The Single Mums' Picnic Club

by Jennifer Joyce

  ‘Do you think we have enough?’ George was quickly running out of space to store the food, with every available space filled with tubs and bowls – and that was after Frankie had taken a load to store in the beach hut earlier – but she couldn’t help worrying.

  Katie placed a hand on her back. ‘We have plenty. We’ll probably be eating mini bagels for breakfast for the next two weeks.’ George nodded, though she was still totting up totals of each item in her head. ‘I think we should start getting ready. I don’t know about you, but I’m not all that keen on hosting this party in my scruffs and with patches of flour in my hair.’

  George had splashed out on a new outfit for the occasion, teaming a bright pink waterfall blazer with a floaty, floral-print dress and pink ballet flats. She hoped the overall effect was fun and beach worthy yet professional. She’d never launched a business before, but Katie assured her she looked the part.

  ‘Look at you two,’ Frankie said when she arrived at George’s flat. ‘Very fancy.’ She looked down at her sandy jogging bottoms and T-shirt. ‘I really need to change.’

  ‘You go and get ready.’ Katie took the van’s keys from her. ‘We’ll get this lot packed up and take it down to the beach and then I’ll pick you up.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Frankie started to back up towards the door. ‘Isaac and the twins have gone to pick Mum up now, but Jack’s still down at the beach so you’ll have another set of hands.’

  George’s stomach flipped at the mention of Jack, which was ridiculous as she’d known the man for months and in all that time her stomach had behaved itself. But suddenly Jack wasn’t just another parent she sometimes chatted to in the school playground. He was a man who’d kissed her, however briefly. The first man she’d kissed since her last relationship ended seven years ago.

  ‘I’ll, er, just grab some of the boxes.’ Feeling her cheeks starting to warm at the memory, George made a dash for the kitchen before her friends started to tease her. She was a woman in her forties, which was too old for blushing over a man.

  With the van loaded with boxes of picnic food, Katie drove down to the beach. Frankie, Isaac and Jack had done a wonderful job setting up and decorating, with bright bunting, paper pinwheels, and bunches of balloons secured with seaside-themed weights. A traditional seaside photo wall with cut-outs for guests’ faces had been set up for photo opportunities, as well as a net for a volleyball tournament later that afternoon. There would also be a sandcastle-building competition, with prizes of free family picnic deliveries for the best creations.

  ‘What time are Elliot and Lizzie getting here?’ George asked as they unloaded the van and carried the boxes down to the beach hut. It was still quite early and already the sun was beating down onto the sand, so hopefully the weather would hold and provide them with a glorious day to present their business to the town. Clifton-on-Sea had suddenly burst into life during the approach to summer, with shop owners throwing up the shutters along the seafront and displaying everything you would want from the seaside; a whole colour spectrum of buckets and spades and beach balls, a rainbow of rock and sugar dummies, and trays of fudge in every flavour you could imagine. There were souvenir magnets and keyrings, postcards to send home with beautiful shots of the beach and harbour, and the tackiest T-shirts, hats and aprons that you would only buy while on holiday. The arcades enticed families and groups of teens with their flashing lights, pulsing music and the promise of prizes, while the pier beckoned with fairground rides, sugar-sprinkled doughnuts and wispy candyfloss. The town was putting on its best show and the locals and tourists were flocking to join in the fun. Hopefully, the promise of free food and entertainment would tempt a good chunk of them to the beach for the launch party.

  ‘Rob’s bringing them down in time for the opening.’ Katie pulled a face. ‘He’s bringing Anya and the baby.’

  ‘Oh.’ George would have put an arm around her friend, but they were full. ‘How do you feel about that?’

  Katie shrugged. ‘It’s good that he’s being supportive, I guess. It’s just…’ She shrugged again. ‘A bit too soon for socialising. I’ve just got my head around the divorce, you know? But it’ll be fine.’ She gave a determined nod. ‘I’ll be fine.’

  Once all the boxes were unloaded, Katie headed to Frankie’s to pick her up, leaving George and Jack alone. They’d seen each other in the school playground since their date, but this was the first time they’d been alone.

