Little Kiosk By The Sea

by Bohnet, Jennifer

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  HARRIET

  Harriet poured herself a welcome G&T before wandering into the sitting room and looking around. God she was tired and stiff after two days of cleaning, doing mountains of washing and ironing and re-organising the house, but it looked so much better. More like it had looked in Amy’s day. Wooden surfaces were polished, curtains freshly washed and ironed hung at all the gleaming windows downstairs – the upstairs curtains would have to wait until for her next visit.

  She’d bravely pressed the ignition button for the gas-fired Aga Thursday evening when she’d arrived, praying it would work. Thankfully it had and the kitchen was now nice and toasty with the warmth drifting through to the rest of the house. Fanciful she knew, but she’d swear she could sense Amy’s pleased presence all around her.

  The small sitting room was cheerful, warmed by a log fire with wood she’d unearthed in the garden shed. Two silver candleholders stood alone on the mantelpiece, the family photos banished to a drawer in the study until she showed them to Ellie. The only room she hadn’t touched downstairs was Amy’s study.

  She’d only been in there once this visit and that was to pick up a book for reading in bed. A quick look in the roll-top desk had convinced her it was full of really private stuff – letters and papers Amy wouldn’t have wanted a stranger rifling through. Not that she was a stranger, of course, but even so.

  Hidden in the study cupboard too were the few personal items she’d brought down with her – photos, books, cushions and her favourite table lamp. She’d debated about displaying them in the small sitting room but decided against.

  As far as Ellie was concerned, until they’d had The Talk, this was just a house they were renting for a short family break in a few weeks time. Once Ellie had been told the truth, then the photos and personal things could be placed in their new positions. She’d sighed and locked the door before hanging the key on a hook in the kitchen. Clearing the study would be her first job once she’d moved in permanently, she promised herself. Maybe Ellie could be persuaded to help.

  Harriet sipped her drink, thinking about how she’d lied to Ellie – again – about this weekend. As far as Ellie was concerned, she was visiting an old friend, which was sort of true, just not the one Ellie thought she was with.

  Ellie had been upbeat before she left. How determined she was to sort her life out before her big birthday in September. Talking about writing a novel. Would the news the house they were staying in – and the large personal legacy Aunt Amy had left her – would eventually be hers help or hinder in that respect? Surely help? It was the story behind the legacy that could prove to be a sticking point.

  Finishing her drink, Harriet moved back into the kitchen and placed her glass in the dishwasher. Time to get ready to party.

  She’d stopped by the kiosk two mornings ago after her visit to the supermarket for cleaning stuff and Beeny, thrilled to see her back had said, ‘We have to have a party to celebrate. Two ticks, my life is ruled by the tides,’ she’d said, turning to look at the tide table. ‘Right, eight o’clock Saturday evening, my place. I’ll round up a few of the old gang and we’ll have a big catch-up, get all the gossip out of the way and then you can settle down to enjoy being back.’

  Harriet had tried to protest, but Sabine wasn’t listening. Harriet knew Sabine was right really. Get the past thirty years out into the open, acknowledge they’d happened and then move on.

  ‘Want me to bring anything – other than the requisite bottle of course?’ she asked.

  ‘No, don’t worry. I’ll just throw some pizzas in the oven. I can always send Peter out for fish and chips if we need more food.’

  A quick shower, fresh jeans, knee-high boots, a pink shirt, scarf knotted around her neck and Harriet was as ready as she could be with the limited amount of clothes she’d brought with her on this trip. Grabbing her waterproof coat from the hall-stand and a torch from the table, she slammed the front door behind her and set off for Beeny’s.

  She was the first to arrive and helped Beeny with the final preparations, which consisted mainly of opening the wine and placing half a dozen pizzas on trays ready for the oven.

  ‘Didn’t expect so many of the old gang to still be living in town,’ Harriet said. ‘There’s enough here to feed at least thirty people.’

  ‘That’s about right if everyone comes,’ Sabine said, concentrating on pulling a particularly difficult cork out of a bottle of red wine.

  Harriet looked at her, surprised. ‘There was never that many in the old days.’

