“I wish there was something I could do to help. It can’t be fun watching TV all day.”
“Actually, there is something I want to talk to you about. You’ve been doing such a good job at the café, I wondered if you’d mind me going to stay with your sister for a few weeks.”
I stare at her like she’s lost her freaking mind. I’m hoping I’ve misheard, but I’m fairly certain she wants me to manage the café without supervision. Me, the girl who burnt down the laundrette and got fired from every job I’ve ever had.
“You don’t have to answer straight away. Just think about it,” she adds when I still haven’t replied.
My mouth hangs open. I literally can’t think of anything to say. She goes back to eating her sandwich and watching the telly. I don’t want to disappoint her, but I’m not sure which option is worse; telling her I can’t do it or trying and failing. Should I confess I’m a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment? It’s not like I want to be a disaster. Surviving my first week doesn’t mean I’m qualified to run the café without my gran close by.
When I’ve finished my sandwich, I make my excuses and leave the cottage. I’m suddenly feeling claustrophobic. I don’t bother to put my shoes on. Instead, I head straight for the beach in the hope the waves crashing against the rocks will calm my nerves. I want to be able to tell my gran I’m capable of looking after her business, but I’m not sure I can. The ironic thing is, Clover Bay is already the place I feel most at ease, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready for such a big challenge. I like helping out with the café and I want to be here. That doesn’t mean I won’t eventually run into some bad luck and let my gran down.
A whistling noise breaks me from my trance as a dog barrels towards me.
“Dax,” Adam shouts as he chases after him.
The dog jumps up at me, balancing its paws on my thighs.
“Sorry about that. He gets over-excited sometimes,” Adam says as he pulls Dax off me.
“It’s okay,” I say.
Dax shakes off the water on his coat, wetting us both through. I let out a squeal and Adam groans.
“Damn it, Dax.”
“I’ll dry. There’s no harm done.”
I bend down to stroke Dax, and he licks my face. I laugh and fall onto the wet sand, which soaks through my clothing. My laughter turns hysterical as I allow my body to relax onto the cold ground. The clouds float overhead, and I watch them instead of getting up. Adam sits next to me, studying my frantic mood before lying down beside me.
“What’s up, Jo?”
“Jo?” I repeat, raising my eyebrow.
“Sorry. I won’t call you it if you don’t like it.”
Dax chases a wave into the sea.
“It’s not that I don’t like it. Usually, giving someone a nickname means they’re friends. Is that what we are?”
He frowns. “You’re not so bad for an outsider. I guess we are friends.” He looks serious, but I can see the hint of a smile.
“My gran asked me to look after the shop while she visits my sister and mum.” I cover my face with my arms, temporarily blocking out the beautiful sky.
“And what did you say?”
I turn to face him, propping myself up on one elbow. “Absolutely nothing. I choked and didn’t answer her.”
“What are you so scared of?” He looks deep into my eyes.
“The same thing you are. Taking a chance.” I cringe. I probably shouldn’t have said that.
“I have my reasons for not wanting to take risks. What’re your excuses?”
“Clover Bay has a spell on me. Back home, I’m the girl who can’t get anything right. Here, I have a chance to prove myself. I’m afraid to put myself out there in case I blow it.”
“All you need to do is take one step at a time without over-complicating things. Don’t think of it as a few weeks, just take each day at a time. Come with me. I have an idea.” He helps me to my feet. With Dax at our side, we head down the beach.
“Where are your shoes?”
“I didn’t bring any.”
“You’re not what I imagined you would be like that first day.” He pauses before continuing, “I’ll dig out those walking boots later.”
I don’t want to know what his first impression of me was. The way he says it tells me it couldn’t have been good. “Boots would be great, thank you.”
Now Adam has got to know me, he doesn’t make me feel ridiculous. He accepts me the way I am.
Ten
Adam
The closer we get to my house, the more the doubt begins to creep in. My dad’s home, and we haven’t had a female visitor since Erin left. Although, things with Jody are different; she’s nothing like Erin. Even though I didn’t want to admit we could be friends, it was inevitable. I want to help her, and I think she needs it. I could kid myself and justify our friendship as loyalty to Molly because she’s like a grandmother to me. My grandparents died years ago, and Molly has always been there for me, but that’s not the reason. The truth is, I like Jody.
Dax runs ahead as we reach the garden path. The door’s open and he races inside. The smoke alarm blares out a horrible sound, and my dad is wafting it with a tea towel. I push open a window, trying to let some more fresh air inside. Jody lingers in the doorway, resting against the frame.
Once the alarm stops, the silence is deafening. I stay frozen to the spot, waiting for dad’s reaction to her. He wipes his hands on a tea towel and holds his hand out.
“Hello, young lady. I’m Harrison,” my dad says before gazing across to me with a curious look.
“I’m Jody. It’s nice to meet you,” she says. She takes his hand and gives it a firm shake.
“Okay then,” my dad says. He forces a grin, but it’s not in an unkind way. It’s just awkward. Everyone looks to me, and I cough to break the tension.
