Heidi’s eyes lit up. “Can Mr Caddick come with us?”
Thankfully Romy smiled rather than looking put out at the suggestion. “Why not, unless he’s something better to do than spend his Saturday lunch time with two wild children.”
She looked at me, still smiling. I shouldn’t like her smile so much; it really was none of my business.
“You’re welcome to join us. The girls would like it and I wouldn’t mind a bit of adult company. I think we’re spending the afternoon making shell pictures which might kill off whatever brain cells I have left.” Another smile. “Although I get it if you have other places to be or there’s some code that stops you from sitting at the same table as your pupils when it’s not school time.”
I knew if I went to the cakery with Romy there would be gossip. I did know something about small towns because they weren’t that much different from bigger cities, where you had a community based around a primary school. But when I’d been interviewed for the post here, the school governors had said becoming part of the community was a major aspect of the role. I could have dinner with families and it would be expected that I’d see some of the parents socially because I was living in a small town. The governors however expected me to be fair and professional, not showing favouritism or getting involved in any scandal.
Scandal was the last thing I wanted. That was what I was trying to escape.
“I’d like to see this cakery. Today’s list includes finding out more about Puffin Bay.” Maybe Romy was the right person to help with that. She’d been new to town too, but clearly belonged here now.
“You won’t be disappointed. It’s owned by Amelie, who’s also the landlady of the Puffin Inn. She’s really talented at cake making and decorating them, although it’s not just her who works there. Her fiancé, Roman, bought the building the cakery’s in and gifted it to her to run as the community centre for the town. He’s got some big job in development and it’s his company that built and still run the hotel just down the road. His son lives here too – Caleb – so you’ll see him knocking about, usually followed by a mob of girls trying to get his attention.” She smiled, shaking her head. “He reminds me of Joel; he was like that when I first met him.”
“Is there a town football team?” I liked sport, playing and watching it, and this would be a good way to meet people and give me some routine.
Romy nodded, her focus on Mia and Heidi who were running back to her after darting off to look for shells. “There’s at least one. Finn Holland organises it now. I think they train Tuesday and Thursday nights and play Sundays or Saturdays. Joel was on the team so I remember his schedule – it could’ve changed.”
I saw a flicker of pain on her face and I wondered how much it still hurt. I’d lost Bryony, but not in the same way. Not in any way comparable.
It was a different sort of hurt.
“Is Mr Caddick coming to the cakery with us?” Heidi’s enthusiasm could only be owned by a child of her age. In a few years, when she was a teenager, she’d probably hide at the sight of me. It would be very uncool to acknowledge the existence of one of your teachers.
Romy nodded. “He is. Don’t pester him though and don’t be over-excited.” She smoothed her daughter’s hair. “We’ll take our buckets home first though.”
The buckets were half full of shells and looked heavy for a small girl. “Want me to carry those.” I pointed to them.
Heidi looked at Romy.
Romy shook her head. “No thank you, Mr Caddick. Heidi knows that she should only collect what she can carry back.”
Mia’s bucket was less full. I wondered if Heidi had picked up more shells so she’d have more to share with Mia.
“Shall I meet you at the cakery or walk with you?” I wasn’t sure where I was standing here. A couple of other parents from the school waved over. I lifted a hand back and smiled, wondering what they were thinking.
“You can walk with us – it’s kind of on the way. We’ll take a short cut off the beach.” She carried on walking with her sandals in her hand until we were back where the sand turned into grass, a sandy path leading away from the beach, a steep incline leading up to a higher pathway.
After a couple of minutes, the trees thinned out and I was standing in front of five small cottages, most of them painted white, small tidy gardens filled with colour at the front.
“This is where I live and where Mia’s staying,” Heidi said enthusiastically. “That’s my bedroom window up there.”
“I have the top bunk!” Mia chirped in. “Heidi let me swap.”
“That’s kind of you, Heidi.” Given that she was used to it being just her and her mum she was doing a good job of sharing.
Heidi just nodded and shot off into the garden, followed by Mia, depositing their buckets of shells near the front door.
“Heidi seems to like having her friend stay.” It was an observation, but also a test to find out if there would be any difficulties with their friendship.
Romy nodded, watching them rinse their hands under the outside tap. “Heidi’s told me lots of times she wants to be a sister. She’s a really friendly kid and likes having company. Just like her dad in so many ways.”
“Did you want more children?” It was a question I shouldn’t have asked, and the shadow that flickered over Romy’s face made me regret saying it straightaway.
“Yes. Joel definitely wanted a boy as well. He used to joke that we’d end up with five girls when he found out we were having Heidi.” The shadow was replaced with a smile. “Looks like I’ve just got the one. She’s a good one to have.”
“There’s still time if you want to meet someone else.” Again, I wanted to swallow the words back up.
