Winter Storms

by Oliver, Lucy

  “Sailing?” Her mouth fell open. “No, I can’t. And he has no right to suggest that to you.” She sat forward and wrapped her arms around her chest.

  “But I think he’s right, you do need to start sailing again.” He took her hands. “I’ll help you.”

  “Because you feel guilty? For poor old Carly, scared of water?”

  “You’re not going to recover until you face up to it.”

  “So you’re a psychologist now too? No, Daniel. I won’t, and it’s unfair of you to ask me. I want both of you to leave me alone, I’m happy now.”

  “Are you?”

  “I was until you turned up.” Grabbing her cane, she tried to stand up, furious that her leg didn’t even allow her the dignity of striding away.

  “There’s not much point in that, not unless you’re planning on walking home.” He rose and stepped in front of her. “I’m not going to push you, it’s your decision. But I’m here if you need me.”

  She nodded, turning her head away from him. This day wasn’t going as she’d planned. “I have to get back, it’s the gala tomorrow and I need to check the last minute arrangements. Are you going to open the fête?”

  “Of course I will, but sit back down. We’ll have something to eat first; it’s a long drive back and you look tired.”

  “I didn’t sleep very well.”

  “Worried about today?”

  “The gala.” She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d stopped her sleeping. Actually, she’d spent the night lying awake on her pillows, which had his scent, wishing he was beside her.

  Sitting back on the chair, she ordered the first item on the menu, steak and kidney pie. Tight knots clenched her stomach and she kept her gaze on the table, away from Daniel. Could she sail again? Sweat broke out on her forehead as she remembered the icy water burning her lungs, dragging her under the waves — she’d been a strong swimmer, but no one could fight that vicious winter undertow. This was why they needed the new lifeboat. Soon Liam, the only family she had, would be out on the trawlers, battling the powerful Atlantic storms. It was such a dangerous occupation and the thought of him being sucked under the waves too filled her with horror.

  But when the waitress put down her plate, containing a dish puffed high with flaky pastry and scented with rich gravy, she forked up the tender, savoury beef. Beside her, Daniel silently ate his fish and chips and she relaxed against the back of the sofa. How many times had they done this before? They’d always been so comfortable in each other’s company, feeling no need to fill in the gaps of silence with random conversation. Could they ever get that closeness back, or would the events of two years ago prove too much for them to deal with?

  • • •

  Carly leaned against the harbour railing, gazing at the pale morning sunrise as it lifted above the midnight blue ocean, while seagulls cried above her and her breath frosted in the chilled air. A line of dark clouds marked the horizon and she stared at them, brow creased. Pulling her green beanie hat down over her ears, she rubbed her hands together, clad in thick gloves. Behind her, came the swish of brooms as volunteers swept snow from the cobblestones in preparation for the stalls. Taking a deep breath, she unclenched her hands. Please let this day be a success.

  A man, wearing a fisherman’s jumper and cable knit hat, put down his broom and strode over to her.

  “Hello, Mick. You’re up early,” she said.

  “Lot of work to do today, if we’re going to make the millions of pounds you’ve promised us.”

  She smiled. “I never said millions; it’s going to take a while to pay for the lifeboat.”

  “I know, love. We aren’t expecting miracles, but I think this is a good idea of yours. The kids’ll have a great time anyway, mine were up half the night writing their letters to hand in at Santa’s Grotto.”

  “Let’s just hope they don’t recognise you then.”

  “That white beard hides everything, they’ll not have a clue and I’ve been practising a foreign accent just in case.” He nodded up the road. “Young Liam’s coming down, he’s been up in the top car park organising signs.”

  Carly watched her brother striding down the street; it still surprised her how tall he had grown. When she thought of him, she remembered the boy that clung to her when their mother rejected him. He’d returned the favour though. Without him, she couldn’t have managed these last couple of years.

  “Morning, sis,” Liam said, joining them. “The first aiders are setting up their tent and community police have arrived to organise traffic.”

  “Or riots,” Mick said.

  “Oh, don’t, please!” Carly said. “I’m stressed enough already, surely there won’t be riots?”

  “If there are, we’ll have to send your Daniel out to quell them, people like to see a famous person.”

  “I’m sure he’d appreciate that, and he’s not my Daniel.”

  “Isn’t he? That’s what everyone’s saying, that he went back with you after the sailing club ball.”

  “Sometimes I hate living in a small town, is nothing private?”

  “You love it really, where else would people carry your shopping home for you?”

  She smiled. It was true, she did love Haven Bay. It wasn’t without its faults, but when you were disabled and lived alone, you needed to be in a place where people would look out for you.

  “I must ring Daniel, check he’s on time for opening the gala,” she said.

  “He’s on his way down, I passed him earlier,” Mick said. “Walking with a blonde girl.”

  “That’ll be Ali. Heavily pregnant?”

  “It wasn’t his sister, it was that one off the telly, Imogen thingy, the sports presenter.”

  Carly went cold.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  She stared as Daniel strode toward her, his arm linked with a tall blonde girl, who was muffled up in a long black military coat and a fur hat that Carly knew she never could have carried off. They were almost the same height, striding in tandem, looking like they belonged together. Snow crunched under their shoes and when he turned to speak to her, Imogen tilted her head back to laugh, surprisingly loudly.

