‘There’s a police force here too. And the sea air would do you good.’
She laughed loudly. ‘Are you seriously trying to convince me that we should both move down to the seaside? What about your mum and Chris?’
‘It’s only about sixty miles or so. They could come and visit and I could nip back home every other week or so.’
‘So that’s a yes then?’
‘Would it … would it be such a bad idea?’
‘If Sam doesn’t want a relationship with you, yes it would. A horrible idea. Your worst idea ever.’
‘But what if he does? I mean, if I lived here and he still wanted me as much as he seems to want me, then surely…?’
‘Oh don’t ask me, Lucy! You need to ask him how he’d feel about that. Because believe me. It’s much, much harder to get over someone when there’s a chance you’ll see them every day. And it’s taken you ten years without seeing him, so imagine the hell it’d be to see him with other women. I can’t believe you’re considering this.’
‘I’m not! Not really. At least, I wasn’t. The idea has only just come to me. But you’re right. It’s dumb. And although I could design wedding dresses from anywhere, Mum needs help at the shop. Sorry. Forget I said anything about moving down to Fairlight Bay.’
‘It would be good to see the place,’ she said. ‘But as for moving. I don’t think so, do you? Okay. Let’s change the subject.’
‘What have you been up to?’ I asked.
‘Working. Making the streets safe. Eating my own bodyweight in food from the staff canteen. My life is so exciting I can hardly bear it. And I’m on shift again soon. Call me when you can. I need updates.’
‘Will do. Stay safe.’
‘Always. Love you.’
‘Love you too.’
I rang off and sat on the sofa staring out at the garden still covered in a blanket of snow.
Would moving to Fairlight Bay really be such a dumb idea?
Nineteen
Supper at End Cottage was a lively and entertaining affair, and I felt as if Sam and I were a real couple. I really liked all my neighbours, and I found myself wishing, once again, that I lived in Fairlight Bay. I loved Erin with all my heart, but I knew that I could also be good friends with Noelle and Alec, and Adele and Marcus. As could Erin, if she moved here too.
Sam and I finally returned to Far Cottage around ten p.m., and walked with Noelle to Middle Cottage, Alec having left a little after nine-thirty to get Melody to bed.
I hadn’t realised he and Noelle had only been dating since last December, although I think Adele might have mentioned it. I also discovered Melody was his child and that he was a widower, who didn’t actually live with Noelle, but who had a home of his own down in Fairlight Bay. From what I had gleaned during supper, he and Melody spent half the week in Middle Cottage, and then Noelle joined them for the remainder of the week at Alec’s home.
I also discovered that Adele and Marcus had a rather strange and dramatic history. He had been married to a nasty womanwho had cheated on him with his best friend, who at the time lived in Noelle’s cottage. Marcus’ ex-wife had moved in with Marcus’ former best friend, and then they’d moved away together. Just last Christmas the pair got married. Adele and Marcus hadn’t spoken to one another for years, thanks to Marcus’ ex-wife. But last December, Noelle had helped bring Adele and Marcus together. And now they were inseparable, and deeply in love. As were Alec and Noelle, it seemed.
‘Perhaps I shouldn’t bring this up,’ I said, as Sam and I walked into Far Cottage and closed the door behind us, ‘but did you hear that Alec’s first love had died, and now he’s found his second? And Marcus picked the wrong woman first, but now he’s found the right one? So I understand your point about the divorce rate and all that. But surely you can see mine, about there being someone special for everyone? Noelle and Alec found each other, as did Adele and Marcus.’
Sam met my eyes after helping me off with my coat and we stood facing one another in the hall.
‘You’re assuming that Alec and Noelle, and Adele and Marcus will stay together. They might not.’
I raised my brows in disbelief and my mouth fell open.
‘Are you serious? Didn’t you see how deeply in love each couple is?’
‘I saw two couples who seem to be happy with each other. At the moment. But they’ve only been couples since December. Talk to me again when they’ve been together for years.’
‘You’re unbelievable! How can you ignore the fact they’re so in love. Deeply in love. They were clearly made for one another.’
‘Says you.’ He turned and walked into the kitchen and I followed. ‘We’ve had a lovely evening, Lucy. Let’s not ruin it by disagreeing.’ He reached out for me but I held back. He let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair. ‘You’re going to do this, aren’t you?’
