New beginnings by the su.., p.4
New Beginnings by the Sunflower Cliffs, page 4
‘I think they’d polished the floor a little too highly,’ he said. Bea wasn’t so sure, but smiled, hoping that was what he’d thought. ‘I’m looking forward to putting this place in order,’ Luke continued. ‘It’s a beautiful twenties home and still has so much character left. You’re very lucky to own it.’ He held the hot china mug in between his large hands. ‘It’s a big house for just one person. Wouldn’t you prefer something a bit smaller?’
Bea shrugged. ‘I would if this place didn’t hold so many memories for me. It’s more of a home to me than anywhere else.’
‘It has a certain charm; I can see why you want to restore it.’ Luke looked directly into her eyes. ‘I couldn’t help noticing the beautiful gardens as I drove up.’
Bea nodded. ‘It is pretty amazing. My godmother planted the orchard herself when she first moved here years ago. She sourced so many different plants and trees from her travels over the years. It’s why I’d hate to move so much. All my memories are here – the important ones, that is – and I can’t take her garden with me if I have to move.’
‘There aren’t many people your age who are into gardening like you are.’ He sipped his coffee.
Bea enjoyed his questions. It helped her to think of things that usually only upset her, since Aunt Annabel had died. ‘Maybe not, but it’s a way of life for me. I can’t imagine not spending time out there. My aunt adored her garden. She put years of her expertise as a garden designer into lovingly restoring it back to how the original owners had planned it, adding her own special extras as she went, of course.’
‘She wasn’t so interested in the house,’ Luke smiled. ‘Did she live here long?’
‘Decades. It was bought for her by her second husband, Antonio. He was an Argentinian polo player. They loved each other very much, although she couldn’t have children, which broke her heart. He bought her this house and encouraged her in her love of gardening.’
‘He died, too?’
‘Years ago, and they’d only been married a few years. It was very sad for her. Then my mother died, my father remarried and after a few years they sent me off to boarding school. I was really homesick, so my aunt insisted I came home to Jersey and pretty much took me on. I think it helped her to come to terms with the loss of the two most important people in her life. Well, that’s what my dad seems to think, and I have to agree with him.’
They stood in silence for a few minutes. Bea wondered why she’d been so open with this man about such personal and still painful issues. What was it about him? she wondered.
‘Is that a walled kitchen garden through there?’ he asked, peering over her shoulder to the wooden French windows halfway along the kitchen wall.
‘That’s my favourite place of all. I’ll show you, if you like?’ When he nodded, she got up and walked over to push them open, the creaky wooden doors reminding her of another job to add to her to-do list. ‘These will definitely collapse on me one of these days,’ she said, not joking.
The heat of the morning sun warmed her face even further and she breathed in the sweet scent of rosemary. ‘My herbs,’ she pointed. ‘The vegetables are along there – all organic, of course – and the smaller fruit trees along that wall. Over there’s my aunt’s greenhouse,’ she said, wondering why she had bothered stating the obvious to him. ‘My greenhouse,’ she corrected herself.
He surveyed the area, eyebrows raised in what she presumed was appreciation. ‘Impressive,’ he said. ‘And you look after all this by yourself?’ Bea shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t think you’d have the time, what with holding down a job and doing up the house.’
‘I’m not able to spend as much time as I’d like here, but I catch up on the most urgent things at the weekends. I’m dreading the winter when it’ll get dark so much earlier. I hate the short days.’
‘Maybe, but you’ve got more than enough to do inside this place to keep you going until the spring,’ he said. ‘You’re very lucky having a home with such character.’
‘I know,’ she agreed, ridiculously thrilled he seemed to like the place so much. ‘I just wish I still had Annabel around to enjoy everything with. She loved this place so much. I’m determined to bring it back to its former glory, even if I end up having to sell in the end.’
‘Why would you sell it?’ He picked up a small trowel she’d left on one of the brick pathways and placed it on the rickety metal table in the corner of the small patio. ‘Is this what your sister meant when she referred to problems with your ex-husband?’
