Lola lifted her voice. ‘I’ll start. Before I came here, my entire life was TikTok transitions and trying to get the right aesthetic for my Insta grid. I spent more time filming my life than living it. I wassoin it. So deep, I didn’t realise how addicted I’d become. This place… helped me come up for air. Taught me it’s OK not to be “on” all the time. That being present, in the real, messy, not-filtered world, is actually kind of beautiful, so thank you.’
‘That’s gorgeous.’ Zenya took a long slow breath from her tummy. ‘Let’s all breathe that one out.’
A measured intake of breath and a raising of cups followed.
Rita took the champagne bottle from the cool bag, topping people up with a grin that masked how emotionally knackered she was feeling.
‘I’ve written a song,’ Paul piped up, clearing his throat. ‘It’s called “Retreat”, and yes, Rita, it’s all thanks to you.’
Rita, eyes brimming, put her hand to her heart. ‘Paul, I don’t know what to say and I can’t wait to hear it.’
Emily raised her hand like a kid at school. ‘So, uh… I’m not going back home. To the difficult life I had before. Sorry, all, but I told a little lie that work had sent me here. I’d actually quit.’ Rita felt a swell of pride that the young woman had finally found the courage to share her truth with everyone. ‘Glanna, you know the cool artist, well, she’s asked me if I’d like to work for her in Ferry Lane Market, help with her exhibitions, and start painting again properly. And I said YES!’
Everybody cheered. Michael mock-clutched his chest. ‘A new start, oh, how we love that.’
Annie giggled from beneath the blanket she was now sharing with the divorce lawyer. ‘I’ve decided I’m done with fuckboys and younger men. Yes, I want a man with a pension, but he has to be funny, kind, steady, the kind who knows what it means to show up, and at least be able to boil an egg.’
Michael raised a knowing brow. ‘Idomake a marvellous eggs Benedict, my dear.’
They all erupted into laughter.
‘Oh, God, it’s my turn,’ Michael groaned. ‘I’ve learned how to listen. I’ve learned that alcohol doesn’t make me happy. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’ve also learned that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.’ His voice wobbled. ‘What have you done to me, Seahaven Bay Retreat!’ He looked to his host. ‘Whilst we are all together, I want to thank you, Rita, and your wonderful staff for making this month such a special one.’
‘Hear, hear!’ Annie shouted, swiftly followed by the others.
‘Thank you. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you all, butwe’re not done yet.’ Rita looked to Zenya, who, smiling to herself, passed round a pouch of sea-polished pebbles, the moon catching on their smoothed surfaces.
‘Same as before. Hold on to your stone. Whisper something to it or shout it if you want. Doesn’t matter. But let it mean something. Something you may want to happen or something you are ready to leave behind.’
There was a hush as the group took a moment to think.
Michael was first. ‘I’m sorry for being such a twat at the start. And middle. And occasionally last week. But I think I’m learning how not to be.’
Annie nodded solemnly. ‘I want to believe I’m worth more than how men have treated me.’
Lola cradled her pebble. ‘I want to be more present and stop trying to shrink myself. Not just physically. Emotionally too.’
Paul, softer than usual: ‘I want to stop procrastinating, finish things. Even the hard things. Like beginning to have a relationship with my daughter.’
Emily whispered, ‘I am starting to value myself and be brave enough to paint what I really feel.’
Zenya laid her pebble in the sand. ‘I want to believe I belong. Not just here. Anywhere.’
Teo looked around at them all. ‘Mymamáonce told me I had to visit this place. She said I’d understand why when I got here. And she was right. It felt like home the minute I met you, Rita.’
There was a brief silence. Zenya looked to Rita. ‘You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.’
Finally, Rita spoke. ‘I want to forgive and forget some of the things that are cropping up in my life. I want to trust again. To stop dragging old pain into new chapters. Just… let it go, with love, and finally move forward.’
Teo put his arm over Rita’s shoulders as, one by one, they walked down to the shoreline and threw their stones into the sea.
Just then, Jude quietly appeared beside Teo, head torch on, andthrew his stone to the ocean. Teo grinned and reached for his hand, their fingers lacing easily.
‘I thought you were reading.’
‘I was,’ Jude murmured. ‘But I didn’t want to miss this chapter. I’m not lonely anymore.’ His voice wobbled.
Teo bumped his shoulder gently. ‘And I feel settled in myself…’ He paused. ‘I know, is crazy early,sí? But Jude Finch… I think I fall a little bit in love with you already.’
