“Right,” Angie answers again.
“Good.” His mouth curves on one side, his mesmerising eyes hold mine “Right Cal?” His soft voice asks.
“Sure. I’ll be there.”
“Okay,” he lifts his chin, “gotta go.” Clearing his throat, he glances at Angie. “Rehearsals to get to.” He gets up from his spot, brushing my side with his hand before it rests on the low band of his khaki shorts. “I'm glad I came over now Cal.”
“Yeah, likewise,” I answer, with one eye closed against the sun.
He points his index finger towards me. “See you Saturday, don’t be late.”
“Oh, I won’t.”
Walking backwards, he salutes to us both before turning to jog towards a now angry looking woman.
“I wouldn't want to be in his shoes,” Angie says, watching him run.
“Fierce right?” I grimace.
“Like a Rottweiler,” Angie shivers back to me. “Just a thought as you're leaving again after the summer. If you're gonna shag him, do it sooner rather than later.”
CHAPTER FOUR
CALLA
Mum was onlytwenty when she married my father, but as soon as she fell pregnant, he left her to fend for herself. I appreciate it was hard, being so young and having a small child to look after, but she wasn't the most responsible person to be around. I don't know every detail of what happened, but it's clear now I'm older, I was an inconvenience, not a joy. Having the same genes as another person doesn’t automatically make you love them unconditionally or make them love you back. When we do speak, we don’t get on and have little in common.
Despite my family circumstances, I had a happy childhood. Soon after my father left, Mum moved back in with my grandparents, and my nan made sure she was doing everything an expectant mother should be doing. When I arrived, they were so happy and gave me all the love I needed and more, plus Mum had an in-house babysitting team. Sadly, I don't get to see them as much now. They moved to Greece a few years ago, and although I've been to visit once or twice, it's been hard for me to get over there since I started university.
People say I’m the image of my mother and I get where they’re coming from. She has dark hair and blue eyes, but for me personally, I hope this is where the similarities end. I've only ever known her to be happy when she had a man in tow. I can’t begin to count how many ‘uncles’ I’ve had over the years; not all of them were a waste of time. A few wanted to look after her, but those relationships would usually go down the pan. She took advantage, bled them dry and got rid. Either that or they left Mum behind when they found out she wasn’t the most faithful. One thing was pretty much guaranteed. Every time they left, it was my fault, just because I was her baggage.
My favourite escape as a little girl was primary school, which is why my friends think I'm a nerd. I loved it. I've always had a natural thirst for learning, but school was so much more to me. It was my happy place where I felt safe. This could be the reason why I stayed in education for so long.
During my first two years at Highfield University, I rarely came home for the holidays unless I knew my grandparents were back from overseas. They kept their house in Braebeach, more for my mother's sake, but also for security; not just theirs, but mine too. They wanted me to have a base to go back to during holidays and weekends if I needed it. I was rarely here when they first went, but now my mum has moved to Edinburgh to be with her latest squeeze I’m making use of it.
I'm lucky enough to have a waitressing job at the Rosie Lee Café, situated right on the seafront. It's owned, not surprisingly, by a lovely lady called Rosie who used to be a teaching assistant at school. I’ve worked for her in the past during my sixth form years, so we know each other reasonablywell, and she was pleased to have me back for the summer.
The café can be a challenge during the holiday season. Honestly, most people are lovely, and there's rarely a problem, but now and then, I find I have to be polite to rude arseholes. When they become unbearable, my unique way of dealing with the situation is to imagine them naked. It helps me to keep smiling while I reap the benefits in tips.
I put nearly every spare penny I have towards the dream of setting myself up in a place of my own one day. I can’t rely on my grandparents forever, it’s just not fair, plus the thought of my own, permanent space is the goal which keeps me driven. I also have a hefty student loan to pay back. Although my grandparents have been amazing by giving me a roof over my head when I need one, I’m not getting a totally free ride.
