Читать книгу Josephine Cox Mother’s Day 3-Book Collection: Live the Dream, Lovers and Liars, The Beachcomber - Josephine Cox - Страница 17

AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS to find work within a five-mile radius of West Bay, Kathy had at long last secured an interview to work at the holiday site, right on her doorstep. Wanting to look her best for the interview, she had gone into the nearby town of Bridport, where already the market was in full swing, to find something to wear.

Cool against the sweltering August heat, Kathy wore her lemon dress with its swingy skirt and wide belt. On her feet she wore the white stringy sandals that she had bought from the bric-à-brac shop in Lyme Regis only the day before. Her brown hair, a little longer now, and lightened by the sun, was hanging loose about her shoulders. In her pretty eyes there was a spark of happiness, and a deep-down feeling of contentment inside her. These days the bright lights and fast pace of London life seemed a world away.

Wandering among the stalls, searching for something that would make an impact and carry her through the interview, she felt good. She needed to look her best, she thought. She needed to be cool and casual, yet formal enough to show them she was serious and capable.

In the letter she had received two days ago, Kathy was informed that because the manager was away on holiday, the owner himself – a Mr Charles Bradford – would be conducting the interview. That prospect only made Kathy all the more nervous.

‘Morning, m’dear.’ Spying a likely customer, the little woman peered over her stall. Short and round with a giant of a smile, she had seen Kathy looking through the rail of dresses.

‘If you tell me what you’re after, I might be able to help.’ With astonishing speed she scurried round the stall. ‘Let me see …’ She sized up Kathy’s slim figure, making a mental note that if the nicely shaped legs were just a bit slimmer, the figure would be perfect. Nevertheless, she had met Kathy before, and considered her to be lovely both in appearance and nature.

Tapping her finger against her teeth, the little woman came to the conclusion, ‘Size ten, am I right?’

Kathy smiled. ‘Sometimes ten, sometimes twelve,’ she revealed, ‘depending on how tempting the cakes in the baker’s shop are.’

The little woman chuckled. ‘Same with me,’ she confessed. ‘I’ve a shocking sweet tooth … could never resist a lemon meringue, not even if my life depended on it. Not that we get many treats like that these days …’

While she talked she swung the dresses aside, one after the other. ‘There’s nothing here that would suit you,’ she told a disappointed Kathy, ‘but if you come round, I’ve a few specials at the back.’ Giving Kathy a wink, she led the way to the back of the stall, where she undid a few boxes from underneath. ‘I haven’t had time to put these out yet,’ she explained, ‘but I’ve an idea there’s something in here that would suit you a treat.’

Intrigued and full of hope, Kathy watched the little woman take the items out of the boxes. So far, as the woman shook them out and hung them up, there was a pretty pink twinset, three long skirts, two dresses, and a few summer blouses, none of which Kathy fancied.

She shook her head. ‘No, sorry. They’re not what I’m after,’ she told the woman, as she unfolded one garment after the other.

‘Hang on a minute, m’dear!’ the woman replied with a disarming grin, ‘there’s a couple more yet.’ Digging deep into the last oversized box, she pulled out two more items. ‘This is the lot,’ she explained, shaking out the first. ‘By! You’ll look pretty as a picture in this.’ The item in question turned out to be a green dress with a button-front and wide fancy belt.

While the woman held the dress first this way then that, pressing it to herself and then against Kathy, it seemed for a minute that Kathy might be tempted. But when she finally decided against it and turned away, thanking the woman for her help, Kathy’s roving eyes caught sight of a snippet of pale blue material peeping out from beneath a selection of blouses hanging from the stall support. ‘Is that a blouse or a dress?’ she asked curiously.

Puzzled, the little woman followed Kathy’s gaze, her eyes opening wide when she spied the garment. ‘Oh, I’d forgotten that!’ she cried excitedly. ‘It’s a dress … I think.’ Reaching up, she managed – with some grunting and groaning, and a little help from Kathy – to take down the entire collection. ‘There!’

Dropping all but the one item onto the stall, she held it aloft. ‘I remember now!’ she declared. ‘Some woman bought it, then fetched it back the next day … “too tight round the waist,” she said. I’m not surprised,’ the woman added with a chuckle, ‘because if my memory serves me right, she was twice round the gasworks.’ Holding out her arms as wide as she could, presumably to encircle the poor creature, she smiled a sad little smile. ‘Shame, though … she had such a pretty face.’

Sneaking a glance at Kathy’s small waist, she observed, ‘I don’t reckon you’d have that sort of a problem …’ She peered at the label. ‘It’s a bit grubby round the collar … but all it needs is a good wash.’ She handed the dress to Kathy for inspection. ‘You can go behind the stall and try it on if you want.’

