The Single Mums' Picnic Club

by Jennifer Joyce

  Katie shrugged. ‘Yeah, little details like that.’ She peeked up at him briefly before returning her gaze to the ground. ‘I really am sorry. I treated you pretty badly.’

  ‘You need to stop apologising.’ She caught the movement of his shrug out of the corner of her eye. ‘We just wanted different things.’

  ‘There you go again, being understanding. It really is an annoying trait.’ She met his eye and couldn’t help smiling at him. ‘I wish things could have worked out better, but I was pretty messed up after Rob left.’

  ‘You’re not wearing your wedding ring anymore.’

  Katie held up her hand, fingers splayed. There was still the faint mark of where it had sat for over twenty years. ‘You’re looking at a divorced woman now.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘Don’t be. I’m feeling…’ She paused as she searched for the right word. ‘Okay about it all. Not thrilled, but I’m in a better place than I was.’ She tilted her head to one side, eyes slightly narrowed. ‘I think I might actually be happy.’

  ‘I’m glad.’

  Silence settled over them for a minute or two, the sounds of the waves and an Ed Sheeran song, courtesy of the guitar-playing teen, drifting towards them. There was a slight, cooling breeze, and Katie closed her eyes to savour this moment of contentment. Today had been a mammoth rollercoaster of emotion; she was about to launch her new business, she’d faced Rob and Anya, and now she’d put right a past mistake.

  ‘Katie?’ She opened her eyes as he spoke again. ‘I did get invited to the launch party today.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Frankie asked me to come.’

  Katie frowned. ‘Frankie?’

  He nodded slowly, the creases of a cringe beginning to form on his face. ‘My sister.’

  It took a moment for Katie to process the information. Frankie was his sister. He was Frankie’s brother. She’d known his name all along, she just hadn’t known it had belonged to her handsome teacher.

  Oh, God.

  She’d slept with Frankie’s brother. She’d had a fling with her friend and business partner’s brother.

  ‘You’re Isaac.’ Her hand flew to her mouth as her head whipped around to scour the beach. There was Frankie now, laughing as she wandered along the shore with the twins, Alex and the dog who had brought them together. Would she still be laughing when she found out about Katie and Isaac? Did she already know? Had Isaac known all along who she was?

  ‘I only realised today,’ he said, as though he’d read her mind. ‘When I saw you handing out flyers for the party.’

  ‘Did you tell Frankie?’

  He shook his head. ‘Not yet.’

  Katie’s eyes widened. Not yet? ‘Do you think we should?’ They could keep quiet. Never mention it again. It wasn’t as though they were in a relationship, and they wouldn’t be repeating those mistakes from the past.

  The thought filled Katie with disappointment. She hadn’t been able to commit to Isaac in any way back then, but she had enjoyed their brief time together. He’d made her feel desirable again after Rob’s infidelity had ground her confidence to dust, made her feel alive instead of the shell of a woman Rob had left behind when he’d started his new life without her. She owed Isaac a lot, even though she hadn’t valued him at the time.

  ‘I suppose we don’t have to tell Frankie,’ he said with a shrug.

  Could she do that? Keep it to herself? She wasn’t sure she was comfortable keeping secrets from her friend and business partner, but what if Frankie was angry with her for using her brother?

  ‘I think we should tell her.’ Katie gave a conclusive nod, as though trying to convince herself. ‘Otherwise it’ll be hanging over us.’ Even if she reacted badly to the revelation, surely it would be better in the long run?

  ‘If that’s what you want.’ They headed down to the shore, waiting until Frankie and her entourage caught up with them. Isaac raised his hand and beckoned his sister over, while Katie thought about dashing away and hiding. This was a bad idea. Terrible. What had she been thinking? Her gaze dropped to the sand, and she wished hard for the patch she was standing on to turn into quicksand and gobble her up.

  It didn’t, and she was forced to make the excruciating confession as Alex, the twins and his wild dog wandered back along the beach towards Christina.

  ‘Do you remember that fling I had a while ago?’ She couldn’t look at either Frankie or her brother as she spoke.

  ‘With Jarvis?’

  Katie nodded, still looking down at the ground. ‘Yes, except he wasn’t called Jarvis. I made that bit up.’

  ‘You told her I was called Jarvis?’

