In his mind it had almost become like Narnia, or one of Enid Blyton’s secret islands – some magical place he’d read about once, long ago, when anything had seemed possible.
It was almost funny, he mused, how he’d always put off coming back here when his mum was alive. Rather than go back to that forgotten little corner of East Yorkshire, he’d invited his mother to visithiminstead, believing that he was bestowing some great favour upon her. She rarely left Kelsea Sands, and he’d reasoned that it would do her good to get away, especially as Stella and Gavin had promised to care for the animals while she was gone.
He’d honestly believed that he was giving her a treat when he’d welcomed her to his home in Oxfordshire for the first time. He remembered, with some shame, the showing off he’d done as he’d taken her round the town he lived in, assuming that she’d be impressed and even awed at how pretty it was, how lovely his house was and how well he’d done.
When it came to the day she’d been due to leave, he’d suggested that she stay an additional week, thinking she’d jump at the chance. He’d been stunned when she’d declined his offer and given him a regretful smile.
‘Thanks, love, it’s good of you to ask, but I can’t wait to get home. I miss the river and the sea air. Can’t beat that when all’s said and done. Mind you, I’m glad you’re settled here. I can see it suitsyou.’
The implication being that it definitely didn’t suit her.
He smiled to himself now, remembering how crushed he’d felt at the time. He really hadn’t understood her longing to return to this insignificant little patch in a forgotten corner of England. He’d been away too long.
Being back here now, he realised all too well why she’d yearned for Watersmeet, and these views over the Humber to Lincolnshire.
Oxfordshire was stunningly beautiful, but his mum had Holderness in her heart forever. Now he remembered why.
The sound of chair legs scraping on the slate floor brought him back to the present and he realised it had grown dark outside. He turned, his heart thudding as he saw Alison. She gave him a nervous smile as she sat down, dropping her shoulder bag in the seat next to hers.
‘You made it then.’
He’d said it as if she lived miles away and had faced some epic journey to get here, not a half-mile stroll.
‘I did. Amazing, right?’ She rolled her eyes, and he knew she was thinking much the same thing. He was so out of practice at this! He would never have asked her normally, but Evan’s words had come back to him as he’d stood in that petrol station.
‘You mustn’t be alone, Mac. Someone in your position – you need people to talk to.’
He was right. The one thing Mac had learned over the last few years was that no man was an island, and he should have people around him. If he was going to stay at Watersmeet he had to keep himself occupied. He needed friends. He had a feeling that Evan could become one if he let it happen, and maybe Alison could be another. It was a start anyway.
‘It’s been a lovely day, hasn’t it?’ she said. ‘I mean, it was still cold but did you see the blue sky! The blue makes such a difference, doesn’t it? Nothing more depressing than grey skies.’
She was rambling and he realised she was just as nervous as he was, which made him feel better. He wanted to put her at her ease.
‘It will soon be spring,’ he said comfortingly. ‘It’s just around the corner.’
‘I love spring,’ she told him. ‘It’s my favourite season. I’m glad I’ll be here for it.’
‘Me too,’ he said, then gulped. ‘ThatIwill be, I mean. It’s been a long time since I saw spring in Kelsea Sands.’
She nodded. ‘I still can’t believe you’re back. I heard – I mean, everyone’s saying…’
She squirmed and he took pity on her. ‘Go on,’ he said gently. ‘What are they saying?’
‘Well, about the will and that. They reckon your mum left everything to you and poor Stella got diddly squat.’
He flipped a beermat repeatedly between his fingers. ‘Not true,’ he said at last. ‘Stella got plenty. I got the house because Mum wants me to look after her animals, and she knew Stella already had somewhere to live and?—’
Realising what he’d said, he broke off and swallowed. Bloody hell! How could he have been so unguarded as to let that slip?
Alison laughed. ‘What, and you didn’t?’
‘Well, you know what I mean. She was settled,’ he said, hoping his explanation would satisfy her. ‘And I… wasn’t.’
‘You weren’t? How come?’ She leaned back and held up her hands. ‘Sorry! That’s none of my business. You don’t have to tell me.’
‘Shall we order a drink?’ he asked. ‘Then we’ll have a proper catch-up. What are you having?’
She nodded. ‘Diet Coke, please. No ice.’
