She’d been floored when she saw two lines instead of one.
Shock, and not joy, had been the overriding emotion as she stared down at the stick, at those lines that meant she’d finally achieved what she’d dreamed of for so long.
Now, though, she was ecstatic. It had taken every single drop of restraint not to yell the news across the station platform when she’d spotted her husband. She’d itched to share the glorious news all the way back to the bed and breakfast, had wanted to rip the shower curtain aside and declare her pregnant state as Ethan showered, had wanted to forget about the food and the beach and tell him there and then in the guest room, but she’d waited until now. The fish and chips on the beach had formed an unexpected but special memory of their wedding, and she wanted to recreate that moment now, on this important day.
‘We’re going to have a baby?’ Ethan lifted his gaze from the test to his wife’s face.
Willow nodded, her eyes shining with joyous, unshed tears. ‘We’re going to have a baby.’
If you’d been close to the cliffs that day, you’d have heard a cry of delight and wonder as a man leapt to his feet and picked up his wife, spinning her round and round on the sand as they laughed and cried and dreamed of a rosy future.
If you’d been a seagull close to the cliffs, you’d have swooped down on the chips as they flew from the couple’s laps, falling down on the sand like greasy confetti.
And if you were Willow St Clair, you’d have been the happiest woman on earth. And also a little dizzy.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Mae
Alfie had printed out posters with Chilly’s photo on them, along with details of where he was being taken care of and how to get in contact. They taped the posters to lampposts along the seafront near Mae’s home, as well as in a few of the neighbouring streets. Hopefully, being close to the beach, they’d be spotted by the owner, or someone who recognised the cat. It was getting late by the time the trio taped their final poster, so Alfie suggested popping into one of the cafés that were still open towards the pier for a hot chocolate. Normally, Mae would have declined, citing bedtimes and busy evenings, but Hannah had heard the magic, chocolatey word and accepted on their behalf.
‘Nanny makes the best hot chocolates,’ Hannah said as they made their way along the promenade. ‘She lets me have cream you squirt like this…’ She held up a little fist, sticking out her index finger and bending it in and out. ‘And sometimes she lets me squirt it right into my mouth.’
‘Does she really?’ This was news to Mae.
‘Yup.’ Hannah nodded. ‘She lets me have marshmallows too. The little pink and white ones. They’re the yummiest.’ Spotting a seagull ahead, she zoomed off, arms outstretched like the wings of an aeroplane. The bird, working on an abandoned cheeseburger, waited until the very last moment before it took flight.
‘I hope it was okay to suggest hot chocolates,’ Alfie said as they strolled after Hannah, who was now swinging round and round a lamppost just up ahead.
‘Are you kidding? You’ve made her day.’
‘Mummy…’ Hannah said, coming to a wobbly stop. ‘My feet are tired. They don’t want to walk any more.’
‘Maybe you should stop chasing poor seagulls and spinning round lampposts,’ Mae suggested. She reached Hannah and held out a hand, but the little girl refused to take it, clasping her hands behind her back. ‘It isn’t much further, and then you get to have a yummy hot chocolate, remember?’
‘My feet are sleepy. Can’t I have it here?’
Mae shook her head. ‘I’m afraid not, little lady.’
‘You could ride the rest of the way on my shoulders,’ Alfie suggested.
Hannah, suddenly energised, bounced up and down on the spot. ‘Yes, yes, yes! Shoulders!’
‘You don’t have to…’ Mae started to say, but Alfie was already hoisting Hannah into the air and dipping his head so that she could rest on his shoulders, her little legs dangling on his chest.
‘You did that way too easily,’ Mae said as they set off again.
‘Nieces and nephews,’ Alfie said. ‘Five of them. I’ve had plenty of practice over the years.’
‘I bet you’re a fun uncle,’ Mae said, looking up at Hannah, who was clinging to Alfie’s head with her little hands.
Alfie laughed. ‘I’m a pushover. They’ve got me wrapped around their little fingers, every last one of them.’
‘They’re lucky to have you,’ Mae said, wrapping her arms across her body. The sun had dipped and the evening was cooling off. ‘Hannah doesn’t have any uncles, fun or otherwise. Or aunts, actually. I’m an only child and you know the deal with the other side of her family. Mum has a couple of brothers, but they don’t really keep in touch.’
