Summer at West Sands Guest House

by Maggie Conway

  Molly had resisted running to her parents no matter how effusive she knew their welcome would be – that was assuming they even had room for her in their bijou apartment overlooking Palmira’s golf course which was proving to be a very popular destination for friends and family to visit.

  Molly’s parents had waited for her to finish university before selling the family home in Glasgow where Molly had grown up and retiring to Portugal. Molly had in effect gone from living with her parents to living with Colin. This was her first time flying-solo as it were – albeit not by choice – and she needed to prove to herself as well as to them that she could stand on her own two feet.

  She couldn’t imagine anything sadder than having your divorced daughter barge in on your well-earned retirement. The thought of facing them, of seeing the disappointment in their faces was something she was quite willing to delay. Her fear was that she would somehow simply crumple and lose herself under their love and attention.

  The truth was, Molly felt ashamed. Her happily married and loving parents would somehow reinforce her guilt and shame that she had failed to make her marriage work. She didn’t want the fretting and the looks of concern – disrupting their lives would only make her feel worse.

  Instead Molly had turned to her brother Stuart. After leaving the family home in Glasgow, he had completed his PhD at Oxford University and had then taken a job lecturing history at Manchester University.

  Imparting the news of Colin’s affair had produced a few choice expletives from her usually softly spoken brother before he shared his own news which had unexpectedly provided her with a welcome reprieve from agonising about her future – for the next few weeks anyway.

  An old friend from his Oxford days had recently started work at St Andrews University, and had contacted Stuart regarding a job lecturing history and he had jumped at the chance. When they were younger, Molly and Stuart had spent a few holidays in St Andrews, mainly to accommodate their parents’ love of golf and Molly knew Stuart had always coveted a move to Scotland’s oldest university. He and his wife, Anna had decided to up sticks and move their family from Manchester to Scotland. Anna worked as a freelance software developer and after having a difficult year of her own, was happy to start afresh in the small Scottish town.

  His friend from Oxford, Ben Matthews, had recently settled in the town himself and as luck would have it, Ben’s wife ran a guest house which they could have until they found somewhere of their own to live.

  ‘Come and stay with us,’ he said simply.

  Memories of those idyllic holidays flickered happily through Molly’s mind. Carefree days before grown-up worries of relationships, careers and, in her case, divorces. Frankly, it sounded so perfect she could have wept but she sought reassurance she wouldn’t be in the way.

  ‘In the way? Are you kidding? We can always do with an extra pair of hands and the kids would love to see you. There’s loads of room and Mum and Dad will be coming for some of the time too.’

  Knowing her parents would be there had clinched it for Molly. Stuart and the family would provide a welcome distraction and ensure she wasn’t the sole focus of their attention and hopefully by the time she saw them, she’d be feeling stronger.

  Molly had hung up, relief filtering through her body. The next few weeks lay ahead enticingly empty, hopefully giving her the time and space she so badly needed to decide what came next. Or perhaps not to think at all. Simply to be herself again and not Colin’s wife – she needed to try and remember what that felt like.

  Now, as Molly continued to drive eastwards across the country, the rain eventually stopped and the clouds parted to make way for a pale blue sky. A good omen, she thought, feeling her shoulders loosen. She flicked on the radio, humming along to the music, feeling her spirits lift at the thought of the guest house by the sea filled with noise and family.

  Soon she was passing through little fishing villages, navigating her way through narrow, windy roads and looking out onto sandy beaches and picturesque harbours. Approaching St Andrews, Molly slowed down, recognising the skyline of the grand, stately university buildings and other familiar landmarks of the town.

  Molly had been delighted when Stuart had told her the guest house was at West Sands beach. Slowing down as she drew closer to the house, Molly let out a little gasp. A rather grand-looking Victorian house, it sat opposite a sweep of white sand with the sea stretching into the distance. Dark green ivy tumbled down the soft redbrick walls and the windows glittered in the afternoon sunshine. Terracotta pots brimming with small creamy flowers stood either side of the glossy blue front door.

