New Bay

by Nell Dixon

Meg glanced at the scruffy animal stretched out on the old blanket. “He’s been fine, no problem at all.”

  “Great. Let me know when Ian’s been.”

  “Sure.”

  A small pause made her wonder if the connection had been broken.

  “Will I see you later?” Adam asked.

  Meg swallowed. “I thought we were all going to the park together to watch the fireworks.” Her heart rate speeded.

  “Yes, of course. I’ll speak to you later then.”

  After he’d rung off she stared at the phone for a good minute before placing it back in her bag. She’d done it again, turned what could have been a cosy date for two into a group outing.

  “Oh well, safety in numbers.”

  The dog cocked his head to one side and gave her a quizzical look.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Meg was out of breath when she arrived to open her shop. Ian, the vet had checked over the stray dog and given it a clean bill of health. By the time he’d left, however, Meg was running late.

  She switched off the alarm and turned the sign on the door to ‘open’ before depositing her coat and bag in the tiny backroom. It took her a few minutes to set up her cash register and to ensure she was ready for the arrival of her first customers.

  Meg’s mum, Val bustled into the shop. “I did your banking, and I’ve got you some dog food.” She waggled a large carrier bag.

  “Thanks, Mum.”

  Val took her purchases into the back room. “I suppose you’ll want me to pop round to your house to let the dog out in a bit?” she called.

  “Would you mind?” Meg asked.

  “No love, poor little dog. It was a good thing you and Adam were by the beach.” Val wandered back in front of the counter.

  Meg flushed under her mother’s questioning gaze. “Mum, we were just talking after we got separated from the others.”

  “Did I say anything?” Val straightened up a small display basket of rings.

  “No, but you were hinting.” Meg fiddled with the pen she kept next to the till. Last night had made her realise how much she felt for Adam already. If she committed to a relationship with him, how would she bear it every time there was a call out for the lifeboats?

  At the same time, how could she stand just to be friends with him when her heart kept telling her that she wanted much, much more than friendship?

  “Humph, I wouldn’t have to hint if you told me what was going on.” Val levelled her gaze at Meg. “You keep on shilly-shallying about and you’ll lose him. That poor boy doesn’t know if he’s coming or going and he won’t wait on you forever.”

  Meg gritted her teeth. Etty’s arrival in New Bay had bought that possibility into sharp focus already. She didn’t want to be reminded of how much it hurt seeing Adam with the other girl even if Etty did seem more interested in Brad than Adam.

  “There’s nothing going on with me and Adam. We’re friends.” Meg’s words sounded hollow and unconvincing even to her own ears.

  Her mother merely sniffed and dropped the conversation as some customers entered the shop.

  * * * *

  Adam loitered on the seafront watching the steady flow of customers entering and exiting Meg’s shop. He’d walked into town with Etty, but she’d disappeared on some secret shopping mission, leaving him free to try and obtain a few minutes alone with Meg.

  He tucked back the sleeve of his heavy jacket to check the time on his watch. It would have been nice to snatch a quick lunch with Meg, but it looked as if she would be too busy. Despite the winter chill the carnival had drawn lots of people to the town for the weekend. All around him people walked past chatting and laughing, loaded down with mysterious parcels and bags.

  The clouds hung heavily over the sea, angry and grey. Adam sighed. It wasn’t doing any good simply standing around on the pavement like a love-struck teenager. He would have to wait until the evening and try to get some time alone with Meg during the firework display.

  He thrust his hands into his pockets and hunched his shoulders against the breeze blowing in from the sea. Overhead the brightly coloured strings of Christmas lights strung between the lampposts danced in the wind.

  “Adam!”

  He turned back to find Meg’s mother waving at him, the stray dog from last night standing by her side.

  “Hello Val. I see you’ve met the dog.”

  A shiny new red collar and lead was attached to the dog’s neck.

  “I just popped out from the shop to give him a bit of exercise and some food. He’s half-starved, the poor little thing.”

