I spent the rest of my time with Dad, who was house-sitting for Jess and Lee while they were on their honeymoon. We went out for day trips or sat in the garden chatting. I loved spending time in his company, but he seemed to have aged a decade since the wedding and it tore me apart that I couldn’t tell him that I knew why.
Jess and Lee were due back on the Tuesday night and had invited me round for tea on the Wednesday so they could tell me all about their trip and have a last evening with Dad before he flew back to Spain on the Thursday morning. Given that Wednesday was my evening to visit Sarah, I asked her if we could meet for lunch instead.
‘I had a small world moment at Bay Trade on Monday night,’ she said over lunch in The Chocolate Pot. ‘We had two new members and one of them turned out to be Daniel’s brother, Michael.’
‘Michael? The grumpiest photographer in the world? I bet that was fun for you.’
Sarah shook her head. ‘He seemed quite friendly, actually, but he said something really strange before he left. He said Daniel isn’t what he seems and you should be careful.’
I wiped my mouth and pushed my empty plate away. ‘Michael really said that?’
She screwed up her nose and nodded. ‘Sorry. What do you think he meant?’
‘Trouble,’ I said. ‘He hates Daniel, and every time I’ve been to the cottage, he’s made it pretty clear he’s not enamoured with me either. Not that I care because the feeling’s mutual.’
Sarah stirred her hot chocolate. ‘You’re normally so positive about people. What’s he done to upset you so much?’
I shrugged. ‘Nothing major. He had a go at us the first night we were at the cottage, but to be fair, I had just kicked a lamp over and smashed a glass. But he was really cold the next day and couldn’t get out of the place fast enough when I saw him. Since then it’s been dirty looks and little jibes all the way, although he’s not been around much lately which is a relief. Plus, I know why he fell out with Daniel so I’m holding that against him too.’
Sarah leaned forwards on the table, eyes glistening with mischief. ‘Ooh, do tell.’
‘Okay, I concede, he is a bit of an idiot,’ she said when I’d finished the story. ‘He seemed nice enough when I met him on Monday. A bit shy and nervy, perhaps, but pleasant. I suppose it’s only when you get to know someone that you find out what they’re really all about.’ She sighed. ‘I understand why you don’t like Michael, but can you do as he says and be careful? Neither of us really knows Daniel. Who says he’s the one being honest and Michael’s in the wrong?’
I prickled and nearly snapped back that it was none of her business, but a voice in my head told me she was right. I’d been with Gary for sixteen years and he’d lied throughout that time. What was to say someone whom I’d only met three weeks ago was going to be a pillar of honesty? He had to be honest, though. Surely nobody would be cruel enough to make up the stuff he’d told me about Amber and the baby?
I smiled at Sarah. ‘Thanks. I’ll be careful. I promise.’
As I walked back towards Seashell Cottage to start on some teaching prep for next term, I replayed what Sarah had told me about Michael. By the time I reached the front door, I was fuming. How dare he? How dare he say something like that to someone he’d only just met? He must have known it would come back to me. I might have doubts about Daniel being The One but he had done nothing but show me kindness and respect… and a damn good time in bed! Michael had tried to split Daniel and Amber up and clearly he was trying again with me. What a horrible person.
It took a very strong cup of camomile tea to calm me down. It was just as well I wasn’t going to the cottage that night because, if Michael had been there, I might have given him a Cynthia-style piece of my mind.
✉︎ From Gary
Estate agent just phoned. Two second viewings at the weekend and he says they both sound very keen
✉︎ To Gary
Thanks. Hopefully we’ll get an offer and can complete quickly so we can both move on. Keep me posted
On the Friday morning that week, I took a break from planning and was running a duster round the lounge when the doorbell rang.
‘Can you get that?’ Kay shouted from upstairs. ‘I’ll be down in a minute.’
I opened the front door and could not have been more astonished if my mother had been stood on the doorstep with news that she’d joined the AA. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’
For a moment, Michael just stared at me open-mouthed. ‘Erm… have I got the right place? I’m looking for Kay Summers.’
I nodded. ‘It’s her cottage. How do you know Kay?’
‘I don’t. My dad’s going to give her some photography tutoring and I’m going with them to do some shooting myself. Is she your mum?’
‘No. She’s my friend’s auntie. Actually, I think you know my friend, Sarah, from Bay Trade. I believe you two had a nice little tête à tête on Monday night.’ I tried to give him a dirty look.
‘Yes. I told her to tell you to be careful and I’m happy to say it to your face too. My brother isn’t everything he initially seems.’
‘Meaning what exactly?’ I crossed my arms and leaned defiantly against the doorframe.
‘You’ll have to ask him.
‘I’m asking you.’
He shook his head. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m only trying to protect you.’
‘Rubbish,’ I snapped. ‘You’re trying to drive a wedge between Daniel and me just like you did with Amber and him.’
Michael shook his head again and rubbed his hand over his unshaved face. He looked like he was about to blurt something out then clearly thought the better of it. ‘That’s what he told you, is it?’
I nodded.
He sighed and, for a fleeting moment, I thought I detected vulnerability in the gruff package on the doorstep. ‘I guess we have nothing more to say to each other, then, do we?’ he said.
‘I guess not.’
‘Hi. Sorry about that. I couldn’t find my watch.’ Kay appeared in the doorway. ‘You must be Philip.’ She stretched out her hand to shake Michael’s.
He grinned. ‘Close, except I’m the younger and more ruggedly handsome version. I’m Michael. Philip’s my dad. He’s waiting in the car. I hope you don’t mind me tagging along.’
‘The more the merrier. Thanks for doing this at such short notice.’
‘No problem at all. I think my dad’s quite excited at the thought of passing on his expertise again. He couldn’t wait to get started.’
I watched Michael in amazement. He seemed so friendly and at ease speaking to Kay – a complete contrast to the grumpy person I’d come to know and avoid. Had I misjudged him?
‘Now, Michael,’ Kay said, ‘I’ve got my camera and a packed lunch. Do I need anything else?’
‘I’d grab a waterproof just in case, but camera and food are the essentials. I’d better warn you, if you have any chocolate in there, you may find it goes walkies.’
Kay laughed and punched him lightly. ‘You nick my chocolate; you’ll be wearing my coffee.’