A final item for the basked some more of the soy candles in their lavender, black pepper and sandalwood scent. Her Mum couldn’t resist candles either and she knew that this would be a hit gift. The sales assistant was chatty recognising her from her visit a few days before. Carrie confessed to already using the soak, moisturiser and candles that she had purchased; hence the return visit.
“The night sea set is a birthday gift for my sister; I know she will love it.”
“Wait a moment,” she returned with pretty tissue paper and individually gift wrapped the items placing them in a separate box then into the gift bag.
“Thank you for doing that”
Carrie left the shop with a smile on her face and stopped off for a coffee. She decided to sit in the bistro, rest her legs before resuming her shopping. She ordered her latte and checked her phone for any texts.
“Hello Carrie,”
She looked around to see Tansie and Monique
“Hi Tansie and Monique. How are the renovations coming along? Are you still on plan for moving in this weekend?”
Carrie invited them to join her for a coffee as they discussed progress.
They moved from Carrie’s little table to one of the booths.
“Well Carrie, as sure is sugar is sweet I pray we get the house ready for Sunday. The contractor has promised Saturday we will be complete but I don’t know”
“Have faith Monique.”
“I am trying Carrie but the kids really need their own space. The more we know it’s getting nearer to moving; the more everyone is getting on each other’s nerves.”
The coffees were brought to the table.
“Oh I needed this! I’m trying to get a few things before I return home.”
“So soon?” Tansie queried.
“Yes, I only reserved my room until Friday but I need to extend it, if possible for a few more days”
“Terri has taken you under her wing Carrie, I’m sure she will keep your room for you”
“I hope so Tansie, I will speak to Terri when I get back. I just need to get a gift for my Mum. Can you recommend somewhere?”
“Oh that’s easy, what do you want to get her?”
“Some earrings or a necklace or something like that”
“I know just the place; a friend of ours has a little boutique we can show you”
“Brilliant. But I don’t want to keep you from your plans”
“We can do with the distraction! Little Tameka is quite taken with you Carrie. She keeps asking if she is going to see the lady with the funny voice again.”
Carrie laughed.
“I guess she’s not heard much of a Scottish accent before then. It would be lovely to see Tameka again too”
Forty minutes later their coffees finished they walked to Shamiqua’s Boutique which was only a short walk away.
“See I told you, a quick distraction”
They shop was painted the familiar pastel blue on the shingled wood that the surrounding shops and cafes had. White double doors opened on the summer’s day.
Carrie left Monique and Tansie talking with their friend and started browsing through the shop. There sparkling on the display catching the sunlight gemstone drop earrings in blue topaz and peridot. Perfect for her Mum and under fifty dollars a reasonable price. A lovely scarf caught her eye and that too was added to her purchases. On another shelf a little box clutch bag in red. She picked it up and opened the catch. Just enough room for the essentials. Art deco in style with alternating diamond shaped beads on the front. She loved it.
Now if she could just find a belt?
“Whoa Carrie, you look like you are on a mission there!”
“I think I am shame on you for bringing me here!” she joked to Tansie
She placed the bag on the counter next to the scarf and earrings which were getting wrapped up.
“Just a couple of things and I am finished.”
“What else you looking for? If Shamiqua doesn’t have it; then nobody will!”
“She has gorgeous things here but I’m looking for a belt.”
“Shamiqua!” Tansie hollered.
“Ignore my friend! Soon to be ex friend if she shouts like that again in my fine establishment. Scaring away my customers. How can I help you?”
Laughter broke out.
“I’m looking for a belt. A red one if possible to match that beautiful bag that just caught my eye”
“I have just the thing”
She led Carrie over to another area of the shop with some select clothing and accessories. Twenty minutes later Carrie had tried on a few tops, unsure of the sizing that she would need given her weight loss and sizes in the USA. She settled on a black silk vest with a tailored black blazer. Several hundred dollars lighter she left the shop with gifts, bags, and clothing purchased. Exchanged goodbyes with Tansie and Monique thanking Shamiqua for all her help. Tansie and Monique were returning to the house after this break in their plans. Carrie promised to visit before she went home.
It was late afternoon when Carrie returned to the Inn, laden with her bags. She had bought some magazines and intended on reading them in the parlour with some coffee or hot chocolate. Within minutes she had returned to the parlour and settled on one of the sofas. After spending most of the day yesterday in her room she didn’t want to repeat the day.
She poured a cup of coffee and looked to see what calorific delight Terri would have left.
“White chocolate blondies with cranberries and walnuts” shaped like flap jack squares Carrie picked up a piece to devour with her coffee.
“Mmmmmmmmmmm” she groaned aloud. Laughter broke out. She turned holding the half eaten block to see Terri laughing
“Oh you caught me!”
“It’s good to see our guests enjoying themselves.”
“Oh I have to get this recipe Terri; my sister would love these too. They are delicious.”
“It’s a Tansie secret recipe but we can ask her. So tell me how did you lighthouse plans go? Did you get to visit our lovely Portland Head?”
