Sophie’s smile warms. ‘It’s great if your narration work is paying well enough for you to afford a place like this.’
Sophie’s one of the few people who could get away with a statement like that, due to the fact her company’s worth so much she could buy and sell St Aidan several times over. But where I found the money for my hut is another topic I want to steer her away from, and if I want to move on fast the new baby is the obvious choice.
‘Anyway … Shadow and I are very honoured that Arnie has come to see us for his first trip out.’
Clemmie’s smile widens. ‘As if I’d go anywhere else after what you did for us both.’
Plum looks up at me. ‘You know, Flossie May is still St Aidan grapevine’s hottest topic. Your nerves of steel in the face of an arriving baby may yet eclipse your reputation as a fire raiser.’
Everyone laughs at that, then turns to look at Arnie, so it’s job done, and the pressure’s off me.
As I move to smile down at the baby Clemmie squeezes my hand. ‘Don’t worry, Flossie Flapjack-face. When the time is good, I know it’ll all fall into place for you too.’
She’s trying to be reassuring, but it’s funny how far behind she is with my game plan. I know exactly what she’s talking about; for someone in my position, I’m very lucky that I got to freeze my eggs.
The whole of St Aidan knows about this because that’s just the kind of place it is, but I owe it to Plum to give credit where it’s due. ‘That’s how lovely Dillon was, leaving me with enough to pay for a surrogate.’
When we divided everything up, even though most of our savings had come from him he insisted I took the lion’s share, so I’d have enough to pay to have a baby if ever the time came. But after the pain I went through separating fromDillon, I can’t ever see a time I’d want another partner. And I saw enough of Sophie coping on her own with her first baby, Milla, when she got accidentally pregnant as a student, to know I’d never want to go it alone. All of which is how I came to change my forward planning and put my faith in a different kind of future for myself.
Arnie snuffling into his fist is compelling to watch but Sophie’s gaze drifts. A moment later she turns on me, realisation on her face.
‘Please tell me you haven’t, Flossie?’ Even though I don’t flinch a muscle under her scrutiny, a second later she blinks again, and punches the air. ‘You used Dillon’s surrogacy money to buy The Hideaway!?’
My heart is plummeting that they’ve found out so fast, but I’m going to have to stand my ground.
Plum’s forehead wrinkles. ‘No judgement, Flossie – but you may regret that decision down the line.’
Clemmie lets out a wail. ‘Now I feelsomuch worse that you had to deliver Arnie!’
Nell’s looking at me over the top of her bump. ‘You chose to invest in what was most important to you now, Floss, and we should all respect that.’ She hesitates for a second and when she carries on, she’s cocking an eyebrow at Plum. ‘Andhoweverwe talk about the money, it’s hers to use as she wishes, not Dillon’s.’
I’m truly grateful that Nell is so down to earth, holding steadfastly to her accountant’s view of the world, while clearing up that last point too.
I need to reinforce what Nell’s said. ‘I agonised long and hard, but now I’m here it feels right.’ It’s as if wiping out the possibility of a surrogate baby has taken away the pressure I didn’t realise I was feeling. I wouldn’t say it out loud in case Sophie’s still miffed, but a few months of total rest here in this fabulous place are going to be wonderful. Amazing even. But however good it is, it’s only temporary. My plan is, when my voice comes back I’ll pick up my work again, and tiptoe back to town.
Sophie’s brownie is still untouched on the upturned orange-box next to her cup. ‘You do know there’s a catch?’
I havenoidea what Sophie’s grimace is for, but I can’t let her know that.
Clemmie and Nell exchange glances, but Sophie carries on. ‘The council own the land these huts are built on, and when they granted permission for the hotel, they re-designated the huts at this end of the beach as live-work units.’
‘And that’s important because…?’
Nell huffs and sits up straighter. ‘You’re only allowed to stay overnight in the huts along here if you’re running a business too.’
Damn.I was so caught up in checking the picket fence could stay, I totally missed the significance of the what the ‘live-work’ bit of the contract meant. ‘Does anyone even care?’
Plum frowns. ‘They certainly will once the visitors arrive.’
Sophie shakes her head at my gaffe, then visibly mellows. ‘It’s absolutelynota problem. We’ll simply set you up as a Sophie May outpost, testing our products in the field.’ Her arm slides around my shoulder. ‘St Aidan Bay is renowned for its complexion-wrecking westerlies, you’ll be our researcher on the beach!’
She’s trying her best, but I’d hate her to feel shehasto step in just because I’ve screwed up.
Clemmie’s watching as I ease out from under Sophie’s arm and she catches my eye as my bottom lands on the step next to Plum.
‘A Little Cornish Kitchen at this end of the beach might work, if you’re more comfortable with cake than cosmetics?’
I can’t believe that she’s offering. ‘That might be … more visible.’ I’m jumping at this because any offer from Clemmie will come with fewer strings than Sophie’s.
