Clemmie steers the pushchair into position, and slides onto a bench with Diesel beside her. ‘From the very large banners by the jumping area, I’m guessing the High Tides Hotel are committed to the sea pool, rather than wanting their own?’
I nod. ‘David must be trying really hard with Mum. He offered such a huge donation we couldn’t refuse.’
Plum’s nodding as she comes across. ‘Look out for the High Tides stalls too, the beauticians are doing pedis and hand massages with advice on spa treatments, and they’re giving out gorgeous samples in return for an addition to their email list.’
Sophie gives a cough. ‘We’ve recently agreed with the hotel to feature our product ranges, so the goodie boxes on their stalls are bursting with Sophie May miniatures.’
Plum carries on. ‘The splash will run nicely into the eating, drinking and – most importantly – the dancing.’ She wiggles her eyebrows. ‘I guarantee you an evening of first-class party bangers.’
Rye took charge of the sound system, and thanks to Plum doing the playlist, and insisting on playing every track to him before she added it, the gap between those two is now imperceptible. Obviously there are alsootherestablishments in St Aidan, so the Hungry Shark are running the main bar, and there are lots of local businesses with food stalls and vans, but Dakota negotiated very favourable profit-sharing rates with all of them.
I’m looking up at the coloured bunting criss-crossing over our heads and listening to the cries of seagulls and the ring of the rigging on the masts of the brightly coloured boats moored along the floating pontoons. There are explosive splashes every couple of minutes as the participants hit the water, and cheers of the people watching them are echoing around the harbourside.
Nell appears in the doorway of the office where she nipped to change baby George, and points at the long line of people in board shorts and wet suits snaking along the far end of the quayside, all waiting to hurl themselves off the harbour wall. ‘Have you seen the queue? With that many sponsored jumpers we’ll raise a bomb!’
I give her checked shirt a tug. ‘Out in your real clothesandfocusing on the bottom line – youareback in the game, Nelly-melon!’
She gives me a push. ‘I’m not the only one! Truly, I’m over the moon for you and Kit.’
Kit hears her comment and leans in to kiss me. ‘We’re pretty happy too, Nell.’
Mum wanders over and joins straight in the conversation. ‘Did you hear they went skinny-dipping, Nell?’
I let out a shout of protest. ‘Mum, we didn’t –that was you!’
She shakes her head. ‘Well, whatever, sweetheart, we’re all very happy for you both. Aren’t we, David?’
David’s looking down at her, his face full of love. ‘We are. And we’re looking forward to an afternoon full of surprises.’
I can’t help but laugh. ‘It might not bethatthrilling – this is pretty much as good as it gets.’
Mum taps my arm. ‘Take no notice, sweetheart, he’s only excited because his High Tides banners are everywhere in town.’
Clemmie wipes the chocolate off Bud’s hands. ‘Don’t undersell yourself, Flossie, it’s a fabulous event, and it’s all down to you.’
I can’t take all the credit. ‘It was my idea, but everyone else helped make it happen.’
Sophie gave me back my wig last week once Nikki at Force10 Hair had toned down her blonde, but she’s still hung onto a few favourite playsuits of mine. She leans across to me. ‘Your once-they’re-gone-they’re-gone cakes are going down a storm, Floss.’
I can’t take all the credit for that either. ‘I did the baking, but Milla and the gang are doing a fabulous job manning the stall. It was a great idea of theirs to bring out a different kind of cake every half-hour and push it out on socials with a running total of how much they’re making.’ I look around for Rye. ‘Mars bar brownies are up next, if you’re interested.’
He waves his ice cream and holds out his other hand to Plum. ‘If you’re coming, I’ll finish this on the way, check on the staff and be first in the queue.’
David calls after them as they weave their way through the crowd. ‘Don’t be too long.’ He gives a cough. ‘Just saying!’
Mum rolls her eyes. ‘What is he like?’
When I stand close to Kit, my shoulder tucks neatly under his armpit. I whisper into his ear, ‘What’s going on?’
He smiles. ‘David’s full of ideas for hotel publicity. You’ll see very soon.’ As he comes in closer and I breathe in his scent it makes me dizzy, like it always does. ‘You look beautiful. I love those ripped denim shorts and that T-shirt.’
‘Thanks.’ I squeeze his hand and turn to Sophie. ‘Remember your Libertines vest? Kit saw it falling out of the drawer earlier and asked me to wear it. I actually caught Arnie in this!’
Clemmie laughs. ‘What an afternoon that was! He’s grown so much, you wouldn’t catch him in it now.’ She pulls me into a hug. ‘I’m so pleased you came back, and I’m ecstatic you and Kit are together. You look so well and happy.’
By the time we’ve reminisced about that, Rye and Plum are back, George has joined Nell, and Sophie, Nate, Milla and the kids are all tucking into whippy ice creams. As the distant sound of an engine cuts over the noise of the crowd, David points at the sky.
‘Look, it’s coming!’