Braebeach is only a few hours away from my university campus but hasn’t changed a bit in the time I’ve been away. A beautiful, picturesque, British seafront adorns blue and white buildings in turn. Candy coloured stalls sell ice creams, local rock and candy floss while the smell of fish and chips fills the air. Holidaymakers sit in striped deck chairs, taking in the view of our bright white pier set against a cobalt blue sea. Many locals are born here and choose never to leave because Braebeach is unlike many seaside resorts. It’s actually a vibrant, diverse town, so the older generation doesn’t tend to retire here; they come to expand their horizons.
The seasons never dictate the number of visitors flocking to our shores. It's an all-year-round kind of town. The cobbled streets are lined with boutiques, coffee shops and eateries and our hotels offer the best hospitality and cuisine. This, of course, includes a lot of fish seeing as we're right by the sea. Acres of farmland surround the town's main perimeter, andour daily markets sell fresh produce from the local farming community. There's so much to our small part of the world on the south coast. I love this place. I was born here, and it will always be my home despite my family no longer living in the area.
I was hoping to bump into a few old faces while I was here, although being hit by an almighty blast from the past was a shock. I'm excited to see Ashton again, so Saturday I’m up early, which Angie isn't too happy about. I arrive at her place before 8am intending to make the most of the day.
A powerboat trip, surfing and water skiing filled our time. This was my first day off since we saw Ash a few days ago and he invited us out, so I wanted to do everything while I had the chance.
By early evening, we’re getting ready to meet up with Ash. Just before we left town today, Angie decided she needed a change, so she popped into Boots, buying herself a new hair colour. Now with her cut-off white tee, pink mini skirt, pink tennis shoes and newly dyed pearl blonde hair, she looks gorgeous.
I'm not so organised. My short, cool, flowing strappy dress with worn-out cowboy boots was put together at the last moment. I want to show off my newly acquired tan, so my little white number does just the job.
Tonight’s venue is owned by Bernie Hill, rock star millionaire and local boy done good. He named it The Dunbar Hotel after his late bandmate Ronnie Dunbar who sadly died of a drugs overdose. It’s become a place of pilgrimage for fans over the years. It's also the hotel of choice for celebrities and bands when they play in the area. Apart from the enormous stark pillars at every corner, wall to wall grey and white marble and pure white walls, it’s covered fromfloor to ceiling with black and white images of such legends as The Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. They played gigs here in the early sixties before making it big. There's even an original Lennon doodle on one wall when he visited in the mid 70s. Back then, it wasn't so grand and the venue in the basement, where the band are playing tonight, wasn’t the plush bar it is today. I’m in total awe of the music hall of fame surrounding us, but Angie doesn’t get it. She heads straight for the bar, ignoring my requested drink choice, only ordering us both two vodkas to get the party going. Just for the record, vodka isn’t my preferred spirit, so when it’s my turn, I order a Grasshopper from the classic cocktail menu.
Angie winces at her first taste of the minty, cream liquid with an extraordinary after taste. “Ugh! It tastes of toothpaste.” She almost spits before we both break out with the giggles, but the experience takes on a sinister turn when we order another two. It's practically a dare to continue without throwing up. Still, at least it settles the buzz of anticipation in my veins which comes with the thought of seeing Ash again. He’s been on my mind, maybe too much, since we ran into each other. The thing is, I've been good through my student years, the hardest working student my economics tutor had seen in some time—so she said. This last year at uni will be my most challenging. I have to get my degree if I want to better myself and I won’t have time to socialise. Now is probably my last chance to let my hair down and go crazy before I knuckle down and revise. Up until the moment I saw Ash, I’ve done my damnedest to avoid any potential boy action. My one aim? Never to turn out like my mother. Just for the record, I’m not the type of person to regret the day they were born, quite the opposite in fact. I love my life, but I wanted to get my studies out the way before I allowed myself to party too hard. There was also an underlying fear of the wholepregnancy aspect. I've always been super careful when it comes to sex because when I decide to have a little one, it won’t be something I’ll take lightly. Not, as I imagine, she did. I can’t be totally sure on how my mother felt, we don’t talk about it.
Soon enough, I spot Ash as he jostles into the room with three other guys. I guess they must be his bandmates.
