Autumn Antics: Escape to the seaside with the perfect autumn read! (The Boardwalk by the Sea Book 2)

by Georgina Troy

  “Paying you rent and taking your money for helping out. It doesn’t seem right, that’s all.”

  Exasperated, Bella tried to work out the best way to get him to agree to her proposal. “Does Sacha pay you when you work at the café?”

  “Yes.”

  “So? What’s the difference?”

  Jack sighed heavily.

  She took hold of his arm and pulled him to face her. “Tell me, what’s the difference? Your sister paying you, or me paying you? I don’t get it.”

  He took her by the shoulders and stared at her. Lowering his head to her height, he was about to say something, when someone called out his name.

  “Nicki?” Jack said, almost to himself. He dropped his hands from Bella’s shoulders and stepped back, as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.

  Nicki shouted and waved. “Jack, where the hell have you been all day? I’ve been searching for you. No-one knew where you were.”

  She marched towards them and narrowed her eyes when she saw who was with him. “Belinda, isn’t it?” she asked.

  Bella knew Nicki was fully aware of her name but smiled sweetly. She was sure Nicki was trying to bait her and she had no intention of giving her that satisfaction. “Jack’s been helping me.”

  “You? Why?” She glared at Jack.

  Bella watched the intensity of her focus on him, and could see why Jack was finding it difficult to break away from someone so determined. She opened her mouth to explain, when Jack interrupted.

  “Bella needed help with her antique stall at the market today. I’m just back from helping her deliver some furniture to a couple of buyers.” His voice was level, but Bella could sense from his steely tone that he wasn’t impressed at having to explain his whereabouts. “What did you need me for?”

  Nicki ignored Bella. Stepping in front of her, she linked her arm with Jack’s. “You know we have a lot to discuss,” she said, pulling him forward. “Come with me to the hotel bar, I’ve got a proposition for you.”

  Bella didn’t like the sound of that. Not wishing to give Nicki the satisfaction of being interested, Bella pulled up the collar of her coat.

  “You okay to get home alone?” Jack asked.

  Bella smiled at him. “Perfectly, thanks. And Jack?” she called after them a few seconds later.

  “Yes?”

  “Thanks again for everything today. You’ve been amazing. I owe you one.”

  Jack gave her a half smile. Bella could see by the twinkle in his eyes that he was amused at her snipe back at Nicki.

  She ambled along, letting them increase their distance, and wondered exactly what proposal Nicki might have for Jack. She could imagine it was something intended to try and persuade him to return to the mainland with her. She couldn’t really blame Nicki. After all, wouldn’t she want to keep Jack if he was her boyfriend? Of course she would.

  She arrived back at the cottage to find the living room light beaming out onto the boardwalk. Her mum must be home. Bella smiled. She liked the idea of arriving home to the lights on and the fire roaring. It was so much more welcoming than arriving home to an empty cold house. Although she loved being her own boss, and living alone when there was no one renting her rooms, it could get a bit lonely sometimes. Working from home meant she was usually at the cottage when her tenants came home. If she knew them, like Jack and Alessandro, she liked to be there to welcome them back for the evening. If she didn’t, then she didn’t like to chance someone being a little light-fingered and taking one of her small silver spoons, or maybe an ornament or vase that could fit easily into a bag.

  It had happened once before. A couple she had thought to be as trustworthy as they were friendly, stole a small oil painting from one of her stands by the front door. It couldn’t have been anyone else and had upset her deeply. Since then, she had been more cynical when it came to her lodgers, which is why she was happy to have Alessandro and Jack there.

  “Hi Mum,” she called stepping into the warmly lit room and walking over to stand in front of the fire to warm up before taking off her coat and scarf.

  “I’ll be down in a sec,” Claire called.

  Bella rubbed her hands together and stared into the flames. This was more like it, she thought. Arriving home to a warm cottage and someone to talk to about her day.

