‘He’s got permission from the authorities for me to help out in the evenings and at weekends if I so wish. I’m booked onto a refresher course this weekend, so can start immediately after that.’
‘And are they going to be paying you for it?’
She was frowning. ‘What is all this about, Leo? Yes, I will be paid at the rate for temporary employees, and I’m looking forward to being by the sea and being on hand to help anyone who might need me.
‘It must be a wonderful feeling to be needed, though I wouldn’t know. I’d begun to think that was all going to change, but I was wrong, wasn’t I? Should have known better and taken note of what Lucy and Maria have told me—that you have only to give them a glance and half the women of the village would come running.’
That was one for him, he thought, cringing at the implication, but it was only partly true.
He’d spent a major part of the previous twelve months driving to and from Manchester to look after his mother while at the same time trying to hold on to the position in Bluebell Cove, which he’d only just settled into when she’d become ill. If his sister hadn’t come over from abroad and offered to take their mother back with her, he would have had to leave the place that he’d fallen in love with on sight, the same as Amelie had.
Ethan had proved a good friend in those dark days by keeping the position open for him, even though he hadn’t been there half the time, and he wasn’t ever going to forget that.
Maybe he had gone off the rails a bit when his sister had stepped in. He’d been on a high after months of pressure, but it didn’t mean he’d slept around or deliberately gone out of his way to attract the opposite sex. The reason for that had been because he’d never met anyone who could replace Delphine until now and here she was, sitting on a rock, licking a cornet and wanting him gone.
He hadn’t come down to the beach to preach the gospel according to him, as she’d described it. It was a matter of needing to know that she was all right, and maybe get some feedback on that kiss. But after the conversation they’d just had he was beginning to wonder if it had actually happened. If he’d made her even more disgruntled with him, it would be just another mountain to climb.
‘Is Ronnie coming back, or what?’ he asked.
‘No. He would have done, but I told him not to, that I would stay until the light went and that would be it. After all, there are enough notices around the place to warn the people who come here of the currents and the fast tides.’
He was looking around him. The beach was deserted except for a man walking his dog, and the light was going already, so he said, ‘The light has almost gone and I know the guy with the dog. He’s one of my patients who has lived here all his life and isn’t likely to get himself into any trouble down here with the comings and goings of the tides. So I’ll walk you back to the village.’
‘Do I have a choice?’ she asked coolly, concealing her pleasure at the thought.
‘No, you don’t,’ was the reply. ‘I am not leaving you down here on your own. It will be dark soon and in future don’t be so generous with your offers to our friendly neighbourhood lifeguard.’
‘Don’t be so crabby!’ she exclaimed, unaware that he wasn’t sure if his suggestion that she help out on the beach had been a good idea.
‘I’m not,’ he told her, ‘but I know what you’re like.’
‘No, you don’t!’ she declared. ‘I can be strong and inflexible if I have to…so take care.’ She was smiling but it didn’t reach her eyes and he wondered whether she was referring to the past or the present.
On the walk back to their respective dwellings they chatted about local events, the surgery, the weather, everything but themselves, and when they reached her gate she was wishing him goodnight and whizzing up the drive with her door key in hand as if she was wary of him asking to come in.
There had been no likelihood of that, he thought. The wish to do so had been there, but after the hurt he’d caused the other night it wouldn’t be the right thing to do.
In the days that followed they both still kept to his suggestion that they cool it. Their only lapses had been the kiss and their meeting on the beach when she’d been filling in for Ronnie.
The only time they were in each other’s company now was at the practice, and both kept contact there down to the minimum. She was miserable and lonely, and he was causing much speculation amongst his socialising friends by never being available when it was party time.
Harry was the only person who guessed what was going on and he said nothing but thought a lot, along the lines that Leo was crazy if he was keeping the young French doctor at a distance. She was good at the job, a charming young woman, and he was a great guy.
But remembering all the ups and downs and misunderstandings that he and Phoebe had had before it had all come right, he could sympathise with Leo, whose attractions seemed to cause more misery than pleasure in his life. But something told him that Amelie would not be swayed by outward appearances, she would need more than that.
The stalemate between them was still in place the week of the Big Summer Picnic that was held on the field behind the village hall. It was free, the only thing asked of those who attended was that they bring their own food and drinks, otherwise it wouldn’t be a picnic.
Amelie was looking forward to it as something to break into the routine she had fallen into of surgery and beach on weekdays, and the beach again for most of the weekend.
One of the most painful things about cooling it with Leo was them living so close to each other. When she looked across at his apartment it was as if it was a tree bearing forbidden fruit, beckoning her to come and taste. She sighed at the stupidity of the way they were behaving, but if ever they were to put an end to the painful pretence they were involved in, Leo would have to be the one to do it because it had come from him.
He looked on the closeness of their homes as a mixed blessing. It was comforting to know she was so near, but agonising not to be able to talk to her, hold her, and the blame for that was his alone for not facing up to the past.
