We checked, and she was right. There was also milk in the fridge and butter in a small butter dish. I’d brought groceries, and wine, with me, and Lucy and I now unloaded those and put them away.
‘Unless you want some time on your own to settle in,’ Lucy said, ‘why don’t we go to Freddie’s Fish and Chips for lunch? Or to one of the other restaurants on the promenade. I know the weather’s grotty at the moment, but I promise you this mist will clear anytime now. The view from the promenade is spectacular. And on the way, I can show you around the town, and, more importantly, show you Fairlight Brides.’
‘I can’t wait to see the latest addition to the Parkes’ family empire. The shop looked fantastic in the photos and the video, but I bet it’s far better actually being there. And Freddie’s Fish and Chips sounds perfect. You can show me where Sam was sitting before he stepped into your path, and the table where you had lunch together.’
Lucy narrowed her eyes and tilted her head slightly. ‘Are you making fun of me? I know I’m always going on about Sam, but I can’t help myself. Part of me still thinks this is all a dream and I’ll wake up and find I’m back home in Kingston upon Thames – with Ted. Or without him.’
‘No!’ I was a little surprised by what she’d said, especially about her ex-boyfriend, Ted. Perhaps she hadn’t changed that much after all. ‘Of course I wasn’t. I genuinely want to see those things. I know I gave you a hard time about your feelings for Sam over the last ten years, and I’ll admit I had my doubts about him even after he’d declared he loved you on Valentine’s Day. But once I met him, I understood. And it’s good to see you so in love and so excited about him. He’s all you’ve ever wanted. As for it being a dream, it’s not, believe me. It’s as real as it gets. And you deserve it, Lucy. You and Sam were made for one another.’
She pulled me into a hug and gave a little squeal. ‘I’m so happy you’re here, Erin. It’s been far too long. I know you don’t want to move down to Fairlight Bay. At least, not right now. But promise me you’ll come and visit here more often. You can stay with us whenever you like. I know Sam’s place is small. He was ploughing all his money into his business, when he bought it, and as he never intended to get married, or to share his life with anyone, he only needed one bedroom, as far as he was concerned. But the sitting room is large and he’s got a sofa bed.’
‘Thanks. I promise I’ll visit more often.’
I didn’t add that there was no chance I’d be sleeping on that sofa bed. I liked Sam a lot, but I also liked my privacy, especially in the mornings. If they’d had a spare room, however tiny, it might be different.
‘Between you and me,’ Lucy said, ‘Sam is already saying we should see if we can afford to get a bigger place before too long.’ She gave another little squeal. ‘I may be wrong, but I have a feeling he’s starting to think about us having a family. Not right now, of course. There’s far too much going on for us to consider that at the moment. But there’s no harm in making plans, is there? Although he did say that it would be nice to have a guest room for Mum and Chris, and for you, to come and stay.’
‘That would be nice,’ I said, as Lucy linked her arm through mine and we headed towards the front door of Far Cottage.
I knew how much she loved Sam, and I also knew that she had always wanted a husband, and a family, but now I was slightly worried that she might be taking on too much, too soon.
But as we stepped back out into that sea mist which still hadn’t cleared, I thought to myself that I wouldn’t be at all surprised if I found myself in receipt of a wedding invitation, before this holiday was over.