  ‘A few are bringing their partners and I’ve also invited some of my friends. Incomers, mainly, who I thought you might like to meet. Get your social circle going for when you move down.’

  Harriet sighed. ‘As long as I don’t have to explain why I left.’

  Sabine shook her head. ‘No of course not. I’ll gloss over that when I introduce you. So, when are you moving in permanently?’

  ‘Eighteenth of the month the house will become my official address for purposes of Amy’s will. Solicitor has promised it will all be sorted by then,’ Harriet said. ‘I’m looking forward to being here for the summer now. Only drawback is it will be July before Frank can join me. It’ll be a case of seeing each other at weekends for a couple of months.’

  ‘And Ellie? Do you think she’ll come down here to live?’

  Harriet shrugged. ‘No idea but I’m praying she will. If she gets a new job it could be anywhere –London, Bristol etc., etc. She’s freelancing for a bit so she could do that from anywhere. She may of course elect to stay in Cirencester.’ She glanced at Sabine. ‘It also depends on how she reacts to the news. I haven’t told her about the house or the legacy yet.’

  ‘What? But you’ve had weeks.’

  ‘I know, I know. I thought I’d let Trevor Bagshawe get all the legal things sorted. A few more weeks isn’t going to make any difference. Besides, she’s been upset over Rod and losing her job.’

  ‘I’d say the legacy would take her mind off things nicely,’ Sabine said. ‘Help her decide what to do.’

  ‘It’s the questions she’s going to ask about Amy and … things. She’s going to want to know all the sordid details.’

  Sabine shrugged. ‘The world’s a lot more sordid these days. Ellie is of a generation that takes these things in their stride. Chances are, she’ll not see it the same way as you.’

  ‘Frank and I are going to talk to her together soon. I’m planning a family holiday here,’ Harriet said quietly. Frank had already threatened to tell Ellie the truth without her if she didn’t stop putting it off.

  The doorbell rang before she could say any more and Sabine went to let the first of her friends in.

  Harriet sighed. Frank had repeatedly told her she was being a coward, but just the thought of telling Ellie about the past made her feel ill. Which was stupid. What woman her age didn’t have a secret in their past they would rather not discuss?

  ‘Tatty, look who’s arrived,’ Sabine called. ‘And he’s brought champagne.’

  Going through into the sitting room, Harriet recognised Gus instantly. He was an older, smoother version of the man she’d last seen thirty years ago and yet there was something about the scruffy teenage boy she’d worshipped from afar still clinging to him despite the designer label clothes.

  ‘Still as gorgeous as ever,’ Gus said, kissing her on both cheeks. ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’

  ‘If only that were true,’ Harriet laughed. ‘Thank you anyway.’

  ‘Beeny says you’re moving back?’

  Harriet nodded. ‘Aunt Amy’s old house. I hear you’re selling posh boats these days.’

  ‘Yeah. You in the market for one? No? Shame.’ This as Harriet shook her head. ‘Come for a look around anyway. I guess Ellie is all grown up these days?’ he added. ‘Is she here?’

  Harriet shook her head. ‘No. We don’t actually move in until the middle of next month.’ She turned as someone put their arm aroun
d her.

  ‘Harriet, how lovely to finally catch up with you.’

  ‘Johnnie. I thought you were away on a delivery? Beeny said you probably wouldn’t make it tonight.’

  ‘Couldn’t miss the welcome back party,’ Johnnie said. ‘I see most of the old gang are here.’

  ‘Plus a few people I don’t actually recognise or even know,’ Harriet said.

  Johnnie looked around. ‘Want me to introduce you to anyone?’

  Harriet shook her head. ‘Maybe later. Right now I’ll go and see if Beeny wants a hand with the pizzas. I’ll catch up with you two later.’

  In the kitchen Sabine was busy cutting up pizzas while a younger man heaped the slices onto serving plates.

  ‘Tatty, this is BB. He’s in town for the summer. BB, this is my oldest and best friend and the reason for the party.’

  ‘Hi, great to meet you, Tatty. Is that a real old English name?’

  Harriet laughed. ‘No. My real name is Harriet. Tatty is just a nickname Beeny landed me with at school many years ago.’

