by Katie Ginger
Miles felt his shoulders relax and the muscles of his stomach loosen. Yes, Kiera had made them both the subject of gossip with her really quite fantastic exit, but at least it was done. And for some reason, he didn’t really care that the town would be talking about him for the next million years. He raised his eyes to the sky and took a breath in. The salt sea air filled his lungs, reminding him how much he loved being here in his hometown. And he felt oddly positive about what his life would be like now. As he lowered his head back down he saw Stella peering from her shop window, but as soon as she realised he was looking she ran away into the depths of the store. Closing the garden gate and turning to walk back down the path, he saw that Mrs Chapman was still watching.
‘Morning, Mrs Chapman,’ he called with a wave. ‘Lovely day, isn’t it?’
Chapter 18
Stella sat with Lexi early Monday morning having a quick cup of coffee before starting work, feeling tired and a bit down in the dumps. On Friday, Carter the poet had left, and while they had swapped numbers she wasn’t sure that she wanted to stay in touch. He’d been lovesick and forlorn, only stopping short of reciting another poem in front of a shop full of people when one of the customers had told him to put a lid on it. Though sweet to begin with, Stella had found his constant compliments and ardent assurances a little dramatic, not to mention tiresome. But she was happy for their night together, and as mercenary as it sounded, she was still contemplating him as her date for Isaac’s wedding, even though the idea of making conversation during the long drive to Oxford, then spending a whole day with him, was torturous. Possibly even more torturous than the wedding itself.
To make matters worse a drunk had checked in to the holiday let and Stella was worried that the flat was going to end up stinking of booze because the man was clearly sloshed from the moment he arrived. When he’d nipped out shortly after checking in, coming back with a carrier bag full of clinking bottles, it was clear he had every intention of spending the entirety of his stay that way.
The family that had been due to arrive on Friday for her first booking in the large flat were running late and didn’t arrive until gone eleven o’clock that night, which meant Stella had to remain fully dressed and presentable rather than in her jimjams with no make-up on, to settle them in. She’d done it, of course, with a smile on her face and a cheerful, professional manner but there was no denying she was knackered when the alarm had gone off that morning and she’d had to drag herself out of bed to walk Frank before a full, hopefully busy day in the shop. Her shop, she reminded herself, shaking off the self-pity. Self-pity was fine for a few minutes but too much of it was just self-indulgent.
And she had to admit her lethargy today was partly her own fault. Rather than being sensible yesterday, on her only rest day, she’d taken advantage of the good weather and had been up a ladder painting the sign. She’d done the first coat before giving Frank his walk and then the second coat a couple of hours later. That was of course after she’d watched Kiera’s amazing departure from Miles’s house. She’d been surprised at how gentlemanly he’d been while Kiera had flounced around and shouted at him. He’d even tried to help her with her bags. Stella had felt a little sorry for him as he’d watched on in embarrassment.
In the afternoon she’d sketched out the new lettering and given that a first coat too. It still needed another, but that would have to wait until next weekend. She was just too dog-tired to do it in the evening and the nights were still quite damp.
‘So Miles and Kiera have broken up then,’ said Lexi. She giggled as she said, ‘It sounded amazing.’
‘It was quite a spectacle,’ Stella replied. She’d forced herself to walk on to the shop even though she’d secretly wanted to stand and watch. She wondered who’d instigated the split and she did feel a little bit happy she wasn’t going to be walking past the shop anymore, looking in with that smug smile of hers.
‘Poor Miles. They were never really suited in my opinion. Or Vivien’s either. She heartily disapproved of Kiera.’
‘What exactly is the connection between Miles and Vivien?’
‘For a woman who loves to talk she’s almost cagey about it really, which tells me it means a lot to her. All I know is that Miles had a bit of a rough time as a teenager and she was a sort of substitute mum sometimes.’
Stella couldn’t imagine Miles having had a rough time with his good looks and firm self-assurance. Plus, he seemed the type of guy who didn’t care what other people thought. She sipped her latte as Lexi continued speaking.