Kathy didn’t need persuading. The dress was exactly what she had in mind. Cornflower-blue, with a pretty white collar, it was perfect. The waist was fitted, the skirt was straight, and it was her size. She need look no further. ‘How much is it?’

‘Er, let me see …’ The little woman peered at the label again. ‘It says two pounds ten shillings here, but, seeing as it needs a bit of a wash, give us two pounds. It’s good material, and it’ll look wonderful on you. This is the kind of frock you’ll wear again and again.’ She gabbled on, eager to make a sale, and reducing the price a bit at a time, until the deal was finally done. ‘All right … give us one pound ten shillings,’ she decided. ‘It’s daylight robbery, but I’ll settle for that.’

Ten minutes later, armed with her dress, and a new pair of blue, small-heeled sandals, Kathy called into the corner café for a well-earned break. ‘Tea and toast, please,’ she told the friendly waitress. That morning she had rushed out to catch the bus, with no time for breakfast, and now her stomach was turning somersaults.

‘There you are, Miss.’ The waitress was in her mid to late fifties, already burdened with age and weariness, yet with the brightest of smiles in her eyes and a way of putting folk at their ease.

While Kathy patiently waited, she lazily offloaded the tray, explaining each item as it was placed on the table. ‘One pot of tea … nice and hot, and a slice of toast and dripping.’ Sliding the tray away, she gave Kathy her best smile. ‘How’s that, m’dear?’

Kathy nodded. ‘That’s lovely.’ She smiled back. ‘Thank you.’

Grateful for another satisfied customer, the woman ambled away, as if she had all the time in the world; even though she appeared to be the only waitress, and the café was already beginning to fill up.

Digging into her breakfast, Kathy felt good about life. She had her house and her health, and now she had the chance of a job. On the face of it, everything seemed to be shaping up to her expectations.

‘All right are you, dear?’ All too soon, the waitress was back with the bill.

‘Yes, thank you.’

‘And did you enjoy your cuppa?’

Kathy assured her, ‘It was just what I needed.’

She checked the bill and managed to find the exact change in her purse, together with a few coppers for the woman.

‘What you got in your bag then, dear?’ Straining to see inside Kathy’s shopping bag, she seemed disappointed when she couldn’t make out its contents. ‘I never get time to go shopping … not proper, like. I’m allus on the rush.’

Kathy had got used to these kind, friendly folk. They took an interest, and that was something she had not really been used to, but she was amused at being asked what was in her bag. That was a new one on her.

‘I’ve bought myself a frock and a new pair of shoes,’ Kathy replied. ‘I’ve applied for a job at the caravan site and I want to look my best for the interview.’

‘Oh, that’s good.’ The woman sat herself in the chair opposite. ‘Let’s have a look then, dear.’

Seeing how the woman looked tired and was probably using her curiosity as an excuse to sit down for a minute, Kathy took out the dress and let her see. ‘Ooh!’ Fingering the material, the woman smiled with pleasure. ‘That’s really nice … though I’d never squeeze myself into that, I wouldn’t! Never in a month o’ Sundays.’

She pointed to the bag. ‘What else you got in there, dear?’

Kathy took out the shoes and, being careful not to incur bad luck by placing them on the table, she handed them over, smiling to herself as the woman lovingly ran her hands over the shoes. This kindly woman was a complete stranger, yet here she was, handing her shoes over to be examined. Because of the woman’s naturally disarming nature, it seemed as though she’d known her for years.

The woman caressed the shoes. ‘You might not think it now,’ she remarked with a sigh, ‘but, when I were younger I used to wear shoes like this. It’s a pity, but when you get older your feet get all swollen up and you’ve to wear what’s comfortable, not what’s pretty.’

When she gave a full smile, as she did now, Kathy could clearly see a number of gaps in her otherwise surprisingly white teeth. ‘Just look at you, dear … such a pretty little thing you are.’ Giving Kathy a smile and a nod, she gestured to the dress and shoes together. ‘I bet you look a treat in this little lot.’

Warming to this dear soul by the minute, Kathy confided, ‘I was really lucky to find them, and at a reasonable price. I need to look smart if I’m to get this job. I’m really keen to stay in West Bay,’ she admitted. ‘When I came here, I wanted to make a brand new start … I wanted to be on my own, away from it all,’ she added, almost to herself.

‘I see. And have you no family?’

Kathy took a moment to reply, and then it was with a bitter taste in her mouth. ‘No,’ she answered, ‘I’ve no family, not to speak of anyway.’

