A Fresh Start In Holly Blue Bay

by Cathy Blossom

  “He’s fine for now. He likes to have a nap at this time of the day. In fact, he likes to have naps at many times during the day.”

  They perched themselves on the window sill and tucked into their sandwiches.

  Daisy let out a groan of appreciation. “This is the best bacon sandwich I’ve ever had. Why does the food around here taste so good?”

  “Does it?”

  “It does, compared to what I’m used to.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Oh, come on! The coffee is excellent too, and I’ve tasted a lot of coffee. Has someone cast a spell on the town to make everything look and taste more wonderful here?”

  Jacob laughed. “I think you’re the one who’s casting a spell. Certainly on Malcolm and me.” He stopped smiling and looked at his sandwich. “Well, more Malcolm than me, obviously. This is a good sandwich.”

  Daisy smiled at his embarrassment and was glad it wasn’t her feeling embarrassed this time.

  “What are your plans for the day?” Daisy asked him.

  Jacob kept his attention on the sandwich. “I’ll make a start on some of the work here. Then I’ve got to call in at the hotel for a bit of maintenance work. After that, I’ve got some roof repairs on the church to sort out.” He looked back at her. “I don’t know how that old church is still standing. It needs a complete overhaul, but I do my best to keep it going. What are your plans?”

  Daisy finished the last of her sandwich. “I’ve got a lot of online tasks to attend to. I posted some photos of the town yesterday when I first arrived, and I’ve had loads of great comments. People want to see a lot more.”

  Jacob shook his head. “I don’t know why people are so interested in this town. It’s nothing special.”

  “I totally disagree. It’s amazing. You’ve got everything here. The beach and beautiful sand for a start. There’s a pier with attractions on it.”

  “It’s only a small pier.”

  “It’s still a pier. You’ve got lots of shops.” Daisy began to count on her fingers. “A hotel in an elevated position, one of those wooden lift things that takes you up the hill. I can’t remember the proper name for it.”

  “A funicular.”

  Daisy grinned. “That’s it. See, it’s even got fun in the word. You’ve got that old castle which is rich in history.”

  Jacob smiled. “You’re starting to sound like a travel agent.”

  “I haven’t finished. You’ve got those islands out to sea which contain a wealth of wildlife.” She held her finger up. “And best of all, you’ve got the holly blue butterflies. There’s an abundance of them here.”

  Jacob gave her a long look. “I’m beginning to think you’re the perfect person to promote our town. It’s clear you love it.”

  “Who wouldn’t love it? It’s amazing.”

  He shook his head slowly. “I’ve lived here all my life, and never given a thought to all those things you’ve mentioned. I suppose I take them for granted. Do you think tourists will like it as much as you?”

  “I hope so. I’m going to do all that I can to promote it. I’ve ordered some stationery and marketing materials which are due to arrive today. How’s the delivery service around here?”

  Jacob opened his mouth to speak, but he never got the chance to utter a word as a rosy-cheeked man entered the shop. He opened his arms wide and announced, “The delivery service here is the best in the world! And I should know, I’m the one who delivers it. Melvin Turner at your service. Mel to my friends.” He placed an arm across his round stomach and gave them a bow.

  Jacob muttered to Daisy, “You might as well cancel your plans for the rest of the day.”

  Daisy gave him a puzzled look. “Why?”

  “You’ll see,” Jacob replied sagely.

  Chapter 6

  JACOB

  JACOB FOLDED HIS ARMS across his chest and waited for Mel’s one-man show to commence. The man was incapable of delivering mail without stopping for a chat, sometimes even a cup of tea. He’d known Mel to prolong his delivery round even further by having and cake and sandwiches at many residences.

  Daisy pushed herself off the window sill and moved over to Mel. She said, “Hello. I’m Daisy Clarke. Have you got any mail for me, please?”

  “I certainly have, my dear! And lots of it too,” Mel announced with a beaming smile. “A lot of it has come from London. I’ve only been to London a few times. I went on that big wheel thing by the river. Scared me half to death it did! I wasn’t myself for hours afterwards. Then there was that time I went to the British Museum. Fascinating place, it is. They’ve got Egyptian mummies there! Did you know that? Have you ever been? I expect you have because you’ve lived in London all your life.”

