Page 57 of Summer in Sunset Harbour
Even so, perhaps a few casual dates wouldn’t hurt, if Robinson were really interested. She felt a whimsical thrill at the thought of walking hand in hand on the beach, sitting in cafés eating ice creams and drinking coffee together, and Robinson was certainly more interesting than most men she had ever met, including her ex-husband.
Perhaps she could give it a go. Maybe things would work out.
She had gained a little spring in her step as she came out of the cabin, carrying two steaming cups of coffee on a tray.Just go with the flow, Josie,she told herself.Don’t put any pressure on yourself.
As she came down the steps from the cabin, however, she looked up and nearly dropped the tray in surprise.
Robinson was leaning over the table, head on his forearms, snoring soundly.
‘So dothey think it’s all real?’ Hilda asked, sitting up in the hospital bed, popping grapes into her mouth one by one.
‘According to Robinson, they’ve carbon-dated some of the bones back to around eleven thousand B.C.,’ Josie said. ‘It was previously thought that the cave lions died out near the end of the last ice age when their main food sources became scarcer. However, this discovery completely flips that, proving that at least some of them survived. Also, the bone structure of the two in the chamber is slightly different to those of any existing skeletons.’
‘Meaning they were bred?’
‘It looks like it. It could be one of the earliest known examples of animal husbandry.’
‘Wow, that’s amazing. What about the guy?’
‘They think he was a tribal king of some kind. Some of the pottery has traces of rock only found much further north, suggesting the tribe might have been involved in some kind of invasion, or even trade.’ She smiled. ‘Robinson said—’
‘It sounds like you’ve been spending a lot of time with Robinson of late.’
Josie felt herself blushing. ‘We went for dinner last night, in the pub. Just for him to give me a few updates on what’s going on.’
‘Updates,’ Hilda huffed. ‘Is that what you call it now?’
‘Yes, just updates.’ Even as she said it, Josie found herself smiling. ‘Although … we shared a couple of glasses of wine too.’
‘Just admit it. You like him.’
Josie shrugged. ‘It’s difficult not to like him. I mean, he’s handsome, and he’s so interesting. I’m just not sure … I’m not sure that I’m ready.’
‘You deserve a bit of good luck after all you’ve been through.’ Hilda put a hand over Josie’s. ‘I want to know that you’re happy, before … before I die.’
‘You’re not going to die!’
‘Well, not yet. But maybe it’s not far off.’
‘Don’t say that. Have you got your results yet?’
‘They’re still running tests, but the doctor said I’ll have to start treatment in the next couple of weeks. I’m afraid we won’t be playing any games of table tennis for a while.’
Josie squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to cry in front of Hilda, but a rogue tear slipped out anyway, fleeing down her cheek.
‘Got something in your eye?’ Hilda asked.
‘Yeah,’ Josie said, sniffing.
‘Don’t worry about me. I’ve done my time. If the clock is about to run out, that’s fine. I’ve done everything I could have wanted with my life. I have no regrets. Except … well, I wanted to do the Eden Project zipline. Together.’
‘You really must be out of your mind. I’d have a heart attack halfway across. Probably not even that far.’
‘But what a way to go out.’ Hilda sighed. ‘It’s got to be better than this.’
It was Josie’s turn to pat Hilda’s hand. ‘Just stay strong,’ she said.
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