Page 103 of Winter at Wishington Bay
‘But in a good way.’
‘Definitely in a good way,’ I confirmed.
‘Have his parents gone back now?’
‘Yes, we took them back to the airport yesterday but they promised they’d be over again soon.’
‘They seem to really like you if what I saw when you were all in here is anything to go by.’
I rested my elbows on the shop’s counter. ‘Oh, Flora. They’re so lovely. I have to admit I was rather nervous when Nate said they’d decided to come back with Gabe and Holly and have a family Christmas after he’d told them he’d decided to stay on a bit longer.’
‘Had he told them why?’
‘Apparently so. Although, from what his mum said, she’d already guessed something had happened just from when he called them on Skype. She said his whole demeanour was different, and that it was like she had her old Nate back.’
‘Ah, Soph, that’s lovely.’
‘I know. I burst into tears when she said it, which was all a bit mortifying.’
Flora laughed. ‘I’m sure she didn’t think it was mortifying at all.’
‘She wasn’t the one crying!’ I laughed. ‘Well, not initially anyway. I think I set her off.’
‘I’m so glad it’s all working out for you, love. You definitely deserve it.’
‘Thanks, Flora. I’d have been thrilled to just be with Nate. He’s more than I could ever need. But the fact he seems to have come as package deal with his family, and by extension Holly and her family…’ I stopped, feeling tears prickling at my eyes again.
Flora leant over, kissed my cheek and then laid her hand there. ‘Like I said, you deserve it.’
I smiled, and made an effort to get my emotions back in check.
‘How’s the Instagram?’
I laughed. ‘Crazy!’
When I’d made contact with the old schoolfriend who worked atChic, one of the best-selling glossies, and asked if she’d be interested in an exclusive, she’d been incredibly keen. Having followed the story in the papers, she’d immediately wanted to reach out but more as a support than anything else. I wasn’t naïve enough to misunderstand that if she could get a story, she would, but I also knew that this was my best chance at getting the right story out there and cutting off the heads of the other tales emerging.
Once I’d explained everything, answering her questions over a long, lazy lunch at a private table in an exclusive London restaurant, my friend had turned to the matter of the Instagram account. I’d told her I’d probably just delete it, but she’d suggested doing the opposite. The account had now been renamed ‘Lady S’ and, although I was no longer cleaning for other people, I still loved trying out new tips in my flat, and sharing them on my account, along with other little bits of my day. Unlike before, I also now featured on my own account. I didn’t have to hide any more – not there. Not anywhere.
‘I’ve nearly finished my first column forChic. I have to admit I’m a bit nervous about it, but hopefully they’ll like it. I can’t believe I’m writing for them.’
‘It’s so exciting! I’ve already put my order in at the newsagents to save me a copy.’
‘Oh, Flora, you are so sweet.’
She waved it away. ‘And what about the book?’
‘I’ve got a meeting on Friday up in town with my agent and a couple of publishers to see which deal we prefer.’
Flora was beaming, and, I soon realised, so was I. I shook my head. ‘It’s all rather crazy, isn’t it?’
‘It’s wonderful is what it is,’ she smiled, nodding behind me as the bell over the door tinkled. I turned to see Nate enter, ducking so that the little bell didn’t clank him on the head. Some parts of Wishington Bay weren’t built with men like Nate in mind but, like his brother, he’d still found it the perfect fit.
‘Hi Flora. How’s you?’
‘All the better for seeing my two favourite love birds,’ she teased as he bent and kissed her cheek.
I shook my head, laughing, as Nate came to stand behind me, wrapping his arms around me.