  Carly glanced at her own dark grey duffel coat and raised a hand toward her woollen hat, before snatching her arm back down. It would look obvious to remove it now, caught up with the gala, she’d paid no attention to how she looked when she dressed that morning. Thank goodness she’d pulled away from Daniel’s kiss yesterday, he must have known Imogen was visiting. Had she come to talk to him about the broken engagement? Were they back together?

  Hooking her stick over the rail behind her, she turned to face them, a fixed smile on her face.

  “Hello,” Daniel said.

  Carly nodded to him; at least he and Imogen weren’t holding hands, she couldn’t have coped with that. Mick glanced from her to Daniel, then coughed. “Right, I must be off, floors to sweep, catch you later, Daniel.” He headed across the cobblestones.

  She looked at her brother, desperate for him to stay, and he must have caught her mute plea, because he put a hand on her arm.

  “This is Imogen,” Daniel said. “She arrived last night and wants to help with the gala; as she’s well known, I thought she’d be good at opening the fête.” He tried to catch Carly’s gaze, but she looked away.

  “I’m not sure,” she said. “It’s a gala about boats.”

  “Believe me, Imo would draw more crowds then I would.”

  Imo? She pressed her lips together, what was Imogen doing here? Had Daniel been lying when he said it was all over? As if things weren’t complicated enough.

  “I’m happy to help if you need me,” Imogen said, in the low, smooth voice that captivated millions of viewers. “If you don’t, then I’ll wait quietly in the corner cuddling a bag of hot chestnuts
and a coffee.”

  Carly glanced down. Imogen wore gloves, furry ones to match her hat, it was impossible to see if she still wore an engagement ring. Raising her head, Carly caught the small smile on the other girl’s face and flushed. She really didn’t need this, why had Daniel chosen today to bring his fiancée, or ex-fiancée, down? He was right though, Imogen would be a draw to the gala and with half a million pounds still to raise, she needed help. There was still enough time to put the news on the event website and social networking sites. What did it matter if Imogen opened the gala? It wouldn’t make any difference to whether she was back with Daniel or not. Whatever was going on, it wasn’t actually Imogen’s fault. Daniel had been single when she met him.

  “All right, but you’ll need a speech,” she said, and Imogen flinched back. Carly’s cheeks reddened, she had spoken rather rudely. “Sorry, it’s been a stressful day. If you’d like to help, we’d be grateful. It’s not until midday so you’ve time to jot a few things down, sailing related if possible.”

  “I know more about football, but I’ve picked enough up from Daniel to be able to come up with something. I can always talk about the future stars in the children’s race, that usually goes down well. Is there somewhere quiet I can write?”

  Looking around the packed harbour, Carly tapped her fingers on the railing. A group of interested people had already clustered a few feet away, pointing to Imogen and holding up mobile phones to photograph her. Carly scowled at them, but Imogen didn’t seem to notice. It was a different world she and Daniel lived in, tempting though it was to take her to one of the main cafés, it wouldn’t be fair. There was only one place where she could be assured of privacy and although Carly didn’t want her there, she couldn’t think of another venue.

  “I’ve got a shop the other side of the harbour. It’s open today, but there’s a sitting room at the back you could wait in. It’s comfortable and warm, and there’s a coffee machine.”

  “That would be great, thank you,” Imogen said, rubbing her mitts together. Beneath her make-up, her eyes were ringed with black shadows and her nose looked red, as if she’d been blowing it. She certainly didn’t look like someone delighted to have her fiancé back. It was none of her business though; if she couldn’t live with Daniel, then she’d have to accept that someone else would, even if it wasn’t a thought that gave her any pleasure.

  “You all right with that, Imo?” Daniel said.

  “Fine, I’m a bit tired from the drive last night so it’d be good to have a rest.”

  Carly swallowed. Imogen arrived last night? Where had she slept? Pushing the thought from her head, she took her cane from the railing and saw Imogen’s eyes widen. Did she expect everyone to be as perfect as her?

  “Daniel!” Mick shouted, “there’s a problem with one of the boats, sail’s jammed. As you’re going to be supervising them later, would you mind checking it out? The little girl’s heartbroken, thinks she won’t be able to race.”

  He looked at her. “Could you look after Imogen?” he said.

  Slamming her cane down hard, she smiled. “Of course.”

  “See you later.” He headed off, Liam following after, leaving her alone with the blonde presenter.

  “It’s this way,” she said. It would have been nice to stride away, leaving Imogen to totter after, but with such long legs she’d outpace a giraffe.

  “So I assume you’re Carly? You had brown hair on the photo I saw,” Imogen said.

  “What photo?” She stopped in surprise. Imogen must be desperate to talk to her, a stranger, like this.

  “The one I found in Daniel’s wallet the day I walked out.”

  She winched. “I haven’t seen him for two years, we weren’t having an affair.”

  “I know, but you were part of our relationship regardless. When I heard he’d returned to Haven Bay, I thought I’d give it one last try in the hope you were different to what he remembered.”