  “I take it Meg’s busy today then?” He knew she must be judging by the amount of people he’d seen going in and out of the shop.

  “We’ve been rushed off our feet ever since opening. I’ve had to leave her on her own for half an hour while I look after the dog and get her some lunch.” She looked at Adam. “I don’t suppose you’d have time to get Meg one of her favourite wraps from the deli while I take the dog back to her house? I’m sure she’d be really grateful.”

  Adam suspected that Val would get on very well with his own mother. She seemed to be as keen to play cupid for Meg as his mother was for him.

  “No problem.”

  “Bless you. I’ll just take the dog to Meg’s house and then she’ll be able to take her lunch break when I come back.” Val smiled at him.

  Adam walked away towards the deli wondering if Meg would be annoyed by her mother’s matchmaking. He joined the queue for freshly made sandwiches and tried to work out what he wanted to say to Meg. Maybe she had deliberately misunderstood him when he’d rung and asked if he could see her later.

  He paid for two lots of sandwiches and set off back towards the shop. Two girls dressed as elves were handing out lollipops to the children at the street corner. A clown riding a unicycle whizzed past him as he made his way through the crowded street. He thought he glimpsed Etty in the distance, walking with Brad but the crowd moved, and he lost sight of her.

  By the time he walked through the door at Beach Diva’s, Val had already returned. Meg was busy serving so Adam stood quietly to one side until she was free. She gave him a fleeting smile as she finished serving her customer.

  “Adam, this is a nice surprise. Are you shopping for Christmas?” Meg asked.

  “Um, no I stopped by with some lunch for you.” He lifted his hand to show her the brown deli bag.

  “Oh, that’s lucky. Meg was just about to go for something to eat, weren’t you, love?” Val hustled forward to move Meg away from the till. “Go on, I’ll look after the shop for a while.”

  Meg opened her mouth as if to protest but appeared to change her mind. “I’ll get my coat.”

  A few minutes later, she joined him on the pavement outside the shop.

  “Shall we walk down to the shelter?” He offered Meg his arm and they set off towards the Victorian promenade shelter at the end of the beach. It provided relief from the sea breeze and a comfortable wooden seat with a view of the bay.

  “It was kind of you to bring me some lunch.” Meg took a seat next to him, and he passed her a takeout coffee and a sandwich from the deli bag.

  She opened the wrapper and took a large bite. “Mmm, this is so good.”

  Adam leaned back against the seat and gazed out at the curve of the bay. The waves were breaking on the foreshore, crashing down on the sand with a ferocity which he knew boded bad weather to come.

  “I met your mum walking the dog earlier.”

  Meg brushed a crumb from the front of her coat. “I might have guessed she’d had a hand in this.” Her voice held a note of amusement.

  “I’d been hoping to ask you to lunch anyway, but your shop was busy.” He glanced at her again.

  “It’s the last big shopping push before Christmas. I needed this break though, thank you.” She popped the lid on the coffee cup and sniffed appreciatively.

  “We never get much time together, just the two of us, without the others being around.”
>
  Meg sipped her coffee and eyed him over the brim of the cup. “I suppose not.”

  It was hard to tell from her tone if it bothered her.

  “When we kissed, I told you before I thought there was something between us, something special. I thought maybe you might see me in a different light. We never really finished our discussion last night.” He dropped his gaze to pick at a loose thread on the leg of his jeans. He held his breath as he waited for her response.

  “It was special. I said that. But it scared me, Adam. We’ve been friends for ages now and I don’t want to lose our friendship.” Her voice wobbled and he looked up to see tears welling in her dark blue eyes.

  “You think if we dated that we’d stop being friends if it didn’t work out?” It was a reasonable fear, and one he’d considered himself, but something told him there was more to Meg’s reluctance to date him than that.

  “Yes and no. There’s something else.”

  He hoped she wasn’t going to tell him there was someone else. “Meg?”

