Summer Sundaes: Escape to the seaside with the perfect summer read! (The Boardwalk by the Sea Book 1)

by Georgina Troy

  Rosie smiled. “Do you want that lift? It’s only a couple of minutes out of my way and on a glorious evening like this one, I’m happy to take the long way around and make the most of having the roof down on my little car.”

  Everyone looked over at the red sports car.

  “We’re tempted,” Sacha said, “But it is a lovely evening and I’m sure Alessandro won’t mind walking back down to the village.”

  “Whatever you wish,” he said quickly.

  She spoke to her mother about making cookies for her proposed stall. “And a few cakes, if you have the time?”

  Her mother agreed. “I’d be happy to,” she said.

  They said goodbye to her parents, and Jack who had decided to stay on and enjoy a few more drinks with his dad, and walked her aunt over to her car.

  Alessandro opened the door for Aunt Rosie and waited for her to get settled before closing it.

  “Such a gorgeous young man,” she said, reaching up and placing her palm against his cheek. “You rather remind me of George when I first met him.” She waved for Sacha to come closer and lowered her voice. “Your mother was right, George is about ten years younger than me which is why I never married him when he asked me. The thought of being older than him when he’s surrounded by all those exquisite actresses was too much for my ego. But we meet up every so often and spend a blissful few days together. Makes it all more fun than any marriage, I can tell you.”

  Sacha had to concentrate on closing her mouth. “Good for you, Aunt Rosie,” she said. “You have more balls than any other woman I know.”

  Her aunt gave her a wink. “Now you two go off and make the most of the time you have together.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I wouldn’t let this one go too quickly if I was you darling, he’s worth keeping.”

  Sacha kissed her aunt on the cheek and stepped back from the car. “I’ll try to remember,” she said, smiling as her aunt started the engine and the car roared off out of the driveway.

  Sacha and Alessandro smiled at each other as the sound of her aunt’s sports car disappeared through the lanes.

  “She’s quite incredible,” Sacha said.

  “So is her niece,” he said, taking her hand as they began the walk back to the village. The low banks either side of the narrow lane from her parent’s home gave them a perfect vista of the bay below. The navy sea had risen almost to high tide now, hiding the caves that became visible twice each day, when the tide was low enough for people to reach them via a short swim around the headland.

  Sacha breathed in the warm summer air and relished being back. “I’ve been home for two years,” she said, aware he already knew this. “And still I can’t help feeling like I’m on holiday every day. It’s a treat to wake up to all this.” She picked a piece of dried grass from the bank as they walked.

  “You are lucky to live in such a place,” he agreed. “I do not wish to leave the island, but can only stay until I find a local person to take over the running of the gelateria.”

  The thought of him leaving after only a couple of weeks saddened Sacha. She regretted that he had to move on, and sooner than she’d expected.

  “Is there no way you can stay longer?” she asked.

  He shook his head and gave her a sad smile. “Unfortunately, no. Under Jersey employment laws I’m told I need to be here for five years to be able to run the business. After I have found someone to do the work, I must return to find a dig to join.”

  He pulled her gently to a stop. “I will miss seeing you each day,” he said, lifting her chin and kissing her before she had time to form an answer.

  Sacha put her arms around his neck as he took her in his arms and, forgetting their differences, kissed him back, wanting to make the most of what little time she might have left in his company.

  A car beeped behind her, giving them a shock. They jumped apart and Alessandro grabbed Sacha to pull her back out of the way, so the vehicle could pass by.

  The driver stopped. “Hello there, Sach.” It was a distant neighbour she hadn’t seen for a few weeks. “I thought it was you.” He gave her a wide grin. “Welcoming the newbies to the area, are you?”

  She bit back a retort and forced a smile. “I thought it was the least I could do,” she said, glimpsing his smile slip a little. “Have a nice evening.”

  He waved and, scowl on his face, drove away a little faster than was safe on the narrow lane.