“Jody is Molly’s granddaughter.” She gives a shy smile while her fingers nervously drum along the door frame. There’s an uncomfortable silence where nobody speaks or moves.
“I should go,” Jody finally says.
I never meant to make her feel unwelcome. “No. Please don’t go. Are you hungry?” I ask.
“I’ve made beef stew. The garlic bread is burnt, but the vegetables are good.” My dad scratches the stubble on his chin. He seems to be trying to make an effort. Neither of us have great people skills.
“I’ve already had a sandwich with my gran.” Jody looks out into the garden like she’s unsure if she should stay.
“It’s a good job the garlic bread’s done for then. A small portion of beef and vegetables won’t hurt you.” Dad’s trying to encourage her to stay, and I’m thankful for the help.
I don’t want her to leave. If I’m honest with myself, the reason I want her here has nothing to do with wanting to help Molly out. I like having Jody around. She hesitates as she weighs up her options. Her big brown eyes meet mine, like she’s asking for confirmation of something, and I nod in the hope she knows I want her to stay.
“Okay.”
I smile. “Great.” Get it together, Adam. This shouldn’t be so hard.
After a few seconds pass, my dad walks over to the cooker and dishes out three bowls of stew. We sit at the table. Jody and I exchange glances while eating our food in silence.
Eventually, my dad asks, “So, what brings you to the village?”
“I’m here to help my grandmother while her arm gets better.” She rubs her wrist.
“So it’s a short stay then?” If this wasn’t going so badly, I’d laugh at my dad’s attempt at small talk.
“Yes. It’s nice in Clover Bay, but I also miss my friends back in Manchester.”
“And how is Grace these days? I mean, how is your mother?” It feels like a lifetime ago since my dad mentioned anything to do with the past.
“My mum works a lot, and I don’t see her as much as I’d like. Did you know her when she lived here?” Jody poises her fork likes she’s genuinely interested in what he
has to say.
“Grace went to school with Penny, my wife, and me.”
“Were Penny and my mum good friends?” Jody asks.
“Yes. They used to be best friends.” My dad points to a picture on the wall. Jody abandons her stew to take a closer look.
“My mum used to be girly. All she wears now are power suits and plain blouses. It’s hard to imagine her without her freshly pressed trousers and business head on.”
“She used to live in summer dresses. I can’t imagine her in a smart suit.” He laughs softly.
“I guess a lot has changed since your days at school.”
Pain crosses my dad’s face, which he tries to hide with a cough. We don’t usually talk about past memories.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I guess my dad didn’t fool Jody either.
“It’s fine.”
“Do you know why my mum left Clover Bay?”
My dad brushes his hand over his hair. Most people who grew up here tend to stay local. All the original settlers have streets named after them, including the Evans’. We’re a community with strong bonds to the village.
“That’s a story for your mum to tell you,” he says with a forced smile.
Jody returns to her chair at the table, and we eat the rest of our dinner. I knew our mums had been friends. I’ve looked at that picture on the wall for hours, and their friendship is evident in it and others I’ve seen. Jody looks like her mother, only prettier. They have the same high cheekbones and kind smiles. Her lips are fuller, and even though I don’t want to think about it, Jody’s beautiful.
The conversation flows smoothly with her here. My dad tells her old fishing tales, and I listen while mourning the connection we lost long ago. After dinner, we wash the used cutlery. My dad disappears into the living room, leaving Jody and me alone.
“Right, now for the fun part,” I say.
I throw a packet of mini marshmallows at her. She tries to catch them, but they slip out of her hand, landing on the floor. Dax sniffs the packet before she picks it up.
“Are we making hot chocolate?” Her eyes narrow in confusion.
“Even better than that. We’ve making rocky road. Welcome to cooking lessons 101. I’ll be your host, Adam Davis.”
I bow, pretending I have an applauding audience. Jody looks amused.
“Why thank you, Adam. I’m very glad to be here.”
I pass her a packet of Digestives and a rolling pin. “I thought we’d start with some anger management therapy, which is very useful in baking.”
“Isn’t the secret ingredient love?”
“That’s what the movies want you to believe.”
I retrieve a freezer bag from the drawer and hold it open for her. She puts the biscuits inside; I seal it and place it onto the chopping board.
“So, you’re saying if I bash these biscuits within an inch of their lives, they’ll taste better?”
“Hell no. If you do that, we’ll need to use the spare packet from the cupboard. We’re aiming for chunks about the size of fifty pence pieces. Although, if you feel the need to smash them into obliteration then go for it.”
“Is this why you enjoy baking?”
“You’re a funny girl. I don’t have anger issues.”
“You’re just socially difficult then?” she teases.
“Do you want my help?”
“Apologies, Master Chef Adam.”
I shake my head before navigating my way around the kitchen to collect the rest of the ingredients we need. Jody mumbles to herself as she gets to work on smashing the biscuits.
“If you’d like, I could show you a few simple recipes. Most of my evenings are free, and it won’t be long until you can make things like this on your own.” I light the hob and break the chocolate into pieces, placing it in the pan with the butter.
“What do you do for fun if you never leave Clover Bay?”