  The wheels crunched on the gravel driveway as Molly brought the car to a halt and she smiled, seeing the small welcoming party that had formed at the door to meet her. She felt her heart squeeze with love for them. Stuart lifted a hand and waved to her, his other arm around his wife’s shoulders. Seeing Stuart and Anna standing there reminded Molly of her parents. Like them they looked so happy and made it look easy – they did marriage well in this family, all except her it seemed. If she didn’t love them so much it would be easy to feel envious. She was barely out of the car before they swooped down on her with hugs and kisses.

  ‘You’re here!’

  Wrapped in the warmth of Anna’s embrace, Molly’s suddenly shaky equilibrium was painfully tested but she swallowed down the tears that threatened, determined not to lose it now. Luckily the moment passed as her brother pulled her in for a gruff-like brotherly hug.

  ‘Good to see you, little sis.’ Molly grinned up at him, so happy to see her brother. At thirty-five, he was six years older than Molly. Growing up there had never been any rivalry between the siblings even though Stuart had given Molly enough reason for there to be one, at least academically. Instead she was proud of her brother’s straight A record and subsequent offers from the country’s top universities.

  Tall, dark and totally oblivious to the effect his looks had on women, Molly had assumed the role of protector, vetting who was suitable. Operating on the premise that no one was good enough for her brother, Molly had been prepared not to like Anna, the first girl Stuart had ever brought home. But any fears Molly had were quashed within seconds of meeting her and she had pretty much charmed the whole family.

  Not only had she been good for her brother – she had lovingly pulled him back from a life of crumpled corduroy and tweed jackets – she had become a good friend to Molly, too.

  Molly turned to her eleven-year-old niece Lily. Wearing jeans and a sparkly T-shirt and sharing her father’s reserved nature, she had held back slightly. She gave her aunt a shy look and Molly enveloped her in a hug. Luke, on the other hand, had no such reservations and stood beside Molly grinning up at her.

  ‘Look at you! You’ve grown!’ Molly exclaimed, ruffling his blond hair. Luke held himself tall, beaming a cheeky grin. ‘I’m five now,’ he announced proudly.

  Stuart opened the boot and lifted her bag out. ‘Brought your golf clubs, I see?’ he chuckled.

  ‘How could I not when I knew I was coming here. Thought I might see if you had time for a game.’

  ‘What and be humiliated? Not likely.’

  Molly laughed, shaking her head. ‘I’ll be totally useless now anyway, I haven’t played for so long.’

  It had always been a bit of a family joke that Molly was the son their father had always wanted. With his aversion to the great outdoors, Stuart preferred spending his time with his head in a book while Molly would be out tramping the golf course with their father.

  Luke suddenly grabbed Molly by the hands, pulling her towards the house excitedly.

  ‘Give Aunt Molly a chance,’ Anna chastised him good-naturedly.

  And in that moment, as Molly was swept into the house, she couldn’t think of a single place she’d rather be.

  ****

  ‘That was delicious,’ Molly said gratefully, feeling nicely full from the paella Anna had made. The crisp Sauvignon Blanc had also gone down a treat. Sitting at the
large oak table in the dining room, Molly felt herself start to relax as she caught up with Stuart and Anna.

  It had turned into a beautiful evening and the adults smiled, hearing the shrieks of delight floating through the French doors from the garden where Lily and Luke were playing.

  ‘You certainly know the right presents to bring your niece and nephew,’ Anna commented sagely.

  ‘Couldn’t really go wrong with water guns, could I?’ Molly grinned.

  Stuart had been bringing Molly up to date about his new job at the university, which to all intents and purposes he’d already started. He and Anna had known for a while now that there was no such thing as long summer holidays for university lecturers and that the academic grindstone never truly stopped.

  ‘I’m working on proposals for a funding initiative and supervising some students completing their final projects. I’m also preparing a workshop on the study of Medieval Scotland,’ he explained with his usual enthusiasm as he topped up their glasses.

  ‘Think I get the picture – no rest for the wicked,’ Molly teased. ‘So you’ve already met your colleagues?’

  ‘Most of them, they all seem very nice,’ he murmured vaguely. Molly smiled to herself. Often suspecting her brother’s mind was somewhere in the fifteenth century half the time, she knew that even if his colleagues were awful, he probably wouldn’t notice or comment.