‘Anyway, are you sure you’re still okay to watch the kids after school for a bit? It’s not a problem if you can’t.’
It would be a problem if she couldn’t, Stella knew that, but it wasn’t a problem in the slightest. She was really looking forward to it. ‘Of course it’s still okay. If you drop them in straight after school they can do their homework and watch some TV in the flat until you finish at the café.’
‘Thanks, honey. I really need the extra hours and as Carol’s cold has turned into pneumonia I can’t leave Raina in the lurch. They don’t have to do all their homework as it’s not due in until Friday but if they could make a start that would be great. I try and get them to do a little bit each night. What’s the new posh family like? You said when you spoke to them on the phone they were so snobby you could hardly understand them.’
Stella sighed. ‘They are literally the worst. The kids are awful and have done nothing but moan—’
‘Sounds like my kids.’
‘They’re nothing like your kids. Your kids are lovely and sweet and kind and have lovely manners. These are little monsters. Every time they walk past the shop I can hear them whinging about iPads and Xboxes. The father’s always on his phone, yaying or neighing like a bloody horse about something that is apparently crucially important to his business, the mother leaves everything to the nanny so she doesn’t break a nail or drop her martini, and the nanny is so far up her own arse I’m surprised she can see.’
Lexi giggled. ‘Oh dear, how long are they here for?’
‘Four weeks,’ Stella replied, stressing the sentence. ‘I’ve got a feeling this is going to be the longest four weeks of my life. The nanny’s already been to see me three times since they arrived, moaning or treating me like a maid, asking me to fetch this and that. To be honest, I have no idea why they booked down here and not somewhere a bit posher like that big fancy hotel down the seafront.’ Stella fiddled with her phone. ‘And the bloke in the one-bed I swear had twelve bottles of red wine in his carrier bags the afternoon he arrived. I feel like I just got mixed up in an episode of EastEnders.’
‘It does sound like it.’ Lexi laughed and stood up from the table. ‘Sorry, but I’m going to love you and leave you. It won’t be long and the breakfast lot will be in.’
‘Yeah, I’d better get going too,’ Stella replied and hugged Lexi goodbye.
The day’s trading was horribly slow and time dragged on for Stella. She would definitely have to explore this art exhibition idea a bit more because if she didn’t make a few bigger sales things were going to get very hard indeed. And there had been a couple of weird things that day that had unsettled her.
A couple of young women came into the shop seemingly browsing but when Stella had gone up to say hi, they’d looked at her like she smelled of dog poo and had then proceeded to whisper about her. She could be being paranoid, and it was quite possible they were talking about something completely different, but Stella didn’t think so. She just hoped they didn’t know Miles and that he’d been at it again, slagging her off behind her back.
Then later, a couple had come in, pretending to look at the art, and when Stella introduced herself to them, they said, ‘Oh, yes, we already know who you are.’ Stella dearly wanted to believe the shop was beginning to gain a good reputation in the town but their raised eyebrows and smug smiles had set her teeth on edge. She’d shrugged it off though, knowing you couldn’t please all of the people all of the ti
me.
By late afternoon, after Lexi had dropped the kids in and Stella had settled them with some biscuits and juice to start their homework, the day had become overcast and grey, and a light drizzle was beginning to descend. Stella spent most of her time looking at the celebrity gossip websites on her laptop after answering all three of the holiday enquiries she’d received, plus completing a quiz to find out her skin type. Tiny droplets of rain slid down the big front windows when the bell over the door tinkled and Vivien walked in.
‘Hello, Vivien, how—’ Stella’s foot immediately stopped tapping along to the radio. ‘Gosh, you really don’t look well, Vivien. Are you all right?’ Stella jumped up from her stool and went to help the old lady who, rather than looking polished and elegant as usual, looked wobbly and frail. Vivien struggled to catch her breath but as she did a little colour returned to her cheeks. Stella guided her to the wingback chair near the counter. It had become her usual seat whenever she popped in, and Stella had left it there rather than move it backwards and forwards all the time.