“I did and it was just as beautiful as everyone told me it would be. Thanks for the recommendation. I need your help again. Friday is due to be my last night here but I’d like to stay on for a few more days. Can you check if you have availability for my room or another here at the Inn?”
“Sure Carrie, give me a few minutes and I will check our bookings.”
Carrie returned to finishing off the blondie. Yum. She had popped the last crumb into her mouth when Terri returned.
“You are in luck Carrie, that room is available for another week. The next booking we have is a week on Saturday for a wedding. The whole Inn is booked out. We will have a busy weekend then.”
“Oh that’s great news, can you book it out for me until then? I can look at booking my flights and let you know if anything changes.”
“No problem Carrie, good to have you with us for a little while longer.”
They chatted a bit before Terri was called away. Carrie poured another coffee and picked up her magazine. Before she could turn a page her mobile beeped.
Nico had replied.
Hi Carrie good to hear from you. We are going to a local restaurant at the wharf. I guess you could say smart casual would be the appropriate attire! I spoke with Belle and I have plenty of questions for you tonight! See you at 8
Gulp. This was for real.
Oh bugger what had Auntie Belle told him?
As if summoned by a genie her phone began to ring and it was Belle’s number flashing.
“Hi Belle”
“Carrie what have you been up to girl? I’ve just had a rather interesting talk with Nico Devanti. Tell all”
“I haven’t done anything Belle. Just agreed to go out for dinner tonight with Nico. I met him on the beach, we got chatting and he asked me out for dinner. That’s all. End of.”
“Mmm, well he asked me quite a few questions about you my dear but of course I remained the soul of discret
ion and didn’t tell him a thing.”
This Carrie did not believe. Belle was an expert at understating.
“Okay so tell me how your trip is so far. Did you go to the lighthouse?”
“I’m having a great time Belle, I went to the lighthouse yesterday and I did get a bit upset but that’s what I expected. But I will tell you more about that when I see you. I’ve decided to stay on another week. I spoke with Claire last night and she is going to smooth things over with Mum”
“Good Carrie, I’m glad you are taking this time out. This break away from home will do you the world of good. So what is this I hear from your Mum that Claire is moving in?”
Carrie reiterated the reasoning behind her offer to have Claire stay with her and Belle agreed it was a good solution to all.
“When you are next speaking with Mum, don’t let on about Nico. I will tell her when I get home but I know she would read me the riot act about it now”
“Carrie your Mum loves you, she just wouldn’t understand. Of course I won’t mention it at all. We all loved Rob very much. He would want you to be happy Carrie, I’ve told you that a million times.”
“I’m not replacing Rob or even looking for a replacement. It’s just dinner for goodness sake! But I know Mum wouldn’t be supportive about it. She’s set in her ways, not that she expects me to wear widow’s weeds or anything like that. I’ve been such a mess that I don’t think she would want me to become involved with anyone. Listen to me eh involved! There’s nothing romantic going on, it’s just dinner!”
“Carrie darling, you are preaching to the converted here. I just want you to smile again. I miss my god-daughters beautiful smile.”
Those words stopped Carrie in her tracks.
“Okay Belle, I will try, let’s see if I can get those facial muscles moving again!”
“That’s my girl. Now tell me, what are you planning on wearing tonight? Please tell me you have something suitable”
“Mmm well,” she let the words hang in the air, “Jeans and my converse, he did say casual!”
“What!” Belle exclaimed.
“Only joking, I have something suitable, I went shopping today!”
Carrie talked through her choice of outfit complete with her black louboutins that she never left home without.
“Fabulous darling, I love those sexy shoes of yours. Now remember you aren’t five anymore so dress appropriately.”
When Carrie was five, Belle stayed with them for a few days and during the visit Carrie played dress up with Belle’s clothes and cosmetics. She discovered her Aunts variety of shoes, shoulder padded dresses it was the 1980’s after all and bright red lipstick. Whilst her family were watching TV or something Carrie sneaked into the guest room, rummaged through her Aunts belongings and then paraded downstairs. She managed to mess her hair, apply bright blue eye shadow and the red lipstick with a skill that would have made a clown envious. A few beaded necklaces, bangles and the piece de résistance her aunts 4 inch black patent high heels. How she managed to descend the stairs without toppling over was a miracle. She even had a handbag draped over her arm.
“Look at me,” she announced twirling around, “I’m Auntie Belle”
The family never let her forget it. The story embellished over the years but she could laugh at it now.
“Oh my dear God!” her mother had exclaimed. “Get out of those shoes before you break your neck!”
The incident cemented her love of her Auntie Belle but also developed her love of shoes and handbags she joked.
They finished their call with Carrie promising to update her Aunt on how dinner went along whilst trying to find some time in their schedule to meet before Carrie returned home.
