‘Here.’ Sam yanked a black knit hat from his own coat pocket and tugged it down over her head. He smoothed the stray ends of hair behind her ears then tweaked her little snub nose the way he used to do when she was just this little bit tagging at his heels. ‘Better?’
She nodded, then hooked her arm through his when he would have turned away. ‘Hold up a minute, I want to talk to you.’
Until he’d worked out what he was going to do about him and Beth, he wanted to maintain the façade of indifference. ‘Let it go, already. Beth and I kissed a couple of times, it’s no big deal.’ He tried to shake her off, but she clamped on, dragging him around until he faced her.
‘I believe you, okay? That’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.’
Sam tipped up her chin. The dark circles beneath her eyes were from more than one too many glasses of wine. His grip on her face softened. ‘What’s the matter, Sis?’
To his horror, tears pooled in her eyes. ‘I’m so worried about Daddy.’
‘Hey, hey, it’s okay.’ Sam gathered her into his arms and hugged her tight. ‘Dad’s a tough old sod, he’s not finished yet.’
‘I heard him coughing yesterday, it sounds so painful. I…I thought it would be better by now, but it sounds just as bad as ever.’ Her voice sounded muffled against his thick jacket, but there was no mistaking the hitch in it.
Sam eased back so he could meet her eyes. ‘I had a long talk with him, because I didn’t really understand what was going on with him. His condition is chronic, I don’t think I fully grasped what that meant until I’d seen him struggling every day.’
Eliza sniffed, then nodded. ‘He’s not going to get better, is he?’
‘No.’ The admission cut his soul to the quick. Their big vital father would never be the same again. Using his thumb, he wiped a tear off her cheek. ‘But, with proper management and care, he won’t get any worse and there’s some room for improvement. He’s promised me he’ll follow the doc’s guidance more closely, and as the weather warms up a bit that’ll help him as well.’ He had to believe that. He had to believe there was still hope.
Her hand came up to cover his. ‘You would tell me if there was a problem?’
‘I swear.’ He crossed his heart, just like he’d done when she was little and made him promise something. Her warm laughter eased the knot in his chest. Slinging an arm around her shoulders, he steered her towards the ebbing tide to where Beth and Libby were strolling arm-in-arm just out of reach of the foam rolling over the wet sand.
Bending to pick up a stone, he skipped it out across the water, groaning when it sank into the waves after only three jumps. Eliza gave him a playful shove, then found her own stone. ‘That was rubbish, watch the expert at work.’ She twisted her body ninety degrees, flicked her wrist and sent the small projectile flying over the surf.
‘Five?’ Sam held his hands up in disbelief. ‘You cheated.’
Eliza blew on her fingernails. ‘Face it, Sammy, I’ve got skills.’
Laughing, he tugged her hat down over her eyes. ‘You’ve got something all right.’ The familiar pattern of their teasing warmed him through. He studied her, as she tugged the hat off with an exasperated sigh, then re-settled it on her hair. A flush of colour painted her pale cheeks, and her green eyes sparkled with laughter. She looked good, better than when he’d first seen her that morning. ‘The fresh air suits you.’
His sister spread her arms wide as she turned in a slow circle. ‘I love it here. I never feel quite myself anywhere else.’ There was a wistfulness to her voice.
‘Why don’t you come back? Martin must be able to find a decent job within a reasonable commuting distance. Heck, these days the kind of stuff he does can be done remotely.’
Her nose wrinkled in a little frown. ‘He’s doing really well at work, I don’t think he’d be keen to leave. Especially not when he’s being considered for a promotion.’
She didn’t look thrilled about the prospect, and he wondered why. A promotion would normally mean a pay rise… Before he could ask her about it, she spoke again. ‘Besides, what would I do here? There’s nothing for me locally.’
‘You could help me with the pub.’ It had been an instinctive response—The Siren was a part of her heritage as much as it was his. And she’d always loved the place. He could still recall her pride the first time their dad had let her work behind the bar. With her warm and welcoming personality, she’d be a huge asset to the place. It would also free him up to concentrate more on the restaurant. He’d been to see a local architect and plans were being drawn up ready for submission to the local council. Planning permission would take time, and he’d need it before he could approach potential investors for support.
