‘And yours are very cold,’ he said. ‘Here.’ He encased my hands in his and rubbed them quickly. I looked at our joined hands, then into his eyes. In that brief moment, it felt like everything around us stopped. I was oblivious to the lapping of the waves and the cries of the gulls that had been so clear moments before. I was, however, still very aware of the thud-thud of my heart as I lost myself in his twinkling blue eyes. He reached up to my face with one hand and gently caressed my cheek as I held my breath… and his gaze. ‘You have some sand on your cheek,’ he said but he didn’t move his hand and I didn’t want him to. He was going to kiss me. And I didn’t want to stop him.
‘Ebony! Stop!’
We both turned as a large black Labrador leapt up at Nick, knocking him sideways.
‘I’m so sorry. Ebony! Here now!’ An elderly woman gave us an apologetic glance before she chucked a ball for Ebony who bounded after it. Peace was restored but the moment was lost. Damn bloody dog.
Nick cleared his throat. ‘All warm now?’
‘Yes. Thanks. Erm, so, erm… you’ve been running too? Is this a regular thing?’ I set off towards the steps onto the promenade in the hope of averting attention from whatever it was that had just happened between us.
Nick followed me. ‘I try to come down two or three mornings a week. I hate gyms and I used to hate the idea of running, but a couple of years ago I looked after Skye and Stuart’s Spaniel while they were on holiday. She ran so fast and I was scared of losing her so I used to run to keep up with her. When they came back, I realised I missed the exercise so I took it up properly. I’ve no interest in running anywhere other than the beach, though. There’s something exhilarating about running with waves crashing round you. What about you? Regular runner?’
‘God, no! I used to be in a club at college, running along the seafront at North Bay twice a week, but I fell out of the habit when I went to university. The only running I’ve done since then has been a half-hearted jog on a treadmill.’
‘So what made you go running today?’ Nick asked.
‘I had a bad night’s sleep and woke up with an overwhelming urge to see the sunrise, which somehow turned into an overwhelming urge to run. I haven’t done much exercise for well over a year so I’ll probably need a Zimmer frame to help me get around tomorrow.’
He laughed. ‘You might want to do a few stretches just in case. Do you think you’ll do it again?’
I thought for a moment. ‘You know what, I think I will. It was hard work, but I really enjoyed it.’
‘If you ever want company, I’m usually here for sunrise a few mornings a week although I don’t have set days as I’m often away with work.’
We reached the steps and ascended onto the promenade.
‘I might take you up on that,’ I said, heading towards where I’d parked the car. ‘If you can put up with seeing me in this state again.’
‘What state?’
‘Sweaty, bright red and far too fat for a pair of leggings.’
Nick stopped.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked, stopping too.
‘I wish you could see yourself through my eyes,’ he said. ‘Because that’s not what I see at all. Far from it.’ He held my gaze until I had to look away, feeling suddenly shy.
‘I’d better go,’ he said. ‘Hope to see you again soon.’
I waved as I watched him jog towards his car, a grin on my face at his compliment and the almost-kiss.
My cheeks hurt from grinning by the time I got out of the car at Mum and Dad’s for a shower and change.
On Monday morning, I was at Seaside Blooms waiting for some workmen to arrive to fit my new floor when a text arrived.
✉︎ From Nick
Hope you’ve had a good weekend. It was great to see you on Saturday. I’m working away for the next few days but, if you’re not too achy, can face it again and don’t mind some company, I’m aiming for a run at 7.15 on Friday. See you if I see you
I was about to reply when there was a knock on the door. Thinking it would be the workmen, I was surprised to see Auntie Kay instead. I hadn’t seen her or even spoken to her since Wednesday. Her hands-off approach was starting to concern me as I’d assumed she’d have been by my side every step of the way. I voiced my worries to Mum at the weekend but she reassured me that the reason I’d seen so little of Auntie Kay was specifically to avoid the hand-holding. I needed to pursue my own vision for Seaside Blooms and get used to making the decisions on my own. After all, it was my business now.
