The Boardwalk by the Sea

by Georgina Troy

  “No idea. I phoned the hotel because I thought I’d left behind one of my favourite bags. I had a lovely chat with his aunt. When I asked her how he was, she told me Alessandro’s father had been unwell, but that he had insisted Alessandro still travel to Jersey,” she said. “Exciting that he’s coming here, don’t you think?”

  Sacha returned her aunt’s smile. She was unsure why Alessandro’s father would not want him to postpone his trip to the island until he was well again. Then again, her aunt could have got things mixed up. She tended to get a little carried away when retelling stories, often embellishing them a little too much, so that they veered off in a different direction to the facts.

  Surprised at her aunt’s enthusiasm after what she’d told her on the ship about Alessandro’s past, and not wishing to encourage her, Sacha told her aunt about Jack contemplating staying on the island and that he’d moved into Bella’s cottage.

  “How wonderful,” she said. “Bella is a dream of a girl and I adore that cottage of hers. I’ve bought a few treasures from there over the years.” She checked her watch. “I might just pop over now and see what she’s got hidden.”

  “She won’t be open yet,” Sacha said. “It’s early, so you’ll probably be better off coming back later.”

  “Hmm, maybe.” Aunt Rosie finished her coffee and stood up. “Thank you, darling girl. I’ll see you very soon.”

  “Okay,” said Sacha. “And thanks once again for taking me on that incredible cruise. I had a brilliant time.”

  “As did I. Thank you for accompanying me. You were the perfect travelling companion and I’ll be asking you to come with me again, but only if you’re free.” She put her sunglasses back on her face and tied her scarf around her head. “I’ll see you again soon. Arrivederci.”

  Sacha couldn’t help smiling as she watched her aunt walking out of the café, her kitten heels click-clacking on the tiled floor.

  No sooner had her aunt left than Mrs Joliff arrived.

  “Good morning,” she said.

  Sacha liked most of her regulars, but she especially liked Mrs Joliff. She was always happy and ready to help anyone. This morning her cheeks were flushed and she seemed excited about something. She went up to the counter where Sacha was opening a box of cones and refilling the holder.

  “I didn’t know someone had taken over the lease of Mrs Le Breton’s little wool shop at the other end of the boardwalk,” she said.

  Neither did Sacha. “Why, is someone moving in?”

  Mrs Joliff shook her head. “Not yet, but I saw a couple of people measuring up inside.” She lowered her voice even though she was the only person in the café other than Sacha, and added. “I hope it’s something a little different that doesn’t clash with any of the other businesses around here.”

  “Me, too,” Sacha said, wishing it wasn’t Lucy’s day off. She’d have to wait for Jack to arrive, if he decided to, or Milo after he finished work, if she wanted to pop out and have a snoop.

  Mrs Joliff sat down and Sacha made her a latte with vanilla syrup. She carried it over to her, putting it down on the table, and said, “Are you glad Milo suggested you try these now?”

  Mrs Joliff closed her eyes and smiled. “That little chap is so clever. For years, all I’ve drunk is tea, believing I didn’t like coffee, and when he insisted that I should at least have one latte to try it, how could I refuse?”

  Sacha laughed. “He shouldn’t have really, but he’s right, they are delicious.”

  “They are. Such a treat,” the older woman said, taking a tentative sip. “I can make as many teas as I like at home, can’t I?”

  “You can.” She noticed Mrs Joliff glance over at the glass dome covering a fresh batch of chocolate brownies. “They’re low calorie if you’d like to try one. They’re the first low calorie brownies I’ve tasted,” she said. “I usually like mine full fat, as it were, but these are delicious.”

  “Go on then, why not?”

  As the day wore on the temperature rose. It was late-June, and in a few weeks the schools would be breaking up for the summer holidays. Sacha looked forward to the days when Milo worked with her. He was cheeky and very funny, always telling her and Lucy silly jokes that made them, and any nearby customers, laugh.

