Thirty
Jody
Sunday
I cuddle into the warm heat of Adam. The sounds of soft waves and seagulls make this morning even sweeter. Last night was hands down the best date I’ve ever had. From the beautiful scenery, to the perfect company; everything felt special.
Adam turns over to pull me closer to him and his eyes flicker open. “Morning, beautiful,” he says, filling me up with a sweet sense of love. I’m falling hard and fast for him, yet I can’t seem to care that I’m going to get hurt. Living in the moment is what I’m good at, only this time, it feels different. I don’t want it to end.
“Morning,” I say, smiling.
“Did you sleep well?”
I laugh. “I slept amazingly. You’re the best teddy bear a girl could ask for. I could get used to sharing this bed with you, even if it’s small.” I look to the curtain to see a shimmer of light peeking through. “What time is it? Unfortunately, one of us has to get up for work at some point today.”
“It’s a good job it’s Sunday then, so you have a late start.” He leans over to the nightstand to pick up my phone. “It’s nine a.m., so we have a little more time to cuddle before it’s time to get up.” He holds it close to my face and my notifications appear on the screen.
I jerk back, hitting my head on his elbow. “We need to get up. Now.”
He scratches his chin. “Erm, why? What’s going on?” I pull back the covers, not caring I’m naked. The single bed rocks as I try to climb over him, but he grabs my arm. “Jody, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”
“My sister will be here any minute.” Right on cue, the back door slams and I scramble to get dressed.
“Do you want me to leave out of the window?” Adam asks as he rolls off the mattress, pulling on his black cargo shorts.
“This isn’t a teen movie and we’re not sneaking around. You can leave using the front door. You don’t have to worry about my sister. She won’t say anything to you. She’ll save her opinion until you’ve left.” I’d rather not have any conversation with her about Adam, but it will be better that he’s not here.
“Why? What’s wrong with having a relationship with me?”
“I love the fact you said we’re in a relationship, but my sister will see us as a quick fling. She’ll think I’m dating you so I don’t have to take my responsibilities seriously.”
“You’re old enough to make your own choices, and you can make your own decisions about what you want to take seriously.”
“If I wasn’t such a screw up all the time then she might agree, but the reality is, I make mistakes, and sometimes they’re big ones.” I pull a sundress over my head and use a face wipe to freshen my skin.
“You need to start believing more in yourself.” He sounds serious, almost frustrated.
“I know, and I’m starting to. I’m doing better than I was before I came here. I haven’t burnt the café down or had any major disasters, but I still need to prove myself to my family.” I want to tell him how much he’s helped me turn things around. I’m starting to feel like I can make a successful future, but I’m running out of time before we’ll get interrupted. Unfortunately, I’ll have to save this conversation for another day.
“Hello, Jody! Are you there?” My sister’s voice echoes through the downstairs hallway. I quickly pull my hair into a messy bun while Adam finishes putting on his sweater.
I open the bedroom door and Hannah’s halfway up the stairs. I hesitate in the hall and Adam almost walks into me. It’s obvious we’re more than friends, so when he takes my hand, I welcome the comfort and support he’s offering.
“Hi, Hannah. I think you already know Adam. What are you doing here?” I keep my tone light.
She pauses on the top step. “I came to help you decide what to do with the bigger furniture.” Her voice trails off.
“Where are Mum and Gran?” I try to hide my nerves as her eyes scrutinise us.
“It’s Sunday. They’re at home relaxing.” Her tone is soft, like she’s still trying to work out what’s going on.
“I hope Gran’s feeling better.”
With a gentle head nod, she turns to descend the stairs. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” She doesn’t acknowledge Adam, which fills me with relief, although I hope he doesn’t think she’s too rude. I don’t want her to say something inappropriate to him, and my sister can be unpredictable with her words. I lead Adam to the back door and give him a chaste kiss before he leaves.
After checking my appearance in the mirror, I take a deep breath and go to face the music. My sister is leaning against the kitchen counter when I enter. She gestures towards the cup of tea set on the draining board, which I pick up.
“So, at least I now know why you’re not in a hurry to come home,” she says, sipping her tea.
“That’s not fair. You didn’t give me any warning that you were coming and you caught me off guard,” I fire back, already ruffled she’s trying to undo my hard work within the café. Adam is part of the reason I don’t want to leave, but the café is also a priority.
“Just because you wouldn’t have been in bed with him doesn’t mean you’re not sampling what the locals have to offer.”
Ignoring her comment, I try to change the subject. “Are you here to help me run the shop today?” If she agrees, this will be an opportunity for me to show her how well I’ve been doing here.
“Sure, I can help. I’ve managed to juggle some clients to get tomorrow off, so I’ll be around for the next twenty-four hours or so. I’ve arranged for a moving company to pick up Gran’s sofa and bed in the morning. You’ve done a good job packing the smaller things.” She looks around the bare kitchen like she’s checking what I’ve done. I want to tell her I’m still living here and need some of the things, but for now, I let it go, focusing on the compliment she gave me.
“Great. I’ve made American pancakes to warm up, and I have fruit in the fridge. I just need to set up the drinks machine.” I sip my tea, hoping she’s impressed.
