‘I think that was more from circumstances... Anyway, the reason why I’m here is to give you this list to ponder, before the big day tomorrow. I didn’t get a chance to pin you down yesterday on the beach after the meeting and hand it over.’
‘Thank you.’ Marcus took the paper from Christine, opening it and quickly scanning its contents. ‘I know, it was organised chaos wasn’t it? But I’m glad we did it yesterday. My mind’s so much more at ease now.’ He gave Christine a warm, heartfelt smile. ‘Thank you for making me see sense, Christine. I couldn’t have done it without you rallying the others to help.’ Marcus looked at Tom. ‘That goes to you too, Tom.’
Tom nodded. ‘No worries, mate. We always help neighbours in need.’
Tom’s words made Marcus’s chest glow.
Christine reached across the gate and pulled Marcus to her, embracing him tightly. ‘You daft sod, you’re very welcome. You’re going to make my mascara run.’
Marcus chuckled. When they pulled away, Christine thrust his water bottle in his chest. ‘Here, have this back so’s I can sort myself out.’
Marcus took it and watched Christine fetch a tissue from her pocket and dab it at the corners of her eyes.
Rosie was sitting at Christine’s feet, and she tilted her head to one side and whined.
Christine huffed a laugh and looked down at Rosie. ‘I’m okay, gorgeous girl, just sentimental.’
Tom wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ‘Come on, you daft caper, let’s call in the tearoom and I’ll treat you to high tea.’
Christine chuckled. ‘Just what the doctor ordered.’ She raised a hand to Marcus. ‘Bye, love. See you bright and early.’
Tom dipped his head. ‘Bye, Marcus. We’ll get there before anyone else does, to help out with last minute prep.’
‘Thanks guys. I’ll see you in the morning.’ Marcus watched them until they disappeared out of sight.
He turned around and headed for the paint tin, which he’d already priced open, resting the loose lid on the top to stop bits from the wind blowing into it.
Taking off the lid and placing it on the sheet already laid out to catch drips, Marcus admired the colour, before picking up the brush and gingerly immersing the tip. The paint clung easily to the new black bristles of the brush.
Lifting it to the top of the window, Marcus spread the first stroke evenly. He drew in a breath. The cornflower blue almost matched the perfect sky above his head. It was fresh, and spoke silently of new beginnings. Marcus got lost in euphoria as he painted over the old with new. Before he knew it, he was putting the last stroke of paint along the sill. He’d done it. He’d finished the first window frame.
He stepped back to admire the colour against the white rendered wall. A fuzzing feeling spreading throughout his body.
It was perfect.
This solidified his new beginning in Seagull Bay.
‘Very nice.’
Marcus spun around to see Rowan on the other side of the gate. He wanted to run over to him and fling his arms around his neck, just like Christine had done to him less than an hour earlier, but instead, he kept his smile—controlled.
‘Thank you.’
Rowan’s gaze moved from Marcus’s face to the freshly painted window frame. ‘It suits the house and compliments the wisteria.’
Marcus glanced back at the cornflower blue paint, warmth blooming in his chest despite his attempt to remain controlled. ‘You think?’
‘I do.’ Rowan rested one hand on the gate, his eyes travelling over the front of the cottage. ‘It looks like you.’
Marcus blinked. ‘Blue and in need of another coat?’
A faint smile touched Rowan’s mouth. ‘Bright. Warm. Hard to miss.’
Marcus forgot how to speak for a second.
Atlas gave a soft huff from beside Rowan’s leg, then lowered his nose to the gate as if inspecting Marcus’s work for himself.
‘And what do you think?’ Marcus asked him. ‘Does it pass inspection?’