  She sighed, her breath mingling in the cool air with the steam from her coffee cup. “My dad drowned when I was fourteen. It was before you knew me. He was the captain of his own fishing boat, and he got caught in a storm just outside the safety of the bay. They got everyone else off the boat, but Dad stayed on till last. He stayed too long, and the boat capsized.” She blinked and wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye.

  Adam waited for her to continue.

  “The sea scares me. I don’t know if I could bear it with you being out with the lifeboat knowing that you’re putting yourself at risk. I saw my mother live with that fear every time my dad went to work. What if I fell in love with you, and I lost you on the boat?” She placed her coffee down on the bench and fumbled in her coat pocket for a tissue.

  He twisted in his seat to face her. “Meg, there’s risk in everything we do in life, you know that. What happened to your dad was terrible, but if the life boat hadn’t been there, if other people like me didn’t go out, then all the crew would have died that day.”

  She dabbed at her eyes and nose before shoving her tissue back in her pocket. He caught her cold hand in his hoping she would understand.

  “I know it’s irrational and silly and selfish and all of those things, but I’m scared, Adam. I already feel so much for you, too much. I just don’t know if I can do this.” She jumped to her feet, pulling away from him and grabbed her bag from the seat.

  “Meg, at least let’s talk about this.” He scrambled to his feet. There was so much he wanted to say to try and convince her to take a chance on him.

  “I have to go. The shop will be busy. I’ll see you tonight at the fireworks.” She scurried away along the seafront without a backwards glance.

  Adam watched her go, his fists clenching with frustration. He collected the remains of their lunch and dropped the rubbish into a nearby bin. The seagulls wailed their disappointment at being deprived of a few tidbits. At least he knew now what had been holding Meg back, why she’d been keeping him at arms length. He had no idea what he could do to change her mind.

  He couldn’t give up his voluntary work with the lifeboats. It was too important. He would have to find a way to convince Meg that everything would be okay if they were to have any future together.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Meg hurried to answer her front door at the first rap of the knocker.

  “Brrr, I don’t know if the fireworks will go ahead tonight. It’s getting foggy, and the mist’s coming in from the sea.” Shivering, Erin stepped inside as Meg closed the door.

  “It might be clearer at the park. Will Dan be meeting us there?”

  “Yes, he’s giving Brad a lift, and Etty and Adam are walking.”

  Meg turned away so Erin couldn’t see her expression. She wasn’t sure if she was up to seeing Adam again so soon after their last meeting.

  “Are you okay?” Erin asked, frowning with concern. “You look pale. Poor you, you’ve been on your feet all day in the shop, haven’t you?”

  “I’m fine. Some air will do me good. If the fireworks don’t go ahead there’s still the Christmas market. I’ve done hardly any shopping yet.” Meg forced herself to sound perky as she checked to make sure the dog was comfortable in the kitchen and unlikely to be troubled by the noise from the fireworks.

  She slipped on her coat and collected her scarf and bag.

  “How are things between you and Adam?” Erin asked as they strolled through the streets towards the park.

  “He bought me lunch this afternoon, and we had a bit of an argument.” Meg blew out a sigh.

  “You and Adam? Why? Was it over Etty?” Erin placed a gloved hand over her own mouth. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. Just tell me to shut up.”

  Meg couldn’t help smiling at her friend’s contrite expression. “It’s fine. No, it wasn’t over Etty. I think she’s nice. Besides I think she and Brad may have a thing going.”

  Erin’s eyes widened. “Really? Etty and Brad? Hey, wait you’re distracting me. What about you and Adam?”

  “You’ll think it’s stupid.” Meg shook her head.

  “You guys are my best friends, why would I think you were stupid?”

  The nearer they got to the park the busier the streets became and Erin tucked her arm through Meg’s.

  “It’s to do with the lifeboat.”

  “Adam being a crew member, is that what you mean?” Erin looked at her.

  “You know what happened with my dad. I couldn’t bear it if I fell in love with Adam, and he was in danger. What if anything went wrong? I’ve seen how my mum has suffered.”

