An unbidden thought at the very back of his mind acknowledged Eva’s presence in his life. He couldn’t figure out why but every time he contemplated the house or what he should do next, she crept into his thoughts. Somehow he knew she could make this house a home so easily but why he was even thinking like that left him baffled. He shook his head, reminding himself she was a widow, a single mum with a business to run – all baggage he didn’t want to handle. Focus on work and nothing else, he told himself taking another deep breath.
A dog’s yapping pulled his thoughts to the present. Just ahead of him a small dog played at the water’s edge, barking excitedly as it chased the ripples. Ben blinked, realizing he recognized the dog. He scanned the horizon until he saw Eva’s figure coming towards them, calling Hamish’s name and squeaking a toy. The dog was totally ignoring her. What was it with that woman and animals?
As she drew nearer, his eyes ran appreciatively over her body. She was wearing a pink anorak, a colourful scarf around her neck, and black leggings that revealed a pair of shapely legs. So much for focusing on work and nothing else.
‘Hamish, here, now!’ she called in a stern voice. Finally reaching Hamish, she leaned down, snapped the lead onto his collar, and looked up at Ben.
‘Oh, hi! I didn’t realize it was you.’ She spoke slightly breathlessly, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling. She looked so free and natural Ben could hardly tear his eyes away from her. He looked down at Hamish to distract himself from the thoughts suddenly racing through his mind.
‘Training going well?’ He grinned.
‘A work in progress I think you’d call it.’ She laughed. ‘Jamie and I have been working on his recall but as you can see, it’s a bit hit and miss. But we’ll get there, won’t we, Hamish?’ She patted the dog affectionately.
‘You have your hands full with this one.’ Ben crouched down to Hamish who took the opportunity to roll over and have his belly rubbed.
‘He’s enjoying that.’ Eva grinned.
Ben straightened up, gesturing to their surroundings. ‘Well, he’s certainly a lucky dog living here.’
‘So you’re enjoying the beach?’
‘Very much,’ he replied truthfully. ‘It’s beautiful.’
As they continued to walk companionably along the sand, he glanced sideways at her. ‘Is this usually how you start your day?’
‘In winter, yes. I think there’s something special about it at this time of year.’
He saw her take a deep breath and look around, her love for her surroundings plain to see. ‘But summer is a different story. Round about this time in the morning you’ll find me knee-deep in teas, coffees, and making breakfasts for guests.’
Ben smiled, vague memories infiltrating his mind of holidays at the seaside with his parents. One day he’d got lost among the crowds on the beach. It had probably been only for a few minutes but it had felt like a lifetime and he’d never forgotten the look on his mother’s face when she found him, eyes shiny with tears of relief.
‘My parents took me to Morecombe a few times,’ he told Eva. ‘You know the kind of holiday – playing crazy golf, eating ice-cream on a freezing beach.’ He narrowed his eyes as he recollected. ‘We stayed in this small bed and breakfast on the seafront. We were all crammed into a tiny bedroom and for some reason I can remember the creaky staircase. In the morning we’d have to be in the dining room at some outrageously early time or else the landlady refused to serve breakfast.’
Eva chuckled. ‘Well, guest houses have changed a lot since then. Customers are very discerning these days and us landladies have to be a bit more accommodating.’
‘But I bet people still want a traditional fry-up for breakfast?’
‘Not so much these days. Guests want everything from soya yogurt to vegetarian sausages.’ She rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. ‘Then after breakfast I do laundry, clean, maybe help guests plan their day.’
‘Sounds busy.’
She nodded in agreement. ‘In fact, I recently calculated this summer I made breakfast for 420 guests, cleaned 219 bathrooms, and did 370 laundry loads.’
He laughed. ‘Really? That’s impressive. You do all that by yourself?’
‘The MacKenzies’ granddaughter used to help me out. She often stayed with them during summer and was happy to earn some pocket money.’
‘And the guests – what are they like?’
‘Usually great. About seventy per cent is repeat business. Golfers and holidaymakers mostly and of course graduation time is busy. There’s the occasional difficult customer but mostly I enjoy it, and it means I can be here for Jamie.’
Ben could see her face soften when she mentioned her son, her devotion to him obvious. He admired her for the way she just seemed to get on with it. Running a business on her own couldn’t be easy. As they headed towards the grassy dunes Ben could see the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, a grand-looking building overlooking the first tee of the famous golf course.
They fell into step behind Hamish who was forging ahead, straining on the lead despite Eva’s attempts to bring him to heel beside her. They were now on the main street, which Ben noted had a pleasing absence of big-name high street shops. Instead there was an eclectic mix of gift shops, galleries, and food sellers, their windows displaying ceramics, antiques, and hand-made chocolate.
‘I can see why so many people come to St Andrews; it certainly seems to have plenty to offer.’
Eva seemed pleased that he liked it, her smile widening.
‘And there’s so much more to it. The aquarium is nearby and there’s the castle, the cathedral, and the botanic gardens are really lovely …’ Her voice trailed off. ‘Sorry, I’ve just realized I’m giving you my tourist spiel – force of habit.’