‘She has Frank and Corinne, though,’ Alfie said. ‘I’ve seen the way they are with Hannah. They adore her.’
Mae nodded. ‘That’s true. They’re the best godparents Hannah could wish for.’
‘Family doesn’t always have to be blood-related,’ Alfie said. They crossed the road, where the café was lit up and looking warm and cosy. Alfie lowered Hannah to the ground and they filed inside, sitting by the window so they could see the bright lights of the pier. They ordered hot chocolates from a surly-looking waitress: a mint-flavoured one for Alfie, salted caramel for Mae, and a whipped-cream-and-marshmallow-loaded hot chocolate for Hannah.
‘Do you think you’ll hear from Chilly’s owner?’ Mae asked as Hannah attacked the whipped cream with a tall spoon.
Alfie shrugged and blew on his own drink. ‘Maybe, maybe not. Like I said earlier, he may not have owners at all.’
Mae leaned in towards him, keeping her voice low. ‘What’ll happen to him? If nobody comes forward?’
‘I’ll try and rehome him, once he’s healed.’
‘You won’t…’ Mae’s eyes slid towards her daughter, who was more interested in hunting for gooey marshmallows than the boring grown-up conversation taking place. Still, Mae couldn’t say the words out loud, just in case.
Alfie’s eyes widened and he shook his head. ‘No way. Absolutely not. I’d take him home myself if I had to, though I don’t think Winston would approve, at least not to begin with.’
Winston was Alfie’s dog, who sometimes accompanied him to the Fisherman for a bowl of water and a sneaky pork scratching.
‘He’s a spoiled bundle of fur who gets jealous if I so much as look at another dog while we’re out walking. You should see him when I get home, smelling of dozens of different animals. The betrayal in his eyes!’ Alfie chuckled and took a sip of his drink. ‘I took another dog in a few months ago. He was in a bad way, so I took him home with me to keep an eye on him, but Winston wasn’t impressed. We couldn’t find any owners, but I managed to rehouse him, so Winston was happy again.’
‘You really love animals, don’t you?’ Mae said and Alfie shrugged.
‘I’d be lousy at my job if I didn’t.’
Mae took a sip of her drink. She was desperate to ask about the surgery – or more specifically about Carrie – but she didn’t dare. It was quite possible she’d built the Carrie situation up in her mind, seen flirtation where there was none, felt the stirrings of jealousy when there was no need, found an easy and convenient excuse to remain dateless and safe. Maybe Alfie was interested in Carrie, maybe not. Either way, Mae was afraid of hearing the answer.
Hannah pushed her luck as they left the café, using her sweetest voice to ask if she could have one tiny go on the Ferris wheel. True to his word, Alfie demonstrated his pushover personality and agreed instantaneously, leading the little party across to the pier. Mae insisted on buying the tickets, and though Alfie attempted to overrule her, it turned out he wasn’t just a pushover when it came to youngsters.
‘I want to go in first,’ Hannah said when it was their turn to embark. ‘And I want to sit next to Alfie.’
‘It looks like you’ve got yourself a new fan,’ Mae whispered once
they were sitting in the carriage, Hannah at one end, looking out over the beach, with Alfie in the middle and Mae sitting at the other end.
‘She’s a great kid,’ Alfie said. ‘Just like her mum.’
Mae rolled her eyes, though she felt her lips tugging themselves upwards into a totally involuntary smile. ‘Smooth, Alfie. Real smooth.’
Alfie shrugged. ‘It’s one of my many talents.’
Mae held her hands up, palms out. ‘I won’t ask what the others are.’
‘That’s probably wise.’ Alfie pulled a face. ‘Most of them involve animals.’
It was with a splutter of unexpected laughter that Mae began her ascent on the Ferris wheel. They started off with small, jerky movements as the wheel picked up more passengers, and it was when they reached the top that Alfie admitted one of his biggest fears.
‘Heights?’ Mae asked, her mouth drooping. ‘Why did you agree to come on this thing if you’re afraid of heights?’