  “He was a bit; how do you say…” Alessandro frowned thoughtfully, trying to find the word he was looking for.

  “Annoying?” Sacha suggested.

  He laughed. “Yes, annoying.” He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before continuing with their walk.

  She liked the sensation of her hand in his and calmed down. “That’s the one thing about living here that can be frustrating, knowing almost everyone, and some of them believing they are entitled to have an opinion about you and that you should abide by it.”

  “It is the same in the town where I come from,” he said. “All small communities are like that, I believe.”

  He was probably right, she decided. “I went to school with him, and went out with him for several weeks when I was seventeen. I finished with him because he was a bit too serious and I didn’t want to get involved in something I wasn’t ready for.”

  “And he’s never forgiven you?”

  “Something like that. I can’t tell him to bugger off because this is a small community and I don’t want any ill feeling with anyone living here. I need all the custom I can get, especially now that…” She remembered who she was talking to and reddened. “Sorry, I just meant, well you know.”

  “I do,” he said, giving her hand another comforting squeeze. “Let us focus on the fête and raising money for Betty.”

  “Good idea, and on that note, I need to let Bella know what my aunt is arranging for the opening of the event.”

  They walked a little faster to get home, each lost in their thoughts, when it dawned on Sacha that they didn’t have a Plan B if they failed to save Betty’s home.

  Chapter Nine

  As it turned out, Sacha was right about Bella’s reaction to George being their new host for the fête.

  “It is very good, no?” Alessandro asked.

  “What? You’re serious?” Bella’s eyes widened as she placed her hands on her cheeks. This was a typical Bella reaction when she was surprised and happy. Sacha knew that in a matter of seconds her friend would react to the exciting news and covered her ears in anticipation of Bella’s delighted high-pitched scream.

  Alessandro looked startled. “You are okay?”

  “She’s fine,” Sacha said, holding back a smile remembering how Alessandro had kissed her at the top of the hill, and again, just before they arrived at the boardwalk. She sighed happily. Things were coming together.

  Bella noticed. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, “Have a nice meal with your family?”

  Sacha shot her a warning glare. Bella knew her well enough to correctly guess the reason behind her happy sigh and she didn’t need her mentioning it, not while Alessandro was still here. She’d hate him to think that she’d share what had happened between them with her friend, who also happened to be his temporary landlady. A thought occurred to her.

  “Will you be moving above the gelateria, now that it’s almost ready to be opened?”

  “No, I have to stay here,” he said. “I will need to keep the rooms for the new manager.”

  “Any idea who that’ll be yet?” Bella asked.

  “I placed an advertisement in the Gazette and have met a few people.”

  She was intrigued. “Anyone you’re happy with?”

  He nodded, thoughtfully. “I have employed a man called Finn. He was born here, but has been away travelling for a couple of years. Maybe you know him.”

  Sacha immediately suspected who he meant. “Finn Gallichan?” she asked picturing the lanky boy she’d been at school with.

  Alessandro smiled.
“You know Finn?”

  “Yes, we went to the same school, but I haven’t seen him for years. He’s nice, and practically grew up helping at his parent’s café in town. So, will he be moving in soon?”

  “Yes, the morning of the opening. I will be glad of his help at the party.”

  “Finn’s a good bloke,” Bella said, walking to the kitchen to get them some drinks. “I’m not surprised you found someone only too pleased to move here. Who wouldn’t want to open the curtains to that view each morning?” she called, opening the fridge and grabbing three bottles of lager.

  She came back out to join them and handed one each to Sacha and Alessandro. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like,” she said to him. “I’ve enjoyed having you and Jack living here,” She winked. “Despite your spats about the ice cream trade.”

  “I’m enjoying it too,” Alessandro said.

  She turned her attention to Sacha. “So, when are we going to meet George Newton?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but soon,” she said waiting for her friend’s reaction.