‘Not at all. Once I’m settled, I hope to have time to visit all those places,’ Ben replied. ‘I assume it’s much busier in summer though?’
Eva nodded in agreement. ‘It can get really busy especially when the golf is on.’
A cool breeze had picked up and the sky had turned grey, holding the threat of rain. They walked on in silence for a few moments, each with their own thoughts until Eva spoke.
‘Now the best part of my morning walk.’ She pointed to a pretty coffee shop with a striped blue and white awning hanging over the window and a sign above the door bearing the name The Coffee Hut.
‘The coffee’s pretty good if you’d like to join me.’ She looked at him, her voice tentative.
‘I think I could manage a coffee.’ Ben smiled.
Warmth, chatter, and the scent of fresh coffee surrounded them as they entered the shop. Large squashy sofas and low wooden tables created a relaxed feel to the place. While the back wall consisted of exposed brickwork, the other walls were each painted a different colour and held various pieces of artwork. Tempting cakes and pastries were displayed on the counter and the coffee machine hissed and steamed comfortingly in the background. Small lamps and vases of flowers were dotted about and Ben immediately understood why Eva would like coming here after her walk.
A few people were hunched over their laptops and a couple of mothers with toddlers sat chatting, while a group of students gathered round a table talked animatedly. Ben joined Hamish who seemed to know the routine and had settled under a table while Eva went to organize the coffee. Ben sat back taking in his surroundings but his eyes kept skipping over to Eva where she stood at the counter talking and laughing with the woman making the coffees.
‘Looks like a nice place,’ he commented as she returned with a tray to their table.
‘The owners – Jack and Freya – started their business around the same time as me. I suppose we’ve helped and encouraged each other along the way.’ Eva placed mugs of hot frothy coffee on their table along with a delicious-looking pastry.
‘That was Freya I was talking to although it’s usually Jack you’ll see running this place. Freya is an artist – these are all her paintings on the walls.’
Ben turned his
head to regard the paintings. His knowledge of art was non-existent but it was easy to see the appeal of the vibrant, colourful seascapes.
‘I display a few of Freya’s paintings in my rooms and likewise Freya and Jack are happy to recommend my guest house,’ Eva explained biting into her pastry with obvious relish. ‘Sorry, I haven’t eaten breakfast this morning.’
Ben looked away, the sight of her wiping crumbs from her mouth stirring something deep within him.
‘So no more leaks I hope?’ she asked brightly.
Ben lifted his cup and leaned back in his seat, attempting to get a grip of himself.
‘Not that I can see – it all seems to be okay now. Thanks again for helping me with that.’
‘It’s no problem but you really should have someone take a look at the whole system.’ Ben knew she was right of course: a house that size would need constant maintenance. He just hadn’t made up his mind if he would be the one to do it. Was there any point in staying there now?
‘Have you thought any more about decorating the room – how you’d like to do it? Or maybe you’re going to start with another room first?’
‘Er not really, no.’
‘I suppose it’s a bit daunting, knowing where to start. Especially when you have to make all the decisions by yourself –’ She stopped, her face flushing a little as she continued. ‘Sorry I wasn’t implying anything. I just mean I know what it’s like – having to do everything by yourself. I look back now and think I must have been mad taking it all on by myself.’
‘Or brave?’
She tilted her head to the side, thinking. ‘I hadn’t thought of it like that really. Maybe a bit brave – but mostly mad I think. At first I kept thinking I needed a second opinion for everything but then I got used to it and began to trust my own judgement.’
Despite himself, Ben was intrigued and wanted to know more. ‘You said you moved here with Jamie – do you have other family?’
‘My mum and sister both still live in Edinburgh, which is where I grew up. My dad died soon after I left school … That wasn’t an easy time.’
‘You were close to him?’
She answered with a sad smile. ‘Shortly after that, I went to France where Paul was working – he was a ski instructor I’d met the year before on holiday. Becoming pregnant – well, it wasn’t exactly planned. We returned to Edinburgh and married and after Jamie was born we lived in the highlands.’ She paused, a shadow crossing her face. ‘One day Paul had an accident off-piste and was killed. That was when I moved here with Jamie – just the two of us.’
‘I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for you,’ Ben said, under no illusions that Eva Harris hadn’t had her share of dark days. He watched as she seemed to compose herself with a little shake before lifting her cup and regarding him with a curious look.
‘And you – do you have family in London?’ Ben was aware how friendly Eva had been towards him. If he was honest, he had felt wrong-footed by her openness at first, unsure how to handle it. But very quickly he found himself becoming comfortable with it, feeling at ease in her company. He didn’t exactly want to give his life story but thought the least he should do was be more upfront with her.
‘No immediate family now. I lost my father too, when I was ten. I was an only child so after that it was just my mother and me. She … she died six months ago.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’
Ben felt grief and guilt rear their ugly heads and quickly shut them down.
‘After she died, well that’s when I knew I wanted to leave London. But I didn’t think I’d be moving here on my own.’ He ran a hand over his jaw, aware Eva had shifted in her seat and was listening intently.
‘When I was offered this job at the university, it was my partner Samantha who flew up and viewed the house. I was desperate to leave London and start a new life here. We were all set to make the move.’ He paused, took a breath before continuing.
