‘Good to hear.’
‘You?’
‘Can’t complain, as they say. Everything is good my end.’
‘What have you been up to?’
Colin gestured in the direction of the lighthouse. ‘Not a lot. We’re off to Spain next week, so I’m trying to finish everything off. You know how it is before you go away. Up to my eyes in it, to be honest. I can’t wait to get on the plane, sit back, have a drink and relax.’
‘Ahh, yes, sounds like you’re busy.’
Colin lifted his chin. ‘Where are you off to?’
‘Actually, I’m on my way to have my first fitting for my Lovely coat.’
‘Ooh, congratulations are in order for you then,’ Colin joked. ‘You really are part of the furniture now. There’s no going back. You’ve been locked in by way of a blue coat.’
‘I’ve been on the waiting list for a long time.’
‘Ahh, you’re a real Lovely now. It’s worth the wait, that’s all I can say.’
'I suppose I am. It's been a long time coming.' Cally laughed.
Colin chuckled. 'Well, well. Our Cally, all grown up and getting her very own Lovely coat. I remember when you first arrived at the back of the chemist there. I bet you wondered where on earth you’d ended up, what with all our strange ways. I bet you thought we were all a bit bonkers. You would have been right.’
‘It wasn't that bad, but yeah, there have been quite a few odd things to get used to. The three things beginning with C, don’t they say? Coats, chocolate, and chowder.'
‘You picked it up well enough.’
‘Ha, I did.’
Colin winked. ‘Now look at you now – a proper Lovely Bay local. Once you get that coat, you’re not allowed to leave. You do know that, don’t you?'
'It does feel like home now,' Cally admitted. 'I can't imagine being anywhere else.'
'And we wouldn't have it any other way.' Colin gave Cally a fond pat on the shoulder.
‘Thanks, Colin.’
‘So, what else has been happening? What have you been up to?’
‘Actually, I'm going to Scotland soon. To Logan's family estate.'
Colin's eyebrows shot up. 'Blimey! Meeting more of the Henry-Hicks family, are we? That's a big step. It’ll be wedding bells soon enough.'
'No, no, not for me anyway.’
‘You’re all going up there, are you?’
‘I think so. They’re all coming out of the woodwork for it. Apparently, it’s a real old family tradition.’
‘Right, you are. Well, with that Lovely coat, you'll look the part, too.’
‘I will. If it’s made up in time.’
‘Oh, you should be okay. Once you’re in our Molly doesn’t mess around. Those girls know what they’re doing. They’ve been schooled in making those coats since they first started to walk. I think they could make them with their eyes closed if they had to.’
Cally nodded. ‘Hmm. Yes, I’ve heard that. Birdie said the same.’