‘You’re like me then, dear. I were an only child, and my parents are long gone. Oh, I’m wed o’ course, but we never had children, more’s the pity.’ Her eyes clouded over. ‘I would have loved a daughter.’ She looked down at Kathy, then glanced round the room. ‘I know this isn’t much to show for a lifetime’s work, but it’s all bought and paid for. It’s provided us a living. But it would have been nice to have children to hand it all down to.’

She gave Kathy a wink. ‘Got a boyfriend, have you, dear?’

Kathy shook her head. ‘No.’

‘What!’ The woman was shocked, ‘A good-looking girl like yourself. Oh well, never mind, dear. I expect once you’re settled in you’ll have more time for that sort of thing.’ Suddenly her face dropped and she seemed unbearably sad. ‘Listen, my dear,’ she began in a warning tone, ‘when you do meet somebody, take your time. Don’t rush into any old relationship, because sometimes they’re not what they seem, and you can get really hurt.’

‘I won’t.’ Kathy suspected from her manner that the poor soul might be talking from experience.

‘Make sure you love him and he loves you … moreover, make sure he respects you as a person. He has to allow you an opinion, otherwise you’ll never feel part of a couple. Instead you’ll feel left out and useless, and you don’t want that, do you?’

She sighed, a long, deep sigh. ‘It’s funny how you let the years go by without seeing things … then, when you come to realise it’s all been a terrible waste, it’s too late to do anything about it.’

Getting up, she pushed her chair back and seemed as before, smiling and wishing Kathy well. ‘I hope you get the job, dear.’

‘Thank you.’ For a few minutes there, Kathy had glimpsed a deep sense of loneliness and regret.

Suddenly, startling them both, a man’s voice boomed out from the far side of the room. ‘Mabel!’ Standing behind the counter, the man was a large, red-faced, angry mound of flesh.

Both Kathy and the woman glanced back. Grimacing and pointing, the man made it plain he was none too pleased at Mabel hob-nobbing with the customers. ‘Get a move on!’ He appeared oblivious to the customers’ curious stares. ‘I can’t do everything myself!’

‘That’s my husband,’ the waitress told Kathy nervously. ‘He’s a miserable old git!’

Suddenly she leant down to confide, ‘I don’t mind telling you, dear … if I were thirty years younger and had a figure like yours, I’d not be working in this dump. I’d be away, somewhere exciting.’ Rolling her eyes, she muttered, ‘Somewhere as far away from that old bugger as I could get.’

‘Mabel! Come on, will you!’

She grimaced. ‘See what I mean?’ Taking out her pencil and pad, she wrote something down and handed it to Kathy. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve much time, especially if you get that job … but I make a nice cherry cake, so if you’re ever down Monk’s Way, you might stop off and visit me. He’s allus down the pub on Friday and Sat’day night,’ she added, ‘and he sleeps it off most of Sunday.’ She handed Kathy the note. ‘It would be nice if you could pop in and have a chat.’

Kathy promised she would pop in if she was ever that way.

As the woman went off, she called out, ‘I never asked your name, dear?’

‘It’s Kathy.’

Mabel laughed. ‘I think you know by now what my name is.’

Just then the man called out, ‘I’ll not tell you again, Mabel. Hurry up! We’ve customers waiting!’

Mabel tutted under her breath. ‘They’ll not be waiting long if you keep yelling and screaming!’

She smiled at Kathy. ‘Good luck with the interview, dear,’ she said, and before Kathy could answer, Mabel was off serving another customer.

The first thing Kathy did when she got home was to wash her new dress. Hanging on the line, it danced and shivered in the summer breeze, its colours bright and refreshed, and looking prettier than when she had first seen it.

She had already cleaned the house before going into Bridport, but now she walked through every room, throwing open windows and letting the breeze wash in. The house already looked better. It had taken hours of scrubbing and washing – and there were none of the new labour-saving devices in place that her mother had in London – but it had been a labour of love for Kathy. When she got to her own bedroom, she leaned out the window, always delighted by what she saw.

Today being Saturday, there were more people round the harbour: mums and dads; children eating ices; old couples sitting on the wall chatting; fishermen with their lines and legs dangling over the edge of the pier; other people busy in their boats – speedboats, fishing boats, small cruisers. The lively scene was a feast to the eyes and a joy to the heart. Kathy loved every minute of it.

‘Hey!’ From the street below, Jasper’s voice interrupted her daydreams. ‘Where’ve yer been, lass? I’ve already called round three times this morning. What ’ave yer been up to?’

‘Hello, Jasper!’ As always, Kathy was pleased to see him. ‘Wait there. I’ll come down.’

