The morning flew by in flash of selling baubles, candles and lights. The candles and lights were good for any time of the year, Sabrina figured, but it was great to see that the dedicated Christmassy stock was also moving and that the decision to sell festive stuff had been a good one.
Both she and Dee went inside the unit whilst there was a bit of a lull to make a much-needed cup of tea. Sabrina leaned on the window ledge to keep an eye out for any customers, and Dee swung her legs on the high counter stool.
Sabrina sighed. ‘I’ve got a moral dilemma.’
‘Well, with my recent track record with you on morality, maybe I’m not quite the right person to ask about this.’ Dee smiled. ‘But go on, let’s talk around it like we always do.’
Sabrina cleared her throat. ‘The delightful Lowen in his drunken rage told me that he is now working for a developer who wants to shut the outdoor market down. Basically, this company is planning on building a housing estate at the top of Hartmouth Hill. And they are wanting access to Ferry Lane seven days a week to act as a bypass to cope with the new volume of traffic heading out on the coastal road to Penrigan. This market has been here for over a hundred years, Dee. If it goes through, the livelihood of the stallholders will be deeply affected. It’s disastrous!’
Dee gasped. ‘Oh, no, that’s tragic. I’ve only been here a few hours and I can tell what a lovely community it is. It lives and breathes for both the sellers and the customers.’
‘I know. Ferry Lane MarketisHartmouth.’
‘Everyone will still be able to sell from inside their shop units, though, right?’
‘Yes, but it won’t be the same and the footfall is huge on the Friday and Saturday market days. It would really affect everyone’s businesses, plus extra traffic down these cobbles would take the magic of the place away.’
‘So, what’s the dilemma?’
‘Lowen said if I say anything, he will out me for who I really am.’
‘Oh.’ Dee’s face fell. ‘That’s not good.’
‘Yes. I’m so enjoying the anonymity. I love acting with a passion, as you know, but I want to see if I can do something other than that. It’s all I know, Dee, and yes, the money’s good, but being honest, I’ve got savings and I’ve realised money doesn’t make me happy. I mean, look at me swapping a Dolce & Gabbana cashmere for a twenty-quid jumper with a reindeer on it. Which I have to say, I do rather like.’
Dee laughed. ‘I like it so much that I’m getting one each for the whole family for Christmas Day– including the dog.’ Dee took a sip of tea. ‘But what are you going to do about it? The market, I mean.’
‘I don’t know. I’m only here for three months, so selfishly I’d quite like to do nothing. I’m trying to get my head around it. Conor knows who I am, and it didn’t faze him one bit, but Conor is Conor and I know what my soap fan base is like. I can’t walk down the street at home or go to the supermarket without some kind of catcalling. And it’s not always pleasant. The madness of people mixing fantasy with reality, it’s not normal and just from my social media I know there are some weird people out there. Plus, the press would be all over me within seconds.’
Dee yawned loudly. ‘Have a really good think about this Rini. It sounds like you’ve got a lovely thing going on down here. And talking of cats– in a different sense, maybe– I’ve just proved that sometimes, letting the cat out of the bagisthe right thing to do. And not just for you, but for the greater good.’
Chapter Twenty-Nine
On Monday morning, Dee ran in to the apartment and waved frantically at Conor, who was spreadeagled on the sofa in just his underpants, eating dry cereal from a bowl.
‘Just wanted to say a quick goodbye before I go back home.’
‘Aw, that’s nice. How was the meal at the hotel last night?’
‘Amazing, thank you. VISTA is definitely worth its Michelin star.’
‘Grand. Where is that housemate of mine?’ Conor turned the television down.
‘I’m here.’ Sabrina came through the front door with a carton of milk in her hand. ‘I knew you’d be doing that– take this.’ She handed him the milk, which he poured straight into the bowl, then placed the carton on the floor.
‘Thanks a million, gorgeous, and so glad you had a nice time.’ Conor turned the TV back up and started tucking into his Frosties.’
‘Shit, is that that time? Rini, I need to be at the station in twenty minutes. I promised my parents I’d be back for the afternoon school run.’
‘You’re up early on your day off, Conor Brady?’ Sabrina grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, which was perched precariously above the fireplace.
‘Yeah. I thought I’d go for a walk up on the head. I’ll wait for you, if you fancy joining me?’
‘Definitely, I could do with stomping off some of this weekend’s excesses. I won’t be long.’
Dee went over to Conor and, trying not to stare too hard at all his taut flesh on show, leant down and kissed him on the cheek. ‘It’s been lovely to meet you, and thanks for making this one smile.’
‘Likewise. Safe journey, and I hope to see you again soon.’
