Page 52 of A Snowy Seaside Christmas
‘Thought you might fancy grabbing a bag of chips and some scraps from the chippy and having a wander down to the skateboard park.’
Jasmine popped into her mind this time. Lark could picture what her friend would have to say about that. It would definitely feature something about it being her idea of hell.
‘I don’t know what on earth gave you the idea I’d like that, Ando, but it’s a no, thank you. See you later.’ With that, she left him, mouth agape, standing on the pavement, as she pushed the door open, stepped inside and quickly closed it behind her.
Inside, with the door bolted, she clutched her hands to her chest, guilt flooding through her and making her face burn. What had made her speak to Ando so coldly? It wasn’t like her at all. And he was a harmless soul really. A bit lost, maybe, but he didn’t deserve her being so dismissive of him. What had happened with Nate wasn’t Ando’s fault and it wasn’t fair thatshe took her bad mood out on him. She had to fight to stop herself from going out there and apologising. But the rational side of her told her to do that would be a mistake. He’d only take it as encouragement, and she didn’t need to add Ando to her list of problems right now.
Lark spent the morning arranging the clothes rails and setting up a new display of vintage evening bags. That particular task had been a welcome distraction, not least because the items were so exquisite. Using artfully arranged tree branches she’d sprayed silver and stood in a hammered silver bowl, she’d created a display from which to hang the items. Amongst them was a nineteen-fifties clutch covered in ruby-red sequins with a faux ruby clasp. Next to that she’d hung an electric-blue satin affair from the seventies, trimmed with zigzags in silver leather. But her favourite was the nineteen-thirties pouch-style bag in silver chainmail that she’d found at the bottom of a mixed box of goods she’d picked up at a vintage fair in Harrogate. Though the metal of the bag had tarnished, it was still a thing of great beauty and she’d had to think hard about whether or not she could part with it.
She was still tweaking the display when there was a knock at the door, making her start. ‘Oh no, who’s this?’ she grumbled to herself. Her first thought was Ando. And just as she was considering whether or not to ignore it, she heard her dad’s voice calling her name as he knocked again. Her next thought was to check the time. Was it midday already? She was surprised to find it was only eleven thirty.
‘Hi, Dad,’ she said, as she opened the door to him. ‘You’re early.’
‘Nate said he had to be somewhere unexpectedly, so we finished up earlier than planned. I offered to stay and carry on with sanding the units, but he wouldn’t entertain it, said it was fine, that I should get myself home.’
‘Oh, right.’ Though she could feel herself squirming inside, she tried to act casual. ‘Maybe he had something to pick up. He occasionally gets calls from people wanting to get rid of stuff there and then. You’d be surprised how many folk expect you to just drop everything. I get it with stuff for the shop, too.’
‘I’m not sure that was the reason. The lad didn’t seem himself at all today – he’s been quiet all morning. I did wonder if he wasn’t feeling well, or coming down with something. The shadows under his eyes were much more pronounced today. He looked pale, too. When I asked him if he was all right, he muttered something about how he’d been better. I didn’t like to push after that, thought if he wanted to tell me he would in his own time.’
Lark felt her father scrutinise her face. ‘Well, I s’pose there’s a lot going around at the moment, and he has been under a lot of pressure to get those units finished.’ There was no way she was going to share with her dad what had happened between her and Nate last night. Though she had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before he started digging with a vengeance.
And though she couldn’t help but feel relieved when her father told her that Nate wouldn’t be joining them for Sunday dinner, a big part of her was consumed by guilt at the thought of him being on his own when he could’ve been spending time with them.
THIRTY-TWO
Sunday dinner with her father and Louisa would’ve been perfect if it hadn’t been for Nate not being there. And not just because Lark was missing him, or wanted to see him. But his absence was definitely felt, not least because of the numerous reminders of him from her dad and Louisa, who both held him in high esteem.
Though she’d felt uncomfortable, she’d done her best to hide it, not wanting to spoil her dad’s time with her and Louisa. Luckily, the meal had been as excellent as Lark had promised them it would be, and she’d done what she could to manage questions about Nate’s whereabouts and what reasons he could possibly have to avoid such a delicious meal. Lark had tried to steer the conversation towards the heritage centre and the new exhibitions Louisa had planned. She’d mentioned how her father had found a relative of Betty’s apparently living there in Micklewick Bay, which had sent Louisa into raptures, saying how she had access to local records and would check them first thing tomorrow. Despite being keen to use the topic as a distraction, Lark had been genuinely keen to discuss it. And of course it had been heartwarming to see her dad looking so happy in Louisa’s company. There was definitely a romanceblossoming there and she expected it wouldn’t be long before he was back in Micklewick Bay.
But by the end of the meal, with the topic of conversation turning back to Nate and his whereabouts once more, Lark was beginning to feel exhausted. It wasn’t her style at all to try to manipulate a conversation or dodge questions. She much preferred to be honest and open.
By the time they left the Jolly, her head was spinning with it all.
‘Let me know when you get back, okay, Dad?’ Lark watched as he threw his overnight bag into the boot of his four-wheel drive.
‘’Course, sweetheart.’
They were in the private car park for locals not far from Seashell Cottage and her dad’s brief visit had come to an end. The blue skies of yesterday had been replaced with dark, brooding clouds, the occasional snowflake floating down lazily.
She threw her arms around him, squeezing him tight. Her hug was returned with equal enthusiasm. ‘It’s been great having you here.’ Her voice was muffled by his jacket.
‘It’s been great to be here. I’m just sorry I waited so long before I paid you a decent visit.’
‘That’s okay, you weren’t ready.’
Silas released her from his embrace and stepped back, keeping his hands resting on her shoulders. Lark was thrilled to see the change in him from when he’d first arrived last Thursday. Even the lines around his eyes seem to have filled out.
‘I would say it’s been great to see you, but that would be a fib since I’ve hardly seen you at all. You seem to have developed an interest in local history and, in particular, the heritage centre. I’m beginning to think there must be a new attraction there.’ She flashed him a mischievous grin.
Silas took her teasing in good spirits and laughed. ‘I’m sorry, I hope you don’t feel I’ve abandoned you.’ His smile faltered briefly.
‘Don’t be daft! I’m thirty-four years old, nearly thirty-five, I’m hardly a baby. It’s been great to see you getting along so well with Louisa, she seems a genuinely lovely person and it’s obvious you’re well suited.’
Her reassurances made him smile. ‘You’re right, Louisa is a genuinely lovely person. In fact, I was going to ask you something – and I’ll totally understand if you’d rather not – it’s just I was wondering about Christmas, and how you’d feel about Louisa joining us for the day? She’s got no close relatives nearby and has actually gone into work the last few Christmases since her husband died, which seems rather sad.’
‘It does.’ The thought of anyone going into work on Christmas Day because they had no one to spend the day with nearly undid her. Lark didn’t need to think twice. ‘And I’d be thrilled if Louisa joined us, the more the merrier.’
His face broke out into a smile. ‘Thank you, sweetheart. Am I okay to do the inviting, or would you like to?’