Running down the stairs two at a time, she soon reached the bottom and opened the front door. ‘Come in’ – she beckoned him inside – ‘and I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to.’

She hadn’t seen the letter lying on the mat, but the old man caught sight of it out of the corner of his eye. ‘Somebody loves yer,’ he chuckled. Sweeping the envelope up, he followed her into the kitchen, where he dropped it on to the table. ‘Looks like I’m playing at being postman now,’ he joked. ‘You’ll want me mekkin’ me own tea next.’

Taking him up on the roundabout offer, Kathy answered craftily, ‘What a good idea! Lots of milk, one sugar. Thanks, Jasper, you’re a pal.’ She tore open the envelope. ‘I think this is Maggie’s writing.’

‘Yer cheeky little bugger!’ He saw how she was intent on reading the letter and promptly forgave her. ‘Oh, go on then, lass, I’ll mek the tea. And don’t blame me if it’s not to yer liking.’

Putting the kettle on, he grumbled and moaned. ‘While I’m at it, I might as well mek us a few slices o’ toast. After that, happen you’d like me to polish the furniture, or mek the beds. I could even clean the winders … or, I might sweep the yard and give it a wash down. An’ what about the garden … I might as well carry on turning that over while I’m at it.’ Quietly chuckling to himself, he turned to look at her, but she wasn’t even listening. ‘All right then, lass.’ He got busy. ‘Tea and toast coming up.’ By now he knew Kathy’s kitchen well enough to have the tray ready in no time.

‘Now then, young Kathy’ – he made his way to the table – ‘don’t you go telling me the toast is burnt, ’cause it ain’t my fault. It’s that useless grill o’ yourn!’ Shoving the plate of curled-up toast in front of her, he poured them each a cup of tea, and sat himself down, continuing to mutter and complain. ‘I turned it right down, but it still burnt the toast …’

He saw that she was still intently reading the letter, sometimes smiling, sometimes groaning. ‘By! Yer not listening to a word I’m saying,’ he protested.

Raising her head, Kathy’s eyes shone with delight. ‘Oh, it’s good to hear from Maggie!’

‘Is this the lass you told me about?’ he asked. ‘The one who’s allus in and out o’ trouble?’

‘She’s not that bad,’ Kathy laughed, ‘but she is unpredictable. You never know what she’ll be up to next.’ Catching sight of Jasper about to bite off a piece of blackened toast, she was horrified. ‘You’re not going to eat that, are you?’

‘I certainly am,’ he replied, happily chewing, ‘every last bite.’

Kathy took a bite of hers, but couldn’t stomach it. ‘Thanks for the tea,’ she said. ‘Now then, what’s wrong?’

‘What d’yer mean?’ He took a huge bite of his toast and could say no more, for the moment anyway.

‘You said you’d been round three times already this morning,’ she reminded him. ‘So … what’s wrong?’

He took a gulp of his tea, catching his breath when it proved to be too hot. ‘Oh, aye!’ He bit off another piece of toast and commenced chewing, with the words coming out in between each chew. ‘Where’ve yer been?’ Instead of answering her question, he had one for her.

‘I caught the early bus into Bridport,’ she answered. ‘Look!’ She drew his attention to the dress on the line. ‘I bought a new dress for the interview on Monday morning. What do you think?’

He took a peep. ‘I think it’s right pretty.’

‘So, why did you want to see me?’

‘Oh, it’s just that, well … me an’ Tom wondered if you’d like to come out with us this afternoon?’

Kathy was surprised. She didn’t really know Tom. ‘I’m not sure. Except for what you’ve told me about him, and the odd time we’ve bumped into each other, I hardly know him.’

The old man winked. ‘Mebbe not, lass, but yer like him, don’t yer?’

‘What makes you say that?’ Kathy could feel the blush spreading all over her face and neck.

‘Ah!’ He tapped his nose. ‘I don’t need “telling”. I’ve got eyes. I’ve seen the two of youse, peeping at each other. It don’t tek twopenn’ orth of common sense to see how you’re drawn to each other. And don’t deny it, ’cause you’ll only mek matters worse!’

‘Well, we’ve hardly spoken, but I do like him,’ Kathy admitted shyly. ‘But I don’t know about coming out.’

‘Go on, lass,’ Jasper said as he saw her hesitate. ‘If yer get the job at the site, you’ll not ’ave time for much else. What with overtime and that, you’ll be clapped out once yer get home. So, what d’yer say?’ He saw she was weakening. ‘It’ll be entertaining, if nowt else.’

Kathy thought it might be fun to spend some time in Tom’s company. ‘All right, yes.’

‘Good! I’ll be here to pick you up at two o’clock.’