  Katie’s head snapped up. ‘I couldn’t tell her the truth, could I? That I didn’t even know your name after weeks of… well, you know.’ She was fascinated with the ground again, except now her cheeks were burning. She closed her eyes, waiting for the crumbling of her friendship.

  ‘You’re Jarvis?’

  ‘No, I’m bloody not.’

  ‘But you two… Oh, God.’

  Katie squeezed her eyes tighter.

  ‘All those details! They were about my brother. Eww!’

  Katie looked up to see Frankie with her hands over her ears. ‘We didn’t know. I had no idea Isaac was your brother.’

  ‘And I had no idea you knew Katie.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Katie thought about reaching out to Frankie, but she was too chicken and kept her hands clamped to her sides.

  ‘What are you sorry for?’ Frankie asked, and at first Katie thought she was requesting a list of her misdemeanours. ‘I’m not Isaac’s gatekeeper – he can see whoever he wants, as long as I don’t have to hear any of the details, because I’m feeling a bit grossed out right now. I’m never stepping foot in your hallway again.’ She pressed her lips together as a splutter of laughter escaped. ‘We have no secrets now, little brother.’

  ‘You’re not mad?’ Katie didn’t know whether to be relieved or suspicious, so she felt a mixture of both, which was rather unsettling.

  ‘Why would I be mad?’

  Katie had several reasons, but she kept it zipped. There was no need to rock the boat unnecessarily, after all.

  ‘At least I know who Isaac’s been moping about all these weeks.’ Frankie reached up and pinched her brother’s cheek, giggling as he batted her away.

  ‘Gerroff.’ Isaac took another gentle swipe as Frankie reached for the other cheek. ‘And I haven’t been moping.’

  Frankie grinned at Katie. ‘He really has. The poor boy’s smitten.’ She lunged at Isaac, ruffling his hair before she jumped out of range and skipped away.

  ‘She’s talking rubbish.’ Isaac did his best to rearrange his hair. ‘I haven’t been moping at all.’

  ‘So you’re not totally smitten with me then?’ Katie gave a faux weary sigh. ‘That’s a shame, because I was going to ask if you’d like to go out for dinner one day.’

  Isaac narrowed his eyes. ‘Out for dinner? As in, outside, in the real world instead of hidden away in your house? As in an actual date?’

  Katie shrugged. ‘On one condition: we go back to my place afterwards.’

  Isaac’s eyes narrowed further. ‘You only want me for my body, don’t you?’

  ‘Well, it is quite a nice body.’ She started to back away from Isaac. ‘Give me a call if you fancy going out for dinner – but remember that condition.’ The ball was firmly in Isaac’s court, but she was surprised by how much she hoped he’d call her.

  She winked at Isaac before she turned and headed back towards the beach hut so they could finally get this party – and the business - launched.

  The launch party was proving to be a huge success. More people had wandered down to the beach, especially once the volleyball game was underway (Katie and George took the executive decision not to take part, though Frankie had kicked off her shoes and was giving it a go). A handful of reporters had dropped by to speak to the trio about Little Seaside Picnics and were currently taking photos of Cecily and
Marinette as they posed at the photo wall. Frankie had managed a vague ‘we’ll see if we get the chance to cover it’ response from the free local paper but, after a tip-off from Cecily, a couple of nationals had turned up too. There was even a rumour that Granada Reports were sending a crew to do a short piece for an upcoming show. They were mostly interested in the local celeb, but hopefully Little Seaside Picnics would get a bit of free publicity too.

  By late afternoon, most of the food had been sampled and they’d taken bookings for a dozen picnic deliveries spread out over the following week, as well as a children’s party in few weeks’ time. The sandcastle competition had been a huge success, with prizes given out for the best structures and design skills, as well as vouchers for discounted picnics for all participants.

  ‘Almost time for a celebratory Prosecco,’ George said as she and Katie began sifting through the carnage, separating plastic tubs and bowls into boxes, ready to transport back to the flat, and filling bags with recyclable and non-recyclable debris.

  ‘I can’t wait.’ Katie had long ago removed her shoes, but her feet were throbbing.

  ‘We should make it a double celebration.’ George dropped a paper plate into the recycling rubbish bag. ‘Not only did we pull off this launch party, you managed not to bury your ex’s head under a giant sandcastle.’

  Katie sniggered at the thought. ‘I was very well-behaved, wasn’t I?’

  ‘It can’t have been easy.’ George added another paper plate to the bag. ‘I’m proud of you.’