  ‘Thank you for helping out.’ George indicated their patch of the beach. ‘I really appreciate it. We all do.’

  ‘Any time.’ Jack smiled shyly. ‘You look beautiful, by the way.’

  George’s eyes widened, startled by the compliment. When was the last time someone had told her she was beautiful? It was so far in the past, she couldn’t recall. She couldn’t even remember how she was supposed to react, and so she stared dumbly at Jack until he started to walk away.

  ‘Can you give me a hand with something?’ Jack called over his shoulder before he disappeared inside the beach hut. Giving herself a mental shake, she hurried after him, squeezing into the tiny amount of space remaining inside the hut.

  ‘What is it you…’ she started to say, but her words were cut off as Jack kissed her, and this time it wasn’t the innocent brush of lips they’d shared on her doorstep.

  George would have quite liked to stay hidden in the beach hut, snogging the local plumber like a teenager behind the bike shed, but there was too much work to do. While George and Frankie carried on with the set up on the beach, Katie and Jack headed up onto the promenade to distribute flyers to people passing by. George couldn’t help glancing his way as she arranged the food on the tables, a smile playing on her lips as she thought about that kiss. She hoped there would be more of them. Lots more.

  ‘Here’s Mum.’ Frankie’s words shook George from a daydream involving a gushing pipe and a very wet plumber who was forced to strip off… She blinked the image away and followed Frankie as she headed towards the stone steps, where Frankie’s family were about to reach the sand. Skye tore off towards the beach hut, where the buckets and spades were ready for the sandcastle-building, while Finn continued to grasp hold of his grandmother’s hand.

  ‘Mum, come and meet George, the star of our picnic business.’ Frankie presented George with a flourish, while George batted away the compliment.

  ‘I just make the sandwiches. I couldn’t do it without Frankie and Katie’s expertise.’

  ‘It sounds like a team effort.’ Frankie’s mum smiled at George. ‘It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you, and I’m looking forward to sampling all the delicious food Frankie keeps telling me about.’

  ‘It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you too.’

  Frankie’s mum turned to her daughter. ‘She’s probably told you I’m a frail old lady who can’t be left alone for five minutes.’

  ‘I have not.’ Frankie rolled her eyes before turning to her brother. ‘George, this is my little brother, Isaac.’

  ‘Ah, yes, I recognise you now. From the school.’ Since Frankie had mentioned her brother was a teacher at the school, George had tried placing a Mr McCarthy, forgetting Isaac was her stepbrother and didn’t necessarily share the same surname. ‘You’re Mr Thompson. My son, Thomas, goes to Southcliff.’ George felt her gaze moving towards the promenade, involuntarily seeking out Jack. She spotted them further along, slowly making their way towards the pier as they handed out the flyers. She had to force herself to tune back into the conversation around her.

  She continued to seek Jack out throughout the morning. As she set out stacks of plates and cups, as she introduced her mum to Christina and Isaac, as she arranged the cupcake display and unloaded bottles of water, juice and fizzy drinks. Finally, as the last few minutes before the official launch time ticked down, Jack and Katie joined them on the beach again.

  ‘Have you got a minute, Jack?’ She pressed her lips together in an attempt to keep a straight face as she ba
cked towards the beach hut. ‘I could really use a hand with some heavy lifting.’

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Frankie

  The beach was heaving; a combination of the warm weather and the efforts of Katie and Jack as they’d directed people down towards the beach hut with the promise of free food and entertainment. The party hadn’t been officially launched yet, but already the picnic blankets were full of potential new clients. Then there were yet more people who hadn’t been fortunate enough to nab a blanket and had laid out their own blankets or beach towels, and there were even a handful of deckchairs set out. Although there would be entertainment later, families had already started to amuse themselves with kite-flying and sandcastle-building, and a teenage boy had perched on the stone steps to play his guitar.

  ‘Have you seen George?’ Frankie checked the time and her stomach churned. They were supposed to be starting their beach party in a couple of minutes, but Katie had taken more flyers up to the promenade in a last-minute attempt to entice people to join them and George was nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Which one is George?’

  Frankie wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and tried not to snap at her brother. ‘I introduced you earlier. Her son goes to your school.’

