Freda came alongside and dropped down on to the sand, surprising Tawrie because she hadn’t heard her approaching.
‘Room for a small one?’ she asked, as she nestled next to Tawrie and joined them in looking out over the sea. Her nan kissed her cheek.
‘We’ve just been sitting here talking about Dad.’
Freda nodded. ‘He loved this place, Ilfracombe, every inch of it. He loved it in all weathers and he loved nothin’ more than tobe out at sea looking back at the harbour. The cliffs and the little buildings all perched on the rocks, the big old spire of the church rising up. I’ve been thinking recently about getting old and dying in a chair in front of the telly.’
‘Hey, well this is nice. Happy birthday!’ Tawrie cut in and the three of them laughed. It was rare and nice to have Annalee present and joining in, one of the gang.
‘No, I’m not getting all maudlin, what I mean is – it’s what Dan would have wanted. The way he went. It would have been his perfect end. He was the happiest man I knew, never a day of sadness: he adored you two, he loved his life and he never knew a moment of grief, the lucky thing. It’s the rest of us who are swimming in this pool of sorrow. He would never have wanted to leave you, of course not, but how he died? I reckon he’d feel honoured to have been taken by the beautiful briny sea.’
Tawrie recalled the majesty of the dolphins jumping up out of the water, a sight that she knew would stay with her forever, and she more than understood. This love of the sea was a shared thing with her beloved dad.
‘I think you’re right, Freda.’ Annalee spoke up.
Her nan reached across and took her daughter-in-law’s hand. ‘I never forget, Annalee, that despite all of our troubles, you loved Dan the most and you have stayed. Not like that other flighty thing who married Sten. How could a woman leave her daughter and husband like that?’ She shook her head and it was the first time Tawrie had properly considered the fact that Wanda had waltzed off with her Danish skipper, while Annalee, despite her issues, had stayed put, sleeping in the bedroom that used to be hers and Dan’s. ‘We’ve got each other, Gunns, we’ve always got each other.’ Freda spoke with strength and Tawrie took comfort from it. ‘And I guess you’ve heard this girl of ours has handed in her notice at the café?’ Freda asked her mum.
‘I have indeed.’ She took a small sip of the wine. ‘A nurse, can you believe it?’ Annalee’s look of pride felt like progress.
‘I’ve always wanted to become a midwife, that’s the plan.’
‘Just goes to show it’s not too late, Tawrie Gunn, it’s never too late.’ Her mother smiled at her, as if it were as much a reminder to herself as to her daughter.
‘I see lover boy is back.’ Freda nudged her.
‘Yes.’ Her heart jumped at the prospect of seeing him.
‘Do you love him?’ Annalee asked, her tears rallying as if she too could remember what it felt like in those early days.
‘I think I do, Mum. I really think I do.’
‘Then go get him, Tawrie, and hold him tight and never take a single day for granted.’ Annalee’s voice cracked at the words.
‘I won’t.’ She stood and dusted the wet sand from her numb bottom. Taking a step away, Tawrie looked down at the two women with whom she shared this special day. ‘I love you both. And I’m proud of us all.’
‘And we’re so proud of you.’ Her mother started to cry and Freda moved closer to her.
‘Talk of the devil ...’ Freda nodded as Ed made his way down the steps and across the sand.
‘Hi.’ He shoved his hands in his jeans pocket and stared at Tawrie.
‘Hi.’ She looked up into the face of this kind man, the man Harriet would trust with her life. She took a step towards him. ‘I had a nice chat with Harriet today. I told her to come down tonight.’
‘She told me.’ He took a step towards her. ‘I left her chatting to Charles, her husband. She might pop down later, but I doubt it. Parties aren’t really her thing. I think she just wants to get home.’
‘I see.’ She looked up at him, liking the way his floppy hair fell over his forehead. ‘And what’s your thing, Edgar Stratton?’
He reached down and took her hand into his. She let her fingers rest there; the touch was electrifying, welcoming and she felt pure delight at the contact. Pulling her towards him, he kissed her firmly on the mouth, sending lightning bolts of joy through her very core.
‘You. You’re my thing. I love you. I really love you.’
Just to hear those words once again from his lips was enough to fill her with exquisite happiness and she understood perfectly what Annalee had expressed:He was perfect, perfect for me...
‘And I you.’ Her voice no more than a whisper.
‘This is the life, Tawrie Gunn.’ He smiled. ‘Someone once reminded me that this is the one life we have, this is it! And so we all need to do more of what makes us happy rather than what we think we should.’
‘Like what?’
