New Bay

by Nell Dixon

  It made it all the more disappointing that Ian seemed withdrawn and reserved with her. After the kiss they’d shared at the farm and the fleeting intimacy of the text messages they’d exchanged she’d expected more. Instead it was as if he was deliberately placing an invisible wall between them.

  A sharp pain shot through her foot as he trod on her toe. Taken off guard she wobbled on her heels and went over on her ankle.

  “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.” She hobbled over to the sofa and sat down.

  “Are you okay?” Ian switched off the music and knelt at her feet, an anxious look on his face.

  “I think I twisted my ankle.” She bit her lip as he carefully picked up her foot to examine it.

  “Rest it on my knee,” he urged as he undid the thin strap of her sandal.

  Gingerly she allowed him to place her foot against the thin canvas fabric of his board shorts whilst he probed her ankle with gentle fingers.

  “I think it’s just a slight sprain. If I strap it and you rest it as much as possible it should be fine in a couple of days.”

  “Will it be okay for the wedding?” Posy and Noah would kill her if it wasn’t. She winced as he gave her foot another little twist.

  He lowered her foot to the floor and slid a cushion under her heel. “It should be fine. I’ll get some ice and some strapping.”

  * * * *

  Ian hunted in the freezer for enough ice to make a small pack for Emma’s ankle. He could have kicked himself for the moment’s inattention that had led to him stepping on her. He’d been thinking about her face when she’d stood outside his house earlier, talking to Matt.

  He dropped ice into a plastic bag and sealed it with a knot. Any questions he’d had about Emma’s feelings for the other man had been answered by the look in her eyes when he’d gone out to her. The glance she’d given Matt when they’d entered the cottage had simply confirmed it.

  He wrapped the bag of ice in a clean towel and vented his hurt by bashing the makeshift pack with a rolling pin to crush the cubes. After retrieving a roll of strapping from his medical bag he rejoined Emma in the lounge.

  She was sitting where he’d left her, on the end seat of the sofa with her injured foot on a cushion. The delicate batik patterned material of her skirt hid her legs from view and her eyes looked wide and troubled in the fading evening light.

  “Here, let me put this ice pack on your foot for a while and then I’ll strap your ankle.”

  She flinched slightly as he rested the cold pack over the slight swelling that had already started to form on her foot.

  “I’m sorry about this, Em. It’s my fault for stomping on your toe.”

  She managed a faint smile. “No, it’s mine for letting Posy talk me into wearing these shoes. I told you I could barely walk in them. I’ve always been more of a trainers and wellies kind of girl.”

  Ian forced himself to smile back. When she’d arrived earlier in the evening he’d hoped that she might have worn the skirt and her delicate silk top because she saw their meeting as a date. Memories of the kiss they’d shared at the farm still lingered at the back of his mind.

  The room had grown dark while he'd tended to her foot and now the low, ominous growl of thunder rolled around the cottage.

  “There’s going to be a storm,” Emma said as the gauze curtain at the open French doors fluttered slightly.

  “Let’s hope it cools things down outside.” Ian got to his feet and walked across to the open window. A flash of lightening lit the room as he pulled the doors shut. Thunder cracked and the rain started drumming on the glass.

  “Just in time.” Emma shifted her position slightly on the couch, wincing in discomfort as she moved her foot.

  He turned on the lamp to chase away the gloom and joined her on the sofa. “Do you mind storms?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No, I usually run up to my room to watch the lightening over the bay. The only time I hate them is if I know the lifeboat has been called out.”

  Another flash lit the room. “I hope this isn’t going to be the end of the nice weather. It’s only a week now till the wedding.” A frown line formed on Emma’s forehead.

  “The long range forecast is good, so Posy and Noah might be lucky.” He wished they could recapture the closeness he’d thought they’d had at the farm, but he knew it was no use. He was sure that Emma was still pining for Matt, and until her heart was whole again he would always be the rebound guy.

  “You know that Matt will probably think we’re together as a couple now after you came out to the car.” The corners of her mouth quirked but he didn’t think she saw any humour in the situation.

  “Does that bother you?” It wasn’t exactly the question he wanted to ask but it would have to do. He’d really wanted to know if she would like to be in a couple with him.

  She studied the pattern on her skirt as if unsure of her response. Finally she gave a small shrug. “No, I don’t think so.”

  Ian swallowed and looked away, feigning an interest in the storm still rumbling outside the cottage. That was his answer.

  “You won’t be able to drive yourself back to the farm tonight. I’ll strap your foot and when the storm dies down I’ll run you home.” He was glad to have an excuse to keep busy for a few minutes.

  “Thanks. Will my car be all right left in the street?”

  Ian carefully wound the strapping around her ankle. “Sure, your car will be okay there until you can pick it up. You’ll probably find your foot is fine in a couple of days. Try and rest it when you can.” He secured the end of the bandage with a piece of tape.

  Emma gave an experimental wriggle of her toes. “Thank you, it feels better already. I can’t believe I was such a klutz.”

  “It takes two to tango.”

  “Or get tangled!” She laughed.

