Page 8 of Coming Home to Sturcombe Bay
The little girl managed a shy smile, her rosebud mouth forming a small, O.
“We’re going to build a sandcastle,” Noah announced proudly. “A great big one.”
“That’ll be fun. I used to build sandcastles, but I expect yours will be much better.”
“Sit down,” Lisa invited, patting the picnic blanket. “Want a cola?”
“Thanks.” Cassie settled herself comfortably on the blanket and accepted the can of drink Lisa produced from her colourful tote bag. “So, give me all the goss. I know you’ve sent me regular updates, but email’s not nearly as good as a proper natter. Tom Cullen’s getting married?”
“That’s right. Her name’s Vicky — Vicky Marston. She’s old Molly Marston’s niece — well, great-niece. Do you remember her? She used to come down for the summer holidays, years ago.”
Cassie pursed her lips, thinking. “I remember Molly, of course — she was a one-off — but I don’t think I knew her niece.”
“She’d have been a couple of years younger than you. She was great friends with Debbie. She’s really nice.”
“Didn’t you tell me she inherited Molly’s place? And that funny portrait. It looked really weird in that picture you sent me.”
“It was weird. She told me her ex-boyfriend said it was rubbish and to throw it in the skip, but it turned out to be worth a fortune. Which just goes to show.”
“And it was by the same guy who drew that one of Nanna Marjory?”
“That’s right. Mum got a tidy bit for that, and so did several other people. Kate — Debbie’s mum — and Tom’s mum, and Brenda who runs the shop up on Church Road.”
“That was lucky. Seems like this Vicky brought a windfall to the town.”
“She did.”
“And now she’s going to marry Tom. What happened to that actress you told me about, that he was engaged to last year? The witch?”
Lisa laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, she wasn’t actually that bad. She was very beautiful, and she could be really nice — at least when things were going her way.”
“And when they weren’t?”
“Well, yes.” Lisa’s lips twitched. “She could be a bit of a witch.”
Cassie laughed. “You think everyone is really nice. Anyway, what about this Vicky? Didn’t you say she’s from London? Who’s to say she won’t toddle off back there sooner or later, especially now she’s got all that money.”
“I don’t think she will.” The baby gurgled in her sleep, and Lisa patted her tiny hand to quiet her. “She’s buying those old cottages on Slaney Road. Some developer was going to buy them and knock them down to build holiday apartments, but she outbid him and she’s having them done up to rent out — locals only.”
“That’s good.” Cassie nodded her approval, though she was still slightly doubtful.
“Anyway, you’ll probably meet her soon and you’ll see for yourself. She’s covering my maternity leave over at the hotel.”
“Why?” Cassie slanted her sister a look of surprise. “Surely she doesn’t need a job after getting all that money for the picture?”
“I told you, she’s really nice. She took it on before she knew the painting was worth so much, and she didn’t want to let us down. You know how Mike gets — he’d have worried himself to a frazzle. And that’s not the only wedding we’ve got coming up. Debbie’s getting married too. To Bill, who works up at the Cullen farm.”
“Oh, yes. I remember you telling me that.” She took another sip of her cola. “Wasn’t she married before?”
“That’s right — to Alan Gowan.”
“Alan Gowan?” Cassie frowned. “The one who was in your class at school? You used to call him the Octopus.”
“That’s right.” They were both speaking softly so that the children wouldn’t hear, but fortunately they were too intent on their sandcastle to pay any attention to the grown-ups’ conversation, Noah issuing instructions and little Amy dutifully following them. “He used to lurk in the senior library, and if he caught you on your own in there, he was all over you.”
“Sounds like a right toe-rag. Why on earth did Debbie marry him?”
“Ah, you know what a little innocent she was. She was flattered that he paid her attention, and he liked that she always agreed with him about everything. They went together for a few years, then Debbie got pregnant with Amy so they got married. But it didn’t stop him messing around with any bit of skirt he could get his hands on.” She laughed. “Then he took up with Kelly-Anne Wallis. Remember her?”
