The crowd cheered and whistled and then collectively took a sharp intake of breath as Ned pushed himself up on to his one leg. Jude and Nora were by his side instantly supporting him.
‘I’d like to say my piece, if I may. The lifeboat house is falling apart. It’s old and decrepit and has seen better days. Not unlike meself.’ His voice was hesitant and wheezy.
In the distance I saw Archie near the rocks with Ellis. Ellis was running around naked and poor Archie was trying to catch him and persuade him to put his Batman suit back on. I nudged Molly and we both stifled a giggle.
Ned gave a phlegmy cough and tried again. ‘You might think it would be nice to see it all smartened up, perhaps with a shop in it, or some fancy flats, instead of looking at its scruffy woodwork and the great gaping holes in the roof.’
Jude shot me a look of concern which I echoed: where was Ned going with this, exactly?
‘But once our boat house has slipped from our hands, it’s gone for ever.’ His eyes misted over and Nora clutched his arm. ‘This is a piece of our history, it represents the life that I lived, and my dad, and my grandfather before him. In its day it was as important to our community as the police station or the church. If we let it go to developers, we’re saying we don’t care about our heritage. It’s already disappearing. Look around us, what signs are there that Brightside Cove was once a thriving fishing community? The quayside has all but been taken over by a car park and the only working fisherman is not even a Devonian. There might never be enough fish in these waters for it to support us again, but the lifeboat house should stay to serve its community as it has for the last hundred years.’ He sought Katrina Berry from the council out in the crowd and doffed his cap. ‘My dear girl, over to you, do the right thing. That’s it.’
He dropped back into his chair. He looked exhausted, his chest rising and failing with the effort.
The crowd erupted with applause. Jude stepped forward and cleared his throat.
‘Go Jude!’ yelled one of the football mums. Someone else wolf-whistled.
He gave the group a lopsided smile and held a hand up to calm them down.
Honestly. It was like his own private fan club. I realized I was sucking my cheeks in peevishly and released them immediately. Out of the corner of my eye in the distance, I noticed two figures walking briskly along the path on the headland towards us.
‘All we’re asking for is a chance, Mrs Berry.’ He found the young woman from the council, whose cheeks were still flushed from being singled out by Ned. He beckoned her forward and she walked up to us as if pulled by a magnetic force. She was in a smart skirt, sensible heels and held her briefcase in front of her like a shield. Jude clasped his hands together. ‘A chance. Please.’
‘It’s Miss,’ she said coyly. ‘I’m not married.’
I just about managed not to tut. Not another one. Jude fixed her with his hazel eyes. ‘Can we show you our proposal, please? Before the auction? Just hear us out, that’s all we ask. You’ve seen from the turnout how deeply we care about this.’ He lowered his voice, focusing all his attention on her. ‘I beg you.’
Miss Berry almost swooned. The crowd was motionless, everyone waiting to hear her response. She flipped open her diary and flapped through the pages.
‘Very well,’ she said in a breathy voice. ‘I do have one space for another meeting, take it or leave it. I’ll see you a week today at the council chamber, but I want to see proper, costed proposals, not an airy-fairy list of ideas.’
Jude looked at me, seeking approval. I thought my heart would burst at the smile on his face when I nodded.
‘Yes! We’ll take it.’ Jude raised both arms in the air in triumph.
The sound of whistling, whooping and hollering would have given even the crowd at an England home game a run for its money. Eliza squealed and kicked her tail in the air, and Molly and I hugged each other.
‘Thank you, Miss Berry,’ Jude continued. ‘And thanks everyone for your support, that wraps things up for today, make sure you’ve signed the petition and I’ll keep you updated on our progress.’
‘And three cheers for Jude Trevone,’ cried Nora in a shaky voice, raising her fist. ‘Hip, hip!’
‘HOORAY!’ yelled the crowd in response. Including me.
Jude flapped his hands up as if to say it was nothing. But I could see how thrilled he was with their reaction. People started to move away except Miss Berry who leaned forward as if expecting him to shake her hand, but he didn’t, he turned to me and took my hands.
‘Thank you, Nina.’ His eyes bore into mine and pathetically my knees went weak. ‘I couldn’t have organized any of this without you.’