  “Erm, yes. How do you know that?”

  Mel tapped the side of his nose. “I know everything that goes on around here. If you want to know any gossip, you ask me. I’m faster than Twitter when it comes to the juicy stuff. Speaking of Twitter, I’ve seen your tweets. I’ve put myself down for notifications. And I’ve signed up for your newsletter. I want to know everything you write about our marvellous town. If you need anything saucy to add, give me the wink and I’ll give you the details. You might have to leave some of the residents’ names out, though. Perhaps we can refer to them as Mr X and Mrs X.” He winked at her.

  “Erm. Right,” Daisy said uncertainly.

  Jacob felt sorry for her. He was used to Mel Turner and his gossiping ways, but it could come as a shock to people who didn’t know him. But Mel had his uses. If anyone had a burst pipe or a blocked sink, Mel would phone Jacob and let him know within minutes. He’d given Jacob a lot of work over the years. Who needed the internet with Mel around?

  Mel put his hands on his hips and looked around the room. “If these walls could talk, they’d tell you a tale or two. There have been many businesses run from here. Including a smuggling one.”

  “Really?” Daisy’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know that.”

  Jacob shot her a warning look. Mel didn’t need any encouragement to talk about the town. Thank goodness there were no chairs in here yet. If there had been, Mel would have pulled one up, settled himself in it, and then gossiped non-stop for the next hour or two.

  Mel took a step closer to Daisy, checked back over his shoulder and said, “There’s a rumour a tunnel runs right under this street. The smugglers used it, but no one knows how to access it. I told Roberta we should get one of those special cameras which sees through concrete. We would easily find the tunnel then, I told her. We could open up the entrances and have tours along the tunnel. People would pay to do that. We might even find some treasure. But she said my idea was ridiculous and would cost money the town didn’t have.”

  “And I stand by that decision, Melvin Turner.” Roberta Wainwright suddenly walked into the room as if she owned it. Which she did, Jacob realised.

  Mel’s face lit up as it always did when he saw Roberta. “Bobbie! You look even more beautiful today. How is it possible for you to look more radiant and youthful with every passing day?” He clasped his hands together and gazed adoringly at her.

  Jacob was surprised to see Roberta’s hard look soften. But it was only for a second and then that cold look came back.

  Roberta pointed to something outside. “Melvin, you’ve left your post trolley unattended again. We’ve spoken about this many times. Someone could steal valuable post.”

  “Not around here, they won’t,” Mel replied. “And if anyone did, I’d soon find them. I have friends everywhere. Including you. That colour looks great on you, Bobbie. It really brings out those tiny blue flecks in your eyes.”

  “Stop being ridiculous, and stop calling me Bobbie.”

  Mel’s eyes shone with adoration. “Anything you say. As long as you stop calling me Melvin. We’ve known each other too long to be so formal. I keep telling you that.” He tore his eyes away from Roberta and looked at Daisy. “I’ll just get your post. I expect you’ll be wanting to get on with your marketing stuff. Won�
��t be a mo.” He left the room, smiling at Roberta as he did so.

  Roberta strode over to Daisy. She gave Jacob a curt nod before addressing Daisy. “I’ve checked your online activities this morning, and you haven’t posted anything new for ten hours. You promised me you’d post regularly throughout the day.”

  Daisy replied, “I’ve been asleep for most of those ten hours. But I’ll —”

  “You’ve been asleep for ten hours?” Roberta rudely interrupted her. “Who needs ten hours sleep? I certainly don’t. Five hours is more than enough for me. Really, this won’t do.”

  Jacob felt the familiar irritation that being so close to Roberta Wainwright brought out in him. Why did she have to be so rude?

  Daisy’s voice was calm as she answered, “I can still post even when I’m asleep. I’ve set up a series of automatic posts which will go out on the hour throughout today. My followers have increased by two hundred, and I have fifty more subscribers to my newsletter.”