  ‘Ah, yes.’ Isaac pointed towards the beach hut. ‘She went in there a minute or two ago.’ He reached out to grasp hold of his sister as she started to move towards the huts. ‘Um, Frankie? You know your other business partner? Is it her?’ Frankie looked towards the promenade, where Isaac was pointing out Katie as she handed out the flyers amongst the crowds.

  ‘Katie?’ She nodded. ‘Haven’t I introduced you yet?’

  ‘There’s no need.’ Isaac cringed. ‘Why didn’t you tell me Katie was your business partner?’

  Frankie frowned. ‘I did. You heard Mum earlier – I haven’t shut up about the business for the past few weeks.’

  Isaac shook his head. ‘You always referred to them as “the girls” or the picnic club. You never once mentioned Katie.’

  Frankie scoffed. ‘Of course I did.’ She narrowed her eyes at her brother. ‘Wait, how do you know Katie?’

  Isaac opened his mouth to speak, but Frankie turned at a commotion behind them. The arrival of Alex and Jake was causing quite a stir as the dog almost took down the photo wall – while a couple were posing for a souvenir snapshot.

  ‘Oh, God.’ Frankie flashed an apologetic look at her brother before she hurried over to check on her guests.

  ‘I’m so sorry.’ Alex was shamefaced as he apologised to the couple, but Jake had already won them over by flopping onto the sand and showing off his belly for a rub, which the couple were obliging. ‘Sorry. He tugged on the lead and took me by surprise.’ This time he was apologising to Frankie, but she reached up onto her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

  ‘Don’t worry about it. It looks like he’s charmed his way out of it.’ She laughed as Jake heaved a great big sigh of appreciation at the fuss he was getting. ‘Thanks for coming. How long have you got before you have to go back to the hotel?’

  ‘I’m yours for the rest of the afternoon.’

  Frankie slipped her hand into Alex’s and offered a tentative smile. ‘I know it’s early days for us, but my mum’s here.’ She looked across the beach, where Finn and Skye were busy burying her mum’s feet in the sand. ‘Do you maybe want to meet her?’

  Alex gave her hand a squeeze. ‘I would love that.’

  Frankie’s stomach was churning with nerves again as they made their way across the sand. Her pace slowed as she neared her mum and the twins, but Jake powered ahead, signalling their arrival before Frankie was ready.

  ‘Jakey!’ Skye was elated by the arrival, while Finn inched nearer to his grandmother as Jake tugged at his lead in an attempt to reach them faster. While Skye adored the boisterous beast, her brother wasn’t quite as enamoured.

  ‘Hello.’ Frankie lifted a hand awkwardly, feeling strangely bashful around her own family. ‘Mum, I have someone I’d like you to meet.’

  ‘I take it you don’t mean the dog.’ Christina’s hands had disappeared beneath Jake’s shaggy fur as she kept him at arm’s length to prevent a thorough licking.

  Alex tugged on the lead. ‘I’m sorry. He has no manners whatsoever and is in no hurry to learn any.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it.’ Christina gave a wave of her hand. ‘I just generally like to be better acquainted before I find myself on the receiving end of a passionate kiss.’ She winked at Alex while Frankie held in a groan. ‘You must be Alex. I’ve heard a lot about you.’

  Frankie’s mouth gaped open. Her mum made it sound like Frankie had been wittering on about him constantly when she’d barely mentioned him. And then it dawned on her. Isaac! She was going to throttle her gossipy little brother.

  ‘You’re the one who’s put the smile back on my daughter’s face. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen again, so thank you.’

  ‘And you must be Christina, the fabulous lady who likes to dance the Macarena on table tops.’

  Christina winked at Alex again. ‘Only on very special occasions.’

  Jake slumped to the ground as Skye reached for him, more than happy to receive more belly rubs. Even Finn was inching closer now, growing curious about the giant dog.

  ‘He likes his belly to be rubbed.’ Alex crouched down beside the dog and demonstrated. ‘Isn’t he a big softie?’ Skye nodded and copied Alex with slightly clumsier fingers. Jake didn’t seem to mind and was lapping up the attention, his head thrown back and eyes closed. Finn shuffled towards his sister and reached out with a hesitant hand, his movements slow as he placed a hand on the dog’s belly. A giggle erupted as he met the soft fur.

