‘Oh god, yes. She wasn’t meant to be quite so rough, but they decided to keep it in. I don’t miss it one bit. In fact, I seem to be filling my days really well down here.’
‘Your boots, too, by the sound of it, with Mr Market Inspector.’
‘Ha. He’s a weird one. When he gave me the key for the unit today, he flatly refused having a quickie in the flat upstairs like we did before, said he had to rush off.’
‘Just busy maybe, not weird. You have to keep that imagination of yours in check, you know that. And people do have work to do.’
‘I know. The village gossip, Linda Harris, told me he’d got the sack, which was odd as he vehemently denied it.’
‘Again, you have to trust. Didn’t you say there was a lot of jealously around the locals and incomers taking on stuff? Maybe she was angry with him for letting you take it. And as for a quickie– what’s that? Maybe it was a good job you didn’t get married because as soon as the milk is on tap, honey, you both become lactose intolerant.’
Sabrina laughed. ‘How very Gen Z.’
‘Yes, I saw that online somewhere, been wanting to use it for ages.’
‘Are you and Stu really OK, Dee?’
‘We’re ships that pass in the night, but yes, I think so. We have such a deep connection and I do love him dearly. It’s just life gets in the way of the good bits sometimes. We’re planning a family holiday for next Easter, though, so that’ll be lovely to look forward to. Show me your view?’ Sabrina stood up on the bench and gave Dee a three sixty of the rolling fields and the cliffs in the distance. ‘I can see you why you are staying. It’s so beautiful.’
‘Just come down, Dee.’ Sabrina paused. ‘Ah, I’m going to be staying in a flat in Hartmouth near the market from today, so not as easy, but that’s alright. I’ll book a hotel.’
‘Actually, my mum and dad are taking the kids away to Centre Parcs. I think it’s the second weekend in October and Stu is at a golf tournament, so yes! Let’s do it then. And I’m happy to crash with you, that’s fine.’
‘Well, that’s the thing. I’m sharing this new place with someone else?’
‘You, sharing!?’
‘It’s for convenience really, an Irish guy called Conor.’
‘Ooh! Tell me more.’
‘Oh god, nothing like that. He’s very funny, got a great energy but not my type at all. The kind of “wherever he lays his hat is his home” type of vibe. But the apartment is lovely. Well, the view is for sure, has a balcony that looks out over the estuary and Conor will be working most of the time anyway. I kind of thought I wanted to get amongst the community a bit. It’s amazing in the cottage but it is so remote up here and when winter comes the roads will be icy.’
‘You’ve really thought this through haven’t you.’
‘Yes, look at me being a grown up. I might as well have the full ‘working girl’ experience. So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?’
‘Honestly, it can wait until I see you.’ Dee suddenly looked a little pained.
‘Dee?’
‘It’s fine.’ She blew a kiss. ‘I better go, school run time. Oh, the monotonous joy of motherhood. I’ll let you have the exact dates for October.’
‘Fab! You’ll have to help me work on the Saturday as I plan to be open by then.’
‘That’ll be fun.’
‘You say that now.’ Sabrina laughed. ‘Love you, mate. Big kiss to the girls and say hi to Stu.’
Sabrina had just walked back into the cottage to start packing up her stuff when there was a tap on the door.
‘Only me.’ It was Belle with a white envelope in her hand, and Sabrina opened the door with a smile. ‘So, you’re leaving us today, then?’ She put the card down on the table.
‘Yes, but I’m only down the road.’
‘I know, and you’re so welcome to come and visit me and Isaac anytime you know that. In fact, I expect it. We must arrange a walk or dinner or whatever fits with you soon, and I will of course be coming to inspect your Christmas wares. I can’t wait, in fact. It’s exciting.’
‘Exciting, yes, but do you think I’m mad, Belle?’