  Milo arrived after he’d been home to change out of his school uniform. “Did you know someone is doing something at that place further along the boardwalk?” he said. “You know the one where that old lady had her shop before she died.”

  “Yes,” said Sacha, as she passed him and took a toasted tea cake to a customer.

  He opened his mouth to say something else and she added, “And, no, I don’t know who it is. But I do know that we’re busy, so can you go and clear a couple of those tables at the back for me please?”

  He did as she’d asked, humming a tune she didn’t recognise.

  She picked up a load of crockery and turned her back to take it to the kitchen when she heard the café door open.

  “I won’t be a moment,” she said, racing through to the kitchen. It was typical of people to arrive so close to closing time, especially on such a sunny day. They usually wanted to eat an early supper so that they didn’t have to cook when they got home. She didn’t blame them, she’d probably do the same, given the choice. She washed her hands to rid them of a dollop of ketchup and dried them hurriedly, finishing off the job on her apron as she hurried back to the café to serve the new customer.

  “Hello, Sacha. It is good to see you again,” said a deep voice she recognised.

  She glanced up and stared into a pair of blue-grey eyes she’d been trying hard to recall. “Alessandro? You’re here?” she asked, aware how stupid her question must sound.

  Her heart pounded and she forced a smile, willing her brain to work through this surreal moment of seeing him in her café. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words vanished.

  A customer walked up to the counter, his bill in his hand. Relieved for the momentary distraction to give her a chance to collect her thoughts, Sacha smiled at Alessandro. “Please, take a seat,” she said, indicating the recently vacated table. “I’ll come over to chat to you after I’ve served this gentleman.”

  She couldn’t believe he was here already. She took the customer’s bill and cash, her mind racing. She’d imagined Alessandro coming to the café, but in her dreams, she’d pictured herself freshly showered and nonchalant, maybe sitting outside at one of the tables, reading a book and drinking a latte. He might not be hers, emotionally or otherwise, but wearing a top smeared with strawberry sauce, and with her flyaway blonde hair needing a good brush, wasn’t how she’d hoped he’d see her for the first time since they’d said their goodbyes in Rome.

  “Thank you,” she said, handing the customer his change. “Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.”

  She smoothed down her apron, and walked over to where Alessandro was sitting. He immediately stood up and grinned. “It is good to see you again, Sacha. This is your café?”

  “Yes,” she said, giving him a kiss on each cheek. Sitting opposite him, Sacha perched on the edge of her chair so customers wouldn’t think she was too busy chatting to serve them. “When you told me you were coming here, I thought you meant later in the month.”

  “I have much to do for my father while I am here and decided to come a week early.”

  She couldn’t help smiling. “Is your father here with you?” She glanced over his shoulder out of the window to see if the older man might be waiting for Alessandro outside.

  “No, he is recuperating at home in Italy. I am here on his behalf.” He checked his watch and stood up. “I must leave now, but would love to see you again, soon.”

  A lady cleared her throat behind Sacha. Sacha stood up and wanting to ensure she saw Alessandro again, said, “Maybe I could show you around the island?” She saw the woman becoming impatient. “I’m sorry, will you excuse me for a moment?”

  She took the lady’s payment, bid her good day, and turned t
o find that Alessandro was standing next to her.

  “Where are you staying?” she asked, thinking of Bella’s spare room. “I could contact you there and we could arrange something, if you like?”

  “I would like that very much,” he said, his eyes twinkling, reminding her of their last evening in Rome when he’d kissed her lightly on the lips leaving her wanting more but too shy to do anything about it. “I am staying at Bella’s blue cottage along your beautiful boardwalk. You know it?”

  She laughed. “I do, how did you know about her place?”

  “Your aunt,” he said, amused. “She spoke to Bella for me and reserved a room.”

  Sacha was delighted he’d be so near to her flat, it would help her find time to see him even if her days were busy, which they usually were at this time of year. “Bella is one of my closest friends and I was only there last night. When did you arrive?”

  “One hour, maybe?” he said, checking his watch. “I phoned your aunt and she suggested your friend’s cottage.”

