Winter Dreams

by Robyn Neeley

  Carly glanced down. Imogen wore gloves, furry ones to match her hat, it was impossible to see if she still wore an engagement ring. Raising her head, Carly caught the small smile on the other girl’s face and flushed. She really didn’t need this, why had Daniel chosen today to bring his fiancée, or ex-fiancée, down? He was right though, Imogen would be a draw to the gala and with half a million pounds still to raise, she needed help. There was still enough time to put the news on the event website and social networking sites. What did it matter if Imogen opened the gala? It wouldn’t make any difference to whether she was back with Daniel or not. Whatever was going on, it wasn’t actually Imogen’s fault. Daniel had been single when she met him.

  “All right, but you’ll need a speech,” she said, and Imogen flinched back. Carly’s cheeks reddened, she had spoken rather rudely. “Sorry, it’s been a stressful day. If you’d like to help, we’d be grateful. It’s not until midday so you’ve time to jot a few things down, sailing related if possible.”

  “I know more about football, but I’ve picked enough up from Daniel to be able to come up with something. I can always talk about the future stars in the children’s race, that usually goes down well. Is there somewhere quiet I can write?”

  Looking around the packed harbour, Carly tapped her fingers on the railing. A group of interested people had already clustered a few feet away, pointing to Imogen and holding up mobile phones to photograph her. Carly scowled at them, but Imogen didn’t seem to notice. It was a different world she and Daniel lived in, tempting though it was to take her to one of the main cafés, it wouldn’t be fair. There was only one place where she could be assured of privacy and although Carly didn’t want her there, she couldn’t think of another venue.

  “I’ve got a shop the other side of the harbour. It’s open today, but there’s a sitting room at the back you could wait in. It’s comfortable and warm, and there’s a coffee machine.”

  “That would be great, thank you,” Imogen said, rubbing her mitts together. Beneath her make-up, her eyes were ringed with black shadows and her nose looked red, as if she’d been blowing it. She certainly didn’t look like someone delighted to have her fiancé back. It was none of her business though; if she couldn’t live with Daniel, then she’d have to accept that someone else would, even if it wasn’t a thought that gave her any pleasure.

  “You all right with that, Imo?” Daniel said.

  “Fine, I’m a bit tired from the drive last night so it’d be good to have a rest.”

  Carly swallowed. Imogen arrived last night? Where had she slept? Pushing the thought from her head, she took her cane from the railing and saw Imogen’s eyes widen. Did she expect everyone to be as perfect as her?

  “Daniel!” Mick shouted, “there’s a problem with one of the boats, sail’s jammed. As you’re going to be supervising them later, would you mind checking it out? The little girl’s heartbroken, thinks she won’t be able to race.”

  He looked at her. “Could you look after Imogen?” he said.

  Slamming her cane down hard, she smiled. “Of course.”

  “See you later.” He headed off, Liam following after, leaving her alone with the blonde presenter.

  “It’s this way,” she said. It would have been nice to stride away, leaving Imogen to totter after, but with such long legs she’d outpace a giraffe.

  “So I assume you’re Carly? You had brown hair on the photo I saw,” Imogen said.

  “What photo?” She stopped in surprise. Imogen must be desperate to talk to her, a stranger, like this.

  “The one I found in Daniel’s wallet the day I walked out.”

  She winched. “I haven’t seen him for two years, we weren’t having an affair.”

  “I know, but you were part of our relationship regardless. When I heard he’d returned to Haven Bay, I thought I’d give it one last try in the hope you were different to what he remembered.”

  “I’m sorry, but this is nothing to do with me, Daniel and I split up two years ago.”

  “It’s everything to do with you. I’ve been living with your ghost for a year and half. At first I thought it was because he felt guilty.” Imogen glanced at her leg. “But it wasn’t just that; we never stood a chance because he still loves you.”

  “I don’t think he does, we’ve done little except argue.”