‘It’s the elusive Auntie Kay,’ I said, giving her a hug. ‘Wow! I’m honoured by your presence.’
‘Don’t be so cheeky,’ she said, wagging her finger at me playfully. ‘I’ve got a mountain of things to sort out and so have you. You don’t need me getting in your way.’
‘Do you have time for a cuppa?’
‘Always.’
We headed through to the kitchen and I switched the kettle on. ‘Let me guess why you’re here.’ I folded my arms and gave her a stern look. ‘I bet you’re dying to know the outcome of your little bit of matchmaking and it has probably killed you not knowing for the past few days.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. What matchmaking?’
‘Auntie Kay!’
‘Okay. You win. I had to do it. I know you think you’re destined to be with someone called Steven but you and Nick are perfect for each other. I’ve always thought it. Now that you’re single and back here, I realised there’d still be nothing I could do about it if I was on the other side of the world so I had to give things a little nudge before I left. You’re not mad at me, are you?’
I took one look at her mischievous twinkling eyes and laughed. ‘You’re so naughty.’
‘I know, but I’m still your favourite auntie.’
‘You’re my only auntie,’ I said, ‘which is just as well as I don’t think I could cope with more than one like you.’
‘Are you going to put your favourite auntie out of her misery, then? Are you going to see him again?’
The kettle clicked off and I quickly turned my back on her under the pretext of making the drinks. I needed my cheeks to lose some of their colour before I turned and faced her once more.
‘Yes, but only as friends.’
‘No! Why?’
‘Because you were right. He’s a really lovely guy and I like his company.’
‘You know that’s not what I mean. Why just friends? Why not more?’
‘It’s bad timing. As you just said, I’ve got loads to do with the shop. Plus, I’ve just come out of a long-term relationship and he’s not called Steven.’ I turned back round and handed her a mug. ‘So I’m not going to rush into anything with anyone just yet. Maybe in the New Year.’
‘With Nick?’
‘You never give up, do you?’ I ushered her towards the desk and perched on it while she sat on the chair.
‘Finding out about Nick isn’t the only reason I came in. Do you have any plans for Thursday night?’
‘No. Why?’
‘I’m cooking a farewell meal for you, Ben, your mum and dad. Thought I might as well take advantage of your brother being home for a long weekend. Seashell Cottage for half six?’
‘Sounds good. I’m guessing I won’t see you until then?’
She smiled as she shook her head. ‘You know I’m at the end of a phone if you have any burning questions, but you’re doing brilliantly without me, exactly as I expected.’
‘I just don’t want you to feel pushed out.’
‘Believe me, I’d never feel like that. It’s not my business anymore, sweetie. It’s yours. Oh, and I have something for you.’ She rummaged in her bag and handed me an A5-sized envelope. ‘You were asking about a photo with the lighthouse…’
‘You found it?’ I fumbled with the envelope, pulled out an old black and white photo, and gasped. Standing in front of Whitsborough Bay’s lighthouse were three figures. I’d seen their childhood photos before so immed
iately recognised the children as Mum and Auntie Kay. If I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn the adult with them was me, not my grandma. My heart thumped as I reached out and gently touched Grandma’s image. Is it true about Steven, Grandma?
‘I was sorting through an old box of papers last night and came across it. I had to do a double-take. The likeness is uncanny, isn’t it?’
I nodded slowly, mesmerised by the photo.
‘What made you ask about it?’ she said.
‘Madame Louisa mentioned it.’
I watched her frown. ‘No! So I’ve just found something that’s going to make you believe in that prediction even more. Which is going to make you believe Steven’s your destiny and Nick isn’t…’
‘I’m afraid so.’
‘Damn!’
There was another knock on the door. ‘That’ll be the men fitting the floor,’ I said.
‘I’ll leave you to it, then,’ Auntie Kay said, standing up and following me to the door.