  With a sigh, Molly sat back in her seat and took a sip of her wine, her eyes sweeping the room. Buttermilk-coloured walls complemented the oak furniture and a large seagrass rug sat on the wooden floor. There was a small side table piled with brochures and local maps for visitors and a small indoor bay tree sat next to a comfy cream wicker armchair. The room oozed comfort and style.

  Following her gaze, Anna smiled. ‘Isn’t this house just perfect?’ she said.

  Molly had felt it as soon as she stepped into the house earlier: an ambience which seemed to draw you into its warm embrace. And judging by the toy-strewn floor – she’d already had to avoid stepping on Luke’s cars – the children had made themselves very much at home.

  ‘So it’s Ben’s wife Eva that runs the guest house, is that right?’ Molly asked.

  Anna nodded. ‘She used to run this house as a bed and breakfast but she lives next door now with Ben and her son Jamie. Obviously she knew our situation and she explained that as this was her first summer renting out the whole house, a longer let suited her perfectly. So, we’ve been so lucky to get it for as long as we need.’

  ‘A case of good timing.’

  ‘Definitely. Eva came round and had a coffee and stayed chatting for ages. She’s just set up her own interior design business and her son Jamie is a year older than Lily so she’ll be going to the same school as him.’

  ‘Ben teaches physics, is that right?’

  Stuart nodded. ‘He’s been showing me around the university and introducing me to a few people which has been really helpful.’

  Molly nodded with a smile. ‘Well, I’m glad to hear it’s all working out so well.’

  ‘And of course, as long as we are here, you can stay. There’s no immediate rush for you to go back is there?’ Stuart lifted an eyebrow.

  Molly took a moment to gather her thoughts.

  ‘Well, I’ll have to deal with the house sale at some point but it’s only just gone on the market. Then after that, I’ll need to find somewhere to live – I was thinking I might rent for a while. And of course, I’ll need to find another job.’ Damn that little wobble in her voice. She cleared her throat, noticing the small exchange of glances between her brother and Anna.

  Molly knew they had been concerned about her and she appreciated being able to speak them but she’d done enough sobbing down the phone. She’d told them she’d love to visit them in St Andrews but on the proviso there was to be no post-mortem of her marriage. She really didn’t want to rake over the ashes of her marriage. She’d vowed she wouldn’t let her newly divorced status intrude on their family holiday and so she drew in a deep breath, determined not to falter. I’ll be fine.

  ‘We just wish there was something more we could do.’

  ‘Being here with you now is enough,’ Molly said firmly. She gave Stuart a pointed look. ‘And you don’t need to tiptoe around me. You’ve never done it before and don’t you dare start now,’ she told him. Stuart held his hands up in mock surrender, lightening the mood.

  ‘Okay, but remember I am still your big brother despite the fact you’ve bossed me about your whole life.’

  ‘That’s because you needed it for your own good,’ Molly countered with a grin.

  ‘Anyway, I’ll have Mum for back up when she arrives.’

  Molly rolled her eyes. ‘You always were her blue-eyed boy,’ she said affectionately. ‘Do we know exactly when they’re arriving?’ she asked.

  ‘Dad managed to get them tickets for the last day’s play of the tournament at the old course in a couple of weeks.’

  Molly took a gulp of wine, her mind calculating how long she had to shore up her defences before facing her mother’s barrage of concern.

  A sudden high-pitched scream from outside indicated delight had turned to disaster and five seconds later Lily marched in followed by a sheepish looking Luke. They were both drenched.

  ‘Mum, he squirted the water at my face on purpose and hit my eye.’ Lily was close to tears, her face puce with indignation. Anna sighed, automatically rising from her seat to mediate.

  ‘Remember I said no faces, Luke? Say sorry to Lily, please.’

  ‘Sorry, Lily,’ he parroted. Then with all remorse instantly forgotten he turned to Molly. ‘Is Uncle Colin not coming to see us anymore?’

  ‘Shut up, Luke.’ Lily scowled.

  The simplicity and unexpectedness of the question took Molly by surprise, as did the tears that suddenly welled in her eyes.

