‘You’re never too old for toys,’ said Kitty, grateful for the thoughtful young woman offering a way out. She turned to Nick. ‘Do you want to come and help me settle Emily in May’s room?’
‘No, I’ll stay here,’ said Nick, crossing the room and picking up a beer.
Kitty’s scowl failed to hit its mark because he avoided looking at her. What was wrong with that man? May led them through to a double bedroom with the most extraordinary sea views. It was a room that spoke of a girl on the edge of womanhood, and Kitty remembered Alice telling her May was studying for her A-levels.
‘I love your room,’ said Kitty, sitting on the bed, Emily still clinging on like a limpet.
‘Thanks. Alice made sure it was nice for me. I didn’t want to move here at first, but now I love it. Are you pleased to have landed in Saffron Bay?’
‘Yes,’ said Kitty truthfully.
‘And what about you, Emily? Have you been to the beach yet?’
Emily’s head nodded against Kitty’s shoulder. ‘We made a sandcastle yesterday, didn’t we, Emily?’
‘Yes.’
‘I took a picture on my phone. Shall we show May?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ll need you to sit beside me so I can get to my phone. Is that OK?’
Emily climbed off Kitty and sat next to her, shuffling into her side and keeping her head down.
‘Here we go.’ Kitty pulled her phone from her pocket. ‘Look, May, this was all Emily’s work.’
‘Wow,’ said May, crouching down to view the photo. ‘I’m sorry, Kitty.’ May winked. ‘I don’t believe Emily made that sandcastle. It’s far too good. Only an artist could have made something as beautiful as that.’
‘It was me.’ Emily lifted her face and gave May a defiant glare.
May laughed and sat down on the bed beside a collection of teddies propped up against the pillows. ‘Emily, I wonder if you could help me. See all these teddies? I’m getting a bit old for them, and they think I’m too boring because I don’t play with them anymore. Would you like to choose one to look after?’
Emily grinned. ‘You mean to keep?’
May grinned. ‘Yes, to keep.’
Emily crawled on her knees and began systematically laying out the teddy bears. She looked from one to the other, finally picking up the scruffiest-looking bear, missing an eye and with stuffing spilling out of one leg. ‘Can I have this one, please?’
‘You’d like Edward? Are you sure? He’s a bit old and frail, poor guy.’
‘I can look after him.’
‘Alright then, he’s yours. Will you bring him here sometimes for a visit?’
Emily nodded and hugged the teddy tight to her chest.
‘That’s very generous of you,’ said Kitty. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind parting with him?’
‘Certain,’ said May. ‘I was planning to take this lot to the charity shop. Much better to see them go to good homes.’ Then, lowering her voice, she added, ‘Emily seems like she could do with a friend.’
‘You’re right,’ said Kitty, looking at the little girl who was staring out at the view from the window. ‘I think she’ll be ready to go next door soon, but it was kind of you to spot that she needed time to acclimatise.’
‘I remember what it’s like to be the new girl,’ said May, with a shrug of her shoulders. ‘It’s no big deal.’
Kitty smiled, wondering if May’s powers of perception extended to her, too. Hiding out in May’s bedroom for Emily’s sake gave her breathing space, a chance to straighten her thoughts and gather her strength before joining the others next door. She was grateful to May for that.
Chapter 18