‘Hang on a minute.’ Kathy had a question. ‘You haven’t told me where we’re going.’

‘We’re off to look at a boat.’ The old man couldn’t conceal his excitement. ‘An old friend o’ mine is giving up the sea … he’s not in the best of health these days, poor devil. Anyway, he can’t keep up with it all any more, so he’s getting rid of the boat, and I don’t mind telling yer, it’s a good ’un!’

Though he had never been able to afford one, boats were his passion. ‘Anyway, the boat’s nobbut four year old, and hardly done any work at all.’

‘So, is Tom planning to use it for fishing?’ She had seen how he was always helping out on one fishing boat or another, and how he seemed to love it.

‘I don’t know about the “fishing”, lass. It’s not that kind o’ boat.’ Taking a slurp of his tea, the old man wiped his moustache. ‘Since Tom’s been helping out on the boats, he’s really tekken to it. He’s been toying with the idea of buying his own boat for some time, and now I’ve found a good ’un at a reasonable price, he’s keen to ’ave a look at it.’

‘If it’s not a fishing boat, what kind is it, then?’

‘It’s a sailing boat … a little beauty of a thing. She’s easy to handle, and he’s had ’er adapted so you’ve got the best of both worlds. When there’s no wind, you’ve got a little engine that’ll carry yer along till the wind gets up agin. By, you’re gonna love it!’ His eyes twinkled with excitement. ‘It’s been kept undercover most of its life and looks good as new. It goes like a good ’un, too. I’ve been on it, so I should know.’

With all that now settled, he glanced at the letter in her hand. ‘So is your friend Maggie coming to see yer?’

Kathy explained, ‘She always promised she’d come and see me when she’d got the time. Well, now it seems she’s been sacked … again!’ She shook her head in disbelief. ‘Anyway, she’s got to find another job to pay the rent before she can come down for a holiday. But she promises it’ll be soon.’ The idea that Maggie would soon be here in her house, sitting across the table talking about old times, was wonderful. ‘Oh, Jasper! It’ll be so good to see her. I can’t wait!’

For a time, they talked about Maggie and her escapades and laughed together.

‘She sounds like a real handful, an’ no mistake.’ Having finished his toast, the old man licked his lips and wiped his face and washed down the dregs of his tea. ‘Man-mad an’ all, by the sound of it.’

He referred to the part in the letter where Maggie had given a hilarious account of a night out with her latest man. ‘I’m not sure I approve of what she’s up to, though … going out with a man years older just ’cause she fancies he might give her a life o’ luxury.’

Kathy dismissed his fears. ‘If she makes a play for you, Jasper,’ she teased, ‘I’ll have something to say, don’t you worry.’

He laughed out loud. ‘Aye, an’ you can tell ’er, it’s no use thinking I’m loaded, ’cause I’ve no money to speak of … except a little pension an’ what I earn round the fishing boats and such.’ Grinning broadly, he began to preen himself. ‘Mind you, if she’s looking for a ’andsome fella with a sense of adventure, she’ll not go wrong wi’ me.’

‘You old devil!’ Kathy laughed with him. ‘I’m sure she’ll love you for the rogue you are … just like I do.’ In fact, she thought Maggie and the old man would get on like a house on fire.

‘Right, lass.’ He stretched and groaned. ‘I’d best be off.’ Making his way to the door, he reminded her again. ‘Two o’clock, mind. We’ll pick yer up from ’ere.’

In the time she had left before being collected for the outing, Kathy brought the dress in, ironed it, and hung it carefully in the wardrobe. She then washed and changed, cleaned her teeth, and brushed her hair into a springy bob.

When Tom and the old man came for her, she was sitting on the wall, watching the boats and thinking about the one Tom might buy. She was so intent on looking at the boats, she didn’t see them approach. ‘By! She’s a bonny lass if ever there were one.’ Jasper secretly hoped Kathy and Tom might get together; though he knew there was a long way to go yet, he had a good feeling about these two.

Following the old man’s gesture, Tom’s dark gaze fell on Kathy. He agreed with Jasper; she really was a ‘bonny lass’, he thought. In fact, in spite of himself, he had been drawn to her from the first minute he set eyes on her, when she was running for the taxi in London, then again later at the churchyard. The closest he had come to her was at the chip shop, when he had seen the sparkle in her pretty toffee-coloured eyes.

There was something very appealing about Kathy, he thought.

He didn’t know why she stayed in his mind. Maybe it was her wonderful, free smile and that easy way she had of chatting as though she’d known you all her life. Maybe it was her joy at everything and the way she seemed to meet life head on. To his mind, being naturally a quiet, private person, such energy and warmth was a gift.