  She undid her coat and taking it off, went over to hang it up on the coat hooks along the wall near the front door. She was used to keeping the place tidy so as not to have to clean up after herself each morning before opening the shop. She took off her boots and carried them upstairs to her bedroom. Bella drew her curtains. There was little point leaving them open. She might be able to hear the waves rolling and crashing on the sandy beach outside, but couldn’t see very much now that it was dark.

  She changed out of her jeans and jumper and into jogging bottoms and an over-large grey hoodie with I Love New York on the front, that she had bought several years ago, during a long, spring weekend there with Sacha, Lexi and Jools. She looked across to the wooden framed photograph of the four of them, that she’d asked a passer-by to take on the seventy-fifty floor of the Rockefeller Center, with the iconic figure of the Empire State Building in the background.

  It had been a memorable trip and she knew that her friends would love to take another holiday together. Picking up the photo, Bella sat on her bed. So much had changed since then. Sacha had taken over the running of the Summer Sundaes Beach Café, and Jools had to look after her grandmother much more since her Parkinson’s had worsened, meaning that she was confined to a wheelchair most days, while Lexi had her three fisherman’s cottages to keep immaculate for the holiday season, which seemed to last most of the year.

  “One day,” she said dreamily, placing the photo of the four of them – Jools making bunny ear signs behind Lexi’s head as they beamed at the camera – back on the dressing table.

  Her room was a little chilly, so Bella hurriedly pushed her feet into the fluffy slippers that Jools had bought her the previous Christmas. The memory reminded her that it wouldn’t be too long until Christmas came around again. She loved the idea of having Jack and Alessandro in the cottage, and wondered whether her mother would still be on the boardwalk, or if she’d have tired of island life and returned to Sri Lanka. She hoped not.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “You’ll never guess what,” Jools said, pushing her hands through her spiky pink hair the following morning. “Mum heard Jack’s ex telling the manager of the hotel that she’s planning a secret wedding for her and her fiancé.”

  “She can’t do that,” Bella said, horrified. “Jack is the last person you could force into a surprise wedding.”

  “That’s up to him to decide though, isn’t it?” Mrs Jones, Jools’ grandmother, looked up from the figures she was working on at the till, in the second-hand bookshop she and Jools ran together. Despite knowing the lady her entire life, Bella – and everyone else on the boardwalk – still referred to her as Mrs Jones. “Jack’s a big lad,” she said. “I’m sure he can stand up to himself against that little madam.”

  But what if he can’t? Bella thought. Should she tip him off about Nicki’s plans?

  “And don’t you go saying anything to him,” Jools’ grandmother said. “I shouldn’t have been earwigging her conversation. And certainly shouldn’t have told you girls.”

  “Why not, Mrs Jones?” Bella asked, desperate to be able to share this information with him.

  “Because, Bella, it’s not your business, nor yours either, young lady,” she said, pointing at Jools.

  “Then why tell us, if we can’t do anything with the information?”

  “Stop moaning and help me sort these books,” she said, pushing them across the counter to Jools. “Betty had them brought in to me this morning on consignment. We need them marked up and displayed to sell them for her as quickly as possible.”

  At the mention of Betty’s name, concern coursed through Bella. She, like everyone else on the boardwalk, was extremely
fond of the oldest and most heroic resident. Bella still felt emotional at the thought of the plaque the residents had erected to honour Betty’s actions during the Occupation of the island during the Second World War.

  “Does she need money, do you think?” she asked, not sure how she could help her out if she did.

  “Nothing like that, Bella,” Mrs Jones said, lifting another three hardbacks out of the box next to her before checking them and passing them on to Jools. “She’s wanting to clear a little space in that cottage of hers. She’s taken in a rescue cat that someone abandoned near here. She wants a place for its bed.”

  Bella liked the idea of Betty having a companion living in her cottage. “That is good news. How did she find out about it?”

  “Young Jack Collins,” Mrs Jones said. “He met up with someone when he was drying off after a surf and they got chatting. The woman told him about the cat and he presented it to Betty the next day, bed, food and bowls. She was delighted, apparently.”

  Bella couldn’t imagine why he hadn’t mentioned it. “He never said.”

