‘I’m surprised your postman comes up here and you haven’t got a box outside.’
‘It’s always been this way; he has a door code. One less thing for me to remember, emptying a blinking mailbox, so I’m happy.’
The lounge was small, with a television set on the wall above a fireplace, a comfy-looking beige sofa and a round dining table with two chairs filled the room. A tiny coffee table was pushed to the corner. There was a cute bay window seat adorned with multi-coloured cushions, and glass door leading out on to a balcony.
‘“Bijou with a view”, is how the estate agent described it when I was looking to buy. I fell in love with it on sight.’
Sabrina looked around. ‘I can see why, I think it’s gorgeous, even without being able to see the view.’ She went towards the balcony door. ‘Can we open it?’
A tiny security light came on as Sabrina pushed the stuck door. The balcony had room enough for a wrought-iron bench and two large terracotta pots. Both were empty apart from the earth, and Sabrina could tell they would look gorgeous when planted with a smorgasbord of colourful summer bedding plants. The light of the silvery moon was glimmering its romantic pathway across the estuary to the ferry landing opposite. Sabrina took in the comforting sound of boats floating in the darkness, awaiting their next voyage, their ropes and halyards creaking softly. A whoop from the party crowd broke the peace as Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ burst out of the speakers at Frank’s.
Kara sat down on the bench, making a noise of relief as she took the weight of her feet. She patted the place next to her, and Sabrina sat down. ‘Cushions in the airing cupboard for these, if and when required.’ The redhead smiled.
‘Thank you.’ Sabrina smiled back, shivering slightly as the chill of the evening began to take hold. She pulled the raincoat out of her bag, put it on and sat back down.
‘I take it yourlong storyprobably involves a man.’ Kara’s eyes remained fixed on the distant horizon.
‘Sure does.’ The actress let out a big sigh.
‘Wanna talk about it.’
‘Not right now but thank you.’
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Two women on quite different paths bound together in this moment of calm and understanding, just taking in the beauty of the moon filled sky, and the stars, that Sabrina had noticed seemed so much brighter down here than in smoky London town. The salty smell on the air caused by the sea being whipped up with the breeze was oddly comforting.
Until– FIZZ, BANG, WHEE! A cacophony of delighted screeches and yelps of joy as the sky came alive with vibrant colours as if a paint palette had exploded in mid-air and golden sparkles drifted down to the water in slow motion, like rain. And then the putt putt noise of extinction as the fireworks finished their dynamic display and said their goodnights into the dark water.
As the strangely pleasing smell of sulphur reached their nostrils, Kara shot up and headed inside followed by Sabrina. ‘I’d better get going. Billy’s mum is so good, but she’ll be up at five tomorrow for market day. Oh, shit, you need to get home.’
‘It’s fine.’ Sabrina checked her watch. ‘Are there any hotels near to here?’
‘I won’t hear of it. How about you stay here tonight? Call it a “try before you buy”.’
Sabrina stared at her, unable to believe her luck. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Really sure. It’ll absolve my guilt of not driving you back. I’m literally asleep on my feet. There’s a spare key in the key safe just in case you may need it– 2906 is the code. Not sure about make up remover. Do you need pyjamas? Oh, what else? There’s no milk for tea but—’
‘Kara, please– You’re doing more than enough for me already. And don’t worry because, well, I can sort all that out when I move in next week.’
‘Wow! Really? OK cool. That’s amazing news! Phew.’
‘And I’d like to stay until the end of December– if that’s OK, of course.’
‘I could kiss you. Thank you, thank you. That’s brilliant news.’
The main bedroom of the apartment looked directly out over the estuary and, despite it being a little chilly, Sabrina opened the large sash window as far as it could go, allowing her a direct view of the busy and picturesque waterway. As she lay back on top of the comfy grey fluffy throw, her mind drifted to how trusting Kara was of her, and how so very kind she was. Usually, she would have immediately gone to her Instagram to share this joyous place, but who was she doing it for? And even if she did and captioned it. “What a view” or “Guess where I am?”, what would that achieve? And who would know the reality of the pain that was going on behind her scenes. Nobody had a perfect life, and who was she now to pretend that she did?
The refreshing thing was that her disguise had so far worked. And if it kept on working and nobody down here recognised her, then Dominic Best would have no idea where she was again now that she was changing towns. Not that he would probably care now, knowing that she had slept with someone else. But the look on his face had said otherwise and at the memory of it, Sabrina felt that pain in her tummy again. The pain of guilt, the pain of longing and the pain of sadness at how things had turned out.
She was just contemplating taking off her jumper and jeans and getting into bed when a text pinged in. A room with signal, how novel! If she were honest, though, this did please her. Especially if Number One Ferry View Apartments, Ferry View, Hartmouth, was to be her home for the next three months.
Hey, it’s Belle, hope you’re having fun. Did you manage to book a cab?
Shit! She had forgotten about kind, thoughtful Belle, who would of course be concerned about her getting back to Kevrinek.
Was just about to message you. No to cab but Kara Dillon from Passion Flowers is kindly putting me up. I didn’t want to disturb you. See you tomorrow xx
Aw, good, OK. Enjoy xx