  She noticed him glancing at the wall clock. “I’ll call there later this evening, if that’s okay. We can arrange something then.”

  “Perfect.” He leant forward and kissed her on both cheeks. “Ciao, Sacha. I will look forward to speaking to you later.”

  She watched him leave, wondering if the smile on her face would ever go. She knew she shouldn’t be so happy so see him here, but couldn’t help herself. She’d just have to keep a check on her emotions, and keep reminding herself that she had managed to survive Giles humiliating her with that woman. She was not the same trusting person she had been back then. Anyway, Alessandro was mourning someone he had lost, and she doubted he had any intention of intentionally hurting her. He was her newest friend, nothing more. He waved at her before closing the door behind him.

  “Oh, my, God, who was he?” asked a teenage girl, sitting with one of her friends at a nearby table. “I haven’t seen him around here before.”

  “His name is Alessandro.” The girl gave Sacha a knowing look. “And he’s a good friend,” she added, spotting the girls’ empty coffee glasses in front of them. “Is there anything else I can get you both?”

  “Only a date with him, and if not, we’ll have a couple of those low-calorie chocolate brownies,” said the cheekier one of the two. “If he’s going to be coming in here, you’ll be seeing more of us,” she said, nudging her friend.

  “I’ll look forward to it,” Sacha said, trying to hide her amusement. She pointed to a brightly coloured poster on her wall, displaying the different types of old-fashioned sundaes she’d begun selling at the weekends. “These are on special this summer, but only while the season lasts. Tell your friends about them.”

  “Even more reason to come in here, then,” she giggled.

  It was a long day, but a fruitful one. Sacha estimated that her takings were higher than ever, and wondered if it was because of the leaflets that Milo had been handing out in St Helier while she’d been on holiday. She was certainly seeing more of the locals in the café, and was relieved the States had relented and allowed the cafés to place a few tables and chairs outside this year. She wondered if she should consider having a retractable sunshade fixed to the front of the shop, for those days that were still warm, but a little drizzly.

  Later, freshly showered and dressed, Sacha locked up the café and headed out to Bella’s cottage. She still found it hard to believe that Alessandro was on the island. Excitement welled up inside her. Now it was her turn to show him around. She tried to think of all the places he might be interested in visiting. She reached the little shop that been vacant until recently and noticed that there was a sign above the window. Unfortunately, it was covered, so she couldn’t get an idea of what the new tenants would be using it for, and the wooden shutters she’d remembered only being used for stormy nights, were now closed. She’d just have to be patient like everyone else and wait to discover what business this place was going to be.

  She arrived in front of Bella’s cottage and raised her hand to knock on the door, just as Alessandro opened it.

  He smiled. “I was coming to escort you here,” he said.

  She laughed and handed him a bottle of prosecco. “You don’t need to act as my tour guide on this island,” she teased. “I know my way around this place. Here,” she handed him the bottle. “This is for Bella to open for us all.”

  “I will enjoy this,” he said.

  “Have you met Jack yet?” she asked, following him into the main living room, which was directly inside the front door. Sacha could see that Bella had changed the furniture around a bit, which usually happened when she sold a large sideboard or table. This cottage was a treasure trove for antique hunters like Aunt Rosie, and also somewhere Sacha could spend hours delving into drawers and the items on display. She never understood how Bella fitted so many things into one room, while still managing to keep it as a living area that she and her guests could enjoy.

  “You know Jack?” He seemed surprised that she might. He had a lot to get used to in this small place, where all the locals knew each other, and most of the strangers didn’t stay strangers for very long. He raised his eyebrows. “Ah, he is the brother you mentioned?”

  “Yes, that’s right, my twin,” she said, walking into the cottage and taking off her sunglasses. “Can’t you see the resemblance?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “It is a possibility,” he said, sounding unsure.

  Bella laughed as she walked up to them. “Stop teasing him, Sach. You and Jack are opposite in many ways.”

  “That’s true.”