  Jools stroked her arm. “Maybe he forgot, or perhaps he didn’t want to show off about giving her the cat. Who knows?”

  Talking about Jack reminded Bella about Nicki and her plans for a secret wedding. “I don’t see how I can keep Nicki’s plans to myself, Mrs Jones.”

  “Well, you must. It’s not our secret to tell. Promise me you won’t tell him.” She gave Bella a piercing glare that she remembered only too well from when Mrs Jones was her headmistress at secondary school. “Yes, I promise.”

  “Good, now off you go. We need to get these books sorted for Betty.”

  “No problem. See you soon.” As Bella left, she tried to think of a way to tell Jack without breaking Mrs Jones’ confidence. “Bugger,” she groaned. There had to be a way of helping him with this.

  She returned to the cottage to find Jack sitting in his favourite forties armchair, dozing by the fire. Bella crept into the living room and watched his muscular chest rise and fall under his faded blue sweatshirt. His dark lashes, fanned out on his cheeks, were the envy of most women who knew him. Why did men seem to have all the luck when it came to long lashes? she thought. He looked so peaceful and relaxed. What would he want her to do? He was her friend and she owed it to him to be honest. Then again, as Mrs Jones insisted, it wasn’t Bella’s secret to share. And she had promised not to say anything.

  Her guilt intensified until she remembered that he was a grown man and more than capable of standing up for himself and saying no, should he choose to. She leant against the small davenport desk near the front door. Could it simply be that she was scared he might want to say yes to Nicki’s proposal? Would he? Before she could answer her own question, Jack opened his eyes and caught her staring.

  “I didn’t hear you come in. Been back long?” His grin disappeared. “You look very pensive. Something wrong?”

  She forced a smile. “No, everything’s fine.”

  He sat up and narrowed his eyes, leaning forward. “Why do I get the impression you’re fibbing to me, Bella?” he smiled. “You can confide in me about anything. I hope you know that?”

  She stood up and waved her hand in front of her face, as if a pesky fly was flitting about in front of it. “I was just thinking about, um modelling work.”

  “You’ve got another job? That’s great news.”

  She shook her head, unable to tell him a downright lie. “No, unfortunately not. I think Megan Knight and I got off to a bit of a rocky start. I was wondering when I’m going to be offered another shoot, that’s all.”

  Now she’d said it, she was concerned. She hadn’t heard from Abel since being back home, and hoped he would have something for her soon. The photo shoots topped up her income nicely. Now that her mother was staying and she wasn’t getting Alessandro’s weekly rent, she could do with some extra money coming in.

  “I could increase my rent, if you like,” Jack offered, obviously sensing the reason behind her concern.

  “No, Jack,” she said with a scowl. “You pay your fair share and anyway, you’re not really in a position to be overly generous. Not now you’re soon to be out of work.”

  He stood up and came over. “Give me a hug,” he said, stretching out his arms. “Come on,” he insisted when she didn’t make a move. “I think we could both do with one right now.”

  Jack’s hugs were her favourite defence against her woes. She stepped into his arms without further hesitation, breathing in his warm soapy scent. “You showered.”

  He smiled down at her. “You say that as if it’s a rare occurrence.”

  Bella pinched his side making him flinch and laugh. “I didn’t mean that, and you know it.”

  He darted away from her. “Hey, stop that. I’m glad you approve of my smell.”

  “All I said was that you’d showered.”

  She enjoyed the banter she shared with Jack. Maybe it was just as well that they were nothing more than friends, she mused. If the connection between them changed, she would miss this comfortable way they had between them. What if they got together and it didn’t work out. It could change everything. Even her friendship with Sacha. She didn’t want that to happen. Though would it really have to alter? she couldn’t help wondering.

  She realized Jack was speaking. “Sorry, you said something?”

  “I was saying, you mustn’t worry and that we’ll make a plan.”

  She smiled at the familiar words. “You’ve picked that up from my mum, haven’t you? She’s always saying the same thing.”

  “She’s a wise lady.”

  Bella wasn’t so sure about that. “Sometimes, I suppose.”