‘Then with a few days to go before the move she told me she’d changed her mind. She didn’t want to leave London, didn’t really like the idea of Scotland after all. So, I came on my own. Which is why I’m now living in a house that is ludicrously big for me,’ he finished with a resigned shrug.
‘That must have been terrible for you. Were you together long?’ Eva asked quietly.
‘Two years.’
‘Quite a long time.’
‘Suppose it is. Although when I look back now I can see we didn’t actually spend that much time together – I’m not even sure how well we knew each other.’ Ben stared into his coffee cup, thinking.
‘Why do you think she changed her mind?’
‘A job opportunity she couldn’t refuse apparently but really I think we wanted different things. She was talking about house parties from London while I was imagining rooms with children running about. We didn’t even discuss it much so I’m not sure what that tells you.’ So absorbed in his own thoughts Ben was almost surprised to look up and see Eva’s gaze on him, her expression understanding.
‘I think I know what you mean. After Jamie was born I wanted to settle down, find a good place for him to grow up. But deep down I don’t think Paul was ready. I think he was still looking for the next adventure.’ There was a pause, the silence between feeling significant in some way and although Ben found himself intrigued, wanting to know more, instinct told him they had each divulged enough for now.
‘Sounds like we both arrived here in difficult circumstances,’ he said simply.
Eva looked down at the table, her fingers tapping the side of her mug, appearing deep in thought. She looked up, her green eyes bright with sudden inspiration.
‘Jamie and I usually make pizzas on Wednesday nights – our midweek treat. Why don’t you join us this week and I could give you some ideas for your house? I have loads of paint charts, colour swatches. And I can give you the names of a heating engineer …’ She looked at him eagerly, making it all sound so simple. A voice inside Ben’s head told him he was supposed to be keeping his distance and this wasn’t a good idea. But at the very same time he heard himself accept her invitation. He felt himself being drawn towards her and was powerless to stop it.
***
‘Mum, how do you work out the circumference of a circle?’
‘Um, not sure. Hang on, I’ll need to have a look.’ Eva had just finished sprinkling cheese on to home-made pizza bases and was now adding sliced tomatoes. Although she made pizzas every week tonight felt different. Knowing Ben would be joining them, she could feel herself fussing and growing nervous, her stomach doing strange little flips. She hoped inviting him had been the right thing to do. She sensed it hadn’t come easily to him, revealing his mother’s death and the end of his relationship. Now that she knew more about him she understood why he’d appeared so tetchy when they first met and was prepared to admit she had formed the wrong impression of him.
She had enjoyed having coffee with him. He’d been easy to talk to – in fact she was surprised how much she’d revealed to him. She brushed away her doubts, telling herself she was simply being neighbourly. He was on his own, life hadn’t gone the way he had planned, and she certainly knew how that felt. She wanted to be friendly and on good terms with her new neighbour and she was genuinely interested in helping him with his house. The confusing part was finding him so attractive.
A new relationship had never entered her head since Paul – not seriously. There were fleeting moments when the idea of having someone was appealing but the reality of it was … well, scary. Meeting Paul when she was so young and then years of being on her own hadn’t exactly left her brimming with confidence in that department. She kept her life simple by focusing on Jamie, the business, and nothing else.
Ben may have nudged certain feelings to the surface but Eva intended to put them straight back down again where they belonged – the risks to her and Jamie were too great. Anyway Ben had just come out of a relationship and Eva could only imagine what Samantha had
been like. Probably an ambitious high-flyer, sophisticated and glamorous – basically everything she wasn’t. There was no way Ben would be interested in her so why her thinking was even heading in that direction she didn’t know.
She wiped her hands on a cloth and joined Jamie at the table. ‘Let’s have a look.’ She pulled his book towards her, wishing it was English or history, anything but maths. Eva felt herself jump as the front doorbell sounded.
‘I’ll get it.’ Jamie scampered off to answer it, any excuse to escape. Eva had explained to Jamie that Ben was coming for dinner so they could get to know their neighbour and as she suspected he was unfazed by it.
‘I also said I might give him a few suggestions for decorating. Do you think that’s a good idea?’ she had asked him.
‘Cool, you’re good with all that stuff.’
Eva had felt a little glow of pride. ‘You really think?’
‘Yeah. It’ll be good for you to have something to do.’ He’d given her a sheepish grin.
‘I have plenty to do thank you very much.’ She had swiped him playfully.
Eva now grabbed the clasp from her hair and shook it free as she heard Ben and Jamie talking in the hall. When Ben appeared in the kitchen doorway she tried to act casual but her body instantly reacted to the sight of him. Doing her best to ignore her racing pulse, she smiled a welcome to him.
‘Hi.’ Eva indicated a seat at the table for him. ‘Hope you’re okay with a kitchen supper.’
‘Compared to what I’ve got next door this will be fine dining.’
Eva saw his eyes flit around the room, taking it all in, and she imagined the kitchen next door without the MacKenzies’ warmth and presence to be a cold and lifeless place.
Winter at West Sands Guest House Page 7