I glance towards her, but she stays focused on her task. “I like to read and walk Dax.”
“Kayleigh mentioned she goes to the pub. Do you ever go?”
“Socialising isn’t my thing.”
“Everybody needs somebody.”
I’m a loner, so the thought of sharing my world with someone is alien. I do have my dad, but I think she means more than family.
I remove the pan from the stove to allow the content to cool. “Do you have somebody?”
“No boyfriend, but I couldn’t live without my best friend.”
A smirk crosses my face as I remember the package she had sent. “The girl who likes to have her underwear eaten?”
“I didn’t need that mental image, thank you very much. But, yes. Sarah is the Yin to my Yang.”
The mention of Sarah is a reminder Jody doesn’t belong here, and this is only temporary. I push down the thought of her leaving.
“What do you do for fun at home?”
“The normal sort of things. I like going to nightclubs, karaoke bars, and stand-up comedy nights. I guess it’s not the usual thing for you, but Manchester is faster paced. My social life is my favourite part of living in a vibrant city.”
The gap between us is growing. For a moment, I’d let my guard down. I don’t want to put it back up, but I need to remember Clover Bay will never be enough for her. My expression tightens. I gesture for Jody to pour the marshmallows and biscuit into the pan. She mixes it with a spoon while I line the tin.
“Place the mixture into the baking tray. Once it cools, we’re all done.”
“Maybe I am capable of running the café. With your help, of course.”
“You won’t know if you don’t try.”
She nods but doesn’t look convinced. Once the rocky road is in the tin, I walk her home. Being on my own has become second nature to me, but Jody is already making me want things I shouldn’t. Later that night, I dig out my mum’s old walking boots and place them into a plastic bag for Jody. My dad hasn’t cleared out my mum’s old things, even though they aren’t used anymore. Giving the walking boots to Jody feels like the right thing to do.
Eleven
Jody
Sunday
After another successful week at the café, I’m looking forward to my day off. I want to explore Clover Bay and find out what makes this place special. I dry my hands on the tea towel and throw it onto a side unit. The cutlery is clean, and the tables are almost sparkling. I’ve glued the peeling wallpaper next to the counter back down and shook out the pillows on the window seats. I’m tired yet satisfied knowing I’ve done a good job.
I untie my apron, placing it on the hook in the hallway. As I look in the mirror, I take in my messy appearance. Scooping up my loose hair, I secure it into a bun on the top of my head before heading to my room. I strip out of my uniform and change into something more comfortable. My yoga pants and old pink t-shirt are anything but glamorous. At home, I wouldn’t wear this out of the house. In Clover Bay, I feel comfortable enough to dress down.
Once I’ve slipped my ballet pumps on, I make my way out of the back door and through the village. The sunshine reflects off the shop windows. There are some beautiful handmade trinkets displayed behind the glass. Laughter echoes through the streets as people chatter with friends. I run my fingers along the stone wall while deeply breathing in the salty sea air. Metal hooves clang against the ground, and I follow the sounds through a small cutting.
A dark-bearded man is leading a group of horses across the paddock. I’ve seen the horses and stables from the top of the hill, but not up close. This appears to be the only flat piece of land in the whole village. I try to stay hidden as I watch the man feed the brown horse an apple.
I’m about to step away when I catch sight of Kayleigh in full riding gear. She never mentioned her love for equestrianism. She brushes the black horse. The man helps her reach the top of his mane and down his back. They move together in unison like they’ve done this routine a thousand times before. Their chemistry is magnetic. I step ba
ck, feeling intrusive, but my back hits a hard chest. Adam’s arms wrap around me and he covers my mouth. I know it’s him from the smell of cologne and sea salt. He brings his lips close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
“They always do this,” he says.
I relax into his body while focusing back on Kayleigh. “I thought she didn’t date local guys.”
“Peter and Kayleigh have been doing this dance for years, but they don’t see what’s right in front of them.”
I turn my head slightly to look at him. “What are you doing here?”
“I found a pair of my mum’s old walking boots, so I dropped them off for you at your grandmother’s house.”
“How did you find me?” I didn’t tell my gran where I was going.
“The village isn’t that big and you’re not hard to miss. I saw you walking up this way.”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach. He was watching out for me again, which gives me a strange sense of security. His sexy stubble and masculine jawline look too appealing right now. He steps back and coughs when he sees me looking. My cheeks shamefully heat up. I shouldn’t be thinking of him in this way. It wouldn’t be fair on either of us to start something we can’t finish.
“So, why don’t you give me a VIP tour?”
“I’m not sure you can handle the secrets of Clover Bay.”
I pout playfully, waiting for him to change his mind.
He puts his arm around my shoulders, guiding me from the paddock. “Come on. I’ll show you the caves.”
“Like Batman’s cave or secret treasure-filled caves?”
He laughs but doesn’t answer my question. “Have you thought any more about your grandmother’s proposition?”
“I want to say yes to her, but I’m scared to commit to such a big project. I don’t have a great history when it comes to keeping a job, never mind running a café.”
The Heart of Baker’s Bay Page 6
