and we’ll be away. One of the best days I’ve seen for a long time. Where are you going to head off to? Got yourself a nice picnic in there, have you?’ Ed said, pointing to the basket over Juliette’s arm.
‘We have. We’re heading to Darling and hoping not to capsize.’
‘Capsize! You’d be the first, Jools! I’ve been here, what, thirty years and that’s not happened yet.’
‘That’s precisely what Luke said too. He said even I wouldn’t be able to sink one of these.’
‘Luke was correct. Now follow me. We’ll get you out there in no time. Darling will be glorious on a day like this.’
***
Juliette paddled along behind Luke in the double kayak. All her reservations about capsizing and her falling in were long gone. Even with her limited nautical legs, she could tell that the kayak was stable and with Luke at the front leading the way she felt safe. Happy even.
It was calm and bright out on the clear water of Pretty Beach bay. The only ripples in the water were when a brightly coloured fishing boat chugged past, or a seagull dived down from above splashing into the sea.
‘Okay?’ Luke called back and twisted around to see Juliette.
‘Yep, I’m fine back here. What a beautiful day.’
‘We’ll head over there to Darling Beach, then. Chuck our stuff out and then chill out over there for a while. Suit you?’
‘Yes, absolutely. We’ll weave in and out between the boats all t
he way there, will we?’
‘Yeah. I love looking at the boats - especially the old timber ones.’
‘Cool, lead the way.’
‘Are you paddling, Juliette?’ Luke asked, as Juliette rested her oar on top of the kayak.
‘Of course, I am,’ she replied.
‘Funny that, feels like I’m doing the work up here all alone.’
Juliette picked up the oar again and leisurely paddled behind Luke as they pottered in and out of the old fishing boats and vintage timber launches. Juliette peered up at the boats from the seat of the kayak. Some of them looked like they hadn’t been used for years.
‘Some of these are beautiful. I’ve always fancied a boat even with my limited experience. It always seems so carefree to me. Pottering around out on the sea and all that.’
‘Me too. I had one for a while a few years ago, actually. It was all a bit of a palaver though, getting it on and off the trailer, so I sold it,’ Luke said, from the front of the kayak.
‘You’ve never told me that before.’
‘It never came up. So, you’ve always fancied a boat?’
‘Well yes, the idea of a boat. The idea of buying an old vintage one and then doing it up. Making it all pretty. The actual practicalities of it though, not so much... I was more thinking of the aesthetics.’
‘Don’t tell me and putting bunting on it.’
‘How did you guess?’ Juliette laughed.
‘Ha! I know you too well. You are the woman with a pink shed, Juliette. But I don’t think pink would quite be my thing where a boat is concerned. I can’t quite see myself sailing around in a pale pink boat, I can tell you that for sure.’
‘How did you know I’ve always wished for a pale pink boat? Do you have an x-ray into my mind?’
‘Not quite, but you are the woman with pink wellies, a pink kitchen table, and you painted a floor in your house pale pink.’
‘So, I did Luke, so I did,’ Juliette replied and giggled. ‘That’s what happens when you’re devoid of girly stuff for ten years because your ex-husband doesn’t like it - you go into overdrive.’
Twenty minutes later and with Juliette’s shoulders feeling like they were going to come out of their sockets, they approached Darling Beach. Luke pushed his oar into the sand until the kayak was nearly on the shore.
A Pretty Beach Wish Page 1
