Page 87 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure
‘Now,’ she said, ‘you’ve listened to me rant, and I want to know all your news. Will you tell me what’s happening with you and Britta and everything you’ve been up to?’
‘You may be surprised,’ Atticus laughed.
‘Go on, shock me. I could do with gossip other than my own.’
‘I’ve bought a cottage called Casita del Mar.’
‘The Cottage by the Sea…’ Mary breathed. Her eyes were wide as she listened to her dad explain.
‘I’ve gifted it to Britta, and it’s in her name. I want her to be secure and know that she will always have a roof over her head and a place she can call home.’
‘But that’s a wonderful thing to do.’
‘Aye, well, I don’t think your brother will think so.’
Mary heard Atticus sigh. ‘Can I tell him?’ she asked.
‘No, it’s my responsibility to let him know that his inheritance has just nose-dived by a considerable amount of euros.’
Mary began to chuckle and envisioned the scene in the farmhouse when Atticus broke the news. She didn’t know the extent of Mungo’s borrowings on the business, but this news wouldn’t go down well. But it was her dad’s own money to do with as he pleased, and if he chose not to leave it to his children, it was his affair.
‘I think it’s great, and you’re moving in too. A home by the Mediterranean Sea. Mum would be so proud of you.’
‘Aye, I think she probably would.’
Atticus explained that Britta loved to paint. He’d enjoyed taking her portfolio to a gallery in Alicante, who’d agreed to take some of her paintings. ‘She’s a typical creative,’ Atticus said, ‘talented, but always with a monkey on her shoulder telling her that she’s not good enough.’
‘Imposter syndrome. What a great thing that she’s now got you to encourage her and promote her work,’ Mary said. ‘But tell me, what about the future? Do you think you might get married?’
‘It’s early days, and I am happy now that I know Britta has a permanent home, whatever happens to me.’
Mary turned the radio on as she ended the call and drove away from the beach.The Brendan O'Conor Showreminded Mary that Christmas was just around the corner and the countdown to the big day had begun. ‘I’ve so much to do,’ Mary muttered as the countryside whizzed by. Minutes later, she entered the gates of Belvedere House.
There was a festive atmosphere and Mary smiled as she noted the classic white fairy lights that she’d used to decorate the front of the building. She’d worked so hard to make everything perfect for Christmas, both inside and out. Evergreen garlands tied with tartan ribbons embellished the windows, a pretty wreath hung from the front door, and miniature Christmas trees stood on either side.
Mary parked in front of the house.
Knowing that Christmas was Conor’s favourite time of the year, she’d worked tirelessly to ensurethat their home looked its best. As she opened the front door and stepped into the hallway, Mary smiled as she gazed at a vast tree, topped with a crystal star. The tree was wrapped in twinkling lights, and delicate glass baubles hung from the branches. At the foot of the tree, pretty parcels contained the children’s gifts to their father.
Mary hoped that Conor would appreciate how much care his family had taken in choosing his presents. Removing her coat and reaching for a hanger, she also hoped that, for his sake, he’d come to a decision about life with Lucinda. Conor was going through emotional turmoil too, and it wasn’t a good place to be. Knowing that he’d promised Mary an answer by Christmas, she was thoughtful as her fingers adjusted a bauble on the tree.
In less than a week, Mary would find out.
Chapter Thirty-Four
First light appeared just before eight o’clock, and Britta was at her easel in the lounge at Casita del Mar, brush in hand, contemplating a canvas when Atticus announced that he would take Ness for a walk. Kissing her cheek, he handed Britta a coffee, then went out to the terrace and stared at the deserted beach, where the sky had begun to lighten with soft pastel hues and a hint of gold peeped above the horizon.
Skipping down the steps, Atticus went barefoot onto the cool sand. Untouched by the heat to come, the only footprints were those of early-morning seabirds, whose delicate tracks led to the water. Ness, nose to the ground, bounded ahead in pursuit. A gentle breeze stirred, and as Atticus inhaled deeply, he marvelled at the start of a new day and the picture-perfect world before him.
Atticus felt as though he’d won the lottery. Life with Britta was as good as it got.
Dipping his toes in the water, he smiled as he thoughtabout their trip to Benidorm and how they’d all fallen into a taxi after the evening at the Starlight Show Bar and returned to Winnie. Tired from the day’s exertions, Cheryl and Ruby had climbed onto the inflatable bed, and Ness, keen to welcome everyone home, jumped on too. Suddenly, the bed had deflated, and the couple doubled over with laughter and fell to the floor.
‘We need to get your claws cut, old girl,’ Atticus said as he stood beside Ness and stared out to sea. ‘And find a puncture repair kit,’ he added, reminding himself that the perforated bed, lent by Erik, needed to be mended and returned.
As Ness ran ahead, rhythmic waves lapped at his feet, and occasionally, Atticus paused to study the treasures left by the tide. A seashell or unusual driftwood, a piece of sea glass; something that might please Britta. He thought of his children and hoped that Mary overcame her difficulties. He’d never imagined that her marriage would crumble and that Conor would behave as he had, but Atticus knew that nothing in life was certain.
He wondered how Mungo was coping with Christmas at the farm and hoped that business was good. A decent bank balance to cover the lean months of the new year might ease Mungo’s financial anxieties and put his son in a better frame of mind. Not wishing to discuss the purchase of Casita del Mar with Mungo, Atticus had informed him in an email, burying the information amongst light conversation about the weather and the places he’d recently visited. He’d ended by wishing the family well and letting Mungo know that he’d depositedmoney into Mungo’s personal account for family gifts at Christmas.