  Erin gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “I thought I’d lost Dan when he jumped in the sea to save Brad when he nearly drowned. It was the worst moment of my life.” She bit her lip. “Even so I was so proud of him too. It’s hard but there are lots of jobs, hobbies even that put people in danger. Adam does something that’s wonderfully worthwhile.”

  “I know. I just wanted to protect myself a little.”

  They halted at the edge of the park at the start of the market.

  “It hasn’t worked though, has it?” Erin asked. “You can’t decide if you want to fall in love with someone, you just do, and I know you love Adam already. Maybe that’s the scary part.”

  Meg stared at her friend.

  “You love Adam because he works with the lifeboats, rescues stray dogs and helps out his friends. “ Erin’s voice was gentle.

  The truth hit her, leaving her feeling shaken as if she’d been run over by a truck. Her friend was right. She loved Adam. It was why she’d been so jealous of Etty and why, when he’d kissed her, she’d never wanted it to end.

  “I…”

  Erin hugged her. “Come on, let’s go find everyone and then you and Adam need to go and talk.”

  Meg followed as Erin cut a path through the crowd heading for the giant Christmas tree at the far end of the market where they’d arranged to meet the others.

  Dan waved as they approached. Brad and Etty stood together at the hotdog concession. Meg looked for Adam, her spirits sinking when she failed to see him.

  “Hi, girls.” Dan kissed the tip of Erin’s nose, and then smiled at Meg.

  “Where’s Adam?” Erin asked.

  “I don’t know. He was here a minute ago.” Dan looked around. “Maybe Etty and Brad have seen him.”

  Brad hobbled over to them balancing his crutches and clutching a hotdog precariously in one hand. “Dudettes, what took you so long? The fireworks are due to start soon.”

  “Have you seen Adam?” Erin shook her head at Brad when he offered her a bite of his hotdog.

  “I think his pager went off.” Etty joined them, a cone of chips in her hand.

  “Surely the boat hasn’t been called out tonight?” Meg’s pulse speeded. The fog had been thick down by the beach when they’d left.

  “Brian took Tom from the corner shop in his car so it could be right.” Brad said.


  Nausea roiled in Meg’s stomach.

  Erin took her hand. “It’ll be okay. Do you want some water?”

  Meg shook her head. She didn’t know what she wanted. “I think I need to go home.”

  Dan and Brad looked bewildered. “Meg?”

  “Come over here where it’s quieter. We’ll find a seat.”

  Meg allowed Erin to steer her to a quieter spot. The others trailed behind at a distance.

  “I’m sorry. I’m spoiling the evening.” Meg sank down gratefully onto a bench.

  “Don’t be silly. It was a shock that’s all, especially after what we’d been talking about earlier.” Erin reassured her.

  “It was this time of year and foggy when…” Meg’s voice broke.

  “Don’t, Meg. Adam and the crew will be fine.”

  Suddenly, Meg knew what she had to do, the decision made before she had a chance to think it through. “I hope so. I have to go down to the boathouse to wait for him.”

  “Would you like us to go with you?” Erin asked.

  Meg shook her head. “No, stay and enjoy the fireworks. I’ll call you later. This is something I need to face on my own.”

  Erin enveloped her in a hug. “I understand, but if you want me just call, okay?”

  “I will.” Meg slipped away while Erin went back to rejoin the others.

  The fog grew thicker as she neared the seafront. The Christmas lights barely gleamed through the grey, swirling bank of mist. Meg shivered and huddled down inside her coat.

  The cream-painted wall of the lifeboat house loomed at her from out of the fog. A narrow strip of yellow light showing where the door wasn’t quite closed properly guided her to the entrance. Tentatively, she pulled the door open. Several women were already waiting inside the small anteroom.

  She recognised Tina, the coxswain’s wife, and Petra, the girlfriend of Tom, the guy from the corner shop’s girlfriend. None of them seemed surprised to see her. She took a seat on the end of the wooden bench next to Tina.

  “Listen,” said the other woman.

  Meg strained to hear over the distant crash of the waves on the shore.