Page 60 of Second Chance Summer
Lily’s stomach tensed. When someone started a conversation with that phrase, it generally meant she was going to mind quite a bit.
‘It depends,’ she said lightly, with a smile on her face.
‘Oh, don’t worry, it’s nothing bad! When Elspeth said you were much nicer in real life than on that TV show, I was sceptical.’
‘Oh? They edited out all the supportive things I said. I was horrified when I saw the finished result.’
‘Yes, I should have realised that. My partner did an interview for a news programme on fishing and they made her come across as a total whinger who wanted all of the perks of living in paradise and none of the downside.’ Penny sighed. ‘I can now see the same thing probably happened to you but on a much bigger scale.’
‘You could say that,’ Lily quipped, sensing Penny hadmore to say but was chickening out. ‘You were going to tell me about the craft fair?’ she encouraged.
‘Oh, yes.’ Penny was growing redder. ‘As I said earlier, I’m in charge of organising it. It’s held in the community centre the Saturday after next. Most visitors to the island have to pass the hall and some will come over ’specially with the market as the main attraction.’
‘It sounds great and I’d love to come …’ Lily said, realising there was a major problem with the plan. Two in fact.
‘Really? Oh, you’d love it. You’re right, wedohave some incredibly talented artists and craftspeople. The craft fair is one of their major opportunities to sell and showcase their work.Everyonelooks forward to it. We have around thirty exhibitors and most of the island craftspeople try to come. There’s jewellery, pottery, textiles, mixed media, woollen accessories, hand-poured candles. Only handmade items are allowed, created here on the islands – which I’m sure you’ll approve of!’
Penny sounded so enthusiastic and her comment about handmade items chimed with Lily’s current dilemma regarding the supermarket deal.
‘It sounds wonderful,’ she said, wondering how she was going to break the news that she would be back in London by the time of the event.
‘I realise it’s a big ask but – would you consider being the VIP guest? You could officially open the market and perhaps draw the raffle? Meet some of our makers and chat to the punters too? I’m sure they’d love it.’
‘I’m probably the last person they’d want to meet! I’dscare everyone off.’ Even though Lily was joking, her laughter only masked her anxiety. The recent online trolling had triggered it, but she so didn’t want to let Penny or the islanders down.
Penny squeaked in horror. ‘Yes, but I know you aren’t scary at all and so will everyone who meets you. If you did come, it would add a touch of …’
‘I think notoriety is the word you’re looking for,’ Lily supplied.
‘Exactly. It would be bound to boost attendance by a mile!’ Penny trilled.
Lily was torn in two yet found it impossible to burst Penny’s bubble. The craft fair was exactly the sort of event she’d have loved to be part of, and she guessed it was a major honour to be asked. Even so, the prospect of being the centre of attention at a public event was making her stomach churn.
What she should have said was: ‘I’m sorry, but I won’t be here then.’
Giving a perfectly reasonable excuse was the sensible answer. Changing her plans would be complicated and it would be stressful to face everyone so soon after the latest news stories. Yet by staying away, she would be denying herself the pleasure of doing something that lay at the heart of her business and her life: arts and crafts and supporting the people who made them.
Penny must have sensed her misgivings. ‘Of course, please don’t feel obliged at all,’ she said. ‘It is a huge cheek … and honestly, no one would ever know I’d asked you.’
‘No, no,’ Lily said hastily, keen to help this kind woman as much as she could. ‘Um … I’m not quite sure what my plans are yet. I mean, I haven’t firmed up exactly when I’m returning to London, but if I’m still here, yes, I’d like to.’
Penny exhaled in delight. ‘That would be amazing. You see, the fair isn’t only about sales on the day, but about raising the profile of craftspeople – it can lead to online orders and commissions or having their work in galleries.’
Lily fully understood. She’d started at craft fairs. She’d had a market stall. She knew how hard it was to find places to showcase and sell your work, how hard it was to get started and make a living. That’s why she’d started Lily Loves, to support makers and give them a platform. It was about following her passion and the fact she was able to make a living out of it was the unexpected bonus, though she recognised some of that passion might have become lost along the way recently.
‘Look, I’ll be honest with you, I do have a flight booked the day before but this is important. For you and the makers – and me.’
Penny held up her hands in horror. ‘Oh, I couldn’t inconvenience you that much!’
‘I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to,’ Lily said firmly.
‘I feel bad for asking but it would bewonderfulif you could come!’
‘Tell you what, I won’t make any promises now. I need to talk to my team first, to make sure I won’t miss anything vital at work and see how feasible it is to alter my travel arrangements. I will get back to you by tomorrow evening.’
Lily looked over to Sam whose laughter had attracted her attention. He looked so happy and gorgeous that her stomach did a flip. He caught her eye and tilted his head enquiringly, guessing he was being talked about.
A shiver ran through her. Penny had just handed Lily the perfect excuse to stay longer with him … it was both thrilling and scary to realise how much she wanted to stay.
