‘We have talked about this before,’ Hope said enthusiastically, ‘but nothing’s ever come of it. This could be the perfect opportunity to launch something regular, a monthly meet perhaps. There are specific organizations which can help with it, aren’t there?’
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I had a quick look on your mum’s laptop because there are certain things we would have to consider, such as public liability insurance and safeguarding issues.’
‘It’s not just rocking up with a bucket and picking stuff up then,’ Sam frowned.
‘No,’ I said, ‘not if you want to do it properly and certainly not if you want to make it a regular event in the Wynmouth calendar. Ideally, you’ll need someone prepared to commit to co-ordinating and running it.’
‘I’d be up for doing that,’ Hope said keenly. ‘I’ll make a start on it today.’
‘Are you sure?’ asked Sam. ‘It sounds like a lot of work, and what with your own venture to set up, it’s important to stay focused, Hope.’
‘But this is important too,’ she said, sounding like she really meant business and quite a lot like her mum. ‘The beach is Wynmouth’s biggest attraction, and if it’s contaminated and covered in debris, it won’t be pulling the visitors in for much longer, will it? We need to do something positive to protect it.’
‘That’s true,’ I agreed. ‘Lots of locals, including you, Sam, have told me they love the village because it isn’t like the other resorts. It isn’t fit to burst with amusement arcades and rowdy entertainment.’ A sudden vision of the Elton and Kiki duet Joe and I had treated the karaoke crowd to popped into my head. ‘So, as Hope says,’ I carried on, ‘it’s vital that you protect what Wynmouth is famous for; the beautiful beach and those rockpools. They’re your bread and butter and they need looking after.’
In that moment I decided that as soon as I had finalized the poster design I was going to head off and explore the pools. I had been waiting for the perfect time and this was it. I had made a major life choice that morning and the pools could be my reward for finally getting on with things. I only hoped I wouldn’t find anything to tarnish my memories there. It would be too much to bear if they were polluted too and I didn’t just mean metaphorically.
‘All right,’ said Sam, holding up his hands, ‘I was only worried about Hope increasing her workload, there’s no need to come over all eco-warrior on me.’
‘I didn’t,’ I pouted, but then we began to laugh. ‘Well, I suppose I did a bit, but it is important.’
Hope had already got the details of one of the charities up on her phone and I knew the venture was in the best hands to make it a success.
‘So,’ Sam asked, ‘what else?’
With Sam having to juggle customers, it was late morning by the time we had worked our way through everything. I knew there would be more additions to make, but at least we could now start officially spreading the news and making the party the best Wynmouth beach had ever seen.
‘I still fancy that walk along the beach,’ said Hope, giving me a nudge. ‘Are you up for it?’
‘All right, but I can’t be too long. I’m hoping to get this poster finished today and then copied at the post office tomorrow.’
‘You can print the first one out here if you like,’ Sam offered.
‘That would save me having to go back to the café with Sophie’s laptop.’
It was kind of her to let me keep using it and I was proud that I had still resisted the urge to check my emails and log into my social media accounts. The life I was living in Wynmouth might not have been the completely idyllic one I had imagined when I booked the cottage, but the real world, the trappings of technology and having to do everything at breakneck speed, felt like a million miles away and I was very happy about that.
‘I’ll come back later tonight then,’ I said, hopping down from the stool. ‘That way we can check the details together and make sure we’re all happy with it.’
Hope waited outside while I dropped my notebook and lists back at the cottage and then we ambled down to the sand and turned towards the beach huts.
‘How did things go at the weekend?’ I asked her. ‘Sam looks as tired as you’re feeling this morning.’
I hoped she realized I was asking about the appointment and not the more intimate details of their time away. Thankfully, she did.
‘It went well enough,’ she sighed, ‘but he was in quite a lot of pain after the travelling. This new leg is going to make all the difference to him.’
‘In what way?’
‘It’s going to be a better fit, for a start,’ she said, ‘and that will mean he can come and walk on the beach without worrying about how far he can get before he has to turn back.’
I hadn’t thought about that before, but now I realized I’d never seen Sam all that far from the pub.
‘So why is this current one so uncomfortable?’ I frowned. ‘Surely, they have to be carefully measured up, otherwise they wouldn’t fit at all?’
‘It was fine to begin with,’ Hope confided, ‘but now it’s worn out and so he’s invested in a hi-tech new model through a private company. He took some persuading though, believe me, and it’s costing a fortune.’
‘Yes,’ I said, ‘he did mention the cost before. I got the impression that he was worried about diverting funds from the pub.’
‘He never puts himself first,’ Hope tutted.
‘But why?’ I asked. ‘We all need to look after ourselves and when we’re talking about something as vital as a limb . . .’
‘Why do you think?’ Hope cut in.
‘Oh,’ I said, the penny dropping, ‘I see. It’s survivor guilt, isn’t it?’
‘Exactly,’ she confirmed. ‘As far as he’s concerned, he deserves to suffer.’
‘But that’s . . .’
‘Ridiculous,’ she said. ‘I know, but getting him to accept that it’s ridiculous is impossible. I’ve been trying for years.’
I knew Sam would never forgive himself for what had happened, but he needed to move his life forward. Joe and I might not have discussed the situation at length but I could tell that he was in a very different place to his old friend and that was probably because he had moved away and carved out a life that didn’t involve constant reminders of the past. Mental scars were tormenting enough, but Sam had physical ones too.
‘I had hoped this new leg and being pain free might alter his mindset a bit,’ Hope sighed, ‘but there’s no chance of that now.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because Joe’s back, of course,’ she said, sounding resigned. ‘And if local gossip is to be believed, then he could be here for a while, for good even, and Sam’s spirit has dropped through the floor as a result.’
‘And I don’t suppose I’ve helped, have I?’ I swallowed. ‘I daresay because I’ve been out with Joe a couple of times, Sam thinks I’ve picked a side.’
‘No,’ Hope said quickly. ‘I’m sure he doesn’t think that.’