  “Including me!” Mel returned to the room and gave Daisy a handful of thick envelopes. “Here you go. Have you had a good look around the town yet? If not, you can come with me on my rounds, and I’ll tell you all you need to know about this town and its occupants.” He gave her a big smile. “If we time it right, we’ll stop at Doris’ place just in time for afternoon cake. She lives on her own now, and I always stop in even if she hasn’t got any post.”

  Daisy looked as if she was considering the offer. Before she could answer, Roberta said brusquely, “I’m sure Daisy doesn’t want to listen to idle gossip all day. She’s got plenty of work to be getting on with here.” She gave Daisy a pointed look.

  Daisy went up in Jacob’s estimation even more as she said to Mel, “I would love to walk around town with you. It’s very kind of you to offer. Can I take you up on that another day?”

  “You certainly can, my dear.” Mel’s eyes twinkled at her. “I can see you’re going to fit in well here. I saw you yesterday evening strolling along the beach with young Jacob here. Anyone who can get Jacob to stroll along the beach and talk deserves a medal for determination.” He glanced at Jacob. “No offence; you know I love you, but it’s hard to get more than a grunt from you most of the time.”

  Roberta turned her cold eyes on Jacob. “You talked to Ms Clarke yesterday? At length? What about? Did you try to convince her to go back to London? You can’t bear the idea of things changing in this town, can you? You’re as stubborn as your father.” Her eyes narrowed.

  Jacob bristled and got ready to give the annoying woman a piece of his mind.

  Daisy said loudly, “Jacob was a great help to me yesterday. He’s given me some wonderful ideas for the town, things I’d never even thought of.” Daisy smiled at Jacob and all his irritation over Roberta vanished.

  “Really?” Roberta raised one eyebrow in disbelief.

  Jacob recalled one of the ideas he’d discussed with Daisy the previous day. He now said, “Yes, really. In fact, Daisy plans to follow a resident around as they go about their work. She’s going to record everything they do and take lots of photos. All of it will go online.”

  Daisy gave Jacob an uncertain look. Jacob knew she wasn’t going to put that plan into operation for a week or two. But an idea was forming in his head.

  Jacob continued, “I’ve put myself forward as the resident she’s going to follow. And we’re going to do that today.”

  “We are?” Daisy asked.

  “We are,” Jacob said with a smile.

  Roberta gave him an incredulous look. “You’re going to allow someone to put photos of you online?”

  “I am.”

  “But you hate anything to do with the internet,” Roberta argued. “You don’t even have an email address.”

  “I know, but it’s time I got in touch with modern technology. I can’t continue to act as if I’ve travelled from the last century in a time machine.” He shared a smile with Daisy and was delighted to see the mirth in her eyes.

  Roberta shook her head. “This had better not be a joke, Jacob Smythe. You’d better not waste Ms Clarke’s valuable time.”

  “I won’t.” Jacob checked his watch. “Daisy, we should make a start. We’ve got a lot to do.”

  Mel grinned at Jacob as if he knew what was going on in his mind. He probably did. Mel’s keen eyes would have caught all the smiling going on between Jacob and Daisy. They would likely be a source of gossip for the rest of the day.

  Mel said, “Daisy, my offer still stands. If you get sick of being with Jacob, you can come along with me. I don’t just deliver the post, you know. I do all sorts of things for the town.”

  Roberta held her hand up. “Mel, you do too much for the town, I keep telling you that. Let Daisy follow Jacob around. It’ll do him good to be in someone’s company all day besides that smelly dog.”

  Malcolm chose that moment to wake up. He stretched and then padded over to them. He stopped at Daisy’s side and she placed her hand softly on his head. She said, “I don’t think he’s smelly at all. I think he’s great.”

  Jacob couldn’t resist saying, “Malcolm’s going to be the town’s mascot.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Roberta burst out. “I’ve never heard such a ridiculous idea in my life.”

  Daisy lifted her chin and gave Roberta a defiant look. “It was my idea. People love looking at animals online. It will do wonders for our marketing campaign to have Malcolm as our mascot.”