“Why didn’t you make something people could bag up and take away?”
My cheeks flush a little as she starts to poke holes in my plans, but I have this under control. “Oh, don’t worry. I have cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip muffins, and brownies all ready to go. I intend to sample the pancakes while I finish setting up and I was wondering if you fancied some, that’s all.” I place my mug on the edge of the sink.
“Well, I have to say, I’m impressed with the sound of that.” She puts her cup down and gestures to the door. “Lead the way.”
I’m confident with my baking abilities, so I have nothing to worry about. I heat up a couple of pancakes, add some Greek yoghurt, and top it off with some fresh blueberries. As I watch Hannah lap them up, I allow myself for the first time to think maybe I can impress her.
The café runs like a beautifully practiced scene from a theatre play; all that’s missing is for someone to break out into song. The customers smile and compliment my food, while locals wave as they pass the window. Even Kayleigh’s upbeat with a skip in her step, although I think it has more to do with Peter than being at work. She seems to realise how important it is for me to impress my sister without me saying a word, which I’m grateful for.
At a quarter to four, I’m ready to hang up my tea towel and celebrate the end of the week. Hannah passes me another tray of clean cups and I stack them onto the shelf.
“I’m all done wiping the tables and fluffing the pillows,” Kayleigh says, coming to stand next to me. She hasn’t hinted once at leaving early, which I’m impressed with. There’s only fifteen minutes remaining, so I don’t see the harm in letting her go.
“Pass me your apron so I can wash it and I’ll see you Tuesday morning,” I say, hinting she can leave for the day. She glances at my sister before grabbing her things, and she waves on her way out the door.
“Doesn’t Gran pay her wage until four?” Hannah asks.
“Other than cashing up, we’re
done, so what’s the point of making her stick around?” I ask, trying not to sound annoyed.
“If she’s paid until closing time she should stay.”
If only she knew the truth about how unpredictable Kayleigh really is. My gran’s turned a blind eye for years to her tardiness. “Why can’t you just praise me for my good work? I’ve held down the fort when nobody else could. You should be thanking me for doing a great job instead of lecturing me.”
“I do think you’ve done a good job, but you have to get your business head on when it comes to making decisions.” With five minutes till four o’clock, I lock the front door, ignoring my sister’s glare, and take the money from the till. I sit in the hallway on the floor, filling in the figures as I count the takings.
Hannah’s talking on the phone when I’m done, so I hurry upstairs to change my clothes and walk straight out the back door.
Thirty-One
Adam
It doesn’t matter what Jody said earlier, it feels like we’re sneaking around. I pull my t-shirt back over my head and run my hands through my hair. I haven’t had a secret rendezvous since high school. This should be a bad joke, but Jody was serious when she suggested it. I’m in my twenties and ready to settle down; I shouldn’t be dating a girl I have no future with. The problem is, I enjoy spending time with Jody and can’t help getting wrapped up in everything about her.
Jody tugs her dress back into place before collecting her cardigan from one of the cave rocks. I kiss her lightly on the forehead as her worry lines begin to set into place.
“I’m sorry about this.” She gestures between us. “I needed some time away from Hannah and to let off some steam.” She bites her lip.
“So I’m just a distraction now?” My lip curls up in a playful smirk.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“Do I?” I didn’t mean anything by my comment, but Jody seems different since her sister arrived.
“We aren’t just fooling around, or at least, we’re not to me.” Her tone turns serious.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want our last few memories of each other to be sour. It’s just your sister turning up makes it feel more real that you’re leaving.”
“She’s had that effect on me too. She’s like the anti-fun police, but she’ll be gone tomorrow. When are you planning on putting the offer in on the café?”
“I’m all set to call the estate agent’s in the morning. With my dad’s help, I’ve secured the money and drawn up a business plan.”
“Clover Bay is looking brighter already.” She smiles, and I lean in, kissing her lips.
“It will when I’ve finished painting my garden fence.” The camouflage the old wood once offered is slowly being lost.
“Dax will be disappointed now he can’t escape, although, he seems like a cunning dog. He might still find his way to the beach.”
“I don’t blame him, especially when he picks up beautiful girls.”
She playfully swats me on the arm. “You’re a charmer Adam Davis.”
I smile. “I try to be.”
She cuddles into my side. “Come on. Let’s take a walk along the beach.” She takes my hand as we wade through the water to exit the cave.
“What plans do you have for tomorrow?”
“The removal van’s coming to take my gran’s furniture.”
“So you’ll be staying in an empty cottage?” I frown. Could her sister really leave her with very little, or will Jody’s time in Clover Bay be coming to an end quicker than either of us realise?
“I guess.”
“Is that why you were asking me about my business plan?” I shouldn’t be holding on to hope, but I wish she’d change her mind about leaving.
“No. I’m curious and excited for you.”
I want her to see the changes in herself I already know are there. Her sister showing up seems to have knocked her confidence. “You could’ve handled the house clearance without your sister’s help. You know I’d help you, and I bet your gran doesn’t even have anywhere to store her things.”