‘I’ll be all right in a minute, dear,’ she puffed. ‘It’s just getting old.’ She rested her cane on her lap and closed her eyes.
‘Can I get you a cup of tea?’
She shook her head gently. ‘A glass of water would be lovely, thank you.’
Stella nipped out to the kitchen, checking on the kids as she went. They were both sat at the table working hard. Lexi was doing an amazing job; they were brilliant kids. When she came back she noticed Frank had moved from his basket and was sitting by Vivien’s feet, guarding her. It was worrying. He did that whenever Stella was ill, like he could sense something was wrong. Stella noticed Vivien’s hands shaking as she put the glass of water to her mouth. ‘Shall I call someone to help you back to your house? I know it’s not far but you can’t go on your own like this.’
‘No, no, dear, that’s fine. I’ll be right as rain in a jiffy.’ She sipped the water again but her skin seemed so much thinner today. It was like she’d suddenly aged by ten years.
The bell tinkled again and this time Miles walked in, brushing some rain from his hair. He hadn’t worn a coat and his shirt was dotted from the drizzle. He gave a nod towards Stella and his face was, as usual, stern and forbidding. It wasn’t until he saw Vivien that his expression softened, quickly turning to concern. Kneeling down in front of her he took her hand. ‘Vivien, what’s the matter?’
‘You look like you’re going to propose,’ Vivien said with a chuckle but that one short sentence seemed to have taken all the air from her lungs. As she took some deep breaths, a smile gave her face more life, and Stella felt her worries subside a little. ‘What should my answer be, Stella?’ Luckily, Stella was saved the embarrassment of having to say that she’d rather marry a fish than pompous, grumpy Miles Parker, by Vivien answering her own question. ‘I think I’d say yes.’
‘Well, thank you very much,’ Miles replied, and something about the softness of his voice and the gentle lines of his face made him look distinguished rather than hard. Even Frank gave him a sniff and Miles looked at him rather fondly before patting his head and standing up.
‘Miles,’ said Stella tentatively, ‘I was wondering if you could take Vivien home? I don’t think she should go on her own today. She still looks a bit peaky to me.’ He turned to Stella and she was struck again by how handsome he was. Maybe it was the dark, cloudy sky outside and the soft lights of the shop but he really did look different. He’d be perfect to invite to the wedding if he wasn’t such a miserable toad. ‘If you’re too busy, I’ll close the shop and me and the kids can take her ourselves.’
‘You will not,’ Vivien replied. ‘You’re not losing business on my account. And those kids don’t need to see me all tired and out of puff.’
‘Business?’ Stella echoed. ‘Chance would be a fine thing.’ The slight turn of Miles’s head made Stella wish she’d kept her mouth shut and the note of regret out of her voice. Something flitted across Miles’s eyes that she couldn’t read. Glee?
‘I’m happy to take you,’ said Miles. ‘As long as I get a cup of tea at the end of it.’
‘I think I’ve got some Battenberg in the cake tin as well.’
‘Then the deal is sealed. But you’re not going anywhere just yet; you finish your water and when you’re done I’ll get the car.’ Miles placed a hand affectionately on her shoulder.
‘You can tell me all about you and that strumpet splitting up.’ It wasn’t a question, it was an order.
Stella started. ‘How did you—’
She paused, expecting Miles’s face to cloud but was surprised to see a smile forming. ‘I should have known you’d know already. It’s all around town now, isn’t it?’
Stella stared dumbfounded. Who was this easy-going man in front of her?
‘It is,’ Vivien replied. ‘And I want all the gory details. You were far too good for her anyway.’
Miles grinned. ‘You would say that though, wouldn’t you?’ He bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Why would Vivien say that? Was she his nan or great-aunt or something? Lexi had never said they were related and neither had Vivien for that matter, but there were pictures of him as a young man in her house. It was all very odd.
‘Umm, thanks, Miles,’ Stella said. She’d expected more of a battle, or a rude ‘I’m too busy’ reply. What was currently happening was all completely unexpected. As if to confirm that Vivien was now able to leave, Frank removed himself from her feet and went back to his basket.