  “We were supposed to get married in May.”

  Carly stopped. Daniel was right, Imogen did deserve some consideration, though why she was having to get involved in this mess was beyond her; this was Daniel’s business. Imogen stared at her through wide, hurt blue eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” Carly said, “you’ve been caught up in the middle of this. I don’t know what Daniel intends, he hasn’t spoken about you, but we’re not together.” She swallowed, remembering the night they spent in her flat.

  “He told me you weren’t, but he sounded regretful. It was then that I knew I’d lost him, if you can lose something you never had in the first place. I’m glad I’ve met you though, it helps to see you as a real person rather than this mythical figure from Daniel’s past.”

  “I’m very real,” she said grimly.

  “Did he ask you to marry him?”

  Carly shook her head. It was something she didn’t want to think about, that Daniel had proposed to Imogen less than a year after they split up. If he loved her as he said, why had he never asked her to marry him? Perhaps because they’d never talked about the future, only the next sailing race.

  She checked her watch. “I’ve got to hurry, there’s a lot to do today. Regardless of Daniel, I have a gala to organise.” Walking toward the shop, she heard a clatter of heels behind her as Imogen ran to catch up. Thankfully, she could leave her in the shop under Linda’s care, any longer and she would be tempted to ask the question she mustn’t voice. Where did Imogen stay last night?

  The shop bell tinkled and the warmth from the hot air heater hit her chilled skin as she pushed open the door. Linda stood behind the till, emptying bags of change into the compartments.

  “Come to check up on me?” she said, before frowning as she glanced beyond Carly.

  “This is Imogen, she’s going to open the gala for us,” Carly said.

  Linda’s mouth dropped open.

  “Is it all right if Imogen sits in the back until lunchtime? It’s the only quiet place I could think of for her to write a short speech.”

  “Of course,” her friend said. “The coffee pot’s on.” Staring at Imogen, she frowned. “You look very familiar.”

  Carly waited for Imogen to point out who she was, but she remained silent. “She’s a presenter, you’ve probably seen her on TV,” she said.

  “Oh, and … ” She shut her mouth quickly.

  “Daniel’s fiancée,” Carly said.

  “Ex,” Imogen said.

  Carly nodded. Now there was no need to carry on peering at her hands. Leading her behind the counter, she opened the door to a small sitting room, decorated in yellow with a flickering gas fire.

  “Help yourself to coffee and snacks out the fridge, Linda will be in the shop if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.” Imogen sank down onto the sofa and Carly sighed. She couldn’t interfere, it was Daniel’s job to sort this out. But Imogen must have arrived hoping for better news then she received. Leaning down, she touched the other girl’s arm.

  “I’ll come and fetch you before the gala opens; thanks for helping us.”

  Imogen opened her eyes, tears beading on her lower lashes. “I appreciate you talking to me, it’s cleared up some things. Daniel didn’t really say much. I think I’ve made him feel uncomfortable.”

  “You had a right to come, you were engaged. And I hope you find someone else soon, I really do.”

  Imogen smiled. “I’m not generally short of offers.�
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  Carly nodded. “Help yourself to coffee, I’ll see you soon.”

  Linda stood by the shop window, eyebrows raised. “I wasn’t expecting that!” she said.

  “Me neither, at least we might get a few more visitors to the gala. Can you keep an eye on her for me? I feel responsible for her, she looks so bewildered.”

  “I think we’re all getting bewildered. What is Daniel up to?”

  “He didn’t invite her down, I think she had second thoughts over breaking the engagement and hoped he might want to get back together. He’s probably as confused as we are. Anyway, I’ve got to check on the stalls, did Mick collect the boxes of stock I left out?”

  “Yes, they went this morning. It’s a lot of things you’ve donated there. Can you afford it?”

  “I can’t afford to lose my brother.” She buttoned her coat up and pulled on the driving gloves she wore to grip her stick. “I’ll send reinforcements after lunch so you can come and watch the children’s sailing, you wouldn’t want to miss Jack. He’s good.”