“My sister’s rented a storage unit.”
“You say you’re ready to prove yourself, but you’re letting your sister take over.”
“She’s organised, that’s all.”
“You would’ve worked it out.”
“Maybe.” She nods. Given the chance she could’ve done all the things her sister has and we both know it. She can handle responsibility.
I want her to have more fight. I wish she felt as strongly about us as I do. I place her hand on my chest over my heart. “Don’t you feel this? The connection between us is real, or at least it is for me.”
“I’m falling in love with you. I feel it.”
The spark of hope begins to die out when her smile turns sad, but I can’t help myself. “Isn’t that enough?” We stop walking and stare at each other.
“I can’t keep living on my sister’s goodwill every time I fail.”
“Then stay with me. Fight to be with me.” My heart’s hammering against my chest with adrenalin. I said I wasn’t going to do this again, but I have to try and convince her. She needs to see I’m the right choice for her. I can be enough for her.
“When you’ve had enough of me, I’ll have to return home. I’ll look a fool. I can’t go from living under my sister’s shadow to playing house with you.”
“I can stay with my dad. The cottage doesn’t have to be a gift. I could rent it to you.”
She steps back, and I immediately feel a loss from the connection. “The café doesn’t pay well enough to support the rent of a two-bed cottage on part-time hours. I want my independence and to prove I can stand on my own two feet.”
My last glimmer of hope fades. Jody is never going to choose me. I’m never going to be enough for her. The painful realisation is sinking into my chest. I can see I’m not going to get what I want, and I don’t want to prolong this agony any longer. I was right to end things between us. My mistake was trying to hold onto the hope she’d change her mind. “Maybe you should leave with your sister and be done with it.”
“Why does everything have to be so black and white with you?” Her tone is laced with sadness, but I can’t stop myself snapping at her.
“I think you do want to stay with me, but you’re scared.”
She never said she wanted to stay for me. Maybe being with her family is what she really wants, but she doesn’t want to hurt my feelings.
“I’m sorry, Adam. Everything is confusing and I don’t know what the best thing to do is.”
Jody changed things; she changed me and now all the feelings I’d locked away for so long are close to the surface. I didn’t want to find love. I didn’t want Jody to show me how good having a girlfriend could be, but I can’t undo what’s already happened. I can’t forget the way she makes me feel.
Thirty-Two
Jody
Monday
I sit on the bed with a bucket of ice cream. This is the lowest I’ve ever felt after a break-up, and I can’t bring myself to be cheerful.
“Jody, are you going to help me or walk around like a zombie all day?” my sister shouts up the stairs.
I ignore her and shove another spoonful of chocolate chip into my mouth. We’ve already packed up most of the furniture, which was depressing. Despite what Adam said, I have no intention of leaving with Hannah. I’m done running from my problems, even if I’m unsure what to do.
“Jody! I’m going in twenty minutes. The least you could do is come and say goodbye.”
I dig out another clump of ice-cream. The sound of my sister banging up the stairs echoes in the distance, then she bursts through my bedroom door. She studies my current state. I haven’t combed my hair, and I changed back into my pyjamas the second the removal men left.
“He’s just one guy. There will be plenty back in Manchester for you to date once you start going out clubbing again.”
The idea of being chatted up by some meathead ma
kes my lip curl up. I don’t want to date any more douchebags after finding such a sweet, caring guy.
“I thought you were turning over a new leaf, or is your five minutes of motivation gone.” She sounds harsh and I can’t deal with her right now.
“I just got dumped. Give me a break.” Anger begins to rise within me, and my nostrils flare.
“She speaks,” Hannah says with a smirk, trying to cheer me up. I offer a fake smile but don’t feel even a hint of happiness. She sits on the bed next to me. “Come on, Jody. You’ll feel better once you’re settled at home. Gran’s going to buy a house and you’ll have a bigger bedroom. This summer has changed everything, but it doesn’t need to be doom and gloom over a guy.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “What about you? I like living with you.” What am I missing?
“Tim’s asked me to move in with him. Besides, you’re going to help Gran run the new café. It makes sense for you to live with her.”
I blink at her a few times, not quite believing her words. “You’re kicking me out?”
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Do I have a choice in where I live?” I ask, waiting for her to confirm my assumption.
Her phone rings, saving us from the brewing chaos that was about to be unleashed. Hannah stands and covers her other ear.
“Mum, slow down. I can’t understand a word you’re saying.” She disappears into the hall.
All this time I thought my sister and Tim would let me live with them. I never considered they were waiting for the right time to tell me they wanted to be on their own. I can picture it now, their perfect little family. A toddler running around while my pregnant sister gets ready to pop out another buddle of joy while I still live with my gran. I hate my life right now. I want my chance at love and happily ever after.
The sound of my sister crying breaks me out of my trance as I abandon the ice cream and go to find out what’s going on. She hangs up, thrusting her phone into her pocket. Her lip begins to tremble as she lets out a horrendous sob. My sister has always been an ugly crier. I wrap my arms around her, waiting to find out what’s wrong.
The Heart of Baker’s Bay Page 16