  “Anyway, I might have a job.”

  Bella stepped back. “Really? Where?”

  He shook his head, hands on his hips as he frowned. “Hey, don’t sound so shocked. I’m not completely unemployable, you know?”

  She giggled. “Who are you going to be working for?”

  “Tony.”

  “Fisherman, Tony?” She wasn’t sure she liked this idea too much. “But you’ll go out in all weathers. It could be dangerous.”

  Jack’s expression softened, and all his amusement vanished. “Will you worry about me?”

  She pushed his right shoulder, hard. “Of course I’ll bloody worry about you,” she said, before she had time to think. Then, embarrassed to have been so open with her feelings, she added, “And so will Sacha. I’m sure she’ll have something to say about you going out to sea each day.”

  She walked into the kitchen to give her something to do.

  Jack followed. “I’m a big boy now.”

  “I know.” She squeezed her eyes closed, relieved he was behind her and couldn’t see her battling to suppress her feelings.

  “Then you’ll also know that I don’t need anyone’s permission.” He turned and marched out of the room. “Shit. What is it about the women around me?” she heard him grumble as he went up the stairs. “You all think you’ve got a right to tell me what to do.”

  Bella leant against the worktop, her head drooping. Why couldn’t she think before she spoke? He was right though; he could think for himself, and no doubt he would do so when Nicki unveiled her plans for their wedding. The thought calmed her slightly. She needed to focus on her own troubles and leave Jack to get on with what he needed to do. What was wrong with being a fisherman anyway?

  “It’s bloody dangerous, that’s what,” she mumbled, switching on the kettle.

  “What is?” her mother whispered behind her, giving her a fright and making her wallop her elbow on the corner of the cooker as she spun around.

  “Don’t creep up on me like that,” Bella snapped.

  “You haven’t answered my question.”

  Bella rubbed the pain away and pointed upstairs, putting a finger to her lips. “Shush, I don’t want Jack to hear.”

  “What?”

  She told her about his job offer.

  Claire thought
for a moment. “I don’t know what the problem is. He respects the water and let’s face it, knows how to deal with it far better than most of us. He’ll be fine. Be happy for him that his money problems are solved.”

  She was probably right, Bella thought. It was none of her business anyway what Jack did, more’s the pity.

  Her mother was about to add something just as Bella’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket. It was Abel. Relieved at the prospect of another photo shoot, she answered.

  “Hi,” she said cheerfully. “And the answer is yes.”

  There was a hesitation before he said, “You don’t know the question yet. I’m, er, not phoning about a shoot. I need you to do me a favour. To be honest, I need you to do one for my girlfriend.”

  “I’d be delighted to,” she said, trying to imagine what she could possibly be able to do. “What is it?”

  She heard a muffled comment and presumed he had placed his hand over the receiver, so she couldn’t hear what was being said.

  “I need you to find somewhere for Megan to stay.”

  She might be willing to put herself out for a job, but having that little madam staying with her was not something she’d even contemplate. “If you’re referring to Megan Knight, then I’m afraid the answer has to be a resounding no.”

  He sighed heavily. “I knew that would be your first answer.”

  “And my final one,” she snapped, irritated with him for asking.

  “Look, I know she’s a nightmare.”

  “That’s an understatement. Abel, she’s been famous for what, a month? How does anyone have such a high opinion of themselves after being in the public eye for only that length of time? I don’t get it.”

  “Bella, babes.”

  “Don’t call me that, Abel,” she said through gritted teeth. “Especially if you want something from me.”

  “No, of course, that was silly of me. Sorry. She’s Megan’s agent and is expecting me to help her sort something out.” He sounded flustered, and if Bella was right, his girlfriend was in the background, giving him a hard time. Someone was, and it didn’t sound like Megan. “Please, Bella. I’m desperate. She’s had a fling with this financier bloke. He’s got a reputation for being a bad boy and her manager has managed to sign her up for an exclusive with one of the big gossip magazines. We need somewhere for her to lie low where she can’t get into trouble.”