A Fresh Start In Holly Blue Bay

by Cathy Blossom

  The man shifted to the side.

  Daisy picked her handbag up and sent a silent thank you to Tilly for making her go to those self-defence lessons six months ago. Daisy had enjoyed them much better than the kickboxing ones.

  Daisy’s legs began to tremble as her bravery seeped away. She wasn’t sure she could keep up the pretence of being brave for much longer.

  She went into the darkly lit pub and tried not to gag at the rich aroma of beer, fried food and men who’d spent far too much time here. The evil kidnapper had told her he’d be sitting at the far, left-hand corner of the pub with a jumbo packet of ready salted crisps in front of him. Daisy had already done some online digging, and she knew what he looked like, and what his name was.

  She looked towards the left and saw the monster sitting there. Or as he was legally known — Spike Pickford. She strode over to him and noticed how smug he looked. He wouldn’t look like that for much longer.

  Spike leaned back in his seat and folded his skinny arms. “I wasn’t sure you’d turn up alone, Daisy Clarke. I’ve been having a good think since you sent me that message. I’ve decided to put the ransom up. That mongrel is more popular than ever online now. I bet I could auction him off to the highest bidder if I wanted to.” He kicked a chair towards her. “Sit down. I’ll tell you what my price is now.”

  Daisy stood her ground. This little man was not going to make demands on her. She said loudly and calmly, “No. I won’t sit down. I won’t pay you a penny more than we agreed, Spike Pickford! And I want to see Malcolm right now.”

  “Shh! Keep your voice down. I don’t want everyone knowing my business.”

  “Don’t you?” Daisy shouted. “Don’t you want anyone to hear how you stole a poor, defenceless dog, and how you’re now demanding money for his return?” She looked around the pub expecting to see outraged faces aimed at Spike. But that didn’t happen. The people sitting at the tables actually gave Spike admiring looks. Someone gave him a thumbs up. Perhaps they were thinking they should try dognapping too.

  Daisy felt a flicker of unease. She was counting on people being offended at Malcolm’s treatment, and being disgusted with what Spike had done. She had hoped they would then help her. But that wasn’t going to happen with the people inside this building. She glanced at the entrance door, hoping more people would arrive who could help her. The doors didn’t open.

  She looked back at Spike and saw his smirk had increased. He said slyly, “Looking for help, are you? You won’t get any here. Have you got that two thousand pounds with you? That can be the deposit. Hand it over.”

  “No. You’re not getting a penny out of me until I see Malcolm.”

  “No chance.”

  “Why not?”

  “Cos I haven’t finished my beer yet. Sit down and shut up.”

  That was the last straw. She picked up his half-finished pint and handed it to an elderly man at the next table. The old chap grabbed it and downed it in less than three seconds.

  Daisy gave Spike a hard look. “Your pint has been drunk. Show me the dog. Now!”

  Spike jumped to his feet. “That was good beer! And it was mine. I’ve changed my mind about selling that mongrel back to you now.”

  “Is he in here?” Daisy looked left and right. Then she yelled, “Malcolm! Malcolm!”

  The man behind the bar shouted, “Oi! Spike, take your lady friend outside. This is a peaceful pub.”

  Daisy called over to him, “I’m not leaving until I find Malcolm. He’s a dog. He’s been stolen by Spike.”

  The man looked at Spike. “Is this the dog you’ve got in your van outside?”

  Spike swore at him in reply.

  Daisy marched out of the pub and into the car park. There were about ten old vans parked in the bays. Daisy threw her head back and yelled, “Malcolm! Where are you? Malcolm!”

  She was aware of people moving behind her and she could feel them getting closer. She wouldn’t be able to use her self-defence skills on all of them. Her throat suddenly felt dry. She swallowed and then started calling Malcolm’s name again hoping to hear a bark in return.

  She didn’t hear a bark, but she heard an echo of Malcolm’s name, and then another one. She stopped shouting and looked at where the sound was coming from. Her spirits soared when dozens and dozens of people swarmed into the car park, all of them calling Malcolm’s name. She recognised most of their faces from their online accounts.

