“Oooh,” says Sophie, poking him in the ribs. “Guess who’s dating a film student? You’ll be quotingCitizen Kaneand pretending you like French New Wave next. Those of us who’ve known you for more than five minutes know your favourite ever film is actuallyHow To Train Your Dragon.”
“This is true,” Dan concedes. “But if you meet her, never mention that, okay?”
“Maybe Julia secretly loves it too,” James says. “Maybe you could role-play Hiccup and Astrid together. That would be so romantic!”
Dan doesn’t rise to the bait, which tells me he definitely likes this girl. Instead, he just smiles and says: “I don’t care what you think. And I will avoid any possible complications by simply never letting her come here.”
“Ah, don’t be like that!” I reply. “I’d love to meet her! I have so many questions…”
All three of the kids groan and pull horrified faces, and I feign a moment of hurt feelings.
“What?” I ask. “What do you mean?”
“We mean, Mum, that you’re so nosy you scare normal people!” Sophie replies on their behalf.
“I’m not nosy. I’m just… interested.”
“You’re NOSY!” they all say at once, with some intensity. Huh. I suppose they’re right. Some people do find it intrusive. Ella, when she first landed here, was extremely cautious of me – took me ages to break down her resistance, which was of course futile. Cally was the complete opposite – she’s as ‘interested’ asme, and always happy to answer any questions with a complete lack of reluctance. My kind of gal.
Exactly at the moment I think about her, she walks through the door to the pub. Just in case I actually have magical powers, I close my eyes and imagine any of my holy trinity – Daniel Craig, Chris Hemsworth and Henry Cavill – doing the same. None of them appear, so sadly it looks like it was mere coincidence.
She gives us a wave and walks over to join us, sending Sam to the bar for drinks. Sam is much taller than his mother but has the same thick dark hair and lovely smile. He’s dressed in a pair of red-and-black tartan trousers and a top that seems to be made from leftover scraps of net curtain and extra-large safety pins. As ever, Sam manages to make it look stylish.
“Isn’t it a joy?” Cally says, sliding into the seat opposite me. As if choreographed, all three of my kids move along a bit, so they can talk amongst themselves.
“Isn’t what a joy?”
“Having them back? Even more so for you I imagine – at least I have Lilly and Meg knocking around the house. But still, I’ve missed him so much.”
“I know what you mean,” I say, in a half-whisper. “But I’m trying to keep it quiet so I still look cool.”
“Good for you! I think I left cool behind a long time ago. In fact, never even had it. I’m just thrilled to have him back for a bit.”
Sam spent the summer before he started uni travelling with his then-boyfriend Nathan, and only had a few days back here before he headed north again.
“Dan’s in love, by the way. It’s a new look for him. Any romance on the horizon for Sam?” I ask, as he walks towards us with a bottle of Prosecco in an ice bucket, carrying just the one glass. He nips back to get his own G&T, and I laugh at Cally’s expression.
“I didn’t ask for a whole bottle all to myself, honest,” she bleats, staring at the bucket. “I just asked for ‘a Prosecco’ – I meant a glass!”
“Looks like he knows you better than you know yourself.”
“Ha! As for romance, nothing serious from the sounds of it. I think he’s just enjoying the buffet rather than choosing a main course, if you know what I mean.”
“Are you talking about me?” Sam says as he rejoins us. “Of course you are! Connie, I believe you’ve invited a super-glamorous showbiz hit-maker into the sleepy community of Starshine Cove…”
“Um. I’m not sure that’s what’s on his CV, Sam, but I suppose I have.”
“Marvellous. I can’t wait to meet him. I have some ideas…” Cally groans and holds her face in her hands. He rolls his eyes and adds: “She’s worried I might embarrass her. Little does she know that I am a showbiz genius. When can I meet him?”
I glance at my phone and see that it is nearing seven p.m.
“Pretty soon, I guess. He’s been out for the day with Marcy and they’re due back soon.”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, the door to the inn opens and Marcy and Zack walk inside, followed by Bear.
“What are you doing?” Cally asks a moment later. “Why have you got your eyes closed and why are your lips moving? Are you praying?”
“I was trying to conjure up Henry Cavill. It seems to work when I think about other people – this just isn’t fair!”