Carrie had finished drinking her coffee and decided to retreat back to her room taking her magazines with her to read later. She had four hours until she was meeting Nico. Plenty of time to check her return flights and get ready for the evening. Her outfit was hanging up ready for later. Notepad at the ready she jotted down some options for flights. She would still need to get a connecting flight but knew what to expect this time. She extended the rental of the car even though she had hardly used it but she would need it for her next lighthouse trip. It was only Wednesday and she had only been in the Cape five days but it felt like she had been there for years. She had asked Terri to keep her room on until the Friday but the best flights were leaving a week tomorrow Thursday afternoon. She would still need to get a connecting flight from Portland to Newark then wait a few hours. But she would be home Friday at 07.30am for Claire’s birthday. After reviewing her accumulating purchases she added another case of luggage to be checked in. Time to let Terri know she wouldn’t need the room for Friday and would be leaving the following Thursday.
No time like the present. Terri was at reception and Carrie talked through her plans.
“Well let’s make the most of your days in the Cape, there’s much more for you to see if you want before you go home.”
“I plan on doing that Terri”
Terri had kindly printed off Carries flight info and boarding pass as she checked in on line.
“What are your plans for this evening Carrie?”
“I’m going out for dinner. A friend is meeting me later.”
“That’s great I was going to suggest somewhere for you but it looks like you’ve got that sorted. How about a coffee tomorrow and you can let me know what the next lighthouse is?”
“Thanks again Terri, I will see you later.”
Time to let back home know she had made her arrangements for her return.
A text to her Mum first.
“Hi Mum, all okay here, guess you will have spoken with Claire, I’m staying on for a few more days but I’ve booked my flight home. Be back next Friday at 07.30am. Just in time for Claire’s birthday. Let me know if we are going out for a birthday dinner or if you have anything planned. Love you x”
Another quick text to Claire
“Hi Sis, flight booked back at 07.30am on Fri for your birthday. Texted Mum to update her x”
Her sister replied in a millisecond.
“Great, don’t worry I’ve updated the parents and Mum was okay about it. Are u all set for your date??????x”
“Thanks but it is NOT a date. It’s just dinner! X”
“Whatever!”
Beep a reply from her Mum.
“That’s good Carrie, I hope you are being careful. Claire said this trip is doing you the world of good. Call me tomorrow, I would like to hear your voice! We thought it best to go out for dinner. Table has been booked for Friday night so you should have recovered from your jet lag! Love you x”
Carrie decided to email her Dad as she wanted to forward her flight details to him.
“Hi Daddy,
Greetings from Sunny Cape Elizabeth
You have probably heard from Mum or Claire or both by now but I have booked my return flights and I’ve attached the confirmations. I know you will want to check them through just in case there is something amiss.
How are the plans for the move going? Sorry I won’t be there to help. I know Claire is super organised and will have you all on a schedule!! Tea breaks included.
Speak soon
Love
Carrie x”
Yikes, it was 6pm, where had the last two hours gone?
Well booking her flights, catching up with her family and Terri had done that.
Time for her shower. Picking up her ipod she selected a playlist for some catchy music; no opera this evening. Settled on Amy Winehouse and Valerie belted out.
Lathering on the new shower gel that she had acquired the cubicle was soon enveloped in the scent of the vetiver and rose. Now that she had purchased extra luggage she could maybe get some more or check if they shipped to the UK. Success she managed to shave her legs without one nick of the blade. She was undecided what to do with her hair and opted to wear it poker straight. First things first, time to apply the rich body lotion and oils to
her skin giving them plenty of time to dry in.
Now time to tackle her make up. Once she would have been in a panic over making sure that her outfit was perfect, that she had done her nails or even had a fake tan.
This was a new Carrie.
No fake tan for her skin but the glow of walking in the sun for the last few days and the shine of the moisturising oil. The mac make up was a familiar friend, products she had used many many times and her confidence didn’t waver as she applied it. Her brows could do with shaping but thankfully they weren’t overgrown werewolf like or even approaching a mono brow. Drying her hair straight it fell around the shape of her oval face. The fringe that she had worn for years now completely outgrown. She left her hair loose and gave it a quick straighten with the hot irons. Almost done. A cloud of the new Tom Ford perfume she had purchased just last week at the airport and she still had a half hour to spare. She didn’t want to put her clothes on just yet so settled for applying a very quick coating of buff coloured nail varnish. For once her nails were in good condition and didn’t need much more attention.
The ipad was flashing that she had messages to read. Her Dad had replied.
“Hi Carrie,
Greetings from, surprise surprise, rainy Scotland.
Your Mum has updated me on all your latest news, as has Claire.
I’m glad you are taking some time for yourself but it will be good to have you home. I’ve missed my wee girl.
The plans for the move are going ahead for Friday. We moved a lot today so there isn’t much left to do. Oh and yes, Claire does have a schedule but then again when doesn’t she?
It’s the first I’ve seen what you’ve done with Rob’s old study and I think it will be a great bedroom for Harry. Your Mum was a bit surprised when she first saw it but she’s already helped set up some things in the room. It’s all coming along but remember it’s still not too late to change your mind.
Keep safe
Love
Dad x”
Typical of her Dad to offer her an exit if needed. But she wanted to go ahead with the move.
A quick reply.
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