  “I’m sorry, but this is nothing to do with me, Daniel and I split up two years ago.”

  “It’s everything to do with you. I’ve been living with your ghost for a year and half. At first I thought it was because he felt guilty.” Imogen glanced at her leg. “But it wasn’t just that; we never stood a chance because he still loves you.”

  “I don’t think he does, we’ve done little except argue.”

  “We were supposed to get married in May.”

  Carly stopped. Daniel was right, Imogen did deserve some consideration, though why she was having to get involved in this mess was beyond her; this was Daniel’s business. Imogen stared at her through wide, hurt blue eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” Carly said, “you’ve been caught up in the middle of this. I don’t know what Daniel intends, he hasn’t spoken about you, but we’re not together.” She swallowed, remembering the night they spent in her flat.

  “He told me you weren’t, but he sounded regretful. It was then that I knew I’d lost him, if you can lose something you never had in the first place. I’m glad I’ve met you though, it helps to see you as a real person rather than this mythical figure from Daniel’s past.”

  “I’m very real,” she said grimly.

  “Did he ask you to marry him?”

  Carly shook her head. It was something she didn’t want to think about, that Daniel had proposed to Imogen less than a year after they split up. If he loved her as he said, why had he never asked her to marry him? Perhaps because they’d never talked about the future, only the next sailing race.

  She checked her watch. “I’ve got to hurry, there’s a lot to do today. Regardless of Daniel, I have a gala to organise.” Walking toward the shop, she heard a clatter of heels behind her as Imogen ran to catch up. Thankfully, she could leave her in the shop under Linda’s care, any longer and she would be tempted to ask the question she mustn’t voice. Where did Imogen stay last night?

  The shop bell tinkled and the warmth from the hot air heater hit her chilled skin as she pushed open the door. Linda stood behind the till, emptying bags of change into the compartments.

  “Come to check up on me?” she said, before frowning as she glanced beyond Carly.

  “This is Imogen, she’s going to open the gala for us,” Carly said.

  Linda’s mouth dropped open.

  “Is it all right if Imogen sits in the back until lunchtime? It’s the only quiet place I could think of for her to write a short speech.”

  “Of course,” her friend said. “The coffee pot’s on.” Staring at Imogen, she frowned. “You look very familiar.”

  Carly waited for Imogen to point out who she was, but she remained silent. “She’s a presenter, you’ve probably seen her on TV,” she said.

  “Oh, and … ” She shut her mouth quickly.

  “Daniel’s fiancée,” Carly said.

  “Ex,” Imogen said.

  Carly nodded. Now there was no need to carry on peering at her hands. Leading her behind the counter, she opened the door to a small sitting room, decorated in yellow with a flickering gas fire.

  “Help yourself to coffee and snacks out the fridge, Linda will be in the shop if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.” Imogen sank down onto the sofa and Carly sighed. She couldn’t interfere, it was Daniel’s job to sort this out. But Imogen must have arrived hoping for better news then she received. Leaning down, she touched the other girl’s arm.

  “I’ll come and fetch you before the gala opens; thanks for helping us.”

  Imogen opened her eyes, tears beading on her lower lashes. “I appreciate you talking to me, it’s cleared up some things. Daniel didn’t really say much. I think I’ve made him feel uncomfortable.”

  “You had a right to come, you were engaged. And I hope you find someone else soon, I really do.”

  Imogen smiled. “I’m not generally
short of offers.”

  Carly nodded. “Help yourself to coffee, I’ll see you soon.”

  Linda stood by the shop window, eyebrows raised. “I wasn’t expecting that!” she said.

  “Me neither, at least we might get a few more visitors to the gala. Can you keep an eye on her for me? I feel responsible for her, she looks so bewildered.”

  “I think we’re all getting bewildered. What is Daniel up to?”

  “He didn’t invite her down, I think she had second thoughts over breaking the engagement and hoped he might want to get back together. He’s probably as confused as we are. Anyway, I’ve got to check on the stalls, did Mick collect the boxes of stock I left out?”

  “Yes, they went this morning. It’s a lot of things you’ve donated there. Can you afford it?”

  “I can’t afford to lose my brother.” She buttoned her coat up and pulled on the driving gloves she wore to grip her stick. “I’ll send reinforcements after lunch so you can come and watch the children’s sailing, you wouldn’t want to miss Jack. He’s good.”

  “I know.” Linda pressed her lips tightly together. “He loves it.”

  “You don’t look too happy about that.”

  Linda glanced at her leg and Carly flushed. “That was a rare accident, it won’t happen to Jack.”

  “It might, those cliffs are treacherous.”

  “I’m hoping we can raise enough money for a beach lifeguard as well. We can’t stop people going out on the water, this is a seaside town, but we can put the safeguards in place so if it does go wrong, help’s not far away.”

  “If it’s safe, then why don’t you do it anymore?”

  “Not you as well! I’ve enough grief from Daniel about that. Just because I don’t want to sail doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing to do. I can’t swim very well now and the thought of capsizing again terrifies me.”

  “Go out with Daniel; he’s experienced enough not to let that happen, not in good weather anyway.” She smiled.