‘This feels like the only thing we can do for her?’
I nod, and we share a smile. ‘That’s what I feel too, I guess,’ he says, frowning slightly, as though he’s confused by it all.
‘Are you sure? I thought you were going to leave…’
‘Honestly,’ he replies, looking past me and down at the bay, ‘so did I. Look… I know I’m not a world champion at communicating. And I know how I come across. But I suppose I’m here for the same reasons you are, Kate – I needed a change. God knows I’m still not sure why I read that card and came, but I did. I’m not a big believer in signs or, what d’ya call them, portents? But I do know that me being here has made my daughter happy, and maybe it’ll make me happy too.’
This is indeed a very long speech by his standards, and I feel strangely moved to be part of this – Brody’s mini rebirth. Who knows what we’ll both look like by the time we come out the other side. I’m already feeling different after one day here.
‘Maybe so. At least we’re trying, eh? Now, I’ll get the bacon on the go. Is your back all right? Would you like, uh, a massage or something?’
His eyebrows shoot up, and he grins at my instant blush. ‘Well, I do like a good massage, Kate, but my usual guy is a dude in his sixties who used to be a PT in the army. I’ll be all right, I’m used to it. Walking helps, and I’m hoping there’ll be plenty of that while I’m here.’
I nod, and scurry back inside. My cheeks are so hot I could probably put the bacon on them, just let them sizzle away. A massage? For heaven’s sake, why did I suggest that? And why does the thought of it make my heart beat like crazy?
It must be the hangover, I tell myself. That’s the only logical explanation.
Half an hour later, and we’re strolling through the village on what is shaping up to be a gorgeous day. No sign of the rain, and temperatures warm enough for me to leave my coat behind. Brody’s in jeans, a thick plaid shirt over a white T. He has huge feet, his big biker-style boots making him seem even more solid. I’m tall, but I feel dainty next to him. It’s pretty nice, as are most things this morning. Even the lingering headache can’t spoil the light-hearted feeling I have as we walk through the village.
Seeing Bonnie Bay in the morning sunlight, knowing that I am going to be here for the next two weeks, lifts my spirits in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible that rainy day in London. I feel free, and hopeful, and ready to embrace whatever challenges life throws at me. Just as I think that, a big splat of bird poo lands on my shoulder. I freeze, and Brody laughs.
‘Supposed to be lucky,’ I mutter, getting a tissue out of my bag and dabbing away at it. It’s in an awkward spot, so he takes over.
‘That was a black-headed gull, saying hello.’
‘Yes. Well. I hope it doesn’t say hello too often. There’s only so much luck a girl can take. Do you want me to take a photo of you? To send to Shannon?’
He thinks it over, and reluctantly agrees, handing me his phone. He stands awkwardly next to a row of big wicker baskets, which I learned from Xander last night are called creels.
‘It’s what they catch lobster in,’ I tell him, once I’m satisfied with the shot. ‘It’s mainly lobster and mackerel fishing, apparently. And there’s beef farming, and potato growing. Tatties.’
‘You learned a lot.’
‘I did, didn’t I? Amazed I remember it really, given my state. Oh, and also, his mum is Shirley who runs the pub.’
‘The dream mom. A lot of people live here then? I mean, it’s bigger than it looks…’
I follow his gaze, look at the way the village slopes up the hill. There are rows of higgledy-piggledy houses rising above us, all interconnected by little walkways and alleys. Some are filled with shrubs in pots, others clear, some used as storage for kayaks and surfboards.
‘From what I picked up, a lot of the older villagers either still live in the cottages, or they’ve moved up near to where Moira and Joanne are, into the more modern houses. These days, Xander said, a lot of the properties get bought by people from out of town or abroad, what did he call them… blow-ins! So then they sometimes end up as holiday lets or as second homes, which people seem to have mixed feelings about.’
‘Xander was a mine of information,’ he says, sounding slightly gruff.
‘He was. Moira mentioned she’d had offers on the bookshop didn’t she? A boutique hotel chain seems to be the front runner. Nobody really wants her to sell, but they’re all expecting she will. I found out some other stuff too. From Xander.’
‘Right. Like what?’
‘Like what actually happened – her accident.’
He immediately looks intrigued, and makes a ‘go on then’ gesture when I stay silent.
‘She fell off a cliff.’
He stares at me in surprise.
‘She did what now?’ he responds, frowning and coming to a stop. ‘Explain.’
‘She fell off a cliff.’