‘My pleasure,’ I cooed, pursing my lips as I said it, hoping that he’d get the hint that kissing me right about now would be a good idea. ‘And actually you totally could have done this without me.’
‘OWOWOW!’
Everyone looked round to see where the caterwauling was coming from.
Striding towards us up the beach was Archie carrying Ellis in his arms. Archie looked very pale, Ellis’s face was pink and blood was pouring from his foot.
Molly nearly tripped over herself in her haste to get to them through the departing crowd. ‘What’s up, kiddo?’
I raced beside her. Eliza got to her feet, or rather fin, but stayed in the boat.
‘I’m so sorry,’ said Archie in a shaky voice. ‘My fault entirely. He stood on something sharp in a rock pool.’
He looked at me and pulled a wretched face. Poor Archie, and he was trying so hard to impress Molly.
‘My foot hurts, Mummy; you can see the meat and bones.’
‘Oh don’t.’ Archie shuddered. I stifled a smile despite myself; Archie and blood did not go well together. I remember Mum leaving a leg of lamb in the kitchen to defrost once and blood had seeped over the plate, on to the worktop and dripped a puddle on the floor. Archie had come home from school, taken one look at the bone sticking out of the lamb surrounded by blood and thrown up.
Molly pulled a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed Ellis’s foot. ‘That will need stitches. Damn. This is when I really regret not having passed my driving test.’
‘I’ll drive you,’ Archie offered in the next breath. ‘No problem, the least I can do.’
Molly bit her lip. ‘But we’ll drip blood all over your nice car.’
‘What car is it?’ Ellis asked in a small voice.
‘A clean one,’ said Molly dully.
‘Come on.’ Archie marched up the slipway.
‘Here!’ Eliza pulled a towel from her bag and chucked it to Molly as they passed on their way to Archie’s Range Rover. ‘Put his foot on that to protect the upholstery.’
Archie shot her a look of eternal gratitude and Eliza winked back.
‘First law of mermaid club: always be prepared for damp patches.’
She peered round at her own wet backside. ‘Talking of which, I think this boat is leaking. Can someone help me out?’
I got one side of her and Jude the other, and together we heaved her out so we were all standing on the slipway.
‘Stick her on my lap if you like,’ Ned offered with a throaty chuckle. ‘I’ll give you a ride.’
‘You see, Nora,’ said Jethro quick as a flash, ‘you wouldn’t get that sort of comment from me.’
‘I think we can manage, thank you,’ I said breathlessly, casting a wistful eye on the distance from here back to the boat house.
‘Nina, dear heart?’
I froze. No one else called me dear heart, except … it couldn’t be. I spun round as best I could with Eliza’s arm draped over my shoulders to find Maxine and Mr Carmichael on the slipway.
Maxine was looking decidedly green around the gills, and Mr Carmichael’s head was spinning round like a CCTV camera trying to absorb all the action going on around him.
‘Are you all right?’ I gasped. Which was probably a stupid question given the colour of her face.
‘Seasick,’
she spluttered.
She sank down on to the front edge of the rowing boat, causing it to pitch and she fell into it. Mr Carmichael hauled her out and sat her down, wiping his hands on his waterproof trousers.
‘Boats,’ she wailed. ‘Never again.’
‘That fisherman drove over every wave on purpose,’ Mr Carmichael spat disgustedly. ‘He could see Maxine was suffering.’
Ned pushed himself up in his chair. ‘You can’t avoid the waves, you blithering idiot,’ he blustered, going red in the face.
‘Now, now,’ said Nora, patting his shoulder.
‘Bloody tourists,’ Jethro put in.
‘Where have you come from?’ I asked.
‘Big Dave set us down on the other side of the headland,’ said Maxine wearily. ‘We’ve walked across from there.’
Katrina Berry coughed loudly. ‘I’ve got to get to another meeting. See you next week.’
Jude adjusted Eliza’s weight and managed to shake Katrina’s hand and thank her again. And then his eyes found mine.
‘One week today,’ he said softly. ‘You will still be in Brightside Cove then, won’t you?’
I nodded. ‘Just try stopping me.’
‘What precisely is going on?’ Mr Carmichael fumed. ‘Why are all these people here and the boat house doors open?’