  The people made a protective circle around Daisy, many of them waving and grinning at her as they did so.

  A woman Daisy recognised came to a stop next to her and declared, “We meet at last! Have you found Malcolm yet?”

  “I haven’t, Sheila. He’s in a van somewhere in this car park. Thank you so much for coming here. I wasn’t sure anyone would respond to my messages.”

  “You’ve got a lot of supporters out there, Daisy. And I speak for many people when I tell you I’ve fallen in love with that crazy hound. It made my blood boil when you told me he’d been taken. Have you found the villain who took him?”

  Daisy turned around and pointed to Spike who was cowering by the pub doors.

  “Leave him to me. I’ve met his sort before.” Sheila marched over to Spike and began speaking to him. Daisy didn’t know what was being said but she watched in amazement as Spike seemed to shrink in on himself as if he were deflating.

  Sheila then took Spike firmly by the arm, and he meekly led her over to a rusty white van. He opened the back doors, and a second later, Malcolm bounded out and ran straight over to Daisy. Daisy’s online friends cheered loudly.

  Daisy’s tears flowed freely as she hugged the dear dog. He licked her face over and over again, but she didn’t mind in the slightest.

  Daisy stayed in the car park for a while as she thanked the many people who had travelled all this way to help her. Then she had to wait a bit longer because everyone wanted to take a photo with Malcolm.

  Daisy said to Sheila, “Thanks again for your help. I don’t think I would have been able to get Malcolm back on my own.”

  “You are more than welcome. Help is just a tweet away,” Sheila said with a smile. “I’m taking the kidnapper to the local police station. He’s not getting away with this. I’ll let you know what happens to him.”

  Daisy couldn’t speak. She never thought she’d get this much support from people she’d only known online. She gave Sheila a quick hug to show her gratitude before heading to her car with her eyes full of grateful tears.

  Malcolm sat in the passenger seat of Daisy’s car. She put the window down so he could smile at his rescuers as they drove away. Not only did Malcolm give them his best goofy smile, he raised his paw in farewell too. He really was an amazing dog.

  As they headed back to Holly Blue Bay, Daisy’s heart felt heavy. She was overjoyed to get Malcolm back, but there was no way she could stay living in Holly Blue Bay. She’d seen how the residents had looked at her as she’d left the town earlier. They hated her, and she didn’t blame them one bit. It would be better for the town if she returned to London and left the town behind. She’d have to leave Jacob behind too.

  Chapter 16

  JACOB

  “ARE YOU SURE THIS WILL work?” Jacob asked Roberta as they walked along the seafront. “It seems a waste of time to me. If she wants to leave, then we should respect her wishes.” Saying those words made his heart twist in pain, but he did his best to ignore it.

  Roberta nudged him sharply in the ribs with her elbow. “Is that what you want, Jacob Smythe? Do you want Daisy to leave town? I thought you liked her.”

  Jacob gave Roberta a pointed look as he rubbed his side. “Ouch, by the way. Yes, I do like her. A lot.”

  “I should think so too after what she did for that smelly dog of yours. She put her life in danger to get him back for you.”

  “I know she did, and I’ve thanked her many times. But she’s got it in her head that she has to leave here and go back to London. She said she can continue her marketi
ng from there.” His heavy steps matched the heaviness in his heart. “If that’s what she wants to do, then we have to let her. It’s obvious there’s nothing to keep her here. Nothing at all.”

  Roberta nudged him in the ribs again. “And what did you do when she told you that? You just accepted it. You’re such an idiot, Jacob Smythe. If anyone should leave town, it should be you! If Daisy does leave, I’m going to hold you personally responsible. I’ll make your life hell.”

  “You already do.” He winced as he rubbed his side again. “You’ve got sharp elbows. You’ve probably given me a bruise.”

  “I hope I have.” Roberta stopped in her tracks and turned her full wrath on him. “You should have convinced her to stay! You should have fought for her to stay! What’s wrong with you? Why are you so selfish? You only ever think about yourself and that dog.”