‘Right then, lass.’ Jasper’s voice shook Kathy out of her thoughts. ‘Ready for off, are yer?’

Leaping off the wall, Kathy hurried towards them, blushing pink when Tom smiled down on her. ‘Hello, there.’

Returning a bright, shy smile, Kathy thanked him for asking her along, but added, ‘I think I should tell you … I don’t know the first thing about boats.’

‘That’s all right.’ He smiled. ‘I just thought it would be nice to have you along.’ He apologised, ‘I don’t know if Jasper told you, but we’ll be going on the bus. My car’s had to go in for repairs … a clattering of sorts in the engine … wants new pistons, or so they tell me.’ He grimaced. ‘I wouldn’t mind, but I haven’t had the thing all that long.’

He seemed relieved when Kathy assured him she was more than happy to go on the bus.

As they walked to the bus stop, Jasper had an idea. ‘Why don’t we go to the pub in Weymouth afterwards?’ he suggested. ‘It’s a lovely day, an’ they’ve got the prettiest garden.’ He licked his lips. ‘A pint o’ the best would go down a treat.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ Tom said. And Kathy felt the same.

‘Good!’ The old man was content. He was with two people he was very fond of, and on top of that there was the promise of a leisurely pint in the offing. ‘By! This’ll be the best day out ever!’ He began whistling, and didn’t stop until they reached the bus stop, where he happily chatted away non-stop.

When the bus came, he gave the order to Tom, ‘You and the lass sit together, an’ I’ll keep an eye on youse from behind.’ Behind Kathy’s back he winked at Tom.

Seeing the twinkle in the old man’s eye, Tom wagged a playful finger at the old chap. ‘Behave yourself,’ he chided, ‘or I’ll have you thrown off the bus.’

With that in mind, the old man sat quietly behind the two of them, minding his P’s and Q’s, and occasionally grinning as he thought how well Tom and Kathy seemed to be getting on.

The very same thought was racing through Tom’s mind. Somehow he felt very at ease with her.

Kathy, too, felt very comfortable chatting to him, though she was keenly aware of the physical closeness between them. He was undeniably attractive. But the last thing she wanted to do was get involved with a man. She’d just got her life in order again.

By the time they got into Weymouth, the sun was at its hottest. ‘By! I’ve never known it so warm.’ As they walked the short distance over the bridge and down to the harbour road, Jasper loosened the neck of his shirt. ‘That pint seems very tempting right now,’ he chuckled, and Tom agreed, though, ‘We’ve got business to attend to first,’ he said firmly.

Walking a step or two behind him, Tom kept close to Kathy. Whenever a vehicle got too close, he would put his arm about her waist to guide her from the kerb edge. Kathy loved the feel of his arm round her. She loved being with him. She was proud to walk alongside him, where everyone must have thought they were a couple. There was a surprising mixture of emotions churning inside her, and the one that surprised her most was the feeling that she might be falling in love. It was a wonderful, terrifying thought.

‘Right! Let’s have a look.’ Stopping by the quayside, the old man raked his eyes over the many boats in the water, crying out when he caught sight of his old friend waving him down. ‘There he is! D’y’ see? Fred Lovett, me old mate.’

The three of them scrambled down and climbed aboard. ‘Glad to see you, old-timer.’ Holding out his hand in greeting, the boat-owner was about Jasper’s age, though more wrinkled and grey, and with a certain stoop to his back that appeared to slow his movements.

Jasper shook his hand, grinning as he retorted, ‘Don’t you call me “old-timer”, yer old bugger! There’s still a dance or two in me yet.’

They hugged and laughed, and after Tom and Kathy had been introduced, they took the boat out to sea. ‘I’ll run her through her tricks, and then you can make up your own minds,’ Fred told them.

It was the most exhilarating experience, and one Kathy would never forget. Having never set foot on a boat before in her life, it was all new and exciting; a little scary at first, but then she got into the mood and enjoyed every minute.

Gathered at the stern of the boat, Fred at the helm, the three men discussed the technical attributes of the craft, while Kathy lay on the foredeck, the warmth of the sun on her face, the cool breeze in her hair, and her ears assailed by the comforting sound of rushing water as the boat sliced a way through.

It wasn’t long before she began to understand why people loved the sea so much. There was something magical about it.

When the trial run was over, they made their way back to harbour. Kathy rejoined the three men at the stern. ‘Well, what d’you think?’ Fred addressed himself to Tom. ‘Is she a beauty or what?’

Tom couldn’t deny it. ‘What’s your best price?’

‘You know my price. I expect Jasper here has already told you.’

