She agonises for a second. ‘The family definitely feels smaller since you separated.’ As she hesitates and fixes her eyes on the horizon, it’s like she’s trawling for the right words. ‘What I miss most is having his parents and Plum round on Christmas Eve, and us going to Dillon’s parents’ on Boxing Day. And the get-togethers whenever you came home.’ Her stare is still searching when she turns to me. ‘How about you?’
I wasn’t expecting the question to bounce straight back, but I might as well be honest. ‘I miss being loved.’
She comes over and slides her arms around me. ‘My poor baby. We need to teach you to love yourself better, and then you can look for someone else.’ This is Mum through and through. She doesn’t talk endlessly about emotions, but she gets straight to the heart of the problem.
I have to protest. ‘Definitely not! From now on I’m going to learn from you, and fly solo.’
She purses her lips. ‘Except I’ve never beentrulyon my own – I’ve always had you and Sophie travelling with me.’ She draws a breath. ‘There’s a big difference.’
And that’s so profound, I don’t have an answer to it. I do have one more question though. ‘Please tell me you aren’t holding out for a reunion?’
She draws in a long breath. ‘I know all the mermaids are, and for a long time I was too. But since you’ve been back here again, I’m less sure.’ She squeezes my hand. ‘From what Plum says, it sounds like that door is still open.’
None of them know the full truth about our split. So far Dill and I have been learning to live without each other with that get-together-again safety net always there but I know jumping into it wouldn’t be right.
I shrug. ‘I can’t see myself in Dubai.’ To be fair, I never saw myself in St Aidan either, but I don’t want to get into that now.
There’s another squeeze. ‘If you’re with the right person, where you are isn’t important.’
And dammit for how wise my mum is considering how long she’s been on her own. ‘Are the girls okay down there?’
She nods. ‘Are you expecting anyone, Floss? Because you seem to have Men in Black approaching your veranda.’
I shake my head in disbelief. How many guys does it take to carry a dozen scones? And whatever happened to kicking back when the client didn’t show and losing the white shirts? ‘It’s the guys from next door, come to collect their baked goods.’
Mum frowns. ‘I thought you’d cut ties with that awful place.’
I pull a face. ‘I succumbed to extortion. It won’t happen again after today.’
As they come in through the French windows their eyes are bright with expectation. I take the rolled-up note Kit presses into my hand, then move on to introductions.
‘Kit and Rye, meet my mum, Suze. Mum, Kit is High Tides’ resident goldsmith, and Rye’s a newly arrived groundsman with a side-line in fire extinguishing.’
Rye laughs. ‘What she means is that I’m helping out down at the fire station.’
Mum has visibly perked up. ‘If you’re ever giving out free smoke alarms, you’re very welcome to knock on my door – I’m up at The Hermitage.’
Rye’s smile is wide and friendly as he takes in her overalls, cinched so tightly at the waist that she looks like she might snap in the middle. ‘Another painter? I was hoping last week’s painter might be here too?’
I smile. ‘Mum’s a perpetual decorator rather than an artist. And I’m afraid you’ve missed Plum, she and Nell dropped in earlier.’
‘That’s a shame.’
I take pity on Rye because he’s visibly deflated. ‘Plum has the Deck Gallery, just above Crusty Cobs bakers. If you ask nicely and pay her a few thousand pounds, I’m sure she’ll paint you a seascape to cheer you up.’
His expression brightens. ‘Maybe she could do some for the hotel?’
I assume from that he has the hots as badly as she does. ‘You’ll have to ask her that, although you might need to run it past Mr Byron first. Apparently he has more money than sense, so I doubt you’ll have any trouble persuading him.’
Rye’s eyes are wide open, and Kit seems to be choking into his sleeve, so it’s a relief when Milla comes bursting in from the deck.
‘I thought we agreednotto entertain hotel staff at The Hideaway, Aunty Flo?’
I grin at my mum. ‘They’re just leaving. Is there anything you girls want? I’ve hardly seen you!’
Milla nods. ‘There’s some Fanta chilling in the fridge.’
I turn into the kitchen, bring out the drinks tray for Milla, then go back and wrap the scones in a clean tea towel. When I get back to the living area I’m surprised to see Milla’s still there.
