Page 67 of Coming Home to Sturcombe Bay
“Cass! As if.”
“Quite. Well, if we’re clear on that, I’ll be your tour guide. Though to be honest, I’m really not familiar with most with the touristy places in England.”
“That’s okay, we can explore together. Why don’t we start right here? This looks like a right pretty little place.”
“There’s not much of it. You can see most of it from our front step.”
“That’s okay. Looks like a decent beach you’ve got — let’s go for a swim.”
* * *
“Come on then, kiddo. Have you had a nice time playing with Amy?”
“It was reallyreallygood. We watchedFrozenand we had pink cupcakes.”
Kate laughed apologetically. “They were hungry when they got in from school. I hope they don’t spoil her tea.”
“I doubt it.” Liam smiled fondly down at his little daughter. “She seems to have a bottomless tummy. Say goodbye and thank you to Auntie Kate.”
The child ran over and threw her arms round Kate’s waist. “Goodbye, Auntie Kate. Thank you —espeshlyfor the cupcakes.”
“Goodbye, cherub. Honestly, Liam, it’s a delight having her. She’s so polite and well-behaved — you’re doing a great job with her.”
“Thanks.” That felt good, though if he was honest, a large part of bringing up his daughter fell to his mother and his sister-in-law. “Have you heard from Debbie?”
Kate smiled. “She rang me when they got to the hotel. She’s over the moon. They have a fabulous room with a view of the Eiffel Tower. I’m so glad the money from that sketch of my mum meant I could give my girl the send-off she deserved. And I got a lovely big freezer too!”
“Good. You deserve it, both of you.” He took Robyn’s hand. “Come on then, let’s get you home and have some tea.”
“Can I have scones?”
“On top of cupcakes?”
“Just one?”
He couldn’t help laughing. “That child could wheedle for England! Let’s wait and see what’s for tea before we settle on scones, eh? There could be apple pie.”
“Oooh, yes!”
“No promises, mind. Anyway, cheerio Kate.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Bye-bye, Amy.”
A shy little smile. “Bye-bye, Uncle Liam.”
The late afternoon sun was shimmering on the sea. A couple of white-sailed yachts were skimming across the bay, and further out towards the horizon a large container ship was waiting to get into Plymouth Harbour.
“Can we walk home along the beach, Daddy?”
“If you like.”
Holding his hand, Robyn skipped along at his side as they crossed the road and walked along to the steps leading down to the beach. There weren’t many people about — a few packing up deckchairs and picnic blankets to go home for tea, a coupleof dog walkers with boisterous mutts racing after balls and frisbees.
“There’s Auntie Cassie!” Robyn bounced up and down, waving excitedly.
Yes, there was Cassie, wading up out of the sea like Venus reborn in her bright orange swimsuit. With Adonis beside her — tall, tanned, and built like some kind of Greek god. If Adonis ever wore lime-green budgie smugglers.
She saw them and waved back. Liam set his jaw and lifted his hand briefly, then tugged at a reluctant Robyn. “Come on, poppet. Grandma will have your tea ready.”
Fortunately, the child didn’t argue, though he realised a moment later that he was walking so fast that she was struggling to keep up with him.
