‘Things?’ Tilly had no clue what this woman was yapping on about. She did like her leggings, though and tried to decipher the brand logo on the leg. 'Right, like, umm, what do you do with them?'
Lucie indicated in the direction of the Boat Shed. 'I've just left one on the step by the main doors for you.' She looked up at the sky. 'I mean, it doesn't look like it's going to rain, but you never can tell on Darling, so I tucked it under the porch area.'
Tilly, now very confused, wondered why this woman, whom she didn't know from Adam, had left her a basket from the caféon the doorstep of the shed. Another very odd thing about island life, perhaps? 'Umm, okay, thanks.'
Lucie clocked the confusion and touched Tilly on the arm. 'You'll get loads of them appearing as people hear that you've moved in. I'm surprised I'm the first. It's an old Darling tradition, like a local custom. People drop off nice things in little baskets to, oh, I don't know, be neighbourly. Back in the day, it was meant to ward off bad spirits. When I first moved here, I had all sorts arrive on the doorstep.'
'Oh, okay, I see, well, thanks.' Tilly didn’t quite see, but she ran with it.
'You're welcome.' Lucie didn't appear to be moving anywhere anytime soon.
Tilly wasn't sure what to say next. What was the protocol when someone you'd never met before dropped a basket at your door? 'So, err, cup of tea?'
Lucie's reply was instant. 'Yes, love one, thanks.'
Tilly took a few steps, and Lucie followed. 'Sorry, it's a bit of a mess at the moment in the shed. I've only been here for a bit.'
'Yep, I know. I heard you’d arrived when I was on the ferry the other day.'
Tilly digested the information and ascertained that most probably the whole island knew her business. 'I think you’re not the only one.'
On arrival at the Boat Shed, just as Lucie had said, there was a rectangular double-handled basket tucked by the main door. Inside sat a large-ish, beautifully wrapped parcel complete with pure white paper and a gorgeous blue and white silk ribbon. To be fair, it looked classy, opulent, expensive and very, very different from what Tilly had been expecting. After picking it up, going inside, making a cup of tea and then going back outside to the old bench overlooking the water, Tilly sat with Lucie and the basket, chatting.
'You were in Fiji? That's right, isn't it?' Lucie asked.
'Yes, before that various places, the Maldives, Tahiti, Singapore and also we did some housesitting in Portugal right at the beginning. I was in Barbados a few years ago. I've been all over the place, actually. I went looking for adventure, but it, err, it didn’t work out as I wanted in the end. I missed England.'
'Gosh, how lovely. Very exotic. That sounds so fantastic. If only, eh?'
Tilly wrinkled her nose. 'You know when something's not all it's cracked up to be? It sounds very fancy, but really it wasn't quite all that in the end. I’m not complaining, but put it this way: I am glad to be home.'
Lucie chuckled. 'Oh, right, yeah, I know what you mean. Come on, though, tropical sunshine sounds pretty nice to me. I bet the weather was glorious all the time. Scorchers on speed dial, was it not?'
‘Trust me, the heat gets old quite quickly when you’re trying to work in it day in, day out.’ Tilly made a move to open the parcel in the basket. Pulling off the ribbon, she removed the paper and blinked. 'Oh, wow! That's so gorgeous.' Unfolding a throw made up of tiny squares of what appeared to be hand-quilted fabric all in co-ordinating neutral whites, creams and very pale beige ditsy prints, the throw was more than lovely. Stroking the fabric, Tilly frowned. 'This is so lovely. It's literally just what I need for, well, the sofa, the bed or anywhere. I’ve been cleaning since the moment I stepped in, and there are not a lot of home comforts to work with.'
'I thought you might need something cosy. I used all neutrals so it would go with whatever colour scheme you go for once you’re settled in.'
'Sorry, you mean you made this?'
Lucie chuckled. 'I certainly did. I collect vintage fabric, and I have a small business; actually it's not that small these days, butI still love making quilts and the like. I still make loads of things myself if I get time. I really hoped you’d like it.'
'What a talent! Gosh, it’s dreamy. Like it? I love it.'
'Too kind. Anyway, I'm glad I was one of the first with a basket. Ha, ha, go me.'
Tilly frowned. 'So, this basket thing is serious, is it?'
'Oh my God, yes! Don’t underestimate it if you want to get on here. The first opportunity you get to drop one off you must do it right away and never, never,neverturn one down. Never.'
'Right. What sort of thing would I put in it?'
Lucie turned her head to the side. 'Oh, anything goes. Just something nice or anything you make, but it can be fancy teabags, or I don't know, essential oils or a candle. It's like a little token of friendship, as it were. No, not friendship, just a neighbourly thing. It’s sort of casual but so very much not at the same time. You’ll be swimming in the things soon enough.'
'I see.'
Lucie drained her tea. 'Anyway, sorry, I have to get going. I’ve got so much to do today, but I thought I’d stroll over and introduce myself. By the way, I'm having a bit of a gathering soon if you fancy it. No pressure. I've got a few friends staying over with me at the moment. I'm at the Coastguard's house just there by the ferry if you fancy stopping in for a drink or two.'
Tilly smiled and shook her head. 'Thanks, that's so kind of you, but you don't have to.'