Bea nodded. ‘I might not have a choice about selling. My ex-husband wants me to buy him out, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to raise enough money.’
Luke looked up from the raised vegetable border and frowned. ‘That would be a pity. I hope you can sort something out.’
‘Me too.’ She picked up her dented metal watering can and filled it at the tap, showering the bases of her plants. ‘How about you, where do you live?’
‘If you saw where I lived, you’d never believe I was in the building trade,’ he laughed. ‘It’s a disgrace.’
‘Why?’ She straightened up, not sure why she was surprised. ‘Surely you have all the know-how and contacts to do any work you need?’
‘True, but I don’t seem to have the time,’ he admitted. He pushed his fringe back from his tanned face. ‘I’ve got so much work lined up, and…’ he hesitated. ‘I’m a bit snowed under, which is why I’m calling in on a Sunday.’
So that was why he decided to visit her at such an irregular time. ‘Where do you live?’
‘Near St Catherine’s Woods.’ He smiled thoughtfully. ‘It’s only a small granite cottage, but it’s in a leafy area, quite quirky from the outside, and almost uninhabitable. So I’m living on a boat for the time being.’
Bea could picture him on a boat and liked the idea. ‘Sounds fun. I don’t know how you manage to fit all your belongings into a boat though?’ she asked, making him laugh.
‘Probably because I don’t have that many things to store. A few shoes and no handbags.’
Bea liked the sound of his laugh. He seemed so carefree for once, and it suited him. Resisting a strong urge to lean forward and kiss him, she turned away and picked up their mugs to take them back inside.
4
AUGUST – SOWING THE SEED
‘It’s so hot out here,’ complained Paul, fanning his face with an old notepad as Bea silently sowed tiny seeds into compost-filled trays in the small greenhouse. ‘Do you have to do that now?’
‘Stop moaning. You know I do. Why don’t you go and wait for me in the house?’ She looked over at him and smiled. ‘Anyone would think you were going somewhere special in that outfit.’
‘What, this old thing?’ He winked, holding his arms out and turning around for her. ‘I thought you’d like it.’
She loved his baby blue T-shirt, but it wasn’t exactly the right clothing for a dusty greenhouse. ‘You know I can’t wait to hear all about your visitor, and you’ll only forget the time like you always do out here, and then I won’t end up hearing the more interesting details,’ he moaned. He stepped outside and continued fanning himself. ‘Hurry up, before I melt out here.’
‘I told you, there isn’t anything to tell. So be quiet and let me get on with this.’
‘I thought we could go out for a quiet lunch, somewhere away from paint pots and peat bags.’
‘Sorry, I can’t,’ Bea said, trying to concentrate as best she could on placing just one seed into each of the tiny sections of the plastic container. ‘Anyway, where’s Shani today? I didn’t think she had any classes on a Sunday.’
‘Out with this new bloke of hers, Harry-someone-or-other. Besotted, she is. I offered to join them, but she told me to bugger off.’
‘I don’t blame her,’ Bea said, throwing him a washed ice-lolly stick and biro. ‘Here, write “Beetroot” on that for me, would you? Then you can come with me to buy paint for the house.’ Paul grimaced. ‘Choosing paint can be fun, you know?’ Bea laughed. ‘Although, I can see by your expression that you wouldn’t be interested in helping me with the prep work I need to do on the bathroom and box room tonight then?’
‘No, I wouldn’t,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a good bottle of red waiting for me back at the flat and it’s going to need my attention far more than your decorating.’
Returning home after a long day at work, Bea almost fell through her front door. She managed not to drop the shopping bags weighing her down, and kicked the door closed behind her with the heel of her court shoe. She noticed a large white envelope in the wire basket attached to the back of the door and put the bags down on the floor, resting them against the wall. Taking a deep breath, Bea ripped open the envelope. Luke’s quotation was lower than she had feared and suspected he was being a bit too charitable for his own good. After reading it through several times and debating for a little longer, she knew her conscience shouldn’t let her accept the amount. She picked up the phone to give him a call. ‘Luke, hi, it’s Bea.’
