I studied the new image – a large building overlooking the lighthouse – and I turned to look behind me. It was the same building – tidied up but definitely recognisable. I looked back at the easel and then at Jed.
‘Have you bought this place?’
He shook his head. ‘I’d never make a major decision like that without you but it is for sale and I think that, with a lot of work, it could be exactly what we need it to be.’
‘A family home?’ I asked, still not quite following.
‘Yes, and so much more. I was walking Doris along here the other day in search of a different view of the lighthouse but I wasn’t really concentrating on the view because my mind was on overdrive. I was going over the discussions we’ve been having about how we can help other teens in need. I was thinking about The Friendship Pod and how well that was going but the niggle you had about drinks. I was also thinking about how it was time I let my parents have their home back but how your flat wouldn’t work because there are too many of us. I stopped and took a deep breath, trying to close some of the tabs in my mind and, when I looked up, I was standing outside this hotel. I jokingly said to Doris,a big place like that’d solve everything. As soon as I said it, I realised it would so I made some enquiries and…’
He reached into his pocket and took out a key. ‘I’ve got this on loan so I thought I’d give you a tour and see what you think about the potential of this place as part business, part home, part refuge for teens in need of apprenticeships, a place to run art courses, a home for The Friendship Pod or whatever combination of those we want it to be. Obviously there’d be lots of practicalities to consider, especially around the teens part, but it could work.’
Excitement emanated from Jed and I could feel it bubbling inside of me too and I’d only seen the outside so far.
‘Let’s get inside,’ Isaid, smiling at him.
The interior wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d anticipated. There were a few damp patches here and there but nothing that scared me. It was bright and spacious with beautiful old fireplaces and period features.
‘So what do you think of Lighthouse Retreat?’ Jed asked when we returned to the entrance foyer.
‘That’s its name?’
‘It is. We could change it, of course, but I thought you’d like it as it is.’
‘I do. It’s a perfect name and a perfect building – or at least it could be. As you say, there’s a lot to think about but we could definitely make this work. It’s packed with character and I can see it feeling like our home but I can also see it being a lighthouse for those in need.’ I slipped my arm round his waist. ‘What was that you were saying recently about our lives finally calming down?’
Jed laughed. ‘Calm’s overrated. Bring on the chaos, I say. As long as I’ve got my fiancée by my side, I can deal with anything.’
51
JED
Just under a fortnight later, it was the eve of Tara’s thirty-seventh birthday and I was taking her out for a meal. I’d lined up Mum to take Aaron to swimming club but Ingrid had stunned us by offering to do it instead. I hadn’t expected Aaron to let her as he’d shown great reluctance to spend any time in her company, only agreeing to a conversation with her a couple of weeks back on the proviso that I was there too. I’d stepped into my familiar role as mediator and told him I could see his mum was trying her best and I’d really appreciate if he could meet her halfway so, when he agreed to Ingrid doing the swimming run, I wondered if my words had got through to him. Either that or he figured that the car journey each way wasn’t that long so there wouldn’t be much time for conversation.
Although our meal was to celebrate Tara’s birthday, we’d received good news earlier in the day that our offer to buy Lighthouse Retreat had been accepted so we toasted to that too. It had been a cheeky offer way below the asking price so there’d been some negotiation but we’d still got it for a song and a huge bonuswas that it already had approval to be used for business and residential purposes.
We needed to do a lot more research on the practicalities and implications of running some sort of refuge for teens needing support but our priority was to convert part of the former hotel into a family home with bedrooms for Erin, Lucy, Aaron and Zoe if she wanted to stay with us. We could explore everything else while the renovations were underway.
‘I know it’ll be months before our new home’s ready,’ I said as we lay in Tara’s bed that night, ‘but how are you feeling about leaving this place?’
She seemed to ponder on that for a moment. ‘Surprisingly okay. I thought about our living situation months ago. I knew it couldn’t be here and the thought of moving out really upset me at the time. Carly said something about this flat being my safe haven and that really resonated with me but I’ve found a new safe haven now and it’s a person rather than a place.’ She paused to gently kiss me. ‘So, much as I love it here and will be sad to move out, I don’t need to be here anymore. I need to be where you are and where our family are. I know we’re not quite halfway through the year yet, but I think it’s time for another fresh chapter in our book of life with our new hopes and dreams. What do you think?’
‘I think that sounds perfect.’
Waking up beside Tara on her birthday had me wishing time would speed up so that we could finally spend every night together. It would be months before that happened but it would be worth the wait.
Tara had the morning off work to get ready with Carly andthe other bridesmaids but, as the wedding wasn’t until two o’clock, I was at work first thing so I reluctantly kissed her goodbye and crossed the cobbles to the gallery.
I left for Fallowfield Grange after lunch, telling Anastasia and Lucy that I’d see them in the evening. Carly and Liam were having a small wedding but a big evening do and had invited Anastasia and Colin – who were still an item and very happy together – as well as my family.
I wouldn’t see Tara until the ceremony itself. I didn’t know anything about her bridesmaid dress except that it was blue and I couldn’t wait to see her in it. Spotting several of the Bay Trade crowd in the bar, I joined them for a pint before we were called to take our seats.
Liam was at the front with his best man – a good friend from the army – and the pair of them looked very calm, laughing together and smiling at the guests. Music started playing and the guests hushed as Carly entered the room and walked down the aisle with her dad, followed by Bethany, Tara and Liam’s sister. I knew I should probably focus on Carly as the bride but I couldn’t take my eyes off Tara. She looked absolutely gorgeous and, when she glanced at me and smiled, I thought about what she’d said about a new chapter in the book of our lives. It wasn’t just a new chapter. It was a new book we were writing together as a team and I couldn’t wait to see where each fresh chapter took us.
52
TARA
Two and a half months later