  ‘Right, let’s go feed the hordes,’ Sabine said.

  The next couple of hours passed quickly in a nostalgic haze as old friends greeted Harriet and they exchanged memories of their long ago shared past. Some of the memories she remembered more clearly than others but it all felt good. Many ‘Expect it feels funny being back?’ type questions were asked along with ‘You must come for dinner when you’re settled in’ invitations being issued.

  It did feel kind of strange in a weird way though – technically these were all old friends but, in reality, they didn’t know each other at all. For the last thirty years their lives had diverged so much, was it really possible for them to turn the clock back and pick up where they’d left off?

  Right now she was a returning novelty. Harriet crossed her fingers. With luck she’d be just a nine-day wonder who would soon simply fade into the background as summer rolled on.

  It was midnight before the party finally began to wind down. As people started to drift away, Johnnie turned to Harriet.

  ‘Like me to walk you out to Swannaton? Bit lonely out that way.’

  Before Harriet could answer, Sabine interrupted. ‘She’s staying the night. Bed’s already made up.’

  ‘I am?’ Harriet said.

  Sabine nodded. ‘No reason not to. We can have a good old natter about everyone now they’ve gone. Besides, you can help me clear up.’

  Harriet laughed. ‘Put like that, how can I refuse?’

  Half an hour later, both women were up in the studio with a last plate of cold pizza and a half full bottle of champagne, Sabine having declared the rest of the clearing up could wait until the morning.

  ‘Thanks for tonight,’ Harriet said. ‘It was great to see the old gang. At one stage I felt as if I’d never been away, although a couple of people did make me feel like a newbie to town.’

  ‘You just wait until you’re back permanently,’ Sabine said. ‘You’ll soon be roped in to join every club you can think off. Is your Frank a club joining type of man?’

  ‘Plays golf and was talking about joining the sailing club,’ Harriet said. ‘He’ll still be working though, so I’m not sure how much time he’ll get down here. Besides, in theory, it is only for a year. We could decide to use it just as a holiday home afterwards.’

  ‘Likely to happen?’ Sabine said.

  Harriet shrugged. ‘Too soon to call it, but I have to admit I’m loving being back.’ She sipped her champagne before saying, ‘You ever thought of leaving?’

  Sabine hesitated before nodding. ‘Just the once.’

  Sabine placed her glass on the small table and moved across to the bookshelves and took down the highly decorated wooden box.

  ‘Pretty box,’ Harriet said, looking at the boat and river scenes on it as Sabine took the lid off.

  ‘Mmm,’ Sabine said, picking out a photo. ‘I painted it ages ago.’ She handed Harriet the photo.

  ‘Handsome man,’ Harriet said. ‘Who is he?’

  ‘Reid Hamilton, a naval captain stationed over here years ago on some sort of exchange programme at the college.’ Sabine held her hand out for the return of the photo and studied it sadly. ‘He’s the man who made me feel that there was a whole new world out there waiting to be explored – something I’d never felt before. I would have done anything to have gone away with him.’

  ‘Why on earth didn’t you go with him then? Oh – he was married?’ Harriet said.

  Sabine nodded. ‘And so was I,’ she added, putting the photo back in the box and placing it on the small table by her drink. ‘It all happened a year before Dave died.’

  She picked up her glass and took a long drink. ‘It wasn’t a full-blown affair – I never slept with him, although god knows I wanted to.’

  ‘Did Dave ever know?’

  Sabine shook her head. ‘No. Nobody knew. Think Johnnie may have had his suspicions. You’re the first person I’ve ever spoken to about Reid.’

  ‘How long was he here?’

  ‘Nine months. We met when he’d been here a fortnight. Owen introduced us. Ironic that, when you think about it.’

  ‘So at the end of his assignment you kissed and waved each other goodbye?’

  ‘Yes. Neither of us could bear the thought of hurting the people we were with – sounds old-fashioned these days, I know.’ Sabine shrugged. ‘That’s just the way it was. The way we felt. We did give each other contact details and swore if we were ever free we’d get in touch.’