  “I’m not sure about that,” Roberta replied with a look of disgust aimed at Malcolm. She sighed and added, “But you’re the marketing expert, so I’ll trust your judgement. I’ll keep checking online for your posts, and I’ll phone you later to see what your plans for tomorrow are.” She gave Daisy a tight smile before leaving the office.

  Mel jogged after her. “Wait up there, Bobbie. I’ve got some post for you. Let me walk with you a while.”

  Jacob heard Roberta say, “If you must.”

  Once Roberta and Mel were safely down the road, Daisy said, “I think I’ve made an enemy of Roberta.”

  “Everyone does at some point. Don’t pay any attention to her. She’s like that with everyone.”

  Daisy continued, “Not everyone. She likes Mel, and it’s obvious he’s in love with her.”

  “Everyone knows Mel loves her, but I think you’re wrong about Roberta liking Mel.”

  “Didn’t you see how she looked at him? And how her tone changed when she talked to him?”

  “Not really.” He shrugged. “And I can’t see anything happening between them in a romantic sense.”

  “You never know. Love has a way of finding people.” Daisy looked at the envelopes in her hand. “I suppose I should get on with this.”

  “But what about our day together? Roberta will be expecting you to do it now.”

  “I thought you only said that to shut her up.”

  “I did, but I meant it.” He looked at Malcolm. “And I meant it about him too. You can take all the videos and photos you want of him.” His attention went back to Daisy. “I’d like to help you in any way I can.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot to me. I’d like to spend some time with you.”

  Jacob felt the same, but he was too stubborn to admit it.

  Chapter 7

  DAISY

  A SHORT WHILE LATER, Daisy settled herself into the passenger seat of Jacob’s van. Malcolm sat next to her with his head resting on her lap.

  Jacob noted, “You’ve made a friend for life there.”

  “I hope so.” Daisy stroked Malcolm’s head. “Are you sure you don’t mind me taking photos of him?”

  “Course not.” He gave her a stern look. “I know I told Roberta I don’t mind photos of me going online, but I’d rather you didn’t. I don’t want my face plastered all over the internet.”

  “Why not? You’ve got a very handsome face.” Daisy quickly looked out of the window. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Still looking out at the passing scenery, she asked, “
Where are we going?”

  “To the Holly Blue Hotel. They always have a list of jobs for me there. The whole place needs renovating, but like everything else, it takes money.” Jacob headed along the seafront. “Perhaps your marketing might help the hotel. Is that something you’re going to include? Local places for tourists to stay in?”

  Daisy looked back at him, glad to be talking about business rather than how handsome he was. “Yes, that’s all part of my plan. I’ve never been to the hotel before. When I was here with Mum and Dad, we stared at it from the beach and I said I wanted to go inside because it looked like a magical castle. But Mum said it was too fancy for the likes of us, and said she liked going to smaller places.”

  “It’s not that fancy inside,” Jacob said. “It just looks that way from the outside because of the elaborate stonework.” He turned left and headed up the hill towards the hotel. “Did you know my ancestors designed and built the hotel?”

  “No! Did they really?”

  “They did. And what’s more, I still have the original plans.”

  “Get out of town!”

  Jacob laughed. “No, you get out of town!” His brow furrowed. “Only joking. I don’t want you to get out of town. For Malcolm’s sake, of course.”

  “Of course.” Daisy smiled at his words. “Do you think I could look at those plans?”

  Jacob shot her a smile. “I was about to make that very offer to you. Yes, you can look at them. If it helps you, I don’t mind if you put some photos of the plans on your site.”

  “Really?” Daisy stared at him. “That would help a lot. Bring local history to the website. People love that. How long has your family been here?”

  “Hundreds of years. They helped design the layout of the town. I’ve got those plans somewhere too.”

  “Wow. Have you ever thought of moving?”

  Jacob made a left turn on to Holly Blue Road. “I think about it every time I have a run-in with Roberta Wainwright. Or when someone is being particularly stubborn about paying my bills.” He smiled. “But other than that, no, I love it here. It’s home.”