All in all, the day had gone well. Bunty had thanked everyone profusely with the promise of a house-warming party. After waving them off, she and Perry had a celebratory drink alone in the back garden. The patio set that had once stood on the balcony, was now by the rockery.
‘Here’s to your new home.’ Perry raised his glass.
Bunty clinked it against hers. Then her eye caught the anchor which Robin had retrieved from the trunk and placed in the rockery as a feature. She got up to inspect it closely.
‘Look,’ she said, pointing to it.
Perry joined her before crouching down to inspect it more closely.
‘It’s my anchor, the one you gave me,’ he said in awe. He ran his finger over the engraved B and P.
‘I know, after all this time,’ her chin wobbled and finally the tears came. It had been such an emotional day.
Perry reached out and wrapped her tightly into a warm hug. He stroked her hair, kissing her cheek.
‘It’s all right, Bunty. I’ll never leave you again,’ he huskily soothed.
Chapter 36
As expected, Jasmine’s mother was absolutely overjoyed to learn that Robin was now in fact Jasmine’s boyfriend. Jasmine had told her parents and brother over the phone. Having met Robin’s parents, it only seemed right and proper that her family ought to know too. Insisting that Robin be put on the phone, Jasmine’s mum was positively gushing.
‘Oh Robin, such lovely news! I always liked you, right from the very start,’ she shrilled.
‘Er… thanks Mrs—’
‘Call me Sue,’ she cut in. ‘Such a weight has been lifted off our shoulders, I can tell you, isn’t that right, Mike?’ She glanced over to her husband, who was frantically trying to calm her down.
‘Shush, steady on, Sue,’ he hissed.
‘As soon as you offered to help put her kitchen in, I thought, yes, this is a decent chap, a true gent—’ then her husband firmly grabbed the phone off her.
‘Hello, Robin, Jasmine’s dad here. We’re very pleased and look forward to meeting you again soon.’
‘Thank you,’ replied a relieved Robin.
‘Goodbye, son.’
‘Bye.’
Mike quickly put the phone down before his wife could snatch it back.
Jasmine was in fits of laughter. Seeing Robin blink in bewilderment could only mean he’d experienced the full force of her mum.
‘Sorry about that,’ she giggled.
Robin puffed his cheeks out.
‘Wow,’ was all he could say.
It was early evening and they were about to go next door to Bunty’s house-warming party. Although dark by now, with a nip in the air, it was at least dry. As they walked down the garden path, a crescent moon shone and the sound of crashing waves could be heard in the distance. Bunty’s kitchen was lit up looking cosy and inviting. Perry was there to greet them with a glass of mulled wine when they entered and Emma was playing a keyboard in the far corner of the dining area and belting out ‘Our House’ by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Bunty was taking out a huge dish of chicken curry from the oven, while Jack had been collared by Trish, who was gossiping about the newcomer to Samphire Bay.
‘Apparently he’s installed security cameras,’ she was telling a very bored looking Jack. He turned at seeing Robin and Jasmine and quickly sought his chance.
‘Rob!’ he called and escaped.
Jasmine wandered over to Emma who was just finishing her song.
