Page 47 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
‘Aw, lovely. Oh, hang on. I’m not sure pets are allowed atClifftop House.’
‘Doesn’t matter. I’ve found a hotel nearby where you canstay with your dog, so we’ll be fine, and you’ve got the option of joining usfor the night. If you’d like to.’
‘OfcourseI’d like to! I can’t wait to see you. Allof you.’ I’ll save the baby news and tell Harry in person, which is so muchbetter!‘How has Emma been?’
‘She’s great. It’s... well, actually, it’sLuna who’s been giving me a bit of bother.’
‘Oh. How?’
‘She was sick this morning.’
‘Oh, no. Has she been chewing something she shouldn’t?’
‘Well, that’s what I assumed. But I’ve been all round thehouse searching for socks with holes in and tattered book covers but so far,nothing.’
‘Oh, poor Luna. Maybe she’s got a bug or something.’
‘Yeah. Maybe. She’s been fine this afternoon, though, sounless we have more tummy troubles tonight, we’ll definitely be coming to seeyou tomorrow.’
‘Great. Can’t wait. I... I’ve reallymissed you, Harry.’ Not being prone to great outpourings of affection, this isbig for me. But my baby news is making me feel so emotional.
Harry swallows and unless it’s the angle of the lightshining on my phone, his eyes look suspiciously shiny all of a sudden, and myheart swells with love.
‘Same,’ he says gruffly. ‘See you tomorrow.’
And abruptly, we’re disconnected.
I’m smiling to myself as I lock my phone. Harry’s a bit likeme. Reluctant to be overly emotional. So I was really touched when his eyesmisted over like that. He must have missed me as much as I’ve missed him. I wassilly to imagine otherwise... really silly.
I can’t believe I thought there was something going on with Vivien.
OfcourseHarry wouldn’t stray. I allowed myimagination to run wild, that’s all, imagining things that weren’t even there.
But all of that is forgotten now. Tomorrow afternoon, ourlittle family will be reunited. And I’ll be able to give Harry the amazing babynews in person.
I can hardly wait...
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
After speaking to the girls at Clifftop House anddoing my best to convince them that Bee is no thief, I end up staying forboiled eggs and toast soldiers, and watching movies with them all afternoon inthe fabulous cinema room.
Jaz nips out to the village around three, saying she has aheadache and needs some painkillers from the chemist. Ellie offers her some ofhers but Jaz says she fancies the walk and needs the fresh air. Everyone agreesthat’s a good idea, but in the end no one else can be bothered to stir fromtheir sofa.
Needless to say, no one is in the mood for cooking, so whendinner time approaches, we order a Chinese takeaway.
I’m grateful for the girls’ company. When I check my phoneas we’re waiting for the food to be delivered, there’s still been no message orphone call from Hudson, which I guess means he’s having a busy, stressful daysorting out the job back home. With Joanna.
Later, after dinner, I say my goodbyes and head back downthe hill.
I’m just thinking about Jodie taking part in the schoolconcert that night when I suddenly spot her and Bee heading along the promenadetowards home. The concert must be finished. They’re too far ahead for me tocatch them up, but I decide I’ll call in and see them on my way back to thecottage. Jodie turns and looks back along the promenade at one point, butthere’s a man in a druid costume in the way, so she doesn’t see me.
They cross the road to look in the fancy dress shop window,and the druid looks both ways and also nips over the road, his flowing robesbillowing out behind him. He slows down a little, but as soon as Bee and Jodiemove away from the shop window, he quickens his pace.
Is he following them?
Puzzled, I cross the road, keeping a firm eye on the druid.And sure enough, my suspicions appear to be correct. When Jodie pulls on Bee’shand to look at something in the newsagent’s window, the druid slips smartlyinto a doorway, as if he doesn’t want to be seen.
What the hell’s going on?