I let the workmen in and offered to make them drinks while they brought in their tools. Waiting for the kettle to boil again, I stared at the photo. What was it with things miraculously turning up? Was it a sign? I made a mental note to check behind Mum and Dad’s sofa one more time in case the bracelet decided to make a re-appearance too. Then I picked up my phone and replied to Nick’s text:
✉︎ To Nick
Could barely move this morning but it’s easing! I’m going to Auntie Kay’s for a family farewell meal on Thursday so think I will be too full of food and drink to run the next morning. Another time maybe? Thanks for asking
14
Seaside Blooms was a hive of activity all week. The wooden floor looked amazing – so much better than lino – and I’d also had a large counter and preparation table fitted.
Auntie Kay had never bothered with a computer at work, doing everything on paper or by phone. There was therefore no broadband connection and, unfortunately, no free Wi-Fi from any surrounding businesses. With The Outback cleared and organised, there was little more I could do at the shop so I left the fitters to it and worked on my laptop at home, sourcing and ordering the shop fittings and several gift ranges. It had been a really productive week and it felt like big steps had been made in getting ready to re-open.
On Thursday evening, I’d only just set off walking towards Seashell Cottage after work when a text arrived:
✉︎ From Nick
Met a Stephen this week and thought of you. Hope you have a good time at Kay’s tonight x
* * *
✉︎ To Nick
Thank you x
As the message sent, I felt a pang of anxiety. Should I have added the kiss? He’d started it. Did it mean anything or was it just one of those things you do on texts? Was it because of what happened on the beach? A little shiver of pleasure ran through me as I recalled the intensity of that brief moment before that stupid big dog leapt on him and ruined things. Would we really have kissed? I knew I’d wanted to at the time with every fibre of my being, but I also knew that, for the whole of the drive home, there was only one thought going round and round in my mind: What the hell are you playing at? He’s not called Steven; he’s not called Steven…
Nick’s texts had given me butterflies but Monday’s reaction had been down to the excitement of the almost-kiss after a year of no affection from Jason, and my reaction to his text just now was only because he’d mentioned a Stephen. That was all. It wasn’t Nick causing the butterflies. Was it?
When I arrived at Seashell Cottage ten minutes later, I knocked on the door then walked straight in, as I’d always done.
‘Hello?’ I shouted. No answer. ‘Anyone home?’ My stomach rumbled at the tantalising aroma of home-cooked chilli.
A familiar mewing sound made me look down. ‘Kat? What are you doing here?’ I bent down to give her a fuss. Her brother appeared from the dining room and rubbed round my legs. ‘I know Auntie Kay wanted to say goodbye to everyone, but I didn’t realise the invitation extended to you two. Where is everyone?’
I opened the lounge door. Nobody there. I was about to close it again when something grey and fluffy on the sofa caught my eye. Were those my cushions? I frowned and stepped into the room. My candles and photos adorned the mantelpiece. What the…?
‘Hello?’ I called again. ‘Where are you?’
The dining room was empty. The kitchen was empty. But both rooms housed more of my belongings.
Running up the stairs and into Auntie Kay’s bedroom, I found it full of my bags and boxes. Mr Pink had pride of place on top of the bed. I wandered over to touch him just to make sure I wasn’t imagining things when Mum, Dad, Ben and Auntie Kay jumped up from behind the bed and yelled, ‘Surprise!’
I clutched my heart dramatically. ‘I was beginning to think I’d boarded the Mary Celeste.’ I hugged them all.
‘Have you had enough of me already?’ I asked Mum and Dad. ‘What’s all my stuff doing here?’
‘You’re moving in,’ Auntie Kay said.
‘How come?’
‘While I’m away, I’m a little concerned that my beloved Seashell Cottage may get cold and neglected. I thought we may be able to do each other a favour.’ Auntie Kay looked at Mum and winked. ‘To save you from the insanity of my sister’s compulsive meal-making, clothes-washing, and clock-watching, I want you to move in here. Rent-free, of course. But, in return for this considerable generosity on my part, I’d ask that you keep the garden tidy, stop the junk mail from piling up, and keep the place clean. What do you think?’
I looked at Mum and Dad. ‘You wouldn’t be offended if I moved out?’