  ‘Alex?’ Skye stopped tickling Jake’s belly to pull on his sleeve. ‘Can we take Jakey for a walk?’

  ‘If that’s okay with your mummy?’ He looked up at Frankie, who nodded.

  ‘Just a quick one, and then I have to get back to work, okay?’ She held out a hand to help Christina up off the sand. ‘Are you coming for a quick walk with us, Mum?’

  Christina gave a wave of her hand. ‘You go and enjoy yourself. I’m going to soak up the sunshine while I have the chance.’ She waved the four of them – plus Jake – off as they wandered down towards the shore, smiling at the image of the perfect family unit.

  Chapter Forty

  Katie

  Katie raised her hand as she approached Rob and the kids. She’d seen them arrive earlier, but she’d been preoccupied with handing out the flyers on the promenade and hadn’t been able to chat. Anya was there too, with the baby sat on her hip, the yellow sunhat covering the blonde curls that reminded Katie of Lizzie when she was small. She wasn’t sure how she felt about seeing Rob’s family – half of them members of her own family, the other half definitely not – but she was determined to be grown up about the situation. She wouldn’t scream or shout, she wouldn’t run away like she had the last time they’d come face to face with Anya. She would be civil, say hello, even if she couldn’t quite make eye contact with Rob’s new partner just yet.

  ‘Thank you for coming.’ She offered a smile and found it didn’t make her gag.

  ‘Thanks for inviting us.’ Rob’s eyes flicked to Anya and their daughter before his gaze returned to Katie. He gave a slight nod of his head, as though acknowledging the effort it had taken Katie to include them all. She’d had an inner battle with whether to invite Rob at all, but in the end she’d wanted a fresh start, wanted to put the anger and resentment behind her, and that meant wiping the slate clean – or at least trying to. She couldn’t pretend Rob was on top of her Christmas list, but he was there, somewhere near the bottom, among the friends she hadn’t seen since school and the great-aunt and uncle she only communicated with via festive messages of goodwill.

  ‘I’m starving,’ Elliot grumbled. ‘Dad wouldn’t let me eat breakfast.’

  ‘That’s because you got up five minutes before we were due to set out.’ Ro
b caught Katie’s eye and gave a slight shake of his head, in a ‘what is he like?’ motion. She was jolted, unused to seeing those kinds of gestures of solidarity between them anymore. They were no longer married and she wasn’t sure they’d ever be friends, but they still had the kids and years of shared experiences between them. Perhaps their family wasn’t quite as fractured as she’d thought. Perhaps they could still work together, for the sake of the children.

  ‘Why don’t you sit down?’ Katie gestured at a picnic blanket that had become available. ‘We’re a bit late starting, but I’ll bring some food over as soon as I can.’

  Katie headed towards the beach hut in search of Frankie and George, but she stopped when she heard her name being called. Turning around, she was surprised to see her handsome teacher heading towards her – though she didn’t suppose he was her handsome teacher any more. She should apologise. For treating him rather poorly. For avoiding him like the plague ever since she’d ended their fling. For never asking what his name was before she slept with him, repeatedly.

  ‘Hey.’ She lifted her hand as he approached, but it felt like a lame gesture and she dropped it again. ‘Thanks for coming.’ She was surprised he had, that he hadn’t avoided her like the plague after the way she’d treated him. ‘And I should have said this sooner – like weeks and weeks ago – but I’m sorry. For everything.’

  ‘It’s okay.’ He shrugged. ‘I get it. You weren’t ready for a relationship.’

  ‘No. I wasn’t, but that doesn’t excuse my behaviour.’

  ‘We don’t always behave as we normally would when we’ve been hurt.’

  She smiled, but it was tinged with sadness. ‘Why do you have to be so nice?’

  He laughed. ‘You want me to be a git?’

  ‘It would help.’ She was smiling unreservedly now. ‘Anyway, thanks again for coming. I would have officially invited you if…’ She trailed off and looked down at the sand.

  ‘If you knew my name?’ He quirked an eyebrow. ‘Or where I live?’