The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea

by Jennifer Joyce

  What would Ollie say if she could see Melody now? Would she be cross Melody was enjoying life without her? Or would she laugh along at the spectacle and encourage Melody to whoop again?

  Melody leaned down towards Hugo’s ear. ‘Is this really as fast as you can go?’

  Hugo responded by picking up the speed and Melody whooped again, though she clung on tight this time as she did so.

  In typical British summer style, it started to drizzle, the grey clouds seeming to appear from nowhere, as they reached the sandy track. They sheltered in the car, spreading the picnic food out along the dashboard and on their laps as best they could.

  ‘This isn’t exactly what I imagined when I packed the picnic this morning,’ Hugo said, still panting slightly from the piggyback jog along the beach. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ Melody said as she unwrapped a foil-wrapped stack of cheese and pickle sandwiches. ‘A picnic is fun wherever you eat it.’

  Hugo tore a small chunk off his pork pie and passed it behind him, to where Scoop was sitting on three legs, the fourth paw held aloft in a pleading manner. ‘You’re right. The beach isn’t going to be much fun now, though.’

  ‘It might clear up.’ Melody peered through the window, which was quickly filling with blobs and rivulets. Rather than slowing down, the drizzle was turning into a full-on downpour. ‘Or maybe not.’ She shrugged at Hugo before biting into her sandwich.

  The rain hadn’t stopped by the time they’d finished eating, so they said goodbye to Chapel Cove and headed back into town, dropping a full and sleepy Scoop off at Hugo’s place before heading for the arcade. They skipped bingo this time and instead slotted two-pence pieces into machines, watching as they fell onto the sliding shelves, hoping they would push more coins off the end and into the tray below so they could scoop them up triumphantly and add them to their paper tubs of coins. They played the fruit machines, battled against one another at air hockey, and attempted to win stuffed toys in the grabber machines.

  ‘It’s a bloody fix,’ Melody grumbled as the monkey in purple dungarees slipped from the claws she was controlling and fell back down into the pile of cuddly zoo animals.

  ‘Let’s have one more go.’ Hugo pushed a coin into the machine and set the claw going in the direction of the monkey. The claw lowered, grabbed the monkey around its middle, and lifted it into the air. Melody expected the monkey to drop as the claw moved towards the end of the machine, but it remained in the metal claw, sitting comfortably until they opened and released the monkey into the tray for collection.

  ‘Yes!’ Hugo performed a little dance with his fists before bending to retrieve the prize. ‘Scoop is going to love ripping this to shreds.’ He grinned at Melody before winking. ‘Only kidding. For you, m’lady. A souvenir of your trip to Clifton-on-Sea.’

  ‘I already have a souvenir.’ She lifted her wrist, displaying the plastic beaded bracelet Hugo had earned from his bingo winnings. ‘And I have my gorgeous brooch back at the B&B, but thank you. I shall name him Cliff, in honour of his origins.’

  ‘His origins are probably China,’ Hugo said, checking the label. Melody swatted him on the arm and prised the monkey from his hands, cuddling him to her chest. ‘What do you fancy doing now?’

  ‘Don’t you have to get to work?’ Melody asked. It was mid afternoon and she’d already taken up most of Hugo’s day.

  He shook his head. ‘James has taken over for the day. I’m all yours.’ He took hold of Melody’s hand and guided her out of the arcade. It had been dark inside the arcade, but the clouds had cleared outside, the sun shining again, and they both held a hand up to shield their eyes from the sudden glare.

  ‘How about an ice cream?’ Melody asked, pointing down the promenade, where the van could be seen in the distance.

  ‘To rub it in James’s face that he’s working and we’re not?’ Hugo asked. A grin spread slowly across his face. ‘Let’s do it.’

  Melody swatted him again. ‘And you say I’m mean? I actually meant because it’ll be my last chance and I haven’t had one of your bubble gum cones yet.’

  ‘I think that’s called killing two birds with one stone,’ Hugo said before leading the way. The beach wasn’t nearly as full after the earlier downpour, despite the sun beating down once again. They bought ice creams and ate them while wandering along the sand.

