by Fern Britton
She touched his face tenderly. ‘No, you don’t understand, do you? After all your years in the business, I’d have thought you understood loveydom! Henry didn’t mean me, he meant this.’ She took her phone from her pocket, scrolled through her gallery until she came to a series of photographs, and held it out for Ed to see.
Ed found himself looking at the most extraordinary theatre set – and it was clearly Charlotte’s design, he’d recognise her style anywhere. ‘What is it?’
‘The set of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It’s Henry’s production and my set.’
Ed knew his wife was supremely talented, but the innovative way that Charlotte had created an ice forest and integrated the vast wardrobe was extraordinary. He scrolled down: there was Badger’s cosy underground set, the White Witch’s palace, the stone table and Cair Paravel – it was breathtaking.
‘I can’t believe you’ve done all this.’ Though really he could.
‘The production’s been a huge success.’ She paused and took a deep breath. ‘Such a success that it’s transferring to the West End. Henry wants me on board – he’s asked me to go with him.’
Ed didn’t know what to say. Once again, he’d been struck dumb by Charlotte coming out with a momentous announcement that was going to change their lives.
He looked at his wife’s face and saw in it the same girl who’d told him she was pregnant all those years ago. The woman who had given up everything for him and for their family.
A brief look of anguish crossed her face, but then it was gone and she set her lips in a thin line. ‘Of course, I know I can’t go – Alex and Sam need one of us at home, and your job is too important to jeopardise. It was stupid for me to even consider it.’ She placed her glass on the table and made to stand up, as if the conversation was over. Ed pulled her back down and held her face in his hands. He was determined that this time he was going to get it right.
‘Charlotte Appleby, my beautiful, talented wife. You’ve given me more than I could ever have expected and you’ve done the most amazing job of raising our children. I’d be a big wet puddle of worry and stress without you to keep me steady. I would literally go to the ends of the earth if you asked me to. So, if this is what you want, then we’re going to make it happen.’
Charlotte looked at him, incredulous. ‘Do you mean that?’
‘Yes. I mean it more than anything I’ve said in my whole life. You’ve done your bit and now it’s my turn. I’ll tell Pen that she can promote Cassie. I can supervise from afar when necessary and do consultancy work, when I’m not too busy being a househusband, that is.’
‘You mean you’ll do all the cooking?’
‘Yes. I doubt I can manage a prawn surprise, but I think the world will thank me for that, don’t you?’
‘Hey!’ She gave him playful punch. ‘And all the cleaning?’
‘I’ll even wear a pinny.’
‘Why do I find that image strangely erotic?’
‘Because you’re a bit kinky?’
‘I thought you’d forgotten.’
‘Impossible.’ And, before he could say anything else, Charlotte straddled her husband and started to remove his clothes.
Epilogue
Charlotte shook her children gently awake as the sun appeared below the horizon.
‘We’re here.’
There was much moaning and groaning from the back.
‘Mum, why are we doing this again? We already did it on the way.’ Sam stretched his arms and let out a huge yawn.
‘I know, but this time we’ve got hot chocolate.’ She poured each of them half a beakerful from a brightly coloured Thermos. They all sipped at their cups for a few moments.
‘Ready?’ Ed asked as he collected up their cups.
‘No, it’s freezing!’
‘Then bring your blankets!’
He opened the door of the Volvo and the four of them headed along Stonehenge Avenue to the row of beech trees.
They sat down on a waterproof picnic blanket and settled themselves in. Molly gambolled around the field ahead, chasing the flocks of early-morning starlings as they started up their dawn chorus.
The rosy-coloured fingers of dawn crept above the horizon and the sun rose quickly into the morning sky, its golden rays illuminating the ancient triptychs of Stonehenge below them. They watched in silence.
‘What do you think?’ Charlotte asked the children, drinking in the sight. ‘This is the best time to see it. Are you more impressed this time?’
‘Maybe,’ said Alex.
‘I still think it’s a bit small,’ Sam said, then added quickly, ‘But it’s pretty cool, I suppose.’
Ed looked at his wife ruefully. ‘Kids are always difficult to please – there’s no such thing as perfection.’
‘No.’ But Charlotte wanted this moment to last for ever. The four of them, here together. Her family. ‘Except perhaps right here, right now.’ She leaned in to kiss her husband.
‘Urgh! Get a room!’ Sam and Alex shrieked, then ran away across the field, chasing after Molly, scattering the starlings as the sun rose over Salisbury Plain.
Read on for a sneak peak of Fern’s latest bestselling novel
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1
Autumn 1975
Greer’s mother had planned on sending her daughter to a small private school in Truro but her husband had soon squashed another of her dreams. ‘Trevay Infants’ was good enough for you an’ me, and it’ll be good enough for Greer.’ Which is how Greer was to meet Jesse again.
It was early September. Trevay had said goodbye to all the holiday-makers and could get on with being the small Cornish fishing port that it was.