  Jacob was about to argue, but he knew Roberta was right. He should have told Daisy how much the town loved her, and how they wanted her to stay living here forever. But more than that, he should have told her how much he loved her. He’d been a coward. He recalled the stilted conversation he’d had with Daisy when she’d brought Malcolm back. She hadn’t smiled at him once when she’d said she was returning to London. She’d explained she didn’t want to cause any more problems in the town. And instead of arguing with her and making her see sense, Jacob had merely nodded and walked away.

  Roberta pulled on his elbow. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. We haven’t got time for that. Daisy hasn’t left yet. There’s still time.”

  Daisy’s laughing face flashed into Jacob’s mind. The thought of her leaving was breaking his heart. “I’m not sure this plan of yours will work, Roberta.”

  “It might. If not, I’ll think of something else.” Her steps slowed. “Look, there she is sitting on her balcony. This is perfect. She looks like Juliet. You’re not my ideal Romeo, but you’ll have to do.”

  Jacob pulled at the collar of his shirt and glanced over his shoulder. “I don’t want to do this in public.”

  “Tough. A public display of emotion and support is what Daisy needs. Stop being a cowardly lion and get over there.” She gave him a gentle push. “Good luck. Don’t mess this up.”

  “I wouldn’t dare.” Jacob took one last look behind him, and then walked along the road until he was standing outside Daisy’s balcony. She didn’t notice him as her attention was on the holly blue butterfly which was resting on the balcony railings. She looked so sad as she stared at the creature. Jacob knew she didn’t really want to leave this town. And it was up to him to convince her to stay.

  “Daisy!” he called out.

  Daisy jumped and looked down at him. The blue butterfly fluttered away. “Jacob? What do you want? We’ve already said goodbye. I was just about to leave.”

  “I don’t want you to leave,” he declared loudly. “And neither does anyone else.”

  Daisy stood up and her jaw dropped as residents from the town gathered behind Jacob.

  Roberta took a step closer and shouted, “No one wants you to leave! You’re part of this town. As important to us as the butterflies.”

  Daisy blinked rapidly but didn’t say anything.

  Jacob took something from his pocket, frowned at it and called over to Roberta, “How do I work it again?”

  Roberta came to his side. “Honestly Jacob! It’s not that hard. Even five-year-olds know how to work a smartphone. Tap on that icon there.”

  Jacob did as he was told. He then held his phone up to Daisy. “I made an online poll and asked everyone in the town why they thought you should stay.”

  “Wait.” Daisy held her hand up. “You’ve got a new phone? And you’ve done an online poll? How did you manage any of that?”

  “I had a bit of help.” He felt Roberta glowering at him. “I had a lot of help. I’m going to send you this poll, and then you can read what people have said.” His brow wrinkled as he stared at the phone.

  Roberta snatched it from his hand and muttered something under her breath which Jacob chose to ignore. She tapped on something and then gave him the phone back without saying a word.

  Jacob looked back up at Daisy. She was reading the poll on her phone. She was smiling and shaking her head in disbelief.

  Liza called out, “We mean every single word! Malcolm’s kidnapping had nothing to do with you! We all know that, and we’re sorry if some of us thought otherwise.”

  Jacob heard a grumbling voice behind him. Roberta heard it too. Her head whipped around and she snapped, “One more comment from you, John Evans, and I’ll tell everyone what you’ve got in your garage.”

  Liza continued, “Thanks to you, that evil kidnapper has been locked up. He’ll never hurt another animal again. Daisy, the bookings at the hotel have doubled in the last twenty-four hours, and it’s all down to you.”

  Daisy smiled over at her. “I’m pleased to hear that, but I don’t think it’s anything to do with me.”

  Jacob was pushed out of the way by Roberta. That woman was in a violent mood today.

  Roberta addressed Daisy, “There’s no time for false modesty, of course it’s down to you. Don’t leave, Daisy. We want you here. You’re good at your job. I know you’ve given me the marketing plans for the town, but you can implement them much better than I can.” Jacob nearly fell over when he heard Roberta chuckle. He didn’t know she could make that noise. Roberta continued talking to Daisy, “And who else will share a bottle of wine with me on an evening while we put the town to rights?”