‘You’re kidding, right?’ Eliza’s incredulous tone dragged him back from his daydreams.
‘Nope. I’m deadly serious.’ He put his arm around her shoulders. ‘I’m not suggesting you drop everything and move back tomorrow, all I’m saying is that there are options here for you if you want them.’ She tucked her head against his shoulder and they began walking again. ‘I’ve been talking to Mum and Dad about converting the old skittle alley into a restaurant.’
Eliza stopped in her tracks to stare up at him, eyes wide with wonder. ‘Oh, Sam! Your own place at last?’
He nodded, knowing she understood what it meant to him.
‘What made you think of the skittle alley?’
‘It was Beth’s idea, actually. So, what do you reckon?’
Eliza’s face was wreathed in smiles. ‘I think it’s perfect. The best of both worlds. Will you show me?’
‘Show you what?’ They’d been so busy talking, Sam hadn’t noticed Beth and Libby approaching.
‘Sam was just telling me about the restaurant he’s going to open right here in the bay!’ Eliza clapped her hands together.
Libby’s brows rose in surprise. ‘Here? Where?’
‘In the skittle alley beneath the pub.’ It was Beth who chipped in this time. ‘Isn’t it exciting?’
‘Can we see it? When are you planning on opening?’
Their enthusiasm was gratifying, if a little overwhelming. ‘Hold on a second! I haven’t even submitted the plans to the council yet.’
‘You have plans?’ Beth grabbed his arm. ‘Show us!’
Sam laughed. ‘All right, all right! I have some draft plans, there’s still some stuff to be finalised, but they should give you an idea.’ He herded the chattering trio towards the pub, the smile on his face growing by the moment. There was no hesitation from any of them that the restaurant would happen, and it strengthen his own belief.
His own place. There was still a long way to go, but he could do it. He would do it.
Chapter Thirteen
The walk on the beach, followed by an amazing hour poring over Sam’s plans for Subterranean had done them all the power of good. Filled with renewed enthusiasm for their own little makeover, they continued to make good progress with the painting.
Rolling another stripe of pale lilac onto the wall, Beth continued to turn over the issue sticking in her mind. From the conversation with Gina the previous night when she’d been ordering their pizza, and Libby and Eliza’s subsequent agreement, she would have to face up to the fact she wasn’t going to be able to just turn the sign on the front door and consider the emporium open.
The town was expecting a grand launch. Easter Sunday was just a few weeks away. Which meant she had a fortnight to plan everything if she intended to stick with the idea of being open in time for the first day of the school holidays. What could she do though? There’d have to be drinks of some description… Putting down the roller, she wiped her hands on the old T-shirt she was wearing and dug her phone out of her pocket. Maybe one of the big supermarket chains was having a deal on fizz. She said as much as she clicked open her internet browser.
‘That’s a good idea,’ Eliza agreed. ‘I can whip you up some canapes tomorrow—sausage rolls, a few vol-au-vents. Stuff you can
stick in the freezer.’
Libby nodded. ‘I’ll make you a couple of sheet cakes. We can cut them up into bit sized pieces. I’ve got a couple of new recipes I want to try out, so your guests can be guinea pigs.’
Beth paused mid-scroll. ‘When did you become the new Mary Berry?’
Her friend blushed. ‘I don’t want to sell fish and bloody chips forever, you know. I’ve got plans.’
This was news. Beth squatted on her haunches and ducked her head to catch Libby’s eyes under the shield of her heavy fringe. ‘I’m listening, Libs. What plans?’
A shy grin crossed Libby’s face. ‘I want to turn the chippy into a tea-shop. Not now, of course, but once Dad retires.’
She tried to picture Libby with her ever-changing hair and grungy clothes standing behind a pristine white counter serving up delicate desserts and fancy pots of tea and coffee. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it did. ‘I think that sounds fab, really wonderful. You know I’ll help you in any way that I can.’
