Page 98 of Second Chance Summer
Lily found that almost impossible to answer but eventually did. ‘It isn’t only geography.’
‘Bullsheet,’ he said, his French accent surfacing in the heat of the moment and making Lily giggle.
‘What’s so funny?’
‘Nothing. Now, shhh. Sam’s coming back with the twins.’
Down the hill they came, Sam with a broad grin on his face. He was flanked by Amelie and Tania who were swinging baskets, presumably full of precious things.
Étienne rose to his feet, hissing under his breath, ‘Iwillbe very cross with you if you do not take this chance.’
‘Lily! We got beach treasure. Shells and a mermaid’s purse,’ Amelie shrieked.
‘A dogfish egg case,’ Sam said. ‘From Tean Porth.’
‘I found a cowrie.’ Tania presented the tiny shell for inspection.
Lily picked it from her palm. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she said, holding it like a diamond. It should be Cara sharing this moment, Cara looking at beach treasure, and yet it was Lily. She had been given a very precious treasure: the love and care of her nieces.
They held out the baskets with their shells and pebbles. ‘Oh, let me see,’ Lily said, smothering the emotion.
‘Can we make pictures with it, like at the fair? Morven said we could do it.’
‘We’ll do that tomorrow,’ Lily said. ‘But now it’s time for bed. Shall I read you a story?’
‘Yes!’ said Tania.
‘Please,’ Amelie added shyly.
‘I’ll take them,’ Étienne said firmly but Lily was already on her feet.
‘I’ll sit with the girls. It’s my last chance for some quality time. My last chance for a little while,’ she qualified. ‘Because from now on, things are going to be different.’
She didn’t look at Étienne or Sam, not wanting to see a trace of doubt in their eyes. Because, she was pretty sure, neither of them believed her.
The girls were tired after the long day and fell asleep before she’d even read a chapter of their book. Lily went onto the terrace of their cottage, made a hot chocolate and wrapped a blanket around herself.
Below her, she could see the glow of the fire and two figures sitting side by side: Sam and Étienne. Two beautiful, strong men. One, a dearly loved brother; the other – the only man she’d ever wanted to matter to.
She’d already vowed to let go of so much in her life. How could it ever happen unless she handed over her heart too?
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Everyone – apart from Sam – had a lie-in on Sunday.
Étienne and the twins arrived in reception moments after Lily herself to find two tables had been pushed together and laden with jugs of juice and baskets of pastries and cereals.
The scent of coffee came from the kitchen and Sam emerged, smiling.
‘What would you like to do today?’ he asked. ‘I can take you anywhere you want in the boat.’
Tania was straight in. ‘Can we go and see the castle?’
‘Cromwell’s Castle,’ Lily clarified for Étienne’s benefit. ‘The one you can see from the café and Rock Inn.’
‘I’d like an ice cream at the café,’ Amelie said, adding significantly, ‘please.’
‘We could do both,’ Sam offered. ‘I need to pick up some supplies from St Mary’s and I want to swing by Aaron’s yard on Tresco. So I could drop you off on the island and pick you up after lunch?’