  Bella squealed. “I’m so excited, I can’t believe I’m actually going to be in the same room as him.” She thought for a moment. “I’m going to make the most of meeting him and think of something I can speak to him about.” She fanned herself with her hand. “I think I need to sit down and take this in for a bit.”

  Sacha shared her friend’s excitement and would have been as panicky about meeting him if Alessandro’s earlier kiss hadn’t taken her mind off it. He was the first man she’d kissed since her relationship with Giles had ended, and it had been memorable to say the least.

  “…leaflets,” she heard Alessandro say, reminding her of all they still had to do if this event was going to be the success she hoped it would be.

  “Yes, that’s true,” she said, not quite sure of his entire sentence, but trying to focus on the matter in hand.

  Bella frowned. “What, all of them? To all the same houses we’ve already covered? Why?”

  “Because if we don’t they won’t know about George Newton, and they might not bother to turn up, and we’d lose the opportunity to raise more money.”

  They sat contemplating this thought and drank their lagers.

  “What about asking the local news station to come and interview him?” Bella asked. “They could also interview us and a few of the other business owners and stall holders.”

  Sacha mulled this idea over. “It would have to be the day before the event, for Betty to benefit financially,” she said. “And they could interview us too.”

  Bella and Alessandro agreed.

  “Once my aunt confirms that George is happy to do it, I’ll ask her if he’ll agree to a television interview as well as one with the Gazette,” Sacha said, her excitement swelling at the thought of how well it could go. “We might even attract more stall holders.”

  “We can use it to entice them to sign up,” Bella added. “Give them a nod and a wink and tell them it’s a secret, for now.”

  Which it was, Sacha thought, willing her aunt to hurry up and get back to her.

  “If he doesn’t agree to do this,” Bella said, “everything will be an anti-climax.”

  Alessandro took their empty bottles into the kitchen. When he returned, he shrugged. “It will be fine, you mustn’t worry. He will agree, I’m certain. Your Aunt Rosie is a strong lady and I believe she will get her own way. It is going to be a great success and everyone who comes will enjoy their day.”

  Sacha checked her watch. “Do you think Aunt Rosie’s had time to speak to him yet?”

  “There’s no harm in giving her a call and asking her,” Bella said, handing Sacha her mobile.

  Sacha took it, amused that Bella had noticed she didn’t have her own phone with her again. She hated the thing and since returning to the island used it as little as possible. Recalling her aunt’s number, she keyed it into the phone. It was engaged the first three times she tried to get through and she hoped this was a sign that her aunt was on the phone to George.

  Finally, Rosie answered. “Who is this?” she snapped.

  Sacha cleared her throat. “Sorry Aunt Rosie, it’s me, Sacha. I was wondering if you’d spoken to George Newton yet, about the fête?”

  There was a momentary silence. She could hear her aunt being distracted by someone in the background.

  “Sorry, about that,” Aunt Rosie said. “Just pouring myself a drink.

  Sacha wasn’t sure if this was a good sign or a bad one.

  “No problem,” Sacha said, as calmly as she could manage while suppressing her impatience. “So, have you spoken to him?”

  “I have, in fact he’s just leaving now.”

  When she didn’t elaborate, Sacha added. “Did he say he’d meet us before the fête?”

  “Stop worrying, darling. You always worry too much, I was only saying so to your mother the other day.”

  “Aunt Rosie,” Sacha said, interrupting her aunt’s ramblings.

  “Yes?”

  “Did he agree?”

  There was a momentary pause and then her aunt said, “Can you imagine anyone telling me I can’t have something I want?”

  No, she couldn’t, but she needed to hear the words confirmed. “No?”

  “No. Exactly. Of course, he’s agreed to meet you. I need to go and lie down for a bit, I’m shattered. Why don’t you go ahead and print those leaflets you were talking about earlier?”

  Sacha gave the thumbs up to Bella, who grabbed Alessandro and forced him to do a little dance around the tiny space in front of the counter.