  ‘How’s your ankle holding up?’ Hugo asked as they passed an abandoned sandcastle. It was huge, three castles high, built up pyramid-style, with a wide moat. Shells and pretty pebbles decorated the structure while little paper Union Jack flags fluttered in the breeze.

  ‘It’s fine, unless you’re offering to give me another piggyback.’

  ‘Maybe later.’ Hugo held up his raspberry ripple ice cream. ‘Bit busy at the minute.’

  Melody paused. She couldn’t pass the sandcastle. She handed Hugo her ice cream and tucked Cliff-the-monkey under his arm before grabbing her camera and crouching on the sand. She took several shots, hoping to capture both the hard work and the joy that must have gone into creating it.

  ‘Thank you.’ She retrieved her ice cream and monkey and continued along the beach. They climbed the wide steps back up to the promenade when they reached the pier.

  ‘Do you fancy it?’ Hugo looked up at the Ferris wheel, which was already lit up in anticipation of nightfall.

  ‘Why not?’ Melody asked. She popped the last of the waffle cone into her mouth and followed Hugo to the ticket booth. This time she didn’t freak out. She climbed into the carriage, sliding along the seat to make room for Hugo, and felt her stomach flutter as they rose up towards the sky. She took a couple of photos of the seaside town while they were up there, but mostly she enjoyed the view, the sensation of being lifted and gently brought back down before starting all over again, and she enjoyed the feel of Hugo’s hand in hers as they experienced it together.

  As they reached the top, just before they started their final descent, Melody spotted a couple of donkeys in the distance, plodding along the beach, side by side. Two young girls sat on the donkeys’ backs, one hand clinging to the reins, the other outstretched and meeting the other girl’s hand in the space between them. Melody’s heart ached at the sight, imagining herself and Ollie on another set of donkeys, on another beach, a lifetime ago. But she pushed a smile through the pain and squeezed Hugo’s hand a little bit tighter as they started to glide back down to the ground again.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Willow

  The rain was pouring, big fat droplets splatting against the shop’s windows before they stretched and wriggled their way down the pane. The sun had disappeared behind the purply-grey clouds, throwing a blanket of doom over the town.

  ‘So much for summer,’ Willow said with a sigh as she dropped her chin onto her hands, her elbows resting on the counter.

  ‘Don’t forget this is a British summer,’ Gary said, his voice low and hesitant. Things had been a bit awkward since Mae’s visit that morning, with the two of them tiptoeing around each other, their conversations strained. Gary had apologised for taking the piss and Willow had accepted, on the condition it didn’t happen again. Going out and having fun with your mates was good, but allowing it to impact on your work was not.

  But there was still an atmosphere in the shop. Despite the apology, Willow remained disappointed. She’d trusted Gary, had felt they were a good team, but now it seemed it was one-sided. Plus, her mind was elsewhere, wandering from the shop to an imagined airport; so, while she would normally try to clear the air and make things more bearable, she was distracted. Ethan’s flight had been delayed again, meaning it would be at least four-thirty before he landed in Manchester. By the time he made it back to Clifton-on-Sea, evening would have well and truly set in. It seemed unlikely they’d be eating fish and chips on the beach, especially with the rain.

  And there was something else niggling at Willow. Something she wouldn’t allow herself to think about, to hope for
. It was a silly idea and one best left alone before it could cause any damage to her already fragile state.

  ‘I’ve been thinking,’ Gary said, and while Willow would usually have smiled and said ‘careful there, Gary, you don’t want to hurt yourself’ or something equally playful, that day she simply tore her gaze from the streaming window and raised her eyebrows as she awaited elaboration. ‘That clock, the one Mae said I’d broken.’

  ‘The one at the pub?’

  Gary nodded and, feeling brave, took a couple of steps towards Willow. ‘I don’t remember doing it, but I don’t always remember the stuff that happens on our nights out.’

  ‘Oh, Gary.’ Willow’s eyebrows knitted together. ‘You shouldn’t get yourself into such a state. Anything could happen.’

  Gary scratched the back of his neck. ‘I know. My mum says the same thing.’

  Willow smiled, but it wasn’t anywhere close to a full-watt beam. ‘Mums are wise. You should listen to her more.’