‘I’m so sorry, Nina,’ Maxine murmured, dropping her head into her hands.
Someone came over and handed her a glass of water. At least I think it was water, it might have been one of the writers from Brixham with a glass of wine. Whatever it was, she gulped at it.
‘It’s okay.’ I peeled myself away from Eliza and went to Maxine’s side and gave her a hug.
‘I’m waiting for an answer,’ said Mr Carmichael imperiously.
Jude pulled himself up to his full height. ‘We at Brightside Cove are planning on keeping the boat house for our own purposes.’
Mr Carmichael gave a hollow laugh. ‘Shame, because I’ve got other plans.’
‘Oh yes?’ Jude’s voice had taken on a low menacing tone and goose pimples pinged up all over my scalp. ‘Care to share them?’ He extended an arm to the remaining people on the slipway. ‘I’m sure we’d love to hear, wouldn’t we, folks?’
‘Don’t be preposterous, why would I do that?’ Mr Carmichael scoffed.
‘Whatever they are, we don’t want them.’ Jethro sniffed.
Jude shrugged. ‘Well, may the best man win,’ he said, coolly.
‘Don’t be absurd,’ Mr Carmichael spat at him. ‘The best offer will win.’
‘That settles it, then.’ Jude gave him an icy smile. ‘You lose. My team is unbeatable.’
He was including me in that. A glow spread over me and I gripped Maxine’s clammy hand in mine.
‘Unbeatable?’ Mr Carmichael threw his head back and laughed. ‘A one-legged man, a mermaid and an out-of-work actress. Very quirky, I’m sure, but at the end of the day money talks.’
I shivered a bit at that; it was the sort of thing Archie would say.
‘Why, you …’ Jude squared up to Mr Carmichael, letting go of Eliza, who dropped with a thud back into the boat. The bow of the boat see-sawed up and caught Mr Carmichael’s backside. He was flung forwards, almost falling into Ned’s lap. Nora took aim and kicked him in the nuts. Jethro punched the air and Ned cackled with delight. Eliza and I were nearly wetting ourselves with the effort of keeping in our laughter and even Maxine made a noise halfway between a groan and a belly laugh.
‘Arrgghh.’ Mr Carmichael was doubled up, writhing in pain on his knees in front of Nora. ‘The truth hurts, eh?’ he wheezed.
‘It’s not the truth.’ Maxine staggered to her feet, pulling me with her. ‘You’re looking at a hero, an astute business-woman and …’ Her lips twitched into a smile. ‘Nina isn’t an out-of-work actress.’
‘Aren’t I?’ I stared at her.
Mr Carmichael put a hand out to steady himself and Jude helped him up.
‘I’m offering Nina Penhaligon the lead role in my new drama, The Holy Coast,’ Maxine said firmly.
‘Me?’ My heart thumped. ‘But … I thought … isn’t the lead role a vicar?’
She nodded. ‘A lady vicar. A kind and cheerful girl, everyone’s best friend.’
‘Yay!’ Eliza clapped her hands. ‘Well done, beauty!’
I swallowed. That was incredible. Me. Nina Penhaligon. The starring role.
‘We’ve got our first meeting on location in the Scottish Highlands. We’ll be travelling up a week today. We’ll be doing press shots too. I shall be spending the next forty-eight hours finalizing details.’
‘Oh no.’ My eyes met Jude’s. ‘That clashes with our presentation to the council. Maxine, I’m sorry but I can’t come.’
‘Nonsense, dear heart,’ she scoffed. ‘You do realize what this will mean for you? How important for the rest of the cast it is to meet their leading lady? No, I’m sorry you have to be there.’
‘But I’ve made a promise,’ I said weakly, feeling as queasy as Maxine still looked.
‘Listen to Maxine,’ said Jude resignedly. ‘Of course you have to be there. I insist. You deserve this. Congratulations.’
He smiled. A kind understanding smile. Which tore my heart. Maxine was still looking at me, puzzled at my hesitation. I hadn’t even given her an answer, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Jude. Surely he would see what this would mean to us – if there even was an us. This last week I’d thought there might be something there, a spark, a connection, but maybe I’d imagined it.