  “When can we meet him?” Sacha added quickly, before her aunt rang off. “Oh, and we’re hoping he’ll agree to be interviewed by the Gazette and the local news station. Do you think he will?”

  “Yes, yes, now I need to get on. I’ll let you know when you can meet up with him.”

  Sacha didn’t like to remind her aunt that they had very little time left to finalise all the arrangements and not wishing to annoy her, said goodbye.

  “This is going to be brilliant,” Bella said, after Sacha had repeated her aunt’s words.

  Bella carried on dancing, wriggling her hips and waving her hands in the air. Alessandro looked on and smiled.

  Sacha giggled at her friend’s antics. “I think it might be,” she said, hoping they were right.

  Settling down, Bella sat and, taking her notepad and pen, began adding to her list. “Printers, we need to get there first thing tomorrow,” she said. “Then you can rope in Milo and with the three of us, and Jack, we should be able to deliver all the leaflets in a couple of hours after work tomorrow.”

  “Can’t we print off the leaflets here, or on my printer?” Sacha asked, thinking of the time and money they’d save.

  “No,” Bella shook her head. “They won’t be as clear and I want them to look as professional as possible.”

  “Thank heavens you’re on such good terms with the bloke at the printers,” Sacha teased. “One of these days you’re actually going to have to go out for a drink with him, he’s done you so many favours recently.”

  “I will happily do so, if this works out as well as I’m hoping it does.”

  The following evening, they delivered their leaflets, meeting up later for a catch up in the café. Lucy had agreed to stay late and make them all something to eat and drink, and the five of them relaxed and recovered from all the uphill walking they’d done.

  Sacha glanced at the pile of leaflets she’d placed at the end of her counter. She’d also pinned a couple on her cork noticeboard and stuck two up in the window. “I think we’re doing all we can,” she said. “We’ll meet here again tomorrow and go through the list of stallholders wishing to participate. We can check who’s paid for their spot and what they’ll be selling. We should have a better picture of how it’s all going to look by then.”

  Alessandro thanked Lucy as she placed a large plate of crab salad in front of him. “Grazie, this looks very good.�
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  “Thanks,” she said, looking across the table at Jack to see if he’d noticed her exchange with Alessandro.

  Sacha spotted him scowling at Alessandro. She hoped Lucy didn’t think this was because Jack was jealous. She could tell her twin was still angry with Alessandro and was probably oblivious that Lucy kept looking at him. Sacha suspected there was something else on Jack’s mind. She wondered whether he needed to pay Nikki a visit. He’d been keeping himself very much to himself over the past week. Maybe he’d been arguing with his ex-girlfriend? If that was the case, then Sacha supposed he wasn’t confiding in her in case she worried about him leaving her short-handed at the café. She decided to have a chat with him alone, whenever she had the opportunity. She needed to know his plans, but didn’t want him making a decision that would be detrimental to his happiness.

  There was a knock on the café door. Everyone looked up to see Lexi doing a strange little dance and waving impatiently for them to let her in. “Hurry,” she mouthed.

  Sacha couldn’t tell if her friend needed to race to the loo, or if something exciting had happened. She leapt up and ran to unlock the door. “You okay?” she asked, concerned.

  Lexi took a deep calming breath and pushed her messy hair back from her face. “You’ll never guess who’s booked into one of my holiday cottages,” she said.

  The others looked at each other and back at Lexi. “You’ll have to give us a bit of a clue,” Bella said, clearly trying not to laugh.

  “George bloody Newton, that’s who,” Lexi raised a finger and tapped the side of her nose. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone, but I’m only telling you, um, five. So, you have to swear you won’t tell a soul.” She watched them until each had acknowledged their agreement.

  “Go on,” Sacha said, wondering why he’d chosen not to stay with her aunt after all.

  “Your Aunt Rosie contacted me earlier today and said he needed somewhere quiet and unassuming to stay.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure if that was a compliment… anyway, I said yes immediately and he’s moved in.”