Alfie swallowed, keeping his gaze firmly on his feet rather than out of the carriage to take in the view of the town. ‘Hannah was so excited and I wanted to make her happy.’
‘By giving yourself a heart attack?’ Mae shook her head. She didn’t know whether to laugh at the predicament or give Alfie a good ticking off. In the end, she grabbed his hand, squeezing tight as the wheel swooped down to the ground and rose back up again. It occurred to her that Alfie could be making the whole thing up. A scam designed to make her feel sorry for him and hold his hand. But the bone-crushing hand-holding she received in return told her this probably wasn’t the case.
‘That wasn’t so bad, was it?’ she asked as they climbed out of the carriage at the end of the ride.
Alfie, still clinging to Mae’s hand, took slow, carefully placed steps, as though he didn’t quite trust they were on solid ground again.
‘I’m never going on that again,’ he said. He caught Mae’s eye and they both laughed. ‘You must think I’m such a wuss.’
‘Are you kidding? I think you’re incredibly sweet for facing your fears just to make my little girl happy.’ Reaching up on her tiptoes, she kissed Alfie’s cheek.
‘I died, didn’t I?’ Alfie turned to the Ferris wheel, which was on the move again. ‘That thing plummeted to the ground, and I died and went to heaven.’
Mae tutted and gave him a playful dig in the ribs with her elbow. ‘Are you always this cheesy?’
Alfie tilted his head to one side as he considered the question. ‘Yes, I’m afraid I am.’
‘Luckily for you, I quite like cheese.’ Mae threaded her arm through Alfie’s, taking Hannah’s little hand with her free one as they started to wander towards the bed and breakfast. It felt quite nice to be walking so close to Alfie, so she couldn’t help feeling a tinge of regret when Hannah complained about her feet and ended up being hoisted onto his shoulders again, riding the rest of the way home in style.
‘Thanks for your help with the posters tonight – and the near-death experience,’ Alfie said once they’d reached the bed and breakfast and Hannah was back on the ground again.
‘You’re welcome.’ Mae dug into her handbag for her keys. ‘It’s been fun.’
‘Putting up the posters or watching me nearly wet myself on the Ferris wheel?’
Mae pulled her keys from the bag, slotting one into the front door before turning to Alfie. ‘What do you think?’ She giggled and pushed open the door. ‘Say goodnight to Alfie, Hannah.’
‘Goodnight, Alfie,’ Hannah said before hopping up the steps and making a dash into the house, heading, Mae guessed, straight for the television in the family room.
‘Seriously, though…’ Mae said. ‘It’s been fun.’
‘Fun enough to finally accept if I asked you out to dinner? I mean you might as well – we’ve been on two dates already today.’
Mae frowned. ‘We have?’
‘Yep. Coffee at the harbour this afternoon, and a hot chocolate and death-defying Ferris wheel ride this evening. They totally count as dates. So, what do you say?’
Mae thought of her ex and the monumental way he’d let her down, the way he let their daughter down every single day with his absence. But then she thought of Mrs Hornchurch, dressed up tonight, ready to start a new adventure, and the sinking feeling she’d felt in the pit of her stomach when she thought she’d missed her chance with Alfie.
‘What about Carrie?’ she asked, still trying her best to scupper her chances. Still doing her best to protect herself.
Alfie frowned. ‘What about Carrie?’
‘There seemed to be… something between you. Chemistry, if you like. I thought that maybe…’ Mae shrugged. She sounded silly. Feeble. Not the strong, independent woman she liked to project to the world.
‘Mae…’ Alfie took a step closer, the frown still on his face but not quite so deep-set. ‘I’ve known you for six months. I’ve asked you out at least once a week since then. What makes you think I’d have the slightest interest in anybody else?’
Mae had a list of reasons, not least because Carrie was beautiful and confident and had more in common with Alfie than she did. Besides, Alfie had known Mae for six months and had asked her out at least once a week since then – and she’d declined every single time. There was only so much rejection a person could take.
‘I’ll keep on asking,’ Alfie said, as though he could read her mind. ‘I’m very determined.’
‘Stubborn,’ Mae said, smiling even though she begged herself not to. ‘I think that’s the word you’re looking for.’
Alfie shrugged. ‘Same thing. Either way, I’m not giving up. On you. On us.’