‘No problem.’ Miles bent down and gave Frank another fuss. ‘He’s a really lovely dog, isn’t he?’
‘He is,’ Stella replied, ensuring her voice stayed level and didn’t carry even a hint of I-told-you-so. ‘He’s a sucker for a fuss and thinks all humans are there to give him one. Or a treat.’
Miles’s face broke into a disarmingly relaxed grin. ‘So he should.’
Clattering voices rang from behind Stella as Ralph and Taylor came out into the shop.
‘We’ve done our homework, Stella,’ said Taylor, taking long confident strides. ‘Vivien!’ she said when she saw the old lady and ran over to give her a hug. The fondness in Vivien’s eyes radiated through her smile as she encircled the young girl, followed quickly by Ralph. ‘Why are you sitting in the shop?’ asked Taylor, her youthful forehead crinkling in confusion.
‘Oh, I often sit here for a bit,’ Vivien replied and though it was true, Stella sensed a hint of a lie. ‘Are you coming to see me on Saturday?’
Taylor shook her head and sensing his chance Ralph answered for both of them. ‘We’re going to Daddy’s this weekend—’
‘Ralph! I was going to say that!’
Ralph grinned triumphantly. Stella decided to step in as Vivien was still looking quite tired. ‘So you’ve done all your homework for today?’
‘Yep,’ Taylor replied. ‘We’ve done all our spellings and I’ve done half my maths. Ralph hasn’t; he didn’t want to.’
‘Well,’ said Stella, ‘Mummy did say you didn’t have to do it all, but I’m sure she’ll be pleased you’ve both made such a good start.’
As if they’d only just noticed him, Taylor and Ralph both turned to Miles who smiled down at them. Stella was unsure if they’d ever met him before. It hadn’t come up in conversation, and she was just going to introduce them when Vivien said, ‘You two remember Miles, don’t you?’
Taylor nodded while Ralph looked uncertain.
‘Hi, kids,’ Miles replied. ‘How’s school?’
‘Boring,’ Taylor replied and Ralph giggled.
‘Yeah, really boring.’
‘Do you know I can do this—?’ announced Taylor, kicking her right leg high into the air. ‘I want to do gymnastics but Mummy says I can’t yet. I don’t think we can afford it.’
Stella watched on with mounting worry. She didn’t have enough experience with kids to handle this kind of thing. She wanted to defend Lexi but she had no idea what to say. To her sur
prise, Miles responded well. ‘It looks to me like you don’t need gymnastics. That was amazing.’
‘Don’t do it in here though, dear,’ said Vivien. ‘You might knock something over.’
The doorbell tinkled again and as the grown-ups looked to the new arrival, the kids went and played with Frank. Stella’s smile quickly faded and she plastered it back on as the nanny walked in and spoke to her while staring down her slightly too long nose. ‘Ah, there you are. I’m afraid I need to complain again. The DVD collection that you advertised really is completely inadequate. There are only DVDs for younger children. We need some for older children. Hector and Lucas are ten so they like things like The Avengers, Thor and Deadpool.’
Deadpool! There was more swearing in that film than you’d find in the navy. Stella bit her lip to keep her words from escaping. From the corner of her eye she could see Ralph looking both jealous and shocked. ‘Of course. I’ll nip out and get you something more suitable.’
‘Okay,’ the nanny replied, with a sigh indicating that Stella’s response just wasn’t quite good enough.
‘I’ll be closing soon, so I’ll have them with you in an hour.’
As she turned, her long ponytail swished around and almost hit Stella in the face. The nanny was very tall and naturally slim with one of those athletic frames. The poor thing had no boobs to speak of but Stella was immensely jealous of her sharp cheekbones. She’d always felt her rounded cheeks made her look like a hamster hiding food. The nanny spotted Miles and, suddenly, a large smile spread over her face. ‘Hi, I’m Josie. Do you work here too?’
Stella cringed, awaiting Miles’s terse and grumpy response. She couldn’t have been more surprised when he very calmly said, ‘No, I live nearby though, just down the road.’