  “You’re not kidding,” she laughed “He’s muscly from all that kayaking,” she raised an arched eyebrow.

  Sacha giggled. “I’m not really into exercise, apart from running around at the café.” Alessandro’s eyes swept her body, and she felt her face flush.

  “So, how are you settling in here?” she asked him regaining her composure. “It’s a bit chaotic at times, but I assure you Bella is a brilliant landlady.”

  “You lived here?” he asked, as Bella took them through the cottage to her small yard at the back, where she’d hung Chinese lanterns, and displayed several pots of brightly coloured plants to make the most of the space.

  “She lived here for a few months, before moving into the flat above the café,” Bella said, indicating they should sit down.

  “And now your brother lives here,” he said, just as Jack appeared at the door.

  “Room for a little one?” he asked, his hair wet, Sacha presumed, from being in the sea.

  Bella indicated the spare chair next to hers. “I’ll fetch you a glass, you can have some of this delicious prosecco.”

  Jack walked over and placed his hands on her tanned shoulders. “No, you stay where you are. I’d rather have a lager.”

  He began walking towards the kitchen, but hesitated and stopped. “Hey, did any of you notice that odd sign that someone’s etched into one of the planks on the boardwalk?”

  Bella sat up straighter in her chair. “You mean, the one like some sort of mathematical symbol, just before the steps?”

  “I haven’t seen anything,” Sacha said, trying to recall if anything unusual had caught her eye when she last went down onto the beach. “What do you think it’s for?”

  “No idea,” Jack said, “but it doesn’t look like it was done by a kid. Odd.”

  “It is strange,” Bella said. “We can go and have a peek a little later. I can show you where it is, if you like, Sach.”

  “Yes, please.”

  Jack turned his attention to Alessandro. “You want a glass of something other than that stuff, mate? Bottle of something from the fridge maybe?”

  “That would be nice,” Alessandro said. “Thank you.”

  Sacha wasn’t sure if Alessandro was being polite, agreeing to the beer, or if he simply wasn’t enjoying the prosecco.

  While they waited for Jack to come back, Sacha turned her attention back to Alessandro.


  Jack returned and handed Alessandro a frosted bottle of lager. “Get that down your neck, it’s good stuff.”

  “Thank you.” Alessandro took a mouthful and closing his eyes, swallowed. “Very good.” He grinned at Sacha. “I will be busy tomorrow, but if you are free the next afternoon, maybe we can see some of the island then?”

  “I’m sure Jack won’t mind coming into the café to cover a shift for me.” She focused her attention on her brother. She knew he would stand in for her if she asked and wasn’t surprised when he agreed straight away.

  “I will come to the café at 1pm?” Alessandro suggested.

  “Perfect.”

  Now all she needed to do, was think of the most interesting places to show him. Places that would give them something to talk about. She hated being so tongue-tied, but seeing him again in her own surroundings made her less confident, somehow. She needed to find things to talk about to try and hide her shyness. She hadn’t felt this awkward with a man before, but she hadn’t ever met anyone quite as charismatic as Alessandro.

  “Why don’t I make us some supper?” Bella suggested.

  “Great idea,” Jack said. “We can take it down to the beach and eat it there.”

  Sacha caught Bella watching her. She was wondering what her friend was thinking and before she could ask, Bella said,” Why don’t you help me here, Jack? Sacha has been working at the café all day, she can take Alessandro down to the beach and we’ll meet them there when we’ve rustled up some food for us all.”

  Grateful for the chance to spend some time alone with Alessandro, Sacha stood up and took his hand in hers. “Quick, let’s get out of here before she changes her mind,” she said, only half joking. “We can go and find that sign Jack was talking about.”

  Alessandro finished his beer and handed the empty bottle to Bella, thanking her.

  They stepped outside and Sacha could smell the heat emanating from the warm tarmac on the pavement outside the cottage. It was one of those rare summer evenings that wasn’t much cooler than the day had been. She led him across to the boardwalk to the first set of granite steps that would lead them down to the beach.