  He closed his medical bag. The drumming of the rain on the French doors had slowed to a duller level.

  “I think the rain is stopping.” He crossed to the window and looked out. The sky was sullen and grey above the sea. The vegetation in the garden borders dripped forlornly onto the grass and a small puddle had formed on the deck.

  “I should get back. Posy has a ton of things she wants me to help her with.” Emma struggled to her feet, wincing when she stood.

  Ian came to her side. “Lean on me and I’ll help you to the car.” He placed his arm around her waist.

  Her body was warm against his and the silky fabric of her vest top slithered beneath his fingers. It killed him to hold her so closely and know she was so far away. The air outside was still warm as they made their way to his car. In the distance the thunder still grumbled mixing with the rush of the water gushing along the gutters at the side of the street.

  Emma was silent on the drive back to the farm. Ian didn’t feel much like talking either. He parked his car as close to the door of the house as he could get as there were muddy pools of water lying on the surface of the yard.

  He assisted her from the car and she leaned on him for support until they reached the doorway.

  “Take it easy on that foot until it feels better,” he warned as she relinquished his arm.

  “I will. I expect I’ll see you again before Saturday?” She leaned on the doorframe ready to go inside the house.

  “I expect so,” he agreed knowing it would kill him a little inside every time he did see her.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Emma wished her heart would heal as fast as her foot. She’d been unsettled by her unexpected meeting with Matt outside Ian’s cottage. When she’d arrived that night she’d been looking forward to seeing Ian. Then everything had gone wrong and she wasn’t sure how to put things right again.

  He’d sent her a couple of texts during the week to ask how her foot was healing and to update her on the kitten’s recovery, but that had been all. She’d been so busy herself with the campsite and last-minute wedding preparations that she hadn’t had time to go and see him. And she wanted to see him.


  Posy’s father had flown in from his home in Spain and was staying at the Grand Hotel in New Bay along with some of Posy’s friends from the city. The wedding reception was also being held at the Grand, a large white-painted Edwardian building on the promenade.

  “You look beautiful.” Emma blinked back an unexpected tear as Posy entered the room in her bridal gown.

  She and Posy had spent the night in a suite at the Grand. Ian had stayed at the farm with Noah so that the groom wouldn’t court any bad luck by seeing the bride before they arrived at the church.

  Posy smoothed the white satin of her dress with shaking fingers. “I’m so nervous. I don’t know if the glass of champagne I drank has made me feel better or worse.”

  “You look amazing. My brother is a very lucky man. He’s going to be knocked out by you.” Emma squeezed her friend’s hands. Posy did look wonderful. The white strappy gown set off the light tan of her skin and the tiny crystals on the bodice sparkled in the light as she moved.

  “My dad will be here in a minute to take me to the church. Wish me luck?” A weak smile trembled on Posy’s lips.

  “You’ll be great.”

  There was a knock at the door of the suite and Emma walked carefully across to open it. She was still wobbly on the high heels of her strappy sandals and the fitted skirt of her ice blue satin gown.

  Posy’s father walked into the suite and embraced his daughter. “You look wonderful.”

  Emma swallowed the huge lump that formed in her throat. “I think my car is here. I’ll see you at the church.” She collected her bouquet of white daisies and green fern and slipped out into the corridor.

  Her parents were waiting in the lobby to give her a ride to the church.

  “Noah and Ian have already left,” her mother confided.

  “Posy is all set. She’s with her dad and their car will be here in a minute.”

  “Your turn next.” Her father beamed at her as she took her seat in the back of the car for the short journey to St Just’s.

  “You may have to wait a while for me, Dad.”

  Her mother laughed. “You never know, Noah hasn’t hung around.”

  The tiny stone church stood on high ground on the edge of town, surrounded by a small graveyard and open green space. The sunny summer weather had returned and a slight heat haze softened the lines of the fields. Her father pulled up at the gate to allow her and her mother to get out of the car and Emma saw her brother and Ian posing for photographs with their friends. Noah gave her an anxious smile and Emma gave him the thumbs-up sign to set his mind at rest.

  Her gaze locked momentarily with Ian’s and her pulse skittered. He looked so handsome in his formal suit. Before she could make a move towards him however he vanished into the church with Noah. Emma posed dutifully for photographs while she waited for Posy to arrive. The other guests were also inside the church and only a small group of New Bay residents still remained outside waiting for the arrival of the bride.

  Finally the white limousine halted outside the church. The photographer rushed forward to take up his position and started snapping shots. Emma waited on the path, occasionally stepping forward to straighten Posy’s gown for the photographs.

  Eventually they were done and Emma took her place behind her friend ready for the walk down the aisle. The church was filled with the familiar faces of friends and neighbours. Sunlight streamed in through the high-set leaded stained glass windows illuminating the posies of wildflowers at the end of each pew. The organist started to play and they began the procession along the aisle.

  Emma peeked around her friend and saw Ian and Noah waiting at the end of the front pews. Noah’s gaze was fixed on the large window behind the altar. Ian turned his head to look at the bridal party. For a split second Emma wished he was the groom and she was the girl in the white dress. She vaguely noticed Matt and Tammy sitting on the groom’s side of the church, but all her thoughts were on Ian.