‘Bea,’ he said. ‘You’ve received my quotation, then?’
‘Yes, thank you, and I’d like to accept it. Although, I’m sure it’s more reasonable than it probably should be.’
‘Not at all. How soon can you have all the prep work done?’ He was more business-like than she had expected. She felt a little foolish for being so casual on the phone in the first place.
‘Um, well, your men can start on the bathroom as soon as they like.’ She quickly tried to estimate how long it would take her to do the work needed on the box room. ‘I can concentrate on the others in my free time. I’ll make sure I’m finished for whenever your men are ready to start work on them.’
‘Great, I’ll have two men there tomorrow. Will eight o’clock be ok?’
‘Perfect. Thank you.’ She hurriedly rang off with the distinct feeling she had been dismissed. Bea stared at the phone for a moment. When she caught sight of the rickety banister, she was reminded of a pair of fiercely blue eyes and the hairs on the back of her neck instantly stood up. Whether this was from some sort of lust or embarrassment, she couldn’t tell – she’d lost count of the years that had passed since her last real ‘first date’. Dating was something in her hazy past, like her onesie and sneaker wedges. Maybe it should just be left there.
Bea carried her shopping bags into the kitchen and unpacked everything before going to fetch her hammer and chisel-like tool to begin removing the ugly chocolate-coloured tiles from the house bathroom. She found it hard to imagine her godmother ever thinking they were tasteful. With one wall finished, Bea brushed the dust from her hair and took a shower. ‘I must be clinically insane to attempt to do all this.’
Two men in a white van arrived at exactly eight o’clock the next morning. They followed Bea as she led them out to the disused stables at the back of the house. ‘You’ll find the bathroom suites in there,’ she said. ‘Sorry about the mess. I’ll get around to clearing all the junk out one of these days.’
‘No problem, love,’ the older of the two men assured her. ‘You leave us to it. Luke has explained everything.’
‘It’s looking great,’ she told Luke when he came to check the work later on, relieved that she’d showered and changed in to her favourite summer dress and sandals. ‘I didn’t expect for them to work on a Saturday, too.’
He stared at her for a few seconds. ‘They’re good blokes and both happy for the overtime. You need to get the house sorted and I thought it best if they came today, to get as much done as possible.’
‘Thank you. Would you like a coffee, or something cold?’
‘Coffee for me, thanks.’ He followed her down the stairs and through to the cool kitchen.
Luke tilted his head down to her level and kissed her, causing Bea’s mind to go blank.
‘Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have done that,’ he apologised, looking anything but sorry. ‘You look so pretty with your hair up and those loose blonde strands over your cheeks.’
Bea attempted to tuck some of the hair behind her ears. ‘My ex-husband always thought I looked better in suits and high heels,’ she said, unable to think straight at this unexpected turn of events.
‘Then he’s a fool.’ He leant forward and kissed her once again. This time Bea responded instinctively.
‘I come bearing gifts,’ Shani shouted from the hallway. ‘I thought you could do with some chocolate digestives. We’ll put them in the fri…’
Shocked, Bea stiffened and stepped back. Luke walked to the other side of the kitchen as Shani entered the room.
‘Hello, there.’ Shani widened her eyes and pulled a face at Bea. ‘I didn’t realise you had company.’ She strode purposefully into the kitchen. Dropping the Saturday papers onto the worn pine table and kicking off her flip-flops as she sat, she crossed one long leg over the other. Shani glanced from Luke and back to Bea, raising an eyebrow at Bea. She held out the packet of biscuits. ‘These need to go in the fridge.’
Bea turned to Luke. ‘You remember Shani from the party, don’t you?’
Luke smiled and nodded. ‘Of course.’
‘Phew, it’s hot.’ Shani’s lips drew back into a wide smile as she arched an eyebrow.
Bea thought her friend was enjoying their obvious discomfort a little too enthusiastically. ‘Shani.’
‘Well, it is,’ she argued. ‘It must be getting on for twenty-nine degrees out there.’ She turned so Luke couldn’t see her and winked at Bea. ‘You look pretty today.’