Eliza crouched down next to her. ‘Me too, but let’s get one grand opening sorted out before we start planning the next one.’
Libby reached out to squeeze both their hands, the little grin bursting into a huge smile. ‘Thanks, both, and Eliza’s right.’ She turned to Beth. ‘Didn’t you say something about a Facebook group where you got in touch with those local artists? Why don’t you post something in there and see if a few of them will come along? They can talk about the stuff they’re selling through you. I’d love to meet the woman who makes that jewellery.’
‘What a great idea, I’ll do it now.’ Beth clicked open the app on her phone. A slew of notifications hit her, and she began to browse through them on autopilot. She’d posted a picture of the empty wine bottles and pizza boxes earlier and there were lots of likes, smileys and joking replies. If she was honest, some of the responses were from practical strangers. Collecting friends on social media was like breathing, something you just did without thinking about it.
Libby knelt up to glance over her shoulder. ‘Did you add a page on there for the emporium, yet? It’d be a great way to garner some interest in the place. And you’ll need a Twitter account too.’
‘And Instagram,’ Eliza chipped in. ‘You could take some really lovely mood shots of things in the shop—like those gorgeous scarves I saw hanging from banana monkey.’
‘Oh, I know! We should make him his own account. That could be a right laugh, and people love a gimmick.’ Libby clapped her hands. ‘We could take him on a tour of the town, post photos of him on the beach with a bucket and spade, with a bag of chips in his hands, that kind of stuff.’
Their enthusiasm was catching, and Beth’s mind started racing a mile a minute as the possibilities opened up before her. If she was really going to do this, then what better way to stamp her own personality on the place? If she had a page, then visitors could check-in when they came to browse, and she could run a few little contests…
As the ideas swirled in her head, she clicked on the little speech bubble which indicated someone had sent her a personal message. Still distracted, she frowned at the little sun-tanned profile picture of Charlie. Charlie?! Why would he be messaging her after all this time?
After the countless texts and messages he’d ignored she was tempted to do the same. Curiosity got the better of her though, so she clicked on the message and began to read.
Hi, stranger!!! Long time no speak. I hope all is well with you. I’m fine, crazy busy at work though. I’ve just had a promotion at work so things are SUPER stressful, as I’m sure you can imagine ☺ Look, I’m sorry for what happened before. You probably hate me (and I can’t say I’d blame you) but everything got really complicated and it felt like a clean break would be the best for everyone.
Anyway, I know you keep in contact with a few of the gang, and I didn’t want you to hear the news from anyone else.
A lead weight formed in Beth’s stomach. Had something happened to him? The rest of the message lay below the edge of the screen and for a second she was tempted to close the whole thing rather than use her thumb to scroll down. Whatever was going on with Charlie, it was no business of hers any longer. Hadn’t he made that abundantly clear when he’d cut her out of his life? Oh, who was she trying to kid? If she didn’t read on, it would prey on her mind. She scrolled down.
Kimberly and I have known each other forever. Our parents have been friends since university, you probably won’t remember but her dad and mine set up the partnership together. There was always this expectation that she and I would end up together.
‘B? Are you okay, you look really pale.’ Libby’s voice seemed to come to her from far away. The lead weight in her middle grew exponentially heavier, and Beth slumped down on the side of the cloth-covered bed. Swallowing against the bile burning in her throat, she continued to read the rest of the message.
We dated all through school, and it was all going swimmingly. Only, then I met you, and that put a spanner in the works.
Anyway, I don’t want to rake up the past, I just wanted you to know that Kimberly and I are engaged and there’s going to be a big announcement. I wanted to forewarn you, so it didn’t take you by surprise if you saw anything on here.
I know I didn’t treat you right, but I want you to know that I really did love you.
Let me know if you need to talk XOXO
‘Let me know if you need to talk?’ Libby snatched the phone away and started browsing.
‘Give me that.’ Beth made a grab, only to have her knuckles slapped by Libby who then turned away, eyes still locked on the phone.
