‘I’d let Sea Haven House out to you at a very reasonable rent,’ Grace said. ‘I’m getting too old to run it as holiday business. It’s all getting far too much bother. It would be a pleasure to have a long-term tenant, especially if it’s you. And,’ she added impishly, ‘I’d have a ready-made dog sitter for Vinny, if you’d be agreeable.’
Jessica nudged her elbow. ‘And with space at Adya’s gallery you’d get your work out to really prestigious buyers. Get your name out there. Adya’s done wonders for Jago Pengethley’s career; he’s making shedloads. Shame he isn’t here, he could give you some advice. Mainline to Waterloo from Axminster too. Getting up to The Smoke isn’t a major deal when you need to show your face at the gallery.’
This was all moving far too fast for Callie. Could she actually do it? She felt sick. Swallowing a great gulp of fizzy champagne and bubbles didn’t help. ‘I…’ she gasped, ‘I’ll have to think about it,’ she finished lamely.
‘Well, don’t think too long,’ Jessica warned. ‘Dave needs to advertise soon.’
Grace peered at Callie, sensing her discomfort. ‘I think we need to leave Callie to enjoy her moment. I’m sure she’ll tell us her decision when ready.’ She steered Jessica away, winking and mouthing over her shoulder, ‘So sorry!’
Callie was immediately surrounded by well-wishers and, at one point, several journalists wanting interviews. She tried her hardest to deal with it all professionally, as if she’d been the centre of attention all her life, instead of a busy working single mum. But at the very edge of her vision she was aware of Frida and Sunil having an increasingly intense conversation.
After the journalists had had their fill, a man materialised at her side. He smelled of the sea and the rain. Johnny. It seemed an age since the evening when Frida had interrupted them; she’d missed him so much.
He enveloped her in a hug and she hung on to him like a lifeline, breathing in his reassuring presence. ‘You came!’
‘Of course I did. I’m sorry I missed the actual presentation. Was unexpectedly delayed.’ He hugged her again, hard. ‘So many congratulations, Calliope. So, so many congrats. I knew you’d do it.’
She eased herself reluctantly away from him. ‘Everyone keeps saying that. Seems I was dead cert to everyone, apart from me.’
He took her by the shoulders, staring into her eyes. ‘Think it’s about time you had confidence in yourself. You do know what a big deal this is? Adya Blanca’s reputation goes before her. She knows her stuff and she knows who’s talented. Only she’s usually a very urban animal. It’s only because she’s an old pal of Dave Wiscombe’s from his protest days that she did this.’ He laughed, making his grey eyes twinkle. ‘Normally she wouldn’t be seen dead in a little seaside town in Dorset. I don’t think she ventures outside of Zone 2.’
Callie laughed, his exuberance igniting her like the champagne she’d just drunk. They still had a great deal to clear up but now wasn’t the moment. ‘Why were you late?’ A movement caught her eye. It was Verity, the vicar, coming into the hall. Like Johnny’s, her coat sparkled with raindrops. She put a hand up to them both and then joined Frida, Avril and Sunil.
Callie watched curiously as Johnny’s gaze lingered on the vicar and then concentrated on the moment. ‘It doesn’t matter though, not now you’re here. Oh, I’ve missed you so much, Johnny. I’ve got so much to tell you. Frida’s father is here.’
‘I know.’
At her confused look he went on. ‘You should know nothing in Lullbury Bay happens without everyone knowing about it. I had a coffee in the Sea Spray and Tracey filled me in. After yourargument with Frida I thought you and she could do with some space, so I’ve been making myself scarce. Once I’d heard Frida’s father was here, I guessed you really didn’t want me hanging around.’ He paused, and then went on. ‘I’ve had some stuff to sort out for myself too.’
‘You’re such a nice man.’ She reached up and grabbed the collar of his pea coat, kissing him soundly on the mouth. Someone nearby wolf-whistled but she didn’t care. She kissed him again and for the first time noticed just how wet he was. He was soaked through. ‘Is the rain bad out there?’
He nodded. ‘Getting rough. It’s developing into quite the storm. I’ve just bumped into Jamie. He was heading down to the seafront. Some kind of problem down there, apparently. But I’m wet because I gave Mum and Dad a lift here and Dad managed to trip on one of the wretched potholes in the car park on the way in.’
Callie put a hand to her mouth in shock. ‘Oh no,’ she gasped. ‘Is he all right?’
‘He’s fine. Might have twisted his ankle a little. More concerned he’d ruined a pair of his best trousers. He’d been at the gin before he got in the car so I think his fall was relaxed, shall we say. That lovely vicar, Verity, helped me with him. He’s sitting in state over there enjoying having several women at his beck and call.’
‘As long as he’s okay.’
‘He is. Callie?’ Johnny sounded uncertain. ‘I think we really need to talk.’ He looked about him wildly. ‘Not the time or place and I’d hate to steal your thunder; this is your night, but promise me we’ll find the time to talk?’
Callie detached herself. It was only then that she remembered she’d decided she needed to distance herself from Johnny. Maybe, with Frida settled at university she could take the job here and have more time for a relationship? But howwould that work, when Johnny would be in the Midlands? She shook her head to force some sense into it. No matter what decision she tried to make there were pitfalls. Too many ifs and buts. Too late she saw his face fall. He’d misinterpreted her gesture.
‘I’ll go and check on Dad. Get him some food. Rescue him from The Aunts.’
‘Johnny I–’ but it was too late, he’d disappeared into the crowd. Though she tried to go after him, she was prevented by several people congratulating her.
Peering over their shoulders, a movement caught Callie’s peripheral vision. Frida and Sunil, on their own now, were still deep in conversation and looked to be arguing. She recognised Frida’s rigid shoulders. It meant she was upset. Saw her flushed face and her hands rise in indignation… and shock? She needed to get to her daughter.
‘It’s Carrie!’ boomed Johnny’s Aunt Sybil, looming large and blocking Callie’s path. ‘The gel of the night.’ She hugged Callie in a gin-soaked embrace. ‘I say, this is all rather marvellous. And what a party, eh? Simply splendid.’
Callie tried to dodge around her but the woman’s steel-like grip held her still and her generous curves prevented her seeing what was going on with Frida and Sunil.
‘I said,’ repeated Sybil, as Maria approached, ‘it’s all simply splendid, isn’t it?’
‘Oh yes. Splendid. Many congratulations, Callie. Isn’t it all splendid, Becky?’
The third aunt hovered at Callie’s side, putting a shy hand on her elbow. ‘Yes many congratulations. It’s all simply splendid. I’m having a wonderful time, and I love your paintings. The way you’ve incorporated real flowers into them is really rather innovative. I like to paint myself and I’d love to discuss your techniques with you at some point.’