Greer was in her uniform of grey pleated skirt and navy-blue blazer, with dazzling long white socks and shiny buckled shoes. She walked between her parents as they covered the five-minute stretch from home to school. She was nervous. She had never been left anywhere on her own before. As they got closer to the school, more and more children filled the narrow pavements around her. Some of them she recognised but barely knew. Her mother had few friends herself, having always put them off with an extreme shyness which was often interpreted as an unwarranted air of superiority.
In the playground, Bryn bent to kiss Greer. She might not be the son he had wanted, but she was everything to him. His sun and his moon. He would – and did – give her everything. ‘You be a good girl, mind.’
‘I will, Daddy.’ She put her arms round his neck and hugged him tight. ‘Will you come and get me when I’m finished?’
‘Aye.’
Her mother kissed her too. ‘Have a good day, darling. See you later.’
Greer watched as her parents walked out of the playground. Her father striding out and nodding at acquaintances, her mother trotting to keep up with him and turning to give one last wave to her only child.
Greer’s legs started to move towards the school gate and her parents and away from the school building. She was picking up her pace and tears were pricking her eyes. I don’t want to be at school. I want Mummy, she was saying to herself.
She was getting closer to the gate. She took a breath, ready to call out to her mother. She could see her father chatting to man in a fishing smock. Her mother was surreptitiously wiping her eyes while her father was laughing at something the man was telling him.
Greer’s lungs were now full and ready to shout to them. She opened her mouth but, before she could get any sound out, a small but firm hand caught her round the waist.
‘Where you going?’
The air in her lungs escaped soundlessly at the surprise pressure on her diaphragm. She struggled but was held even more tightly.
‘Hey. You’re going to get into trouble if you go through the school gates.’
Something in the voice made her stop and turn to see who her captor was. It was the crab fishing boy from the quay.
A woman carrying a handbell was walking through the playground. She began ringing i
t loudly.
‘Come on,’ Jesse said.
He took Greer’s hand and ran with her into the school.
A male teacher was standing inside the building, at the door to the school hall, identifying the new children. ‘New boys and girls, walk to the front of the hall, don’t run, and sit on the floor, cross-legged, facing the stage, please.’
Greer was feeling anxious but grateful to have Jesse’s hand in hers. Once they got to the front he let go of her and sat on the floor.
‘Are you a new boy too?’ she asked him, settling down next to him.
‘Yeah, but I know everybody ’ere. My brother comes ’ere too.’ He was looking over her head and smiling at someone. Greer followed his gaze and saw a fat, plain girl with her flame-red hair in pigtails, also sitting crosslegged, showing her knickers and waving at him.
‘Who’s that?’ Greer asked, feeling sorry for this unattractive-looking girl.
‘That’s Loveday.’
The fat girl bum-shuffled her way towards them.
‘All right, Jesse?’ she smiled.
‘Yeah.’
‘What’s your name?’ the girl asked Greer.
‘Greer. I am named after a famous film star who was very beautiful.’ Greer couldn’t help herself.
‘Oh,’ said Loveday, her smile pushing her fat freckled cheeks up towards her eyes. ‘That’s nice. I’m called Loveday after my dad’s granny.’
Jesse’s eyes were darting around the gathering faces. ‘Seen Mickey?’ he asked Loveday.
‘He’s there.’ Loveday pointed at an open-faced, tall and very skinny boy standing on the other side of the hall.
‘Mickey,’ Jesse called. ‘Mickey, come ’ere, you beggar.’
‘Who’s he?’ Greer asked Loveday.
‘Jesse’s best friend. Do you want to be my best friend?’
Greer had never had a friend and thought that she might as well start with this poor fat girl. ‘Yes.’
‘Can I tell you a secret then?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m goin’ to marry Jesse.’
Greer frowned. ‘Has he asked you?’
‘No. But I am going to marry him.’ Loveday smiled, then had a thought. ‘You can marry Mickey! That way we’ll all be best friends for ever.’ Greer looked at Mickey, who winked at her. She frowned back. Loveday was tugging at her sleeve and saying something. ‘Do you like Abba?’
It was a long day. The new children were introduced to their teacher, Mrs Bond, who took them to their classroom. Loveday grabbed two desks next to each other for her and Greer. Jesse and Mickey were a row in front. Mrs Bond called the register, explained a few school rules – spitting and swearing were not to be tolerated, hard work was to be rewarded – and lessons began.
Greer already knew her numbers and most of her letters. She wrote her name quite clearly on her new exercise book.
Loveday was impressed. ‘What you written there?’
‘My name.’
‘Really?’ She leant forward and poked Jesse in the back.
‘Ow.’ He turned round. ‘What did you do that for?’
‘Greer can write. Look.’ She showed him Greer’s book.
He looked at Greer, ‘Did you write that?’
‘Yes.’
‘Clever.’
With that one word, Jesse’s fate was sealed. Greer decided it was she who was going to marry Jesse. Not Loveday.
If you loved THE BEACH CABIN, bring summer home and look out for these other titles from the wonderful Fern Britton, all available now!
When Christie Lynch, journalist and single mother of two, appears as a guest on a daytime TV talk show, she could never have imagined that it would lead to a new career. Spotted by hugely successful talent agent, Julia Keen, Christie can’t help but be impressed by Julia’s charm and stellar client list. And once Julia takes Christie on as a client, Christie’s life changes for ever as Julia secures her a high-profile presenting job on a daily chat show.