  “I know.” Linda pressed her lips tightly together. “He loves it.”

  “You don’t look too happy about that.”

  Linda glanced at her leg and Carly flushed. “That was a rare accident, it won’t happen to Jack.”

  “It might, those cliffs are treacherous.”

  “I’m hoping we can raise enough money for a beach lifeguard as well. We can’t stop people going out on the water, this is a seaside town, but we can put the safeguards in place so if it does go wrong, help’s not far away.”

  “If it’s safe, then why don’t you do it anymore?”

  “Not you as well! I’ve enough grief from Daniel about that. Just because I don’t want to sail doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing to do. I can’t swim very well now and the thought of capsizing again terrifies me.”

  “Go out with Daniel; he’s experienced enough not to let that happen, not in good weather anyway.” She smiled.

  “No thanks, I’ve done enough sailing with him.” She shivered, but whether it was due to the thought of sailing again or being in a small boat with Daniel she didn’t know. It was all different now, Imogen had burst the little bubble they were living in, made it all seem so much more real.

  “See you later,” she said, opening the shop door and stepping out onto the street, pulling on her hood, she squinted up into the dark grey sky. Hopefully the weather wouldn’t put people off; this gala had to be a success, the new lifeboat depended on it, as did her own reputation. If this failed, she would never be allowed to chair the fundraising committee again, which meant Duncan would get the job and Haven Bay left without its own station. Mick had emphasized so many times that there simply wasn’t time to get a craft from Padstow, even if it did make economic sense to share the cost.

  The rich, bittersweet scent of coffee hit her as she walked toward the stalls, mingling with the smell of hot chestnuts and tomato soup. Groups of people stood around, clutching paper cups and wrapped up against the cold. Her stall had been set up in her absence and Liam stood behind it, dropping sugar mice into paper bags and counting out cinnamon winter candles for a long line of people. Stopping by the drinks stall, she bought a mug of steaming hot chocolate and sipped it as she limped toward the jetty. Soon the sailing boats would be setting off, each one sponsored.

  The day was going to plan, even if it was colder then she hoped for, and Imogen had been a surprise visitor, but apart from that, it was all in order. She shuffled through the crowds, taking care not to bang anyone with her stick, her shoulders relaxing. A long row of children stood in the line outside Santa’s Grotto, red-faced and jumping with excitement.

  Daniel stood by the harbour rail, looking down into the water. He held a clipboard in his bare hands, ticking off with a blue biro.

  “The competitors have all arrived,” he said, seeing her. “I think you ought to start the first race at eleven rather than twelve. I’m not happy about this rising wind, not when we’ve got children out later.”

  She nodded, joining him to look down at the dinghies tied up on the jetty. Tiny figures wearing waterproof clothing and bright orange life jackets skipped about on the pontoon and she smiled. “I remember when that was us.”

  “Yes.” He moved closer, his jacket pressing against her and she took a deep breath, stepping backwards. It would be wrong if Imogen saw him touching her.

  “How much money do you need to make from this?” he said.

  “At least twenty-five thousand.” She swallowed, stomach churning.

  “Ali said three coach loads of tourists have arrived in the top car park; she directed them down here, though I think she feels a bit guilty for not doing more.”

  “I’d rather she didn’t do too much, her baby must be due any day now.”

  “Next week. Although it looks like Steve’s going to be out on the trawler.”

  “He’s on the same boat as Liam, who’s doing his first trip.” She moistened her lips. “Daniel, did you suspect Imogen would come down?”

  “No, she startled me, turning up last night, saying we needed to talk.” Daniel stared across the harbour. “There isn’t anything else to say though. It was too late for her to drive back, so I had to ask her to stay the night.”

  Carly froze, staring at the sailing boats beneath them, seeing nothing.

