Page 71 of Second Chance Summer
The three grown-ups retired to the terrace overlooking the bay, where clouds were gathering over Stark.
‘There’s a storm forecast,’ Sam said, shading his eyes as he stood on the paving stones. More dark clouds had marshalled on the horizon behind the island, making Lily doubly glad to be at Hell Bay House.
Elspeth rested her feet on a padded recliner. ‘If anyone is over there, I hope they get soaked to the skin!’
‘Do you think there will be?’ Lily said, getting up and standing by Sam.
‘Feck knows.’
‘Sam!’ Elspeth cried out in horror at his language.
Lily was amused that he’d let down his guard enough to swear in front of her. She was clearly no longer seen as just a guest. That sent a frisson of excitement and satisfaction through her. She might not be part of the family, but she was on the verge of becoming a friend.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sam made coffee and they drank it on the terrace while talking about the craft fair. Elspeth said that it was the highlight of the year for a lot of the artists and craftspeople and that Morven had planned to share a stall with Damon.
‘Penny Bannister was a bit cheeky asking you to help,’ she observed.
‘I didn’t mind,’ Lily replied. ‘I love being able to support local makers,’ she said, hiding the fact she was still apprehensive about the public speaking aspect of the event.
‘Yet you had to change your plans?’ Elspeth said, with a shrewd sideways look at her.
‘Yes, that was a logistical challenge,’ Lily said, and added, ‘though I was highly motivated once I heard Étienne and the girls were coming.’
While they’d been cooking, Lily had told Elspeth what had happened to Cara.
‘I bet. You must be very close, especially after losing your sister,’ Elspeth said gently.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lily spotted Sam taking an interest.
‘I feel I’ve had to step into her shoes in some ways.’ Shestopped, emotion welling up again. ‘Not that I’ve done a very good job of it. Or any kind of job.’
‘I’m sure that’s not true.’
‘It is. And that’s one of the things I’m going to change when I get home. Iwillmake more time for them, no matter what. I’m going to promote my PA – not that he knows it yet – and give him and the team more responsibility. I’m going to spend more time with my family and – um – perhaps try a bit of self-care.’
Unexpectedly, Sam didn’t smile at the phrase.
‘Fasten your own oxygen mask first, eh? Without doing that, you’ve no hope of helping those around you.’ Elspeth nodded in approval. ‘I learned that along the way.’
‘It’s something I’ve realised since I’ve been here. I needed to take a step away from the everyday and draw in a deep breath to give myself some perspective,’ Lily said, looking at Sam as she spoke. ‘And Stark’s given me an opportunity to do that.’
‘Good.’ Elspeth eased herself out of the lounger. ‘I think I’ll go home. It’s been a long day. What’s your plan for tomorrow?’ she asked Sam.
‘I’m going back to Stark with Aaron. We’re going to scour the island and see if we can find any trace of this uninvited visitor. Lily, would you mind staying here until I have news?’
‘Not at all … I can go straight to the café. In fact, I’d tentatively arranged to meet up with Penny to find out more about the craft fair, so it suits me.’
‘Great,’ said Sam, sounding relieved that Lily wasn’tgoing to put up a fight to join him ghost hunting. ‘I’ll walk you home, Auntie Elspeth.’
Elspeth rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ‘I think I can safely make my way two hundred yards down the path. You stay here with Morven and Lily. I’ll see you at the café in the morning,’ she added to Lily. ‘Now, goodnight and sweet dreams.’
Lily thanked her for dinner with a hug and watched her walk out of the garden and towards her cottage.
‘I’ll message her as soon as I think she should be home,’ Sam said. ‘She’ll go mad if I follow her.’
‘Have you been worried about her before?’ Lily asked.
