Ned nodded and smiled. ‘I understand, Pip. Has it worked?’
Pippa huffed out a small laugh as she looked down at Ginger lovingly. ‘More than I realised Ned.’ Ginger and the pugs were now sniffing each other. ‘They are lovely. What are their names?’
Ned grinned. ‘Laurel and Hardy. They have been like a pair of comedians since they were pups.’ Pippa laughed. Ned’s grin fell and his brow furrowed. ‘Is Brett okay, Pip? I didn’t realise his arthritis was as bad as that. He never mentions it when we get together.’ Ned shook his head slowly. ‘I was shocked at the surprise announcement earlier. He never mentioned selling up either... I hate to admit it, but I’m a little hurt he hasn’t confined in me.’
Pippa felt her stomach pinch. She wanted to remain loyal to her father and her aunt by not telling anyone about her father’s illness, but she’s known Ned all her life, and he looked genuinely sad and worried.
Her hand reached for his upper arm. ‘He-he’s been diagnosed with dementia, Ned. It was confirmed a couple of years ago, but Aunt Morgan has only just informed me. Dad doesn’t even want Nile and me to know about it. Aunt Morgan has only just confided in me. That’s why I’m back. I came to help out while she tried to persuade him to sell up and retire. It looks as if she’s succeeded.’
Ned’s weathered face, the result of a lifetime at sea as part of the lifeboat rescue team drained of all colour. His ruddy red cheeks were now ashen. ‘I-I’m shocked.’
‘Please don’t tell anyone, Ned...or let on you know. I’ve only told you so that you don’t think ill of dad for his surprise actions.’
Ned shook his head vehemently. ‘I would never think anything of the sort. Brett is my best mate. I’m-I’m just devastated for him...you and Morgan.’
Pippa tried to swallow past the lump which had miraculously formed in her throat. Ginger had stopped sniffing Oliver and Hardy and was sitting down and looking up at her, as if picking up on the welling emotions bubbling inside her. ‘I know. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Thankfully though, he started a prescription of medication to slow down the progression of the disease as soon as he found out.’
Ned’s lips pursed together and he nodded, ‘Good.’ He pulled Pippa into his arms and hugged her. ‘I’m here for you all day and night, Pippa. Whenever you need me for any reason just call me.’
Pippa fought to stop the tears stinging her eyes from shedding as she answered. ‘Thank you, Ned.’
He pulled away abruptly and marched off in the opposite direction, but it wasn’t quick enough to hide his own shiny eyes, and the crack in his voice as he called for Oliver and Hardy to follow also betrayed his stoic poker face.
***
Pippa released Ginger’slead, and he ran up the stairs ahead of her to the living quarters above the pub. Inside, Brett and Morgan were at the kitchen table with papers fanned out in front of them. They looked up when Pippa closed the entry door.
Brett smiled and motioned her over. ‘Pippa, my darling girl. You’re back.’ Ginger bounded over to them, wagging his tail. ‘Come and sit down. I’ve got some exciting news.’
Pippa’s heart leapt. Had he had news from the hospital? Had they got his dementia diagnosis wrong? She turned her head to look at her aunt. Morgan’s face was beaming. Whatever news it was, it was good news.
Morgan patted her hand as Pippa sat down at the table. ‘It is good news, Kiddo.’
Pippa looked backward and forwards between her Aunt Morgan and her father. ‘Well?’
‘Oliver is going to buy the pub and hotel.’ Brett’s smile enveloped his face as he held her gaze, waiting for Pippa’s reaction.
‘He is? Is that what you were talking about after the winner was announced?’ asked Pippa, hiding the mix of disappointment that the news wasn’t something positive about his dementia, but also relieved the pub would be purchased by someone from the community.
Brett nodded. ‘Isn’t it fantastic that someone from Seagull Bay is going to buy it?’
Morgan reached across the table and patted Brett’s hand, too. ‘It is. We know Oliver would never change things drastically.’
Pippa nodded her agreement, but then she remembered her conversation with him on the beach. He would need a sleeping partner to be able to afford the business. Would the sleeping partner be as sentimental about the place as Oliver?
Pippa got up and hugged her father. ‘It’s fantastic news, Dad. Declan has given me a list of supplies to fetch for the evening shift. Can you hold off popping the cork from the champagne bottle at least until I get back?’ she pulled away with a wink.
Brett belly laughed. ‘There will be no cork popping until he signs the contract, but we’ll celebrate with a cup of tea and a slice of cake when you get back. Can you see if you can source some homemade cake from somewhere on your travels? I wished we had a bakery or a tearoom here in Seagull Bay. I love Katherine’s café but I wished she did more sweet than savoury foods.’
Pippa patted her father’s beer belly and smiled. ‘What? And leave no room for your ale?’
They all laughed. Pippa smiled to herself. The action mimicked what her mother used to do to her father. She hoped she was here with them now, watching on bemused.
‘Can you call in on Oliver and give him this? Save me going out?’ Morgan handed Pippa a brown envelope.
Pippa took the envelope. ‘Sure. Is he expecting whatever this is?’
Morgan shook her head. ‘No, it’s a copy of last year’s turnover and the valuation from the estate agent. I thought he’d like to look everything over so he can see we have nothing to hide.’
