Five
Iwantedtospendas much time with my best friend as I could, but I also wanted some time on my own to think. Besides, I couldn’t monopolise her time. She had a life to live in Fairlight Bay, a boyfriend, and a business.
I offered to help her with the online orders, for the one she ran with her mum and Chris. I’d done so before so that was easy. And fun.
It also meant I got to see Sam’s house, because Lucy ran the online site from there.
It didn’t look as small in real life as it had in the photos I’d seen, but it definitely wasn’t large. Although the sitting room was spacious, and the sofa bed was exceedingly comfy to sit on, and no doubt, to sleep on.
I wondered what the house had looked like before Lucy had moved in. I could see little touches of her here and there. Like the pots of fresh herbs on the window sill in the surprisingly modern and well thought out kitchen. I was astonished when she told me that the herbs were there before she lived there.
‘We’re so alike, it’s crazy,’ she said. ‘The first time I saw this place I thought that I’d walked into my own kitchen in Kingston upon Thames. And we both owned a lot of the same things. We even had the same bedding. Although Sam’s was in dark blue and mine was in purple. Before I moved in, we made a list of things we would have two of, and we were amazed at how many there were. We kept the items that it was sensible to have a spare one of, and gave the others to the charity shops in town.’
‘As I said. You were made for one another.’
Even so, I was surprised by how perfect they were for each other.
Was there someone out there somewhere that had the exact same stuff as me?
And if so, was there even the slightest, teensiest chance, that he might live in Fairlight Bay?
Nah. That was too much to ask. Even the Universe, as magnificent as it was, couldn’t pull that one off.
Could it?
‘I’ve got a meeting with some builders later, and Sam,’ Lucy said. ‘At Fairlight Brides. It’s about the work I want to have done. I did try to change it when you told me you were coming, but one of the guys is going away for two weeks and he couldn’t make any other day. You’re welcome to join us.’
That might be fun. Well, maybe not fun, exactly, but it would be interesting. But I felt that this was something Lucy and Sam should deal with together and not have to think about me.
‘I think I’ve done enough damage there today,’ I joked. ‘You’ll need new French Doors. I can tell you that much. But seriously. As fun as that sounds, I think I’ll give it a pass if you don’t mind. I’d like to take a wander around town and browse in the shops. And, maybe, pop into Fairlight Bakes café and introduce myself to Adele. You did say that she said we could nip in for a coffee and cake if we wanted, didn’t you? I know she said that she’d catch up with me later if we didn’t, but I do like cake, as you know. And it’s nice to have an excuse.’
‘Since when did you need an excuse?’ Lucy sniggered. ‘I don’t mind at all. Although you didn’t do any damage today. You saved us from dying a horrible death from fox poo odour. Why don’t we meet up later, for a drink? The three of us. Or, maybe, four? I could ask Sam to ask Elliot to join us.’
‘That sounds good to me.’
‘And you’ll come out to dinner with us this evening. No. Don’t argue. Sam has already booked us a table at our favourite Indian restaurant. It’s also on the promenade. Just a few metres along from the sailing club. Hey! Why don’t we go there for a drink? They serve the most incredible cocktails. And guests can be signed in by members. The view is to die for from that balcony.’
‘Well, I think that’s the rest of my day planned. Tell me, what will I be doing tomorrow?’
She pulled a face. ‘Sorry. I suppose I should’ve asked. But you should’ve told me sooner that you were coming, and then I wouldn’t have been so excited. No wait. That didn’t sound right.’
‘I know what you meant. Don’t worry.’
‘We can change things if you like?’
That was a question and I answered, ‘No. I was being facetious. You know me, Lucy. It sounds perfect. And, to be honest, I’m happy to spend as much time with you as I can. And with Sam. And if Elliot plays his cards right, who knows.’ I winked at her.
‘Oh Erin. That would be fantastic. His house is just up the road so we would almost be neighbours if you moved in with him. And our kids could play together in the little park opposite.’
‘Whoa! Hold those horses, woman! I think I need to meet this guy before we start decorating the nursery. I’m going before you set the date for our wedding. See you later. Oh. What time and where do you want me to meet you this evening?’
‘Seven? At the sailing club. Sam and I will get there early so we can see you the minute you turn up. And you’ll be late anyway, so that’ll be seven-fifteen.’
Like the grown up twenty-eight-year-old, detective inspector, that I am, I stuck out my tongue. Then I kissed her on the cheek before she opened the front door, and we waved to one another as I walked down the road and back into town.
Lucy had given me directions to Fairlight Bakes but I would’ve spotted the navy and white frontage from a mile away, and the hanging sign of a baker and some bread, sort of gave the game away that this was a bakery as well as a café.
The cakes and breads and biscuits in the window made my mouth water, even though it hadn’t been that long since I’d had lunch. But I hadn’t had a dessert so I deserved a little treat. Deciding which of the scrumptious looking cakes to have was going to be a difficult choice though.