  Katie beamed at her friend. ‘I’m proud of myself too.’ She gave a firm nod of her head. ‘I think I’ve taken a huge step in moving on. It certainly feels like it.’ She felt lighter, as though her chest had been weighed down before but now a space had opened up inside, allowing her to breathe more freely.

  ‘Have Rob and Anya gone?’ George looked towards the volleyball match, where most people had gathered.

  ‘They didn’t stay long.’ Katie gathered together a collection of plastic cutlery. ‘Elliot disappeared when Zara turned up and Lizzie found some friends to hang out with – so much for helping out, eh? I think Rob and Anya felt a bit awkward after that, so they said the baby needed a nap and left, but it was nice that they came. It showed that we can be in the same space without kicking off, at least.’

  ‘Shall we go and grab Frankie and have a sneaky glass of Prosecco in the beach hut?’

  Katie tied up her rubbish bag and dumped it with the other full bags. ‘Yes please. We’ve earned it.’

  Chapter Forty-One

  George

  It was the afternoon after the launch party – their first official day of business – and George was driving along the seafront in the van with the picnics to be dropped off; she’d already delivered two on the beach, and now she had one to drop off in the park, and another at the harbour.

  ‘Pier?’ She looked in her rear-view mirror, the landmark Ferris wheel on the pier slowly turning in the distance.

  ‘Nope.’ Beside her, Thomas shook his head. ‘Give up?’

  ‘Absolutely not.’ George slowed as they approached the stationary traffic waiting at the lights as a family headed across to the beach. ‘Pedestrians?’

  ‘Nope.’

  ‘People?’

  ‘No.’ Thomas shook his head again. ‘You’ll never get it.’

  George pursed her lips. ‘Is it inside the van or outside?’

  Thomas whacked a hand against his forehead. ‘That’s cheating.’

  ‘I just need a little clue, that’s all.’ George’s eyes scanned the dashboard for any P words she hadn’t guessed yet, but she came up with a blank. The lights changed, so they set off again. ‘Got it! Pedal?’

  Thomas shook his head. ‘Told you that you wouldn’t get it.’ His sing-song voice made George all the more determined to win this round of I Spy.

  ‘Pebbles?’ She couldn’t actually see any of the pebbles down on the beach from the road, but she was running out of ideas. ‘Poodle?’

  Thomas’ head twisted so he could look out of the window. ‘Where?’

  George shrugged. ‘Somewhere, I’m sure.’ She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. She was all out of ideas now. ‘Pineapple?’

  Thomas giggled and shook his head.

  ‘Princess? Peppa Pig? Pluto?’

  ‘The planet or the dog?’

  ‘Either.’

  Thomas shook his head. ‘Nope. Guess again.’

  She was still guessing by the time they stopped alongside the park. George hopped out of the van before helping Thomas down onto the pavement. She opened the back of the van and pulled out one of the wicker-effect cardboard carry boxes they’d ordered to transport their picnics. With the handles of the box in one hand, and the other clasping Thomas’ hand, they made their way towards the park’s pavilion, which was the meeting point for the delivery. The family were already waiting, and George felt a warm glow at the excited faces of the little ones as they delved into the box. Waving goodbye, they made their way back to the van and climbed inside. They were on their way to the harbour when George had to pull over as the phone they’d bought for business use started to ring.

  ‘Hello, Little Seaside Picnics.’ George felt that warm glow again. ‘How can I help?’

  She did a little jig as she hung up a few minutes later, having booked to cater a small garden party at the beginning of July. They were starting off with baby steps, but it looked like the business might just work after all.

  ‘Thomas?’ she said as they pulled away from the kerb. ‘It was P is for Picnic, wasn’t it?’

  She groaned as Thomas nodded and clapped his hands. She really should have got that one straight away.

  They made their final delivery before they headed home. George had no plans for the rest of the day, but she was eager to get started on planning the menu for the garden party. However, the menu would have to wait as she found a visitor waiting on her doorstep.

  ‘How was your first round of deliveries?’ Jack asked as she hopped out of the van.

  ‘Couldn’t have gone better. Everyone seemed happy with their picnics.’ She moved around to the passenger side and helped Thomas down. ‘And I’ve taken a new booking.’