Until now he’d never met anyone who’d made him feel uneasy about the memory time warp he was caught up in, but with the coming of Amelie a voice in his mind was telling him to look to the future and forget the past. But he’d lived with the memory of Delphine for a long time, so would he be able to put it to one side and find happiness with Amelie?
Most of the surgery staff were going to the Big Summer picnic and, knowing how interested she was in any local event, he was pretty sure she would be amongst them. So if nothing else they would be around each other for a few hours if the warm lazy days of summer that had become a regular thing over the last few weeks didn’t disappoint the picnickers.
He’d promised the vicar’s wife he would be around all the time in case of accident or injury, and knew that Harry would also be there with Phoebe and little Marcus. And with Amelie also amongst those present, health and safety would be well represented should the need arise.
He had been right when he’d thought that Amelie wouldn’t want to miss the picnic. The days were long without him in her life when she was away from the surgery. Even the time on the beach with Ronnie, which she really enjoyed, didn’t make up for his absence. So she was hoping he would be at the picnic, if only for the chance to be near him in a less restricted way than when they were working.
She set off for the village hall with a picnic basket optimistically holding enough for two, and knew she could be asking for a disappointment, yet it was worth a try.
He was there before her, supervising the erection of a carousel beside the large marquee that was always provided in case of rain. But today the skies were blue and the sun was beaming down graciously on to the scene below.
There was excitement in the air and soon the community feeling that such occasions brought forth would take over with a local band in place and the revellers ready to enjoy themselves.
Leo had seen her arrive and his spirits lifted.
So far so good, he thought. The moment he was free he was going to go over and ask if he might join her, and if Amelie said yes he would take it from there, and if she said no, well…
She was chatting to Ronnie and his family, who had just arrived, and the last thing he wanted was for her to be drawn into their circle.
Jenna and Lucas hadn’t arrived yet and surprisingly neither had Harry and Phoebe, but no doubt they were on their way. Then all the folks he enjoyed being with would be there, with his lovely French doctor top of the list.
The hierarchy of the Balfour family were expected, but would not be staying long as it might get too noisy for Barbara in her frail state. But she was insisting on attending, as anything that gave her the opportunity to be with those who were looking after her beloved practice in the same way that she had was a pleasure that didn’t come often enough.
As they’d been about to leave the headland to take the road into the village, she’d asked Keith to turn the wheelchair round so that she could see the scene that was as familiar as her own face.
The sea bounding onto the golden sand with the same kind of power and purpose that she’d once had, and the cliffs rising towards them, worn by the sea and kissed by the sun with seabirds swirling above them, and in the distance the green and fertile fields of Devonshire.
‘I love this place more than life itself, Keith,’ she’d told her husband.
‘Yes, I know you do,’ had been his gentle reply, and he’d pointed the wheelchair towards the village once more.
‘When we get there, put me in a sheltered spot under a tree, will you?’ she asked. ‘I’m going to have a nap before everyone begins to arrive.’
‘Yes, anything you say,’ he told her, and thought he must have said that a thousand times in their long life together.
When they reached the main street there were lots of folk about and they waved or called across to them, and Keith thought Bluebell Cove was Barbara’s reason for living. It happened all the time when he took her out. The respect and affection that was always there went a long way to make up for her having to retire because of her lack of mobility, which had been followed by serious heart defects, but he knew more than anyone that inside she was the same old battling Barbara whose patients had been her life’s blood.
There was only a scattering of folks there when they arrived at the field behind the village hall. Soon there would be lots of noise and excitement and then they would leave as it would be too much for his frail wife.
So he did as she’d asked, left her to rest in a secluded spot with the branches of an old oak tree protecting her from the rays of the sun, and went to have a word with Leo, who was helping members of the events committee erect the various kinds of amusements that would be there to entertain the picnickers.
There was no sign of Harry and Jenna, the other two Balfours, but both had young children to cope with and Keith and Leo were not unduly surprised. It would be unheard of for the members of that family not to be present on such an occasion.
As Amelie watched the two men chatting together, she had no idea that Keith had claimed Leo’s attention just as he was about to approach her, so she was envisaging spending the time with Ronnie’s family, who were lovely but not who she wanted to be with today.
Leaving her picnic basket on a nearby table, she began to stroll around the field, admiring the sideshows and carousel and taking note of the instruments, mainly guitars and drums, already in position on the stage.
As she came to the end of the field where there was less to see she gave a casual glance in the direction of the wheelchair and its occupant and paused. She’d only spoken to Barbara Balfour once, when she’d been invited to supper at Harry’s, and had liked the elderly doctor’s straightforward manner.
Feeling that she looked rather lonely there beneath the trees, Amelie went across to speak to her. As she approached it seemed that she was asleep with her head back and eyes closed, but when she reached her side she saw that it wasn’t sleep that was holding her so still. She’d seen it so many times before in hospital.
By this time Keith had gone to talk to other friends and Leo, who had been observing Amelie’s progress around the field, was about to join her. He could see her at the far end, bending over Barbara, and thought it was good that the two of them were getting to know each other.
