Page 42 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

When the laughter had subsided enough for them to be able to hold a conversation, Jasmine said, ‘The reason we’re being treated to Lobster Harry’s vocal offerings is apparently because he’s written a new sea shanty and wanted to give it its first airing tonight – or so they were saying round the bar. He reckons it’s based on his own “real-life seafaring, swashbuckling experiences”.’ She put finger quotes around the words.

‘Didn’t think he had a buckle to swash,’ said Stella. ‘Or should that be a swash to buckle? Whichever it is, I thought he caught lobsters, not sail the high seas as a pirate.’

‘Aye, me too. And what’s all this about him and a mermaid or three?’ said Maggie, shaking her head in amusement. ‘In his dreams.’

‘Er, you do know there’s no such thing as mermaids, don’t you, Mags,’ said Florrie, making Lark chuckle.

‘’Course I do, I was just joshing.’

‘Not sure I want to dwell on the thought of Lobster Harry and mermaids.’ Stella gave a distasteful shake of her head. ‘And there’s laws against that sort of thing,’ she said dryly.

‘Hmm. Not sure Mrs Lobster Harry would be too chuffed to hear about him gallivanting in the briny with mermaids,’ added Lark. ‘You know how possessive she is of him.’

‘Aye, she’ll see those mermaids off.’ Jasmine shook her fist by way of demonstration.

‘This had got to be one of the most surreal conversations I’ve had in absolutely ages,’ said Florrie, still laughing.

‘Really?’ said Maggie. ‘Seems the norm for us on a Friday night. Only last week we were talking about his carbuncles.’

‘I think you’ll find it was barnacles, not carbuncles,’ corrected Stella.

‘Can a human have problems with barnacles?’ asked Lark.

‘They can when it comes to Lobster Harry,’ Jasmine quipped, straight-faced before they all dissolved into another round of giggles.

With a glass of wine poured for her, Hannah sat back into the settle, feeling herself relax, smiling as she listened to the jovial banter that bounced around the table. She hadn’t felt this happy or carefree for a long time. Her hand went to the moongazing hare pendant around her neck and she sent a silent thank you to her aunt.

‘You okay?’ Florrie asked quietly.

‘I’m fine, thanks. I’m having a lovely time.’ And she meant it.

‘That’s good; thought you’d fit in well with the lasses.’ She gave her a warm smile.

Those few simple words reached in and touched Hannah’s heart.

TWENTY-EIGHT

The fish and chips were every bit as delicious as she’d been promised and Hannah devoured the whole portion, leaving her plate clean with not even a trace of the mushy peas and gravy that had accompanied them. While they were eating, between them, Hannah and Maggie explained how Hannah had ended up joining them at the Jolly. After which, the group all caught up on one another’s news, including Jasmine describing the recent wedding cakes she’d created for the weddings at Danskelfe Castle. Florrie updated them on the details of the next author reading at the bookshop, Maggie shared the latest news on the orders she’d been inundated with for The Micklewick Bay Bear Company – the business she’d set up making handmade, keepsake teddy bears out of recycled luxury wool. ‘I’m so glad I’ve got Jean to help me – I don’t know what I’d do without her.’ Jean Davenport was a talented seamstress who had stepped in to help build the bears once Maggie had given birth to baby Lucy. As an added bonus, both women were enjoying one another’s company as they worked together. Lark had continued with her story that had been interrupted by Lobster Harry’s tuneless sea shanty and told them more about the recent delivery at her shop that contained some original garments from the nineteen fifties. Hannah had loved hearing it all – the positive way in which the friends had responded to each other, with words of support and genuine interest.

And now, with the plates cleared and the folk band playing a jaunty jig in the background, everyone’s attention turned to Hannah.

‘I didn’t want to mention this earlier and cast a cloud over your first lot of the Jolly fish and chips, but I just want to say I was sorry to hear of the passing of your dad and your aunt, and I know I can speak for all of us when I say we’re really glad you’ve joined us tonight, Hannah.’ Stella held Hannah’s gaze, kindness and sincerity in her eyes.

‘We so are,’ agreed Jasmine. ‘And, like Stells, I was sorry to hear about your loss too.’

Lark and Maggie added their condolences while Florrie nodded her head in agreement, giving Hannah a knowing look.

‘And I also agree with Stells in that it’s great you could join us tonight. It’s just a shame your car had to suffer for it,’ said Maggie jokingly.

‘Yes, but the silver lining is that we got to catch up with you again after all these years.’ Lark reached across Maggie and squeezed Hannah’s hand. ‘And I’m so sorry to hear about all you’ve been through.’

‘Same here, flower. We knew things hadn’t been great for you, but we had no idea just how bad they were till Florrie told us.’ Jasmine gave a gentle smile. ‘And you need to ignore Polly and her son and walk around Micklewick Bay with your head held high. They’re the ones who should be hiding themselves away after what they’ve done to you.’ Her cheeks had flushed pink as they always did when she got angry.

A smile twitched at the corners of Hannah’s mouth at Jazz’s display of support, reminding her of what Florrie had told her about Darryl walking gingerly once Jazz had finished with him.

‘Here, here,’ said Stella. ‘From what our Florrie tells us, you’ve been living in a village on the moors and have a business that makes the most amazing burgers; we’re all dying to try them, by the way.’

Though Hannah smiled, she held back from telling her that the Bougie Burger van would very likely remain closed for the foreseeable future, especially if she was going to follow her Auntie Coll’s plans.