  Gary nodded and braved another step, reaching the counter, though he was still a few steps away from Willow. ‘I think I probably did break the clock. I can be a bit of a knob when I’m drunk.’

  Willow laughed. She couldn’t help it. ‘At least you’re honest. Sometimes.’ She winked at Gary, to show she was kidding and, emboldened, he covered the last few steps so he was facing Willow, only the counter now between them.

  ‘I was thinking of replacing Frank and Corinne’s clock.’

  Willow gave an encouraging smile. ‘That’s a good idea. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.’

  ‘Maybe I could make them one?’ Gary scratched the back of his neck again, and Willow noticed his cheeks taking on a pinkish tinge. ‘With your help?’

  Willow sat up straighter, the full-watt smile firmly in place now. ‘That’s a wonderful idea, Gary. Of course I’ll help you. Have you got any idea what kind of clock you’d like to make?’

  Gary nodded, the pink deepening on his cheeks. ‘Frank likes to play dominoes. There’s a pub team and stuff.’ Willow nodded, encouraging him to continue. ‘I know there are some dominoes in that box the Monopoly and Scrabble sets came from, so I thought I could make a clock with those, using the dots on the dominoes instead of numbers.’

  ‘That’s a really good idea.’ Willow slipped off her stool. ‘I’ve obviously taught you well.’

  The rest of the afternoon was spent in the workroom, the door open so they could listen for any customers should they brave the foul weather. They found a piece of scrap wood that would make a perfect base, sanded it down and applied a walnut stain. Under Willow’s instruction, Gary drilled a hole in the centre for the clock mechanism before marking out and then hot-gluing the domino pieces in place, making sure the dots added up to the numbers on a clock face. With wire added to the back for hanging, the clock was complete.

  ‘Thanks for your help,’ Gary said, holding out the clock so he could marvel at his creation.

  ‘It was a pleasure.’ Willow was grateful to Gary too, as the project had kept her mind away from Ethan’s delayed arrival and the other thing, the thing she was desperately pushing from her mind. ‘Would you like me to wrap it for you?’

  ‘Yes, please.’ Gary handed his masterpiece over with a shy smile. ‘I’ll take it over to the pub once I’ve finished here.’

  Willow took the clock out to the shop, placing it down carefully on the counter. She noticed the window was clear again, all traces of rain gone and the sky bright, as though the sun had been shining down on them all day. She grabbed sheets of bubble wrap and pale-blue tissue paper, wrapping the clock carefully before adding white satin ribbon, tying it into a neat, practised bow.

  Her phone beeped with a new message as she was admiring her handiwork. Ethan was about to board his flight. He’d be home in a few hours.

  The rain hadn’t made a comeback, which was lucky as Willow was standing on the platform at the station, her eyes constantly travelling between the track, the station’s clock and her phone, in case she’d missed a message from Ethan. There were half a dozen others on the platform, mostly with wheeled suitcases and rucksacks, waiting for a train to take them away rather than waiting for a loved one’s return.

  Finally, just before seven, a train rattled into the station. Willow craned her neck as the doors opened, her stomach a riot of butterflies as she searched for her husband. She was beginning to suspect she’d made a mistake and this wasn’t his train at all when he appeared in the doorway of one of the carriages. Willow waved before making a dash along the platform, reaching Ethan as he stepped down, lugging his suitcase behind him. He dropped it on the floor and held his arms wide, wrapping them tightly around Willow as she threw herself against his chest.

  ‘I’ve missed you,’ he said into her hair.

  ‘I’ve missed you too.’ Willow realised she was crying – again – and giggled. She released herself so she could wipe the tears from her eyes. ‘I didn’t think you’d ever make it back.’

  Ethan rolled his eyes. ‘Tell me about it. Nightmare!’

  ‘You’re here now.’ Willow slipped her hand into Ethan’s. ‘Let’s go back to the bed and breakfast and drop this suitcase off. We’ve got a date, remember?’ The sun had shone brightly for the rest of the afternoon, drying up the beach enough for their planned fish and chip supper.

  Wheeling the suitcase behind him, Ethan followed Willow’s lead to the van. They stowed the case in the back but Ethan stopped Willow before she could climb into the driver’s seat.