When she looked around her to call for help he was coming towards her, and she cried, ‘Leo! Come quickly!’ then turned back to the woman in the wheelchair. He was by her side in seconds and saw to his dismay that she was trying to resuscitate Barbara who, at a glance, had already passed on to another life.
‘It’s no use. You are too late, Amelie,’ he said sombrely. ‘It could have happened some time before you found her and with no one around to see, she probably had a massive heart attack and was gone.’
So far they had been unobserved but now Keith was on his way back to check on his wife and something in the way they were bending over her made him quicken his step. When he stood looking down at the woman who had given her life to her patients and left only a little of it for her husband and child, he said soberly, ‘I think she knew it wouldn’t be long. As we were setting off to come here Barbara asked me to stop while she had what turned out to be a last look from the top of the headland at all the places she loved so much.’
‘Jenna and Lucas have just arrived. Will one of you go and fetch her? It will be a great shock, though again maybe it won’t. I feel that Lucas, as Barbara’s cardiac consultant, will have prepared Jenna for this.’
‘I’ll go, Amelie, if you’ll stay here with Keith,’ Leo said, and she nodded gravely. Soon the field would be full of those out to enjoy the day. It was vital he get to Jenna quickly.
He found her chatting to friends with Lucas holding Lily in his arms, but his expression caused the chatter to dwindle into silence and into it he said gently, ‘It’s your mother, Jenna. Amelie found her a few moments ago down at the bottom of the field. She tried to resuscitate her but I’m afraid it was too late.’
Lucas passed the baby to one of their friends and with his arm around Jenna’s shoulders they followed him to where Keith was seated by his wife’s body on a chair that Amelie had found for him.
From that moment of extreme sadness the news began to filter around the field that battling Barbara Balfour had fought her last fight, that a failing heart had been the victor this time.
An announcement was made to say that Barbara had passed away and a minute’s silence was called for before the local undertaker and his assistants arrived to take her to the chapel of rest.
There having been three doctors present, one of them her cardiac consultant who had seen her in the last few days, it meant there would be no necessity for an inquest, and everyone present stood with heads bowed as the sad little procession left the field.
When the vicar would have cancelled the event Keith had said not to, that, knowing Barbara’s love of Bluebell Cove and its inhabitants, she would want it to proceed, and with that thought in mind the band began to play again, the carousel began to turn, and children ran around excitedly, exactly how Barbara would have wanted it to be.
When the picnic was over Amelie and Leo walked back towards the surgery together. The events of the afternoon had made their differences seem minor. They’d managed the time together that they’d been yearning for, but under the worst possible circumstances, and still there was no sign of Harry.
‘Where can they be?’ Leo said as they sat in the garden of the house.
‘It will hit Harry hard, losing Barbara. From what he’s told me, the Balfours were good to him when his parents lost his little brother and were so wrapped up in their grief that he got pushed to one side. It was Barbara who persuaded him to come back to Bluebell Cove when he lost his wife, and it was here that he met Phoebe, who he adores.’
At that moment Leo’s mobile rang and when he picked it up Harry’s voice came over the line. ‘I thought I might find you at Amelie’s plac
e,’ he said. ‘I take it that the picnic is over.’ His voice had a lift to it that had to mean he didn’t know that Barbara was no longer in the background of his life as she had been for so long.
‘Er…yes,’ Leo said uncomfortably, dreading what was coming next,
But Harry forestalled him by announcing jubilantly. ‘We have a daughter, Leo! Phoebe and I have daughter and Marcus a little sister. Did you wonder where we were? She went into labour a couple of weeks early in the middle of the night, so we wrapped Marcus, who was sound asleep, in a blanket and drove to the maternity unit at Hunter’s Hill. The baby arrived just before lunch.’
‘That is wonderful news! Are they both all right?’
‘They’re fine and so is Marcus, who is trying to take it all in and wanting lots of love. I’m on top of the world, Leo, and must go as the obstetrician is due on his rounds any moment.’
‘Before you go, there is something that you need to know,’ Leo told him sombrely, wishing himself anywhere but at the other end of the line to the ecstatic new father. ‘Your Aunt Barbara passed away at the picnic this afternoon. I am so sorry to be the bearer of such sad tidings in the midst of your joy, Harry.’
There was silence for a long moment then Harry said chokingly, ‘What time did she die, Leo?’
‘The church clock had just struck one when Amelie found her under the trees in the wheelchair. Why, what are you thinking?’
‘That was the time our daughter came into the world. I had a feeling that it might be. As one life ended, another was beginning. Where are Keith and Jenna? I must speak to them.’
‘They are all back at the house on the headland. Hopefully your wonderful news will help to lessen their heartache a little.’
Leo’s expression was sombre as he put the phone down and Amelie thought that Antoine had done her a favour when he’d turned his attention to another woman. If he hadn’t, she would now be living a mundane life with a mundane husband. Would never have met the man sitting opposite her who had just done his best to soften the blow he’d inflicted on Harry in the midst of his rejoicing.
Summer Seaside Wedding Page 9