  ‘Excellent. You’ve earned this then.’ He brandished a bottle of champagne from behind his back. ‘I know you celebrated with Frankie and Katie after the launch party yesterday, but I thought we could have a little toast of our own to mark your first day.’

  ‘That sounds like an excellent idea.’ If having a sneaky glass of bubbly with her lunch was a sign of things to come, she was going to enjoy running her own business very much.

  ‘Is Leo here?’ Thomas asked as they made their way to the communal front door of the flats.

  ‘I’m afraid not – he’s with his mum for the weekend.’ Jack ruffled Thomas’ hair. ‘But maybe you and your mum would like to come to our house for tea on Monday?’ He looked at George, his eyebrows raised in question. ‘If you’re not too busy, that is.’

  George shook her head as she slotted her key in the door and unlocked it. ‘A girl’s got to eat, right?’ She pushed open the door and Thomas barrelled inside. ‘And we’d love to.’

  Thomas plonked himself straight in front of the TV once they were inside the flat while George and Jack headed into the kitchen. They hadn’t eaten yet, but their lunch could wait a few more minutes. George grabbed a couple of glasses while Jack popped the champagne’s cork, pouring them a respectable measure for an afternoon tipple.

  ‘To Little Seaside Picnics.’ George raised her glass, but Jack shook his head.

  ‘To you.’ Instead of clinking his glass against George’s, he took a step forward, closing the small gap between them. Who needed champagne anyway, George thought as he kissed her. This was a much better way to toast her new venture.

  Epilogue

  In true British summer style, dark clouds had dominated the sky all morning, threatening the picnic George, Frankie and Katie had been plann
ing for weeks. George had been in a flap as her eyes constantly flicked from the food prep to the kitchen window, the frown lines she’d worn since waking that morning to grey skies deepening as the weather showed no signs of improvement.

  ‘It’ll be fine, George, honestly,’ Frankie said as she stepped out of the office and caught George staring balefully out of the window. Again. ‘The worst-case scenario is rain, and if that happens, we’ll just have the picnic inside. It’s no big deal.’

  George nodded, but the frown lines were still in residence. ‘I just wanted everything to be perfect.’

  ‘I know.’ Frankie stepped into the kitchen area of the new business premises they’d moved into two months ago and stroked George’s back. ‘And it will be, rain or shine. We’ll have good food, our loved ones, and a shedload of champagne. What more do we need?’

  George smiled now, the lines starting to fade. ‘You’re right. I’m worrying too much. We know more than anyone that you don’t need sunshine for a picnic.’

  Frankie laughed. ‘Little Seaside Picnics wouldn’t have lasted the year if we did.’

  The past year had been a bit of a whirlwind; they’d been kept busy with orders flooding in for both picnic deliveries and their catering services, and the weather wasn’t a factor at all. They’d organised indoor teddy bear’s picnics for the twins’ nursery, the local Brownies pack, and a couple of parent and child groups. They’d been a huge hit, and several of the parents had booked their own teddy bear’s picnics for their children’s birthday parties, so the service was now a permanent option on their website.

  Another fun option that had proved popular was their seaside-themed picnics, with ‘Mr Whippy’-style cupcakes, starfish-shaped sandwiches, and colourful paper windmills, which was popular both during the summer months when people could enjoy their picnics on the beach, and during the colder months when people wanted to bring the seaside to their homes.

  There had been several other packages added to their website, from unicorn and superhero themes, to romantic, champagne picnics and seasonal options, and one of George’s favourite aspects of her work was developing new ideas. Frankie had been kept busy managing their social media and her mornings were now solely allocated to Little Seaside Picnics. It meant she’d had to take on less freelance branding work, but she loved helping to build their own brand. To begin with, Katie and George had continued with their part-time jobs while running Little Seaside Picnics, but as the business grew, George had switched to working full-time on the business and Katie would be following suit within the next few months. She’d enjoyed working at the golf course, but her passion lay with Little Seaside Picnics and she loved nothing more than sitting at her desk in their new premises and getting stuck into work, knowing she was building the business for herself and her family. The summer season was about to kick off again, which meant there would be hectic times ahead. And their picnic lunches were not only popular with couples and families, they also had regular custom from local businesses, who ordered food for meetings or corporate events, and they also provided individual, mini-picnic lunches, which they delivered to offices and businesses across Clifton-on-Sea and the neighbouring town. Their business was growing steadily, and the three women couldn’t be prouder.