Page 23 of A Snowy Seaside Christmas
She tapped out a quick text to Nate, briefly outlining her conversation with Louisa, hoping he’d be free to call at the heritage centre tomorrow. She’d also quite like to get the suitcase out of the shed and away from Seashell Cottage.
She didn’t have long to wait for his reply and was delighted, and relieved, to find he could manage a visit first thing in the morning.
With the visit confirmed with Louisa, Lark sat back and sipped her tea, gazing at the flames dancing behind the glass in the wood burner, her mind filling with the recent happenings at Crayke’s Cottage, wondering if Louisa would find any information on its history. Her thoughts drifted to Dodgy Dick and his wife Wendy, wondering what they were up to and why they’d shown their faces in the bookshop. Much as she didn’t like to think it, wherever they went, trouble usually followed. She hoped they weren’t going to give Florrie and Ed any more grief.
SIXTEEN
TUESDAY 2ND DECEMBER
Lark was making a list of essential oils and crystals she needed to restock, while she waited for Nate to arrive. They were due to meet Louisa at the heritage centre in quarter of an hour. The building was only a five-minute walk from her house, so Lark didn’t need to worry that they’d be late.
Her phone started ringing with a FaceTime call.Uh-oh!She didn’t need to check the ID to know who it would be. She reached for her phone to see her suspicions were confirmed: it was her mum’s number. A quick mental calculation told her it would be two o’clock in the afternoon in Thailand, the country being six hours ahead of the UK. Lark had been anticipating a call since a text had landed yesterday morning, asking if they could arrange a FaceTime session.
She quickly accepted the call, smiling to see her mum beaming out at her. Serena was bathed in sunshine, a gloriously blue sky above, views of the clear-blue sea behind.
‘Hi, Mum, how are you?’ Lark beamed back, taking in her mum’s blonde hair, piled on top of her head, the floral sarong worn as a dress that offset her golden, sun-kissed skin to perfection. Silver, beaded earrings dangled from her ears.
‘Hello, darling, it’s so good to see you,’ her mother said warmly, her eyes crinkling as her smile deepened.
‘You, too, Mum. Looks lovely and sunny there. I’msojealous! We’ve had quite a bit of snow and it’s been freezing. I’ve been really glad of the wood burner.’
Serena gave a shiver. ‘Brr! You’re making me feel cold just thinking about it.’ They both laughed at that. Her mum was known for her hatred of cold weather.
‘How’s Elfie?’ Lark asked.
‘She’s fine, she’s busy with a group meditation session at the moment. I’ve got an Ashtanga yoga class starting in half an hour, which is why I thought I’d take the opportunity to have a chat with you, see if you’ve had a chance to think about what we suggested about the Reiki course and everything else?’ She hitched her eyebrows hopefully.
The yoga and well-being retreat that Serena and Elfie ran had proved to be hugely popular, which had allowed them to expand the services they offered. The pair had got it into their minds that having Lark join them as a Reiki healer – once she’d refreshed her skills – would be an excellent idea. They were both keen for her to embrace her “gift” once more, feeling that to ignore it was a waste.
Lark released a sigh. ‘I’ve thought about it loads, Mum, but the answer’s still no, I’m afraid. My life’s here, it’s where I’m happy. I love living in Micklewick Bay, I’ve got my business, I’ve got my friends, and?—’
‘You’ve got Nate,’ said her mother, her mouth twitching with a smile.
‘Yes, myfriend, Nate, is here, too, but that wasn’t what I was going to say.’ She fixed her mother with a knowing look.
‘Oh, okay. So what else is keeping you in that chilly little spot on the edge of the North Sea?’
Lark gave an affectionate shake of the head at her mum’s description. ‘It looks like Dad’ll be moving here soon.’
Serena’s eyes widened in astonishment. ‘Your father’s moving back to Micklewick Bay?’
‘He’s seriously considering it. In fact, he’s had an offer on Denley House and is coming to stay with me for a few days so he can do a spot of house-hunting.’
‘But what about his job? He loves teaching.’
‘Ah, well…’ Lark continued, filling her mum in on Silas’s plans for retiring from teaching and downsizing his home.
When she’d finished her mum said, ‘Well, your dad’s a genuinely lovely man. He deserves to find happiness again after losing Greer. And you never know, he might even find his way to love again, too.’
Though she didn’t say anything, Lark wasn’t so sure he was ready for that. ‘It was just good to hear him sounding brighter and more like his old self. He’s not quite there yet, but he’s definitely heading in the right direction.’
‘Oh, that is good news. Elfie’ll be chuffed to hear it, she worries about her brother – we both do.’
‘Yeah, me too.’ She hadn’t told her mum the half of it, how gaunt he’d looked, how much weight he’d lost. He’d managed to dodge FaceTiming her and Elfie, which meant they hadn’t seen him at his lowest ebb. And Lark hadn’t wanted to worry them by sharing her concerns. Of course, she’d told them bits – she’d had to, Greer’s loss had totally blindsided him – but she’d kept the worst to herself, hoping she could help him through the grieving process, help draw him out of himself. And it would seem they were finally making progress.
‘I’ve never had a moment’s regret, choosing him to be your dad. Not one. And not just because he has the mostamazinggenes,’ Serena said, having the good grace to laugh at her own comment.
Lark laughed too, adding lightly, ‘Yeah, I have to say, I’m kinda chuffed you chose him too. I couldn’t have wished for a better dad.’
