Page 7 of The Summer Escape

Over the last few months, his breakup with Jenny had taken up most of his mental energy. After ten years together it was hard to process being without her, but once he’d finally got it in his head that it really was over, there was a part of him that felt relieved. He missed her, but the fact that he wasn’t compelled to do whatever it took to fix things between them seemed like a sign that it wasn’t meant to be.

Rounding the corner, the sea came into view, along with screeching gulls gliding on the wind. Being back on St Mary’s always felt refreshing, but this time it felt more uplifting than usual. Maybe it was because he was staying for longer than he normally would, or maybe because it signalled the start of a new chapter in his life. Whatever it was, there was a definite spring in his step as he approached his childhood home.

As he neared Peswera Cottage, he glanced at the living room window, where a couple of balloon animals stood on the sill looking out. Kit’s handiwork, no doubt.

A faint knocking drew his attention to the upstairs window, where a little girl in pink pyjamas waved eagerly. He raised a hand in reply. When he continued on his way, the knocking came again, louder. Pushing her teddy against the glass, the girl flapped its arm to make it wave too. Trystan chuckled as he waved back. She looked over her shoulder, then gave another frantic wave before running away from the window.

Kit had been right; there was no way he’d have been able to demand she leave.

CHAPTERTHREE

Afew days of sunshine was just the pick-me-up Beth needed. She and Ellie both had some colour in their cheeks after their days exploring the beautiful beaches that St Mary’s had to offer. The whole island was like a child’s paradise, and the time in nature was refreshing for them both.

“Can you come and eat your breakfast?” Beth called to Ellie, who was in her usual spot in the living room window on Tuesday morning.

“I haven’t seen the running man yet,” she replied.

“Who?”

“The man who runs past in the mornings. Yesterday he pulled a funny face at me, but I haven’t seen him today.”

Beth suspected she was referring to the guy who owned the cottage and wondered if his funny face had been him scowling at the people who’d taken over his house.

“Just come and eat,” Beth called, setting a plate of toast on the kitchen counter.

Ellie appeared and clambered up onto the stool. “What are we going to do today?”

“It’s our last day here. What do you want to do?”

“I thought we were staying longer.” She took a bite of toast and left a stripe of strawberry jam across her top lip.

“We did stay longer, but we have to leave tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to go home yet,” Ellie mumbled while crunching on her toast.

“I’m afraid we have to.” Beth hoped Ellie didn’t start asking questions aboutwhythey had to get home. There wasn’t a particularly good answer to that. With four-and-a-half more weeks of school holidays, they had very little on their schedule.

“I’d like to stay longer,” Ellie said, looking her right in the eyes.

“We were lucky that we got to stay for a few extra days, but the cottage isn’t available for us to stay in for any longer. Maybe we can come again next year.”

“Okay. But let’s not come on rainy days.”

Beth smiled gently. “Finish your breakfast. Then I’ll have a shower and we can go and talk to Mirren about coming again next year.”

“Can we go on the train again after that?”

“We’ve already been on it twice. I think Kit will be sick of the sight of us.”

Ellie shook her head. “He says I’m very importantandI help him drive the train.”

“I’m not sure he should really let you do that. It’s a bit naughty. Anyway, we’re not going on the train again. I’d like a lazy beach day.” On autopilot, Beth opened the cupboard above the microwave and gazed up at the top shelf. A jolt hit her stomach at the thought of the task she still had to tackle before they left. If she was going to do what she’d come to do, she couldn’t put it off any longer.

“Are you sad, Mummy?”

Closing the cupboard, she pasted on a smile and swallowed the lump in her throat. “Of course not,” she said as she turned to her daughter. “How could I be sad when we’re going to spend the day at the beach?”

“I don’t want to do lots of walking,” Ellie said, in a tone that was more suited to a teenager than a five-year old.