  ‘Right you two. Upstairs for showers now!’ Stuart interjected. ‘Tell you what,’ he said, turning to his wife and Molly. ‘Why don’t you two take a stroll? Go and have a drink somewhere and I’ll deal with these two little horrors.’

  Molly wasn’t sure she was in the mood to go out. All her recent interactions with people had been confined to work colleagues and even having a meal with Stuart and Anna had felt slightly alien. But Anna was clapping her hands together, rushing over to plant a kiss on Stuart’s cheek.

  ‘Come on, Molly, let’s go before he changes his mind.’

  After a quick freshen up – and in Molly’s case a few private moments to compose herself – the two women were soon strolling along the cobbled streets, the setting sun casting the last of its golden rays over the town. Most of the shops had closed but there were plenty of people milling around, choosing where to have their evening meal.

  Anna turned her head towards Molly. ‘Sorry about Luke earlier. We didn’t say anything to him but he must have overheard us talking.’ She grimaced.

  Molly waved her hand indicating it was nothing. ‘Don’t worry. Besides, he’s only five. It’s not his fault.’

  ‘I understand you don’t want to talk about things, but you are okay? Stuart has been worried about you.’

  ‘I know,’ Molly sighed, hating the thought of her family worrying about her.

  She frowned, trying to remember the last time Colin had even seen her family, realising he had managed to extricate himself from any recent gatherings. She’d always hoped Colin and Stuart would have bonded but it had never happened.

  ‘Colin and Stuart never did have much in common, did they?’ she commented now.

  ‘They were very different people,’ Anna said diplomatically. ‘As long as you know we’re here for you.’

  ‘Thanks. But honestly I’m fine,’ Molly replied, forcing a bright smile.

  Steering away from the main street and down a little lane, they found a rustic-looking pub and were soon ensconced at a table surrounded by the hum of conversation and the occasional peals of laughter erupting from a group sitting at one of the larger tables
.

  ‘Cheers.’ They clinked glasses.

  ‘You’re going to love it here,’ Molly enthused. ‘What a great place for the children to grow up.’

  Anna made a face, picking up her glass. ‘I’m not sure Lily would agree with you, she’s very unsure about the whole move.’

  Molly had noticed Lily seemed a bit quiet, even for her. ‘Is she really worried?’

  ‘She’s a bit sensitive just now – I think that’s why she over-reacted with Luke earlier. It’s fair to say she resents us for dragging her away from all her old friends to a new school. I’ve tried to tell her everything will be fine but she’s so shy and you know how cruel children can be.’

  ‘I don’t suppose anyone wants to be the new kid at school, do they?’

  Molly’s heart went out to her niece. She knew all the reassurances in the world wouldn’t stop Lily worrying about her first day at a new school not knowing anyone. ‘Hopefully being in a small community will make it easier for her to make new friends.’

  Anna agreed. ‘That’s why I’d like to try and get a new house sorted as soon as possible – I think being settled before the children start school will help. Plus if I stay in the guest house too long I’ll feel like I’m on a permanent holiday and that won’t do at all.’

  Molly looked affectionately at her sister-in-law. Her petite frame, elfin-cut blonde hair and large blue eyes belied the strength of the woman underneath. As well as being one of the smartest people Molly had ever met, she was one of the most driven with a work ethic that put lesser mortals to shame.

  Anna had met Stuart when he had moved to work in Manchester. She worked for a high-tech company and did amazing things with computers that Molly didn’t understand. After the children were born she set up as a freelance software developer and was so successful that now people came to her. She didn’t do rest. For as long as Molly had known her, Anna had always been involved in some job, working long hours. And being your average everyday super woman, she appeared to balance it all.

  Except looking at her now, Molly could see tiredness etched on her features, a lack of her customary sparkle. But then it was hardly surprising, she’d had a horrible eighteen months. She had lost both her parents and as an only child she’d taken the full brunt of the dealing with the illnesses that had claimed first her mother and then her father. Molly had met Anna’s parents at the odd family occasion. They had been lovely and Molly could only imagine how painful it must be for Anna to lose them both.