Behind Fred’s back, Jasper gave Tom a wink, warning him to be cautious.

Tom nodded. ‘Yes, he told me, but I’m sure you could think again if you had to?’

‘Mmm.’ He scratched his chin and looked at Jasper. Then he looked at Kathy; when she smiled, his eyes visibly brightened. ‘All right then!’ He held out a hand for Tom to agree a deal. ‘I’ll knock off a hundred pounds, but that’s my best offer.’

Grabbing him by the hand, Tom closed the deal. ‘Done!’ In a minute, out came the bottle of whisky and glasses, which Fred had ready under the seat. ‘Let’s drink to it!’

‘Yer old bugger!’ Jasper laughed out loud. ‘Yer meant to do a deal today, even if yer had to come down a bob or two.’

Fred chuckled. ‘I got the price I wanted,’ he confided. ‘You always up your price so it can be knocked down – I thought you knew that?’

Tom couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I’ve learned something new about you boat-owners,’ he said. ‘I can see I shall have to be on my guard in future.’

Arrangements were made to bring the cruiser into West Bay, where Tom and Jasper would be waiting. ‘It’ll take me close on a fortnight to root out the right documents, and prepare everything for the solicitor. Then he needs to go through it all, and draw up the agreement. Don’t worry, though: by the time I hand her over she’ll be ship-shape and serviced.’

Tom nodded his approval.

With the deal concluded, the trio headed for the pub; an old place with character, it sat right alongside the railway lines. ‘By! I’ve had many a jolly time in ’ere,’ Jasper imparted roguishly. ‘I met a lovely lass by the name of Janice in this place.’ He scowled. ‘Trouble was, it turned out she were wed, with four kids and a bad-tempered old man.’

For a while he enthralled them with tales of his escapades, and the laughter rang through the room. Because he wasn’t too busy at that time of day, the landlord agreed to serve them ham and chips, even though the cook had already left for the day. ‘But don’t expect nothing fancy.’ Though when he arrived with the meals half an hour later, they were a credit to him.

Jasper ordered the drinks. ‘Three pints o’ yer best,’ he told the landlord, and that included one for Kathy.

‘You’re never going to drink that, are you?’ Tom laughed when Kathy picked up the huge mug in her tiny fists.

‘I certainly am!’ she replied. ‘I’ve already done one thing today that I’ve never done before … going on that boat. Well, now I’m doing another,’ and she took such a gulp of the beer that it sent her into a choking fit.

‘Take it easy!’ Laughing, Tom patted her on the back. ‘We don’t want you drowning yourself, at least not before you’ve had a chance to do all those other things you’ve never done before.’

Appreciating his concern, Kathy finished the pint and got a round of applause. ‘Happen I should order yer another?’ Jasper teased.

With the room already going round in her head, Kathy wisely settled for a dandelion and burdock.

Before they knew it, the time had rolled round to six o’clock. ‘By! That’s the best day out I’ve had in years,’ the old man said. ‘I can’t recall when I laughed so much.’

Tom thought the same. ‘What say we take a walk along the front?’ The truth was, he didn’t want the day to end.

Kathy jumped at the idea. ‘I could use a bit of fresh air.’ Like Tom, she didn’t want the day to end either. ‘My head feels like it’s been run over by a herd of elephants.’

‘Serves yer right for trying to be one o’ the men,’ Jasper laughed. ‘Women ’ave no right drinking beer. It don’t suit ’em.’

Kathy laughed. ‘You’re right there!’

Thrilled that he would be keeping Kathy’s company for some time yet, Tom went to pay the bill. Meanwhile, the old man went off in the direction of the Gents, while Kathy went in search of the Ladies. ‘I’m just going to powder my nose,’ she told Tom.

A few minutes later they were heading for the beach. The sands were still crowded with holiday-makers, but the promenade was not too busy. ‘By ’eck, this is grand!’ Jasper strolled along, hands in trouser pockets and a look of contentment about him.

‘There’s three things in this world worth fighting for,’ he said. ‘Taking a boat out on the open seas; a stroll along the promenade in the heat of the day –’ he gave one of his naughty winks – ‘and a woman in your arms. That’ll do for me.’

After a while, they stopped at the ice-cream parlour. Taking their tubs of ice-cream to a bench, they sat and watched the children at play. ‘Oh, but there’s nowt like it!’ With melted ice-cream all over his whiskers, Jasper winked at the ladies and felt like a king.

Alongside him, Kathy and Tom chatted quietly about West Bay and their new way of life. Kathy told him about Maggie and how she was coming to visit soon. ‘I’ll have to keep her on a short rein though.’ She smiled at the thought. ‘The truth is, you never can tell what she’ll do next.’