‘She does, doesn’t she?’ he said quietly, glancing at his watch, barely able to hide the hint of a smile. ‘I’d better be off.’ He placed his mug on the draining board. ‘See you on Monday, Bea.’ He nodded politely at Shani. ‘Nice to see you again.’ For once, Bea noted, Shani didn’t come out with a quick retort. ‘Don’t worry,’ he told Bea, as she went to follow him, ‘I’ll see myself out.’
They listened to his footsteps until they heard the front door close heavily behind him.
‘Oh. My. God.’ Shani squeezed Bea’s arm, hurting her in her excitement. ‘He’s so…’ Shani sighed. ‘Well, big and impressive, and if you think you can convince me there’s nothing going on then you don’t know me at all. The atmosphere was electric when I came in.’
Bea turned to wash up the used mugs. ‘He kissed me.’ She almost breathed the words and touched her lips with her fingertips, unable to believe what had just happened.
‘Alle-bloody-lujah,’ cheered Shani. ‘And before you start to justify this to yourself, I’m relieved that maybe now you’ll begin to see yourself as the gorgeous girl you are. You need to get back some of the self-esteem you had pre-Simon.’
‘He’s the opposite of Simon, which is probably why I find him so attractive, but I don’t think what happened meant anything to him. I think it was a spur of the moment impulse.’
‘We’ll see.’ Shani’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She picked up her jacket. ‘Never mind biscuits, I’m taking you to the Bunker for a cup of tea and some of their delicious carrot cake.’
‘Okay, but I need to go to St Brelade’s beach afterwards.’
‘To the polo? I’d have thought you’d want to stay well away. Memories and all that.’
Bea had to agree; it was the last place she’d choose to be today. ‘I’m not going by choice, but I received a phone call from one of the committee members reminding me that Aunt Annabel is one of the sponsors of the event. She donated a trophy and someone else has to present it on the day.’
‘Ah, I did wonder why you were wearing a dress and those gorgeous sandals.’ Shani walked over and gave her a hug. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t suppose you can turn it down?’
‘Not really.’
As they walked up to the converted WWII bunker, built during the occupation on St Aubin’s beachfront, Bea couldn’t help thinking how pleased she was to get out of the house. She’d been dreading going to the polo, but now at least she could keep her mind off it a little until it was time to go to the match. Shani went to the counter to give their order and Bea sat down at a table near the window that had, during the Occupation, been the space where a large gun faced out towards the channel, guarding the Nazi-occupied island from attack.
‘You all right?’ Shani asked, sitting down opposite Bea. ‘I’ll come with you this afternoon.’
‘Thanks, I didn’t think you’d miss an opportunity for staring at tight bums in jodhpurs.’
Shani laughed. ‘Cheeky cow. You’re right though, it’ll perk up my mood no end.’ She smiled at Bea. ‘It’s still very soon, you know. You mustn’t expect too much of yourself. Losing Annabel is like losing a parent for you.’
‘It is. I was remembering how she used to bring me here after school sometimes.’
Shani placed a hand on Bea’s arm. ‘I know it’s hard for you losing her, but I’m sure once you sort out this problem with Simon you’ll feel a little more settled.’
‘You’re right. When I can talk to Mel without wanting to argue with her, I need to find out more about her suggestion of taking out an injunction. And as far as Luke is concerned, I’m not even going to let myself think about how gorgeous he is. I’d rather be alone than with someone who’s going to end up breaking my heart. I might only be thirty, but I’ve got more responsibility than expected, and I can’t afford to go out to clubs with the rest of you all the time.’
‘Well, whatever you say,’ Shani added, as the waitress placed their plates of food down in front of them, ‘I think it’s going to be very interesting having him coming to your house each day. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out after that kiss.’
‘Just eat your cake.’ Bea pushed a fork towards her friend and shook her head.
Shani dug her fork into her cake and took a mouthful. Bea did the same, surprised when Shani grimaced and pushed her plate away. ‘What’s wrong with it? You love this cake.’