  Daisy gave her a warm smile. “I did enjoy that. But I can do my marketing work from London. I don’t have to live here to do a good job.”

  Roberta turned around and gave Jacob a direct look. She raised her eyebrows in question. Or was it a threat? Jacob was aware of everyone else looking at him too. Okay, he could do this.

  He stepped forward. “Daisy, I don’t want you to leave. I lo—”

  “Where’s Malcolm?” Daisy interrupted him. “Is he okay?”

  “He’s with the vet,” Jacob replied. “He’s having one of those chips fitted so we don’t lose him again. Daisy, I want to tell you that I lo—”

  “What sort of chip? Can you track him online? Is there an app you can use?”

  Jacob yelled, “Daisy! I’m trying to tell you that I love you!”

  There was a sudden hush around him.

  Jacob flung his arms out. “Yes, I said it. Daisy Clarke, I love you. If you leave this town, my heart will be broken forever. I want you to stay.” He gave her a small grin. “And Malcolm wants you to stay too.”

  “Hey, that’s not fair, don’t use Malcolm like that,” Daisy replied with a smile. “Do you really love me?”

  “I certainly do.” A sudden awful thought struck him. “Do you love me? Do you even like me?”

  Daisy’s smile widened. “Of course I love you!”

  “Poor girl,” Roberta muttered.

  Jacob stared up at Daisy.

  Daisy stared down at him.

  Jacob asked, “Will you stay?”

  “I will.”

  Jacob was swiftly hoisted up by some of the people around him and taken towards Daisy’s balcony. He grabbed the side of the structure and heaved himself up and over.

  He took Daisy into his arms and kissed her.

  Cheers sounded out from the street below. Jacob ignored them and continued kissing Daisy. He never wanted to let her go.

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  DAISY

  “YOU’VE CERTAINLY FILLED the church to the rafters today!” Reverend Pendleton announced to Daisy across his kitchen table.

  Daisy’s eyes twinkled with mirth as she replied, “Did you remember to hand the hammers out so people can repair the roof while they’re up there?”

  The reverend laughed loudly. “No, I forgot. I’ve been too busy with one thing and another. But between me and you, I do believe we might have raised enough money for a new roof by now. It’s due to all those events we
’ve had.”

  Daisy clasped her hands together. “Really? That’s great news.”

  “It’s all thanks to you. You’ve performed one miracle after another in this town over the last year.”

  “I had help.” Daisy took a sip of her tea. “I thought this chamomile stuff was supposed to calm my nerves. It’s not working on me.”

  “Perhaps we should leave the tea behind and head to the church now.”

  Daisy put her cup down. “I’ll give Dad a few more minutes. He should have been here by now.”

  “He’ll be here. I did see him out on his boat this morning with your mother. This holiday they’re taking is doing them the world of good. I’ve never known a man smile so much as your father.”

  Daisy grinned. “I know. He’s a completely different man since he retired. He loves this town as much as I do. I can’t keep him and Mum away!”

  The kitchen door opened and a red-faced man dashed in. He held his hands up. “Sorry! Sorry! Your mum had me chasing butterflies along the beach again. I’m not too late am I?” He stopped talking and looked at Daisy. Tears came to his eyes. “You look beautiful.”

  Reverend Pendleton said to him, “You look quite dashing in that suit, Jeff. I’ve only ever seen you in shorts and T-shirts.”

  Daisy’s dad nodded his head in her direction. “It’s her fault that I’m dressed like this. But I don’t mind, not today.” He crooked his arm. “Shall we?”

  “We shall.” Daisy slipped her hand through his arm and beamed at him.

  Reverend Pendleton sighed happily. “What a joyous day. A truly joyous day.” He sighed again.

  Daisy said, “Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere?”

  “What? Oh, yes! Silly me. I’ll see you in a minute or two.” He gave them a huge smile before rushing out of the door.

  “Dad, have you heard anything about Malcolm? Is he still poorly?”