I drag in a breath, then I cave. ‘Absolutely,’ I say in a totally ironic way. ‘Why not?’
I can’t believe I’ve agreed to two nightmare evenings in the space of five minutes. But as they all troop off across the deck, I know it’s a measure of how scared I am. However much I dislike my neighbours, I don’t want to be pressured into losing my home.
And before I even get to think about this, there’s another party to get ready for too.
20
The Hideaway, St Aidan
Open mouths and bright sparks
Thursday
Kit ambling across the dunes and swinging up onto the deck isn’t ideal at the best of times. When there’s barely half an hour left for the last-minute jobs before the guests arrive for Jean and Shirley’s mini birthday ‘do’ on Thursday it’s definitely bad timing.
At least the light strings are lit, the flower posies are on the table with the glasses they brought around earlier, the fridge is bursting with their Prosecco, and the ice bucket is waiting in the freezer. If I carry on hanging the blankets over the chair arms, he should get the message.
‘Nice shirt, Kit.’ I assume that’s what he’s come round to show me. The dark blue check could be wilder, but at least it’s a start and the colour suits him way too much. It’s not his fault the extra open button where his tie usually is lets me glimpse the indentation at the base of his throat, and sets my heart banging against my chest. ‘Great with those jeans too.’ I’m lying. From the point of view of my pulse rate the whole outfit is a total disaster. ‘I’m sure your clients will appreciate your vibe.’
He grins. ‘I hope it’s not too casual for tonight. I came early to help light the lanterns.’
‘Early – to what?’ I have zero idea what he’s talking about, but now I’ve given his outfit the thumbs-up, I’m wishing he’d hurry up and leave.
He frowns. ‘The birthday get together –it is this evening?’
My mind is racing. He can’t possibly be coming. I can’t stand another night of him at The Hideaway. ‘Since when do you know Shirley and Jean and their friends?’
He gives a shrug. ‘We met on your steps and bonded over Coco Pops. They asked a lot of questions about my wet suit, and it grew from there.’
Unbelievable. ‘They implied it was a women’s night, that’s all.’
He pulls in a breath. ‘Apart from me it is. I’m not under any illusions – I’ve been invited to pour the drinks and look pretty.’
He’s here as toyboy totty! My jaw is on the floor. ‘Do you mind that?’
His mouth twists into a smile. ‘There are incentives. If I eat enough puddings it saves me cooking dinner. There’s birthday cake too…’
That’s the downside of letting people pay to use my veranda – I don’t get to choose the guests. Even if I have more parties, I seriously doubt Kit will turn up at any others, so I need to concentrate on the good bits, like the happy whoosh I’ll feel if everyone has a good time. And how much this will add to the roll of notes in my kitchen. Every day my throat stays husky, I look up at that roll more often.
But back to tonight, it’s happening, so I need to suck it up. I thank my lucky stars it ends at nine and start acting like a hostess.
‘In that case, welcome to the party, Kit! I probably should get on, so if you’re sure you don’t mind helping…’ I hold out the candle lighter.
‘So long as I get to finish the leftovers?’
‘You might have gone home by then.’
‘I probably won’t.’ He laughs. ‘Leave it with me.’
Like so many things in St Aidan, the reality when it happens is nothing like as bad as I fear. Jean, Shirley and their three friends come along the beach from the harbour, and Jean and Shirley have been here so often they’re immediately at home, pointing out the landmarks in the distance around the bay. As soon as I bring the ice bucket out Kit pours the drinks and hands them round.
While they stand and watch the sea rolling up and down the beach and drink more fizz, I get busy with the ice-cream scoop, and in no time they’re sitting down, gasping as I deliver the first trayful of goodies to the table. As the evening passes, they have more wine, and more puddings.
As they work their way through even more wine, and even more sweets Shadow and I are sitting quietly inside, listening to the chatter and the laughter, and watching the light strings swing as the grey sky beyond turns to charcoal.
I break off from making lists of new sweet ideas to take out more fizz, and serviettes and plates, and then I light the seven and the zero candles, and carry out the cake. I stay long enough to sing ‘Happy Birthday’, then slip back inside again.
Even though I’m here every day, I never stop thinking how amazing it is. And because the sky and the wind and the sea change from second to second, no two moments are ever the same. It’s such a special place, everyone here tonight will remember this evening for ever. It’s not just about making people think The Hideaway is important. It’s so unique here, it’s a lovely feeling to be sharing it with other people, even for a short time.