  The service was short but moving and Emma was glad to accept the tissue her mother passed to her after the vows had been made. Relieved that Ian hadn’t dropped or lost the rings and that the ceremony was over, she joined the bridal party for more pictures outside the church. Emma had confetti in her hair and inside her dress. She smiled for the camera and tried not to wriggle. There was no opportunity to take Ian to one side so they could talk.

  * * * *

  Ian couldn’t stop looking at Emma whenever he thought she wouldn’t notice. He’d tried all week to put her out of his mind, telling himself that she needed space to get over Matt. She’d looked so beautiful though, standing behind Posy, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy, that his good intentions had flown right out of the window.

  “Bride, groom, best man and bridesmaid,” the photographer called, ordering them all into position.

  Once the pictures were done. Noah and Posy set off for the hotel in the limousine while he and Emma were left to share a car with her parents and Posy’s father. There was much good-natured banter about how well the wedding had gone during the short return journey to the Grand hotel but Emma remained silent.

  By the time Emma’s father parked up in the hotel car park Ian was burning with frustration. With Posy’s father seated between him and Emma during the journey he’d had no chance to talk to her.

  She was out of the car before he could escape from his friends who crowded around as soon as they saw him arrive. He caught a glimpse of her with her mother talking to some of the other guests and then she vanished. He followed her inside the lobby of the hotel and into the anteroom leading to the ballroom where the reception was being held.

  Noah clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, grab some champagne while you can and come through to the ballroom. Apparently Posy says we have to all be in the receiving line to greet everybody as they go in to the reception.”

  Ian sighed and accepted a drink from a passing waitress. The part of the wedding he dreaded most was fast approaching. He’d got through handing over the rings without a mishap but once the meal was done he would have to make a speech.

  He joined Posy, Noah and Emma at the door leading to the ballroom. Posy’s father and Noah’s parents joined them a few moments later. At least he now had Emma next to him in the line-up as they greeted and shook hands with the wedding guests. He could smell the faint scent of the flowers she had woven into her hair and the familiar delicate perfume she always wore.

  Matt and Tammy were among the last of the guests to pass along the line. Ian couldn’t help taking a quick peep at Emma’s face as Matt shook her hand and kissed her cheek. She paled slightly but her smile remained fixed in place and her voice steady.

  With everyone seated, Posy and Noah led the wedding party through the ballroom to take their place at the top table. Ian walked next to Emma, noting her small frown of concentration as she balanced on her treacherous heels.

  He took his seat at the table. “How are you holding up?” he asked Emma as he unfolded his napkin.

  “Okay, I think. I’ll be glad when the first dances are done so I can take these shoes off, though. How about you? All set for your speech?”

  He patted the top pocket of his jacket and felt the comforting stiffness of paper inside. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Emma smiled. “You’ll be fine.”

  He wanted to say more to her, to try and restore the relationship they’d been starting to build before the night of the storm. Her mother, however, engaged her in conversation about the menu. Instead he concentrated on the food and worrying about his speech.

  Emma touched his sleeve and murmured, “Good luck,” when it was his turn to stand. Somehow her small gesture and the warm expression in her eyes boosted his confidence.

  “Anyone who has known Noah for as long as I have will know that Posy is the perfect girl for him. Sometimes love comes suddenly, sometimes it takes time to grow, but when it's right, when the other person is truly the love of your life, then you just know. Noah and Posy are lucky; in
a crazy, busy world they found each other, the matching half of their whole. Please raise your glasses to Noah and Posy and a long and happy marriage.” He didn’t need his notes for the last part of his speech.

  His words came from his heart. He just hoped that Emma might hear that part of what he’d said was for her. She was the other half of his whole.

  * * * *

  Emma moved her mother’s camera trying to get a good video clip of Posy and Noah’s first dance together. She zoomed in for a close up of their faces. She didn’t think she’d ever seen her brother look so happy. Joy shone from Posy’s eyes as she gazed adoringly at Noah. Emma filmed a few seconds more then handed the camera back to her mother.

  Soon it would be time for her and Ian to join Noah and Posy on the dance floor followed by the rest of the wedding party. She would finally get her chance to talk to Ian. Excitement mixed with fear fizzed in her stomach. The music ended and the wedding guests applauded the newlyweds.

  Ian appeared at her side. He’d removed his jacket in the heat of the room.

  “Ready?” He held out his hand to her as the DJ called them to the floor.

  She nodded and stood, wobbling a little as she accepted his hand.

  “Careful, no more sprained ankles.” His breath was warm and intimate on her ear as he took her in his arms for the dance. A shiver of delight ran along her spine as he placed his hand on the small of her back and instinctively she moved closer to him as they began to move.

  It felt so right to be back in his embrace. This was what he’d talked about in his speech; this same sense of completeness that she only ever felt when she was with Ian. Perhaps Posy and Noah had been right all along, but after the night of the storm had she left it too late?

  The music finished and as other couples joined them on the dance floor, Ian released his hold.

  “There you go. We did it. You’re safe to take your shoes off now.”