‘You’re that sure we’re meant to be?’
‘Absolutely. I wouldn’t risk rejection and humiliation on a weekly – sometimes daily – basis if I didn’t.’
‘Maybe you should try again, one last time?’
Alfie placed a hand on his chest and adopted an earnest look. ‘Mae Wright, I think you’re gorgeous and fascinating and you pull the most amazing pint…’
‘Easy,’ Mae interrupted. ‘You’re laying it on with a trowel there, mate.’
Alfie shrugged. ‘It’s all true.’
Mae grinned. ‘I never said it wasn’t true, but still.’
‘Do you think I could get on with this?’
‘Go on then.’ Mae fought a grin. ‘It isn’t as though you haven’t had enough practice.’
‘Mae Wright.’ Alfie adopted his earnest look once more. ‘I won’t tell you how gorgeous and fascinating you are again, or praise your pint-pulling skills, because it turns out you know all this already. Instead, I’ll simply ask if you would give me one little chance to wine and dine you at a time, date and venue of your choosing.’
‘I get to choose where we go?’ Mae asked. ‘Why didn’t you say that in the first place?’
Alfie narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. ‘Is that a yes?’
Mae gave one curt nod. ‘It’s a yes.’
Chapter Forty
Melody
It was her final morning in the little attic room at the Seafront Bed and Breakfast. The sun was already shining, fighting its way through the curtains as she drew back the covers and placed her foot tentatively on the carpet. Her ankle was holding up well and she hadn’t taken any painkillers for a couple of days, so she was pleased with its progress. She still wouldn’t be cartwheeling upon her return home, but she could at least make the journey comfortably.
She showered, using the fragrant raspberry-and-lime products Mae had left in the welcome basket, before dressing in a pair of three-quarter-length leggings and a long, roomy T-shirt, which would be perfect for the train journey home. She packed her belongings into her rucksack and slung it over her shoulder before heading down to the kitchen for her last breakfast in Clifton-on-Sea.
‘Ah, here she is,’ Mae said as Melody stepped into the kitchen. ‘Good morning. I hope you slept well?’
It seemed there wa
s a little bon voyage gathering in the kitchen, with Mae, Hannah, Willow and her husband, Ethan, who Melody had met briefly the evening before. Even Hugo was there, sandwiched between Mae and her daughter.
‘Mummy says you’re leaving today,’ Hannah said. ‘You won’t live here with us any more.’
‘No, but I’m sure somebody else will take my place soon,’ Melody said, smiling at the little girl. ‘Somebody far more interesting than me.’
‘Impossible,’ Hugo said, flashing a grin.
Melody rolled her eyes and grabbed a slice of toast from the rack in the centre of the table. ‘You’ll have forgotten me by tomorrow.’
Hugo frowned. ‘Rubbish! I’ll always remember you…’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘What was your name again?’
‘Charming.’ Melody stuck her tongue out at Hugo as she reached for the butter.
‘What time’s your train?’ Mae asked. She got up and crossed the kitchen to put the kettle on.
‘Quarter past ten, so I’ll have to get going soon.’
‘I can give you a lift up to the station,’ Willow offered. ‘I’ll be heading over to the shop soon. I’m supposed to be there already, but we fancied a lie-in.’ Her eyes flitted towards her husband and she blushed.
‘I was going to offer my taxi services too,’ Hugo said.
Melody picked up a knife and loaded it with butter. ‘Even though you can’t remember my name?’
Hugo shrugged. ‘What can I say? I’m a gentleman.’
‘A gentleman?’ Melody scraped the butter onto her triangle of toast. ‘As if.’
Hugo opened his mouth in mock indignation. ‘Who carried you around when you busted your ankle? And I made a picnic. And I won that stuffed monkey for you.’
Cliff-the-Monkey was currently in Melody’s rucksack, sitting on top of her washbag.
‘It sounds like someone’s in lurve,’ Willow said in a sing-song voice. She winked at Hugo before her face seemed to droop, the smile diminishing and her eyebrows pulling down. ‘Will you excuse me for a minute?’ She scraped back her chair and scurried from the room, with the sound of her feet pounding up the stairs a moment later.
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