Tom explained how he had come to love his life here, though there were certain things he must do before he could really settle down. He delighted her by confessing how much he had enjoyed the day and being with her, and asked a question that put a smile on her face. ‘Maybe we could do it again?’ he wondered aloud.

‘Why not?’ she said, happily.

Sitting there together, with the sun on their faces and the sound of holiday-makers having fun, they talked about many things, but neither Kathy nor Tom revealed the reasons they had come to West Bay. And while they sat beside each other, looking at the sea and sky and the children playing, they thought how wonderful it all was.

Suddenly, Tom slid his hand over Kathy’s and held it ever so gently. Taken by surprise, Kathy looked up to find Tom looking down on her, his quiet eyes smiling into hers. Neither of them spoke, but that moment was cherished in both their hearts.

The old man had seen it too, and couldn’t help but smile to himself. Today, he hoped, had seen the beginnings of love, and his old heart was full.

All too soon, they were on board the bus, heading home. As before, Kathy sat next to Tom and, intermittently nodding off, the old man sat behind. A silence fell between Kathy and Tom, and for the first time she felt rather awkward with him, uncomfortably aware of his powerful frame next to hers. The quietness between them was overwhelming. She wanted to ask Tom many questions, and yet she sensed he wasn’t ready for that kind of intimacy. He seemed distant, as though there were things preying on his mind, private things that needed all his attention. Kathy understood that, for she also had things on her mind, which only she could deal with.

When they got off the bus at West Bay, the old man begged an early night. ‘I’ve come over all tired,’ he said, yawning. ‘I reckon I’ll get an early night.’ He yawned again before addressing Tom. ‘I’ll see yer at the harbour-master’s office in the morning. You’ll need to register for a berth, an’ there’s all kinda forms and rigmarole to go through. Best mek it early, ’cause he’s a wily old bugger … won’t tend to nothing after ten o’clock. Once he’s locked that office door and gone fishing, you’ll not find him in a month o’ Sundays!’

Tom agreed to meet the old chap outside the harbour-master’s office at eight o’clock sharp. ‘See you then, Jasper, and thanks for today.’

‘You’ve got a beauty of a boat there, son,’ Jasper answered. ‘I reckon you’ve got years o’ fun for your money.’

He kissed Kathy goodnight. ‘Yer did us proud, lass,’ he told her with a grin. ‘I ain’t never seen a woman drink a pint afore, apart from that bearded woman at the circus … knocked it back in seconds, so she did, and asked for more!’

He walked away, leaving Kathy and Tom laughing. ‘He’s a one-off,’ Tom remarked. ‘The finest friend a man could ever have.’

Kathy agreed. ‘No wonder everybody loves him,’ she said. ‘I don’t know what I would have done without him.’

At the front door, she asked if he would like to come in for a while. ‘Best not,’ he answered softly, ‘not tonight.’ The truth was, he needed to put a distance between them. He needed time to think through what had happened today. ‘It was very special having you along. Are you glad you came?’

Kathy’s heart was racing. Standing here, so close to him, with the evening drawing in and the house behind them in shadow, it was too nerve-racking. ‘Yes, I am … very glad.’ She wanted to sound confident and strong, but her voice emerged as small and feeble.

Suddenly he took hold of her. ‘You’re lovely.’ His dark eyes enveloped her. ‘You’re so … different … from anyone I’ve ever met.’ He thought of her running out after that taxi; then in the chip shop, talking to him like she’d known him for ever. And today, drinking a man’s pint. She was so alive! Ready to take on the world.

She gave a shy, nervous laugh. ‘I’m just a bit crazy, that’s all. You’d do well to steer clear of me.’

He didn’t answer. Instead, for the longest moment of her life, he gazed down on her. Looking up at him, she felt herself losing control. When, with great tenderness, he now tilted her face to his, touching his lips to hers, she never wanted it to end. The sensation of his warm lips against hers raced through her senses, and turned her heart upside down.

The kiss was fleeting. For a while longer, he held her close, his arms enfolding her, his face gentle against the softness of her skin. Then, holding her at arm’s length, he looked down on her, the softest of smiles twinkling in those dark eyes. She was so sure he was about to say something intense that when he let her go with the words, ‘I’d best be off. Goodnight, Kathy,’ she was stunned.

She watched him stride down the path. At the gate she wondered if he might turn, but he didn’t. Instead he went away at a quickening pace, like a man driven by demons.

‘Goodnight,’ she murmured. A moment later, disillusioned by his sudden action, she went into the house and got herself ready for bed, where she lay, thinking of him, wondering what it was that made him so afraid to love.