He swung Eliza out of the boat as if she weighed no more than a feather and carried her off to the boat house to change. I watched him walk away, willing him to turn around and beg me to stay. But of course he didn’t. The lump in my throat was threatening to choke me completely. I should be delirious with happiness, jumping for joy. But …
No more boat house campaign, no more Driftwood Lodge, no more Jude. Instead a part in a new drama. The part in a new Maxine Pearce drama – that was what I’d always dreamed of, wasn’t it …?
The Thank Yous
Thank you to Francesca Best, Hannah Bright, Julia Teece, Candy Ikwuwunna, Janine Giovanni and all the wonderful team at Transworld who add the sparkle and magic to make my books the very best they can be. Thank you to Hannah Ferguson, Joanna Swainson and Thérèse Coen at Hardman Swainson for waving the Team Bramley flag here and around the world.
Thank you to my wonderful writer chums who are always there with a word of encouragement and their cheerleading pompoms: Miranda Dickinson, Rachael Lucas, Jo Eustace, Lisa Dickenson, Alex Brown, Lizzie Lamb, June Kearns and Milly Johnson.
Thank you to the fabulous women I’ve met through my writing; they always make me feel a million dollars: Jane Streeter, Kim Nash, Harriet Bourton, Sharon Moore, Tracey Tyrell and Jackie Buxton.
Thank you to Lucy Salmon, whose cat, Mittens the kitten in the book is named after and thanks to the Lucas family whose dog Mabel is Jude’s much loved Springer Spaniel. Thanks to Ken and Mandy Buxton whose South American adventure inspired Kate’s trip. Thanks to Christie Barlow for her help in finding out from Emmerdale how top-secret storylines are handled by the cast and crew – all inaccuracies are mine! Thank you to Cath Cresswell whose love of a rock-solid itinerary inspired Catherine, the chief bridesmaid.
Thank you, and much love to my family: Tony, Phoebe, Isabel, Mum, Roger and Mary Monica for all the love, help and support you give me each and every day; I couldn’t do this without you.
About the Author
Cathy Bramley is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the romantic comedies Ivy Lane, Appleby Farm, Wickham Hall, Conditional Love, The Plumberry School of Comfort Food, White Lies and Wishes and The Lemon Tree Café. She lives in a Nottinghamshire village with her family.
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted, romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has been always an avid
reader, never without a book on the go and now thinks she may have found her dream job!
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You get in touch via her website or on social media.
Facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor
@CathyBramley
www.CathyBramley.co.uk
Have you read the other funny, feel-good novels by Cathy Bramley?
Settle down with one now – they are sure to put a smile on your face …
Ivy Lane
Tilly Parker needs a fresh start, fresh air and a fresh attitude if she is ever to leave the past behind and move on with her life. As she seeks out peace and quiet in a new town, taking on a plot at Ivy Lane allotments seems like the perfect solution. But the friendly Ivy Lane community has other ideas and gradually draw Tilly in to their cosy, comforting world of planting seedlings, organizing bake sales and planning seasonal parties. As the seasons pass, will Tilly learn to stop hiding amongst the sweetpeas and let people back into her life – and her heart?
Appleby Farm
Freya Moorcroft has been happy working at the café round the corner from Ivy Lane allotments, but a part of her still misses the beautiful rolling hills of her Cumbrian childhood home: Appleby Farm. Then a phone call out of the blue and a desperate plea for help change everything, and Freya heads home to lend a hand. As Freya summons up all her creativity and determination to turn things at the farm around, Freya is surprised as her own dreams for the future begin to take shape …
NB. Appleby Farm follows the story of one character from Ivy Lane who has gone off to have her own adventure. It’s a completely different story, though some of the Ivy Lane characters pop in. So if you like to meet up with old friends in books, read Ivy Lane first.
Conditional Love
A takeaway, TV and tea with two sugars is about as exciting as it gets for thirty-something Sophie Stone – until a mysterious benefactor leaves her an inheritance. There’s just one catch: in order to inherit, Sophie must agree to meet the father she has never known. Saying ‘yes’ means the chance to build her own dream home, but she’ll also have to face the past and hear some uncomfortable truths …
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