Christie is immediately thrust into the limelight and, despite the intrusion of the paparazzi in her front garden, she starts to enjoy her new-found wealth and fame. But as her career soars to new heights, her home life starts to suffer when she’s forced to spend more and more time away from her children.
Will Christie find a way to balance her role as a mother with her increasingly demanding job? And can she make it in the cut-throat world of entertainment? Whatever happens, Christie’s going to give it all she’s got…
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Helen Merrifield has said goodbye to her philandering husband and her swish West London house to live in an idyllic country cottage in the heart of a postcard-perfect village in Cornwall.
Putting the past behind her, Helen throws herself into country life and soon makes a new set of eccentric friends. To her surprise, Helen finds herself the love-interest of two very different men: the kind, gentle, desperate-for-love-and-sex Simon, and the darkly enigmatic local historian Piran.
Whilst Helen is getting to grips with her new life, her oldest and dearest friend, Penny, a hot-shot TV Producer, has decided that the village is the perfect setting for her new TV series. When the cast and crew descend, two worlds collide, and Helen is thrown headlong into 5am wake-up calls and temperamental celebrities.
In the midst of all this, Helen stumbles across a forgotten old tin chest full of Edwardian treasures. Who do they belong to? Will the unpleasant historian Piran help her to find out or will Simon have the key?
As Helen finds herself the focus of Simon and Piran’s attentions, it looks like her ex-husband is planning to put in an unscheduled appearance. Will Helen embrace the future, or is it too difficult to let go of the past?
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Two sisters, one house, a lifetime of secrets.
Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlantic House has been the jewel in the Carew family crown for centuries. Each year, the Carew sisters embark on the yearly trip down to Cornwall for the summer holidays, but they are as different and vinegar and honey.
Prudence, hard-nosed businesswoman and married to the meek and mild Francis, is about to get a shock reminder that you should never take anything for granted.
Constance, homemaker and loving wife to philandering husband Greg, has always been out-manoeuvred by her manipulative sibling. But now that Pru wants to get her hands on Atlantic House, Connie is not about to take things lying down.
When an old face reappears on the scene, years of simmering resentments reach boiling point. But little do the women know that a long-buried secret is about to bite them all on the bottom. Can Constance and Pru put their feuding aside for the sake of everyone else, or will this family holiday push them all over the edge?
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When the residents of the Cornish seaside town of Trevay discover that their much-loved theatre is about to be taken over by coffee chain, Café au Lait, they are up in arms. It is up to Penny Leighton, hotshot producer and now happily married Cornish resident, to come up with a rescue plan. Armed with only her mobile phone and her contacts book, she starts to pull in some serious favours.
The town is soon deluged by actors, all keen to show their support and take part in a charity season at the theatre. One of the arrivals is Jess Tate, girlfriend to TV heartthrob Ryan Hearst. His career is on the rise while hers remains resolutely in the doldrums. But when opportunity comes calling, it isn’t just her career prospects that are about to change. Trevay is about to put on the show of its life – but can the villagers, and Jess, hold on to the thing they love the most?
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And you’ll love these other warm and witty short stories from Fern!
Best friends Penny Leighton and Helen Merrifield have swapped their hectic London lives for the leisurely pace of life in the pretty Cornish village of Pendruggan.
Penny is in constant demand and juggling her life as a vicar’s wife alongside her day job as a hotshot TV producer is exhausting.
Helen is at the end of her tether. Cornwall has been battered by the worst storms in living memory and the roof of her little cottage is in a terrible state. Her other half, the brooding Piran, isn’t being much help.
The two women cook up a scheme to leave their Pendruggan men behind and get back to London for a weekend of blissful indulgence. But you know what they say about the best laid plans…Will Penny and Helen’s stolen weekend be everything they’ve dreamed of, or something else entirely?
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Piran Ambrose is the epitome of brooding male. But Pendruggan’s Mr Rochester is in danger of becoming its Ebeneezer Scrooge when he is driven to distraction by the villagers’ over-the-top Christmas celebrations. How could the cringe-worthy amateur village production of Aladdin bring seasonal cheer to anyone, he wonders? And do the village children really have to arrive at his cottage door every single night in December with their terrible recorders and discordant singing?
But when Piran’s bad temper risks spoiling Christmas for everyone, something drastic needs to be done. So, over one Christmas Eve, three very special people pay Piran a visit, determined to show him what Christmas is really all about…
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About the Author
Fern Britton is the highly acclaimed author of five Sunday Times bestselling novels. Set among the same Cornish seaside community, her books are cherished for their warmth, wit and wisdom, and have won Fern legions of loyal readers.
A hugely popular household name through iconic shows such as This Morning, Fern is also a much sought-after presenter and participant in shows such as Fern Britton Meets… and The Big Allotment Challenge.
Fern is deeply committed to a number of charities, in particular the Genesis Research Trust founded by Professor Robert Winston to help create healthy families. Fern lives with her husband Phil Vickery, the well-respected chef, and her four children in Buckinghamshire and Cornwall.
