Sophie is leaning up against the railings of the promenade swirling my shortest pearl-pink skater dress around her legs as she takes in my outfit, with Nate next to her in a pink gingham shirt, and Maisie, Marcus and Tilly like a cluster of mini-mes further along the prom.
I hope I wasn’t mean keeping my brightest pink shorts for myself when people came to borrow outfits, but I already had the paint-splash print swimsuit and visor-hat to go with it. Now, as I spin around on my skates and look along the crowd milling on the wide pavement of the promenade, the bright July sun is supercharging the colours so much it’s like Barbie land.
The curtain of platinum hair Sophie swishes back is way longer than her own. ‘Thanks to Janice, we’re all rocking our peroxide waves.’ She pokes my fluorescent yellow elbow-guard and gives my flaxen hair a flick. ‘How is life as a blonde, Flossie-boots?’
I have to be honest. ‘I’m the bounciest I’ve been for weeks.’ I’m thinking I should embrace the skater vibe every day, when I see a figure in a fuchsia pink jumpsuit waving at us from beyond the bandstand.
Sophie nudges me as she waves back. ‘Have you seen Mum and David over there? This surely has to banish any reservations you had abouthim?’
I’m not sure about that, but I wave anyway. ‘He certainly gets the prize for best Hawaiian shirt.’
The day we talked to Mum, I made it clear to Sophie that I would not be going down the road of speculating about who my dad was, and since then we’ve successfully managed to put those few seconds of doubt behind us for ever and carry on as we were. I literally couldn’t have coped if every time his name came up her eyebrows went up too.
We turn to Nell and George, sitting on the bench next to us, behind a Bugaboo the size of Waitrose. I’m looking at their shirts and shorts. ‘Not being the outfit police, but whatareyou two wearing?’
Nell’s laugh explodes. ‘There wasn’t time to pack the changing bagandget dressed, so we came in our pyjamas. At least we match!’
As Clemmie sweeps to a halt next to us all, snatches of The Beach Boys’ ‘Fun Fun Fun’ are blowing on the breeze. ‘All this buzz, and my two are sleeping through it.’ She looks past Diesel’s big head into her double-decker buggy, then smiles up at us. ‘Rye must have got a free pass for the afternoon, too, because he and Plum were down by the harbour when I passed.’
Nell blows out her cheeks. ‘Another win for the singles club.’ She frowns at me. ‘You and Kit are my biggest disappointment yet.’
I’m rising above it. ‘We’re a great match professionally, Nell.’ Even though that sounds like an end to it, I hold my dog lead out to Clemmie. ‘If you don’t mind holding Shadow while the babies sleep, I’ll have a whizz along the prom and catch you all in a bit.’
I didn’t ever intend tousethe ancient lace-up roller skates I borrowed from Clemmie, but as I glide to the centre of the pavement a feeling of freedom creeps into me. The long prom with its metal railings and light strings swinging between the lamp posts could have been made for skating. By the time I’m on my fourth circuit, I’m feeling like I could go on for ever. I make a turn by the harbour, wave to Nell and Clemmie on their seat as I speed by, and as a figure steps out from the crowd twenty yards further on I skid to a standstill and do a double-take.
Dillon at the Barbie day?
I swallow my surprise and as I land a quick kiss under his ear a strong blast of Dior Sauvage tells me I’m not mistaken. ‘Hey, great to see you, Dillon!’ There’s only one reason I can think of for why he’s wearing a ridiculously well-cut suit on a scorching afternoon at the seaside. ‘You’ve come as Ken in Dubai!’
He smiles. ‘Here on a flying visit! There was a last-minute meeting in London, so I hopped on a plane to Newquay on my way back.’
I’m shaking my head in disbelief. ‘What are you like?’
He looks me up and down. ‘I wanted to see how you were doing, and I got my answer. Flossy May comes to town, and sleepy St Aidan doesn’t know what’s hit it!’ His face breaks into a grin. ‘It’s lovely to see you doing so well, and good to know I needn’t have worried about you half as much as I have.’
He couldn’t look happier, but I still have to ask. ‘How are things working out for you?’
He gives a shrug. ‘Dubai suits me, the projects are the kind I’ve dreamed of since I was six. I’m so grateful to you for having the insight to see that, and giving me the push to go.’
‘You’re welcome, Dill.’
He’s in his element. And I can’t help feeling proud of him for everything he’s achieving. It’s a relief that he’s not only flying but soaring.
As I stand there blinking at him, it’s hard to think we woke up next to each other every morning for all those years. That for almost a decade our hearts were beating to the same rhythm, that we shared the same dreams, and built our hopes together. I’m trying to work out if he’s changed, or if I have.
He raises an eyebrow. ‘They’ve offered me a shiny new job and a long-term contract. I wanted to check in with you before I accepted.’
And this is Dill. Still looking out for me.
All that time we spent together he was so full-on, I simply followed his lead and let him do the deciding. Seeing him now, I realise I’m not that person anymore. Having my own place and my own life here has given me a will of my own and I’ve discovered a drive I never knew I had. And now I’ve found it, I like it. Far from the shrinking I was terrified of, St Aidan has let me be a whole new version of myself – but best of all, I’m proud of what I’ve become.
I smile at him. ‘When I used to drift through life, I’d look at other people and be amazed at how sorted they were. I admit it was circumstances that brought me back here rather than choice, but it’s turned out that this is where I fit – the beach hut is my place and my purpose. Thank you for coming, Dill, but I’m surrounded by friends and family here, and I really am all good. The Emirates let you realise your potential, and St Aidan’s done the same for me.’ I grasp his hand. ‘Go and enjoy your promotion – it’s what you deserve.’
It’s strange to think how close we once were, and how little by little we’ve separated since our paths have diverged, until now we’re each our own entity. We’re the same people we always were, but our time apart has made us different. And now we’re each on our own distinct road to the future.
‘Maybe we could catch up over the weekend and you could see Mum?’
He looks at his watch. ‘When I said a flying visit, I meant it. I’m here for another two hours, and I’ve promised to touch base with Mum and Dad. But maybe next time?’
