Page 5 of The Big Dip in Crumbleton
‘There she is, just up ahead,’ he said, his voice taking on a dreamy quality. ‘Almost home.’
Scarlett and Lou craned their necks to take a look, but there wasn’t much to see other than a darker smudge against the dark sky. Presumably, the faint scattering of twinkling lights was Crumbleton, sitting on its famous hill that rose right up out of the saltwater marshes.
Ten minutes later, Brian pulled the bus under a stone archway and turned to trundle slowly along a cobbled street that wound around the bottom of the hill.
‘Right,’ he announced, coming to a halt at long last. ‘Here we are. First stop – Dolphin and Anchor. Everyone out except for Scarlett!’
Scarlett did her best not to pout as Lou scrambled to her feet. There was a general rustling as everyone else started to stir. They yawned, stretched and groaned as they gathered their belongings.
‘Where shouldwego?’ muttered Doris from the back. ‘We’re in one of the bed and breakfasts in town…’
‘Just head into the bar and ask for Fergus,’ said Brian. ‘He’ll give you all directions. I’d love to drop you all off, but I think the minibus would fall apart on the cobbles!’
‘Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?’ said Lou, her brow furrowed with concern as she glanced at Scarlett. ‘I’m sure one of the others might be up for swapping…’
Scarlett shook her head and forced a smile onto her face. This was the one drawback of being a last-minute addition to the party – there wasn’t a bed to be had in the hotelorthe rest of Crumbleton… not even in a shared room.
Thankfully, she’d managed to findsomewhereto stay, but it wasn’t anywhere near the others. There hadn’t really been many details available beyond the fact that it was within easy walking distance of the beach.
‘There’s no way I’d do that – I’m the party-crasher here!’ she said. ‘Anyway, I’ll be fine. Brian said the place is nice, so…’
‘I promise it’s lovely,’ Brian chimed in from the front, clearly eavesdropping. ‘Just a bit of a drive, that’s all. You’re right by the sea!’
‘See?’ Scarlett said, with more confidence than she felt.
‘Text me when you get there, okay?’ said Lou. ‘I need to know it’s not just a shed with a metal bucket to pee in.’
‘That’s exactly the comforting image I need right now,’ Scarlett laughed.
‘Well, if it turns out to be dodgy, give me a shout. I’m sure we can find someone to pick you up and bring you back.’
‘What? Swap my very own bed for a patch of floor between you and Kathleen? No ta!’ said Scarlett. ‘I don’t fancy a snorey encore, thanks.’
‘But… I feel bad,’ said Lou, looking uncharacteristically worried. ‘Promise you’ll let me know you’re okay?’
‘I promise. Now go. You’re holding everyone up.’
Lou gave her an awkward, one-armed hug before getting swept off the bus by the rest of the chattering group.
With a pang of longing, Scarlett watched through the window as the Chilly Dippers disappeared inside the cosy-looking pub. She’d love nothing more than to be part of their noisy, cheerful group rather than heading off on her own into the unknown.
‘Righty-ho! Settle in,’ said Brian, grinning at her in the rearview mirror. ‘We’ll be there in no time.’
‘Where exactly am I staying?’ said Scarlett, leaning forward in her seat as Brian turned the bus around and headed back underneath the stone arch and out towards the marshes again.
‘Ah, you’ve got a special spot over in Crumbleton Sands,’ said Brian. ‘It’s a real treat, you’ll see.’
* * *
‘Here we are.’
Scarlett bolted upright. She’d almost nodded off against the minibus window.
‘Oh great… thanks, Brian!’ she said through a barely suppressed yawn. ‘Wait… this can’t be right, can it?’
They’d pulled up on a sandy track outside a little blue and white building. Its windows were dark, and the “closed” sign was firmly in place on the door.
‘Beachcomber Gifts,’ said Brian with a little nod. ‘Your accommodation’s just round the back.’