  ‘I’ve really, really missed you,’ he said before kissing her, his hands cupping her face as though she might shatter without the gentlest of touches. They didn’t break apart until they’d earned a round of wolf whistles and jeering from a group of passing teens.

  ‘Get in there, mate.’

  ‘Give her one from me.’

  ‘Get a fucking room.’

  ‘Are you dogging?’

  Willow pressed her face into Ethan’s chest, his crumpled T-shirt muffling her giggle.

  ‘The youth of today. No bloody respect,’ Ethan said, but he was grinning. ‘Come on, let’s go before they come back with a bigger audience.’

  The bed and breakfast was empty when they arrived. Willow gave Ethan a quick tour of the communal areas before leading him to their room. She unpacked his case while Ethan had a quick shower to rid himself of the fug of his day at the airport and the flight home. He changed into fresh jeans and a T-shirt before they headed down to the beach, picking up bags of fish and chips on the way. The sunshine hadn’t encouraged too many people back to the beach after the rainfall, so they easily found a quiet spot near the cliffs.

  ‘Does it taste as good as our wedding reception meal?’ Willow asked as they sat with their supper on their laps.

  Ethan blew on a chip. ‘Even better.’ He popped the chip into his mouth and groaned.

  ‘We’ll be able to do this all the time when we’re in the new house,’ Willow said. ‘We’ll only be across the road. I can’t wait to lie in bed with the window open so I can listen to the waves.’

  ‘Don’t forget your bath,’ Ethan said. ‘Isn’t that top of your list of the things you want finished?’

  ‘It was.’ Willow dropped the chip she was holding back into the bag and turned to Ethan. ‘But there’s something else we need to finish first.’

  Ethan nodded. ‘Ah, yes. The kitchen.’

  Willow shook her head. Her lips were itching to spread into the biggest grin of her life, but she fought it. For now, at least. ‘No, not the kitchen.’

  ‘Then what?’ Ethan popped another chip into his mouth.

  ‘The nursery.’

  Ethan nodded, still chewing. He swallowed and grabbed another chip. ‘Yep, that is important. I’d quite like to be able to cook too, though.’

  ‘You don’t understand,’ Willow said as the chip went into Ethan’s mouth. ‘The nursery is really important. We’ll need it sorted. Within the next
nine months.’

  Ethan chewed his chip slowly, his eyebrows lowering further with each chomp. Willow reached into her bag and pulled out a white stick, laying it flat on the palm of her hand. Ethan swallowed. Hard.

  ‘Is that…?’

  Willow nodded, the smile finally breaking free. ‘It’s a pregnancy test. A positive pregnancy test.’

  ‘But you said…’ It seemed Ethan had lost the ability to finish his sentences.

  ‘I know, I thought it wasn’t going to happen this month. My period started, but it was really light and then it just stopped. I thought it was because of the stress with the house. I didn’t think…’ She looked down at the test she’d bought at the chemist’s after closing the shop, feeling foolish as she handed over the money. Foolish for daring to hope, again. She’d taken so many tests over the past couple of years, each time becoming more and more desperate, taking them before her period was due, taking them again once it had started, just in case her body was wrong, just in case her period wasn’t a period at all but spotting. She’d stocked up on tests, storing them in the bathroom cabinet, but it was too tempting to use one with every suspected ‘symptom’. She hadn’t dared buy a test for months, until now.

  ‘I would have waited,’ she told Ethan, ‘and taken the test once you were back. But I thought I was kidding myself.’ Again, they both added silently. ‘I thought I’d take the test, get it out of my system, and carry on as normal.’ She pushed the test towards Ethan. ‘But it was positive.’

  ‘It’s positive,’ Ethan said, his eyebrows still low. He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t whooping for joy. But Willow couldn’t blame him. She’d been numb with shock at first too. She’d sat on Mae’s loo, taken the test and carried it through to the bedroom, not even bothering to look at the little windows. She’d freshened her make-up, checked her phone for messages, her emails – anything to prolong time before she had to read the results. She’d known it was going to be negative, but she wanted to cling to that tiny shard of hope for as long as possible.