‘Who wants to talk, what’s going on?’ Eliza leaned across Beth’s lap to try and see the screen. She tilted her head to one side and Libby turned the phone, so she could see better. ‘Married? Charlie’s getting married?’
‘According to this message he is.’ Libby clicked into Charlie’s profile and started scrolling through his photos. ‘God, look at this lot. They look like those people you see in the back pages of OK magazine—all trust funds and privilege.’ She looked up at Beth, her nose wrinkling like she’d smelt something nasty. ‘What did you ever see in him?’
Beth considered Libby’s question. Charlie had been everything she’d wanted in a boyfriend. Charming, good-looking, and attentive. She’d given him her heart without hesitation, and if his text was to be believed, he’d loved her too. But that sophistication, which had impressed her at first, had begun to grate. His attitude towards waitstaff in restaurants, his weary sigh if she asked a question he deemed naïve—he’d been just a touch too cynical, his humour a shade too cutting for her liking. She’d buried those doubts, put them down to the disparity in their backgrounds.
Now though she could see they had never really been suited. She’d been drawn to him because he was exactly the sort of man her mother had spent years telling her she should be with. The fact they’d fallen in love with each other didn’t negate the underlying dishonesty at the heart of their relationship. If Charlie had used her to try and escape his parents’ expectations, then she’d surely used him for the exact opposite.
The walls seemed to close in on her, and Beth stumbled to her feet. She needed to get some air, to get away from the concern in Eliza’s eyes, and the furious anger in Libby’s. They probably thought she was devastated by the news, but she didn’t know how to explain the guilt churning inside her. Unwittingly or not, she’d been the other woman. She’d been responsible for the break-up of a relationship. No wonder the others in the group had been a bit frosty towards her. Poor Kimberly.
Heedless of her lack of coat, and the slippers on her feet, Beth ran down the stairs, through the shop and out the front door. The stone steps leading to the beach were a few doors down from the emporium and she ran for them like a woman possessed.
A disgruntled flock of seagulls scattered into the sky before settling back onto the sand behind her. The beach was mostly empty, just a couple strolling hand in hand near the water’s edge a
nd a familiar figure, just a few feet away, wearing a bright orange high-vis vest with the words ‘Beach Patrol’ inscribed in big white letters across the shoulders.
Not in the mood to talk, Beth turned away too quickly, losing one of her slippers in the process. Her toes sank into the sand and she bent over to brush them off and try to shake the worst out of her slipper. A pair of black Wellingtons loomed into her eyeline. ‘Hello, lovey, everything all right?’
She closed her eyes and tried to rein in the tangle of emotions roiling inside her. Straightening up, she pasted on the best smile she could muster and greeted Libby’s father. ‘Hello, Mr Stone. How are you today?’
The big man grinned. ‘I’m very good, thank you. Did you forget your shoes?’
Beth laughed in spite of herself. ‘Looks like it.’
Mr Stone joined in for a moment, before his expression grew solemn. ‘You look upset, lovey. Are you sure you’re all right?’
‘What? Oh, no, I’m fine.’ Beth brushed a strand of hair off her cheek, surprised when her fingers came off wet. ‘I’m fine.’ Her shoulders heaved. ‘I’m really fine.’
Before she knew it, she was snivelling into the front of his thick sweater while poor Mr Stone patted her back with a big, clumsy hand. ‘Don’t cry. Shh, don’t cry.’
Get a grip, for goodness’ sake, she told herself. After a few more sniffles, Beth forced herself to straighten up one more. She pressed the palms of her hands against her eyes to try and stop the flow of tears. ‘So…sorry, about that. I’m just being silly.’
His hand patted her shoulder a couple more times before disappearing into his pocket to produce a neatly-folded pristine white handkerchief. He shook it out then pinched her nose between the folds. ‘Blow.’
Beth couldn’t help herself, and started to giggle. The noise came out more of a squeak with her nostrils trapped between his thumb and forefinger, making the giggles worse.
Spring at Lavender Bay Page 14
