‘Here would be wonderful.’
‘Excellent. And I thought, if you’re free, that is, we might be able to get a bite to eat at The Jolly Sailors. It’s years since I was last in there, and I’ve been hearing amazing things about the food. And I’d love to hear more about this bear building you do.’
‘Ah, that’s for Florrie’s friend, Maggie Marsay, she lives at Clifftop Cottage on Thorncliffe. She has the Micklewick Bay Bear Company and makes the most adorable teddy bears – interestingly, her husband’s called Bear, well, it’s his nickname. Anyway, ever since Maggie became a mum I’ve helped out so she could keep up with her orders; her bears are very popular and she has an exclusive range for Campion’s of York. Remember them?’
‘How wonderful! And, yes, I do remember them,’ Amery exclaimed. ‘I think I might like to get one of these bears for my little great-granddaughter; she just turned two last month.’
‘They make adorable keepsakes; it’s why a lot of Maggie’s customers buy them.’
Conscious that everyone was looking on with interest – though Jean and Amery seemed so engrossed in their conversation, she couldn’t help but wonder if they were oblivious – Florrie said, ‘Right then, I reckon it’s time we got on with our meeting. We’ll just be in the reading room if you need us.’ She looked between Leah and Jean before turning on her heel. ‘Come on, folks.’
‘Okay,’ said Leah.
‘Right-oh, lovey,’ said Jean, reluctantly pulling her attention away from Amery.
‘Spoilsport!’ Jack chuntered as they made their way to the reading room, making Florrie chuckle. ‘There’s a fella out there hitting on my mother; it’s only fair – and right – that I take the opportunity to give this Amery Wallace – fancy name, mind – the once-over before I give him my seal of approval to take my mother out without a chaperone. A stroll along the prom followed by some nosh at the Jolly? He sounds like a fast mover to me. Next thing we know, he’ll be asking for her hand in marriage.’ Though his tone and expression were serious, the sparkle in his eyes told them he was joking.
Ed let out a bark of laughter. ‘Chaperone? Remind us, exactly which century are you from, Jack?’
‘Hey, lad, you can’t be too sure these days. Due diligence and all that.’ Jack’s dour resting face broke into a wide smile.
‘Aww, bless her, your mam was absolutely glowing, Jack. I’ve never seen her look so happy.’
‘I agree,’ said Florrie.
‘Aye, joking aside, it’s grand to see her smiling like that. I know she’s got an active social life, and keeps herself busy, but I do worry about her being lonely in the evenings. It’s time she let a bit of romance into her life. It’s never sat right with me that she kept relationships at arm’s length after my biological father did a runner.’
‘From what she’s told us, I think her parents had quite a hand in that, Jack. They were very controlling,’ said Florrie.
Jack heaved a sigh. ‘Aye, you’re right there, lass.’ He looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Anyroad, what do you know about this Amery Wallace fella? Owt or nowt?’
‘All we know is that he turned up in the shop a couple of weeks ago, asking if we stocked Samuel K. Bradley’s books. He and Jean recognised each other and got chatting, heading down memory lane.’ Florrie decided to keep to herself that she’d thought the usually reserved Jean had initially seemed uncharacteristically cheered byhis arrival.
‘And he kept popping in every couple of days, working his charm on your mum.’ Ed grinned. ‘I have to admit, he seems very nice; the perfect gentleman, and he’s always so courteous, particularly so to Jean.’
‘I haven’t sensed anything dodgy about him, if that’s what you’re worried about,’ Florrie added, spotting the flicker of concern that momentarily troubled Jack’s dark eyes. ‘From what he’s told Jean, and what she’s shared with us, he’s originally from Micklewick Bay – was born here – but moved out of the area in the late sixties, early seventies. Apparently, his wife was from somewhere near Chester and wanted to move closer to her family, which is what they did.’
‘Adding to what Florrie’s just told you, Amery’s a widower. His wife passed away last year, and he moved back here about a month ago.’
‘So, there you have it, Jack.’ Florrie smiled at him, hoping they’d helped to ease any concerns he may have. Though Jack had only found Jean a couple of years ago, after his adoptive parents had died, they’d quickly developed a strong bond, and she knew he was very protective of her.
‘Well, for what it’s worth, I think he seems a canny bloke and it’s pretty obvious he’s as smitten with your mam as she is with him,’ chipped in Jenna. ‘Good luck to them, I say. We all need a bit of romance in our life.’
‘Hear, hear,’ said Jack, throwing his arm around her shoulder.
‘Now we’ve got all that out of the way, do you think we should make a start on the reason you and Jack are here?’ asked Ed.
‘Aye, good point, lad.’ Jack chuckled. ‘I hereby declare this meeting officially open.’
EIGHT
SUNDAY 12TH APRIL
‘Right then, folks, climb aboard.’ Maggie grabbed the handle of the Land Rover’s heavy rear door, pulling it wide open. Bear had parked up in a space opposite Samphire Cottage while his wife had nipped across the road to let Florrie and Ed know they’d arrived.
‘Thanks, Mags.’ Florrie climbed in to see Lark and Nate sitting side by side on one of the benches that acted as rear seating and was rather basic by all accounts. The couple were wearing wide smiles. ‘Hi, folks,’ she said as she slid along the bench opposite, tucking her backpack containing her change of clothes between her feet. Ed followed suit.
‘Hi, both,’ said Lark.