Mum smiled. ‘You need your own space. And, no offence, but your dad and I have got used to having the peace and quiet of the house to ourselves.’ Dad put his arm round her and kissed the top of her head.
I looked at my brother’s eager smile and my heart sank as I turned to Auntie Kay. ‘Thank you, but I can’t accept. You’ve given me too much already with the shop and the loan. It’s not fair on Ben if I get a free house too, even if it’s only temporary.’
‘Don’t be so daft,’ Ben said. ‘Did you never wonder how I managed to buy a house on my salary?’
‘I…’ I shrugged. I hadn’t given it much thought but, now that he mentioned it, a two-bed terrace in a fairly nice part of Leeds did seem a little out of the reach of Ben’s low-paid day job working for a missing persons charity.
‘Auntie Kay gave me the deposit,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘So I think we’re evens. Can we eat now?’
I looked from him to my parents to Auntie Kay. Everyone seemed to be nodding encouragingly. ‘Does the invitation stretch to Kit and Kat?’
‘Of course,’ she said. ‘They’ve already made themselves at home.’
‘As long as everyone doesn’t mind, it’s a big fat yes, then,’ I squealed. ‘Thank you so much.’
‘You’re very welcome.’ Auntie Kay gave me another hug.
‘You’re not going for another ten days,’ I said. ‘My stuff’s everywhere. It’ll be in the way.’
‘Ah. Slight change of plan. Linda and I are leaving on Monday now.’
I gasped. ‘This Monday? As in four days’ time? The shop’s not ready yet. What if I have questions?’
‘Then email me them. I’m moving into Linda’s this evening so we can sort out the last-minute details. I’m around for three more full days and I promise to be more available in that time if you need me. I’ve done all my clothes shopping now.’
‘But…’
‘I hate to break up this riveting discussion,’ Ben said, ‘but I’m wasting away. Man need food. Now.’ He pushed past me and bounded down the stairs like a little kid, followed by Auntie Kay, then Mum and Dad.
I looked around the bedroom trying to take in what had just happened. A new business opening in two weeks’ time and a new home from this very minute. Shocked as I was by Auntie Kay’s announcement, I knew she was right; I’d done most of it on my own so far.
How spooky that I’d been talking to Elise less than a week ago about moving out and now it had happened. If felt like everything was slotting into place. Of course, moving in meant I had absolutely no excuse for putting off registering with a dating site and going all out with my search for Steven.
Kit launched himself onto the bed and I nuzzled into his fur. ‘Do you think it’s time we found you a new daddy?’ I whispered. He purred loudly. ‘I’ll take that as a yes.’
My phone beeped. Nick again?
✉︎ From Nick
Forgot to say in last text… do you have any plans for 2 weeks on Monday? I have a proposition for you. Will stop by the shop one day next week to explain x
* * *
✉︎ To Nick
No plans so far. Sounds exciting. See you soon x
Eek! Kisses again. Was he asking me on a date? No. You don’t ask someone on a date for two-and-a-half weeks’ time and you don’t use words like ‘proposition’. But a little part of me quite liked the idea of a date.
‘Sarah! Food’s ready,’ Ben shouted up the stairs. ‘Get your arse down here.’
Nice. ‘Coming.’ I stood up and was momentarily blinded by a flash from a chest of drawers. Moving a little closer, I saw a large and very sparkly photo frame that must have caught the light. Instinctively I picked it up to look at the photo: a large print of the lighthouse picture Auntie Kay had shown me on Monday. She must have had it enlarged while she was in town. Blown up to A4 size, my resemblance to my grandma was even clearer.
‘Sarah!’ Ben shouted again.
‘Coming,’ I shouted back, reluctantly putting the photo back on the drawers. Something else in the larger picture caught my eye: Grandma’s bracelet. When Grandma died, Auntie Kay as the elder sister inherited her wedding and engagement rings and Mum inherited the bracelet.
She also says your mum will be devastated in the future when she can’t find your grandma’s bracelet. It’s not lost. It’s under the sofa…
New Beginnings at Seaside Blooms Page 11