  ‘So why didn’t you contact him after Dave died?’

  Sabine sighed. ‘I didn’t know what to do. I hadn’t heard from him so I assumed he and his wife were still together. It was only a year after all and I didn’t want to create a problem for him. In the end I cut the obituary notice out of the paper and sent it.’ She twirled her glass around.

  ‘I never heard anything back,’ she said sadly. ‘So I assumed he was still married. Haven’t heard a word since to make me think it’s changed. If it had, I know he would have come over. Told myself I’d wait a year after Dave died and then ring him.’ She shook her head and looked at Harriet. ‘But I never did.’ She picked up the bottle of champagne and topped up both their glasses.

  Both women were quiet for a minute, lost in their own thoughts as they sipped their drinks. It was Harriet who broke the silence.

  ‘You still got the details?’

  ‘Buried in the bottom of the box.’

  ‘Must be sometime in the afternoon in America,’ Harriet said.

  Sabine glanced at her. ‘You’re not thinking … ’

  ‘Yep. Seems like the perfect time. Give them to me and I’ll do it on my mobile.’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Sabine protested at the same time as she rifled through the box for the piece of paper. She looked at Harriet and then at the paper when she found it before handing it over. She took the photo out of the box again and studied it intently before saying. ‘Oh what the hell. Go on then. If a woman answers, hang up immediately.’

  In the time it took for Harriet to dial the number and the connection to be made, Sabine found herself holding her breath, not at all sure they should be doing this.

  ‘I’ve put it on speaker,’ Harriet said as the ringing tone filled the silence in the room.

  The ringing tone stopped and a man’s voice said, ‘Hi. Reid here.’

  ‘Reid Hamilton?’ Harriet asked. Sabine nodded. She’d recognise that voice anywhere.

  ‘Sure is. What can I do for you, honey?’

  ‘I have someone here who would like to talk to you,’ and Harriet handed the phone to a shaking Sabine.

  ‘Hello, Reid. It’s Sabine.’

  Harriet picked up her glass and went downstairs. Some conversations needed absolute privacy.

  Stunned, Sabine cut the connection and put Harriet’s phone down on the table and sat for several moments, staring into space. She blinked rapidly in an effort to stop the tears falling as Harriet returned.

>   ‘I made us some hot chocolate,’ Harriet said. ‘Thought we might sleep better. Well? Is he catching the next Virgin flight over?’ She looked at her friend, waiting for her to speak.

  Listlessly Sabine held her hand out for the mug. ‘He’s married,’ she said.

  ‘You knew that,’ Harriet said gently.

  ‘To his third wife,’ Sabine said. Fifteen years of hoping that one day when he was free she and Reid would meet again all wasted. Instead, each time he’d been free he’d stayed in America and married someone else. ‘Bastard.’

  ‘Oh, Beeny, I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Says he never received the obit notice about Dave. Didn’t know I was a widow. Didn’t take the trouble to find out though, did he after his first divorce.’ Sabine took a gulp of hot chocolate.

  ‘He’s been divorced twice? Never a widower?’

  ‘Apparently not.’

  ‘Not what you’d call good husband material then,’ Harriet said.

  Despite herself, Sabine smiled. ‘Suppose not. Oh, Tatty, I’ve been such an idiot all these years, dreaming of him coming back to me when he was finally free.’ How could she have been so stupid as to imagine he loved her enough to travel halfway across the world? ‘Goes to show there’s no fool like an old fool.’

  ‘Hey, less of the old. We’re women in the prime of life,’ Harriet said. They looked at each and laughed. ‘Okay, maybe not the actual prime, but we’re certainly not past our sell-by-date yet. Seriously, Beeny, you’re better off knowing the truth even though it hurts.’

  Sabine sniffed as she tore his photograph into bits of confetti. ‘I know, but right now I’d like to castrate the bastard.’

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  JOHNNIE

  Dawn was beginning to break as Johnnie steered Annie out to sea. A light sea mist was clinging to the hills and he could just make out the silhouettes of several cormorants on the Mewstone as they motored past. The wind, currently a light north-easterly, promised some good sailing for the next couple of hours.