  “She slept in Ali’s old bedroom, then when she heard us talking about the gala, asked if she could help. I knew you needed someone to open it, so I brought her down. It seemed a bit mean to just send her straight back home. There’s nothing between us.” He took hold of her hand.

  “It isn’t any of my business.”

  “I’m not messing you around. Imo’s upset and needed comfort, but I’m not the person to do that anymore. I know she’ll find someone else who can love her, because she’s a nice girl, who didn’t deserve to end up with me.”

  “You’re not that bad.”

  “I can’t give her what she wants, I don’t love her. It was a relief when she walked out and if I had loved her, I never would have felt like that.”

  “Why did you ask her to marry you then?” The words were out before she could bite them back.

  “Because I was trying to forget my previous life: Haven Bay, the accident, you. I got caught up in a new world and Imogen became a part of it. You didn’t want to see me, so I had to move on, and marrying her seemed a good way to do that. I was wrong of course, it was a cruel thing to do.” He rested his elbows on the rail and sank his jaw onto his open palms. “Saying sorry to people is all I seem to do at the moment.”

  Tentatively, she touched his slumped shoulders. He was a good person and friend who’d just made some bad decisions in life. But who hadn’t? She was certainly guilty of that, it had been wrong to refuse to see him when she was in hospital, to drive him away from his family and friends. She hadn’t known he would never come back, of course, but understanding Daniel as she did, she ought to have suspected. He’d always overreacted, and still did, if stealing the Olympic dinghy was anything to go by.

  His arm went around her waist, firm and pulling her close, his head dropping to rest on hers. This time she stayed still, needing the comfort of his touch, to feel safe and loved. If only she could trust him again, but she didn’t. He’d let her down too badly before.

  Gently detangling her arm, she stepped back. “I need to help with the gala. You’re right, the weather is getting worse, we need to open it early.”

  He cleared his throat. “I’ll get Imogen.”

  Carly watched him stride through the harbour, crowds stopping to stare at him as he went. It seemed impossible that he could love her, a girl who couldn’t walk properly, who had terrible scars. He insisted he did, but was it because he felt guilty?

  “Everything all right, Carls?” Mick said, behind her.
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  She sighed, wrapping her coat tighter around herself and glancing up into the dark, grey sky at the flakes of snow drifting down. Everyone said she was mad to plan a Winter Gala and today she was starting to suspect they’d been right.

  “Don’t worry about the weather, everything’s going great. Bob’s taken over as Santa for a couple of hours, we’ve been so busy I’ve almost lost my voice.”

  She smiled, it was great the children were enjoying themselves, but Santa’s Grotto had been priced at a two pounds entry fee, including a present, so no one got left out. It wasn’t going to pay for a lifeboat that could save the lives of those children’s fathers as they worked on the fishing trawlers.

  It was the entrance fees to the boat races she was relying on most, people had clubbed together to enter a craft and a sailor, in hope of winning a decent prize. Once they got the gala open and dinghies racing, people would forget the snow, hopefully anyway.

  Sighing, she heard rapid footsteps behind her, and looked back. Liam was racing toward her, his jaw clenched and fists balled. What on earth had happened?

  “Liam?” she said. “Are you all right?”

  “No. They’re refusing to sail,” he said. “Every last one of them, they want a bigger prize pot.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “What?” she said.

  “They’re saying the conditions are too bad, that they’re risking their boats for pittance.” Mick kicked the rail. “Cowards! I go out in far worse weather than this to save their arses, they could at least give me a decent boat to protect my crew.”

  “Everyone is saying this?” She looked at Liam.

  “Except the little kids, they just want to know when they can start. Brave lot, more courage than the adults.”

  “Or less mercenary. I don’t understand why this is an issue now? The money’s been the same all along, they agreed to do this.”

  “A couple of them muttered about new information, I reckon some one’s been telling them that you’ve got a lot more money then you’re letting on.”