‘But I was planning to get in earlier today to make a start, and I can stay as late as you need me tonight.’
But Mrs West refuses to be moved by my pleas. ‘I took a risk taking you on with no experience and I’m not sure it’s paid off. But since you worked so hard on the hotel, I’m prepared to give you one more chance.’
Relief surges through me. ‘You’ll let me know when there’s another job?’
She nods, handing me an envelope. ‘I’ll let you know. That’s payment for yesterday.’
When she’s gone, I sink down on the bed and slowly open the envelope. There’s a single note inside. I’m quite surprised, actually, after the dismal wage of last week. But twenty pounds is hardly going to get me very far…and I’ve no idea when the next job will be.
Laughter bursts out of me. I sound a bit like the mad woman in the attic.
Last night, after Gabe left, I thought things couldn’t get any worse. But apparently, I was wrong…
*****
With my life in flux, I can’t settle. Even painting, which normally soothes me, seems impossible today. How can I create happy, colourful pictures when inside, I feel dark and twisted and ugly?
I can’t stay in the van. I’m starting to feel a bit claustrophobic having lived in it for several weeks now. So with a heavy heart, I head down to the beach and sit on a towel, staring out to sea.
What has happened to my life?
If only Mum was still here. She’d know what I need to do next – because I sure as hell don’t. Mind you, if Mum was still here, I wouldn’t even be in this position, my life spiralling down the drain. I’d still be living at Shellbury Lodge with both my parents, happy like we used to be, and Amber would still be just around the corner, instead of hundreds of miles away.
Plus, I’d never have met Gabe Jackson.
And how I wish I’d never met that man!
Feeling exhausted, I lie back on the towel and stare up at the sky. But it’s too bright and I feel my eyes closing. The last thing I thinks before I drift off to sleep is: I suppose I ought to be wearing sun cream…
*****
When I wake, I’m in cool shade and I feel disorientated.
Where am I…?
Hearing seagulls cawing overhead, I struggle to a sitting position, still bleary-eyed from sleep. The shade is being made by someone standing there, leaning over me. And a familiar voice is saying, ‘Well, it’s all right for some, Lucy Honey! Lounging around on the beach all day.’
My heart leaps and I stare up in amazement.
‘Amber?’ Her name emerges as a shriek, and I scramble to my feet. ‘Oh my God, what are you doing here?’
‘I’ve come to see you, of course,’ she laughs. ‘To make sure you’re still speaking to me after I got a private investigator tailing you.’
‘Oh, my God, it’s so good to see you!’ I pull her into a hug and we cling on tightly, both of us half-laughing, half-crying now. ‘I don’t give two hoots about the bloody private investigator!’
We draw apart and she says, ‘The guy phoned me last night and told me you knew. So I got up really early and drove down here like the wind.’ She takes my arms and looks at me closely. ‘Are you okay, Lucy? You look a bit – well, knackered.’
‘I am. Well, I was. But now you’ve arrived, things are looking brighter already.’ I shake my head. ‘I still can’t believe you’re here. Can I pinch you?’
‘Aren’t I supposed to pinch you?’ She smiles sadly as we sit down, sharing the towel. ‘Oh, Lucy. I felt so bad, having you followed. But I needed to know you were all right. Not being able to reach you by phone has been the absolute pits.’
‘I know. I left my phone behind by mistake. It’s been awful not being able to talk to you.’
‘Are you really okay? You were in such a bad state that day you left. I knew I had to do something or I’d never be able to rest.’ She peers at my face. ‘At least your horrible wound is healing up nicely,’ she adds, examining my cheekbone.
I nod, reminded of that terrible day.
‘How did you know I’d gone to Pengully Sands?’
She shrugs. ‘It wasn’t difficult. When you turned up in Effie, I had a feeling you’d be heading down to Cornwall, where you used to go with your mum. I couldn’t remember the name of the place so I dug around and found an old postcard from you, and it had pictures of Pengully Sands. And here I am!’
‘God, I’m so glad you came. So much has happened, but today was just the worst – until you arrived.’
We look at each other and bump shoulders affectionately. There’s a lump in my throat and Amber’s eyes are glistening.
‘Ugh, look at me!’ she laughs, dashing away a tear. ‘Actually, there’s several reasons I had to come down here. Obviously, I wanted to make sure you were okay after the shock of finding out you were being tailed. But there’s something else - a piece of news that I’ve been dying to share with you, but of course with no phone, I couldn’t.’
‘News?’ My eyes widen. ‘Well, come on. Spill!’
Her excited face tells it all before she says a single word.
‘Oh, my God! You’re not…?’
‘Pregnant? No,’ she giggles. ‘Mark asked me to marry him…and I said yes!’
I stare at her in amazement. ‘Amber, that’s wonderful! Oh, my God, you are so right for each other, you and Mark. This is just the best news ever.’
I fling my arms around her again.
‘I know. I can’t believe it,’ she says, her voice muffled from being squeezed so tightly. ‘I keep having to pinch myself.’
I let her go and she says, ‘I honestly thought Mark would be the sort of bloke who’d be quite happy just moving in with me. But he actually went out and bought a ring and everything.’
‘Where, where?’ I grab her hand and she shows off a pretty pink stone in a silver setting.
‘The real ring is being resized. Mark wanted me to have a substitute while it was away at the jewellers, so we went into a gift shop and bought this. It’s rose quartz which apparently is the crystal of peace and unconditional love.’
I smile. ‘It’s lovely. And very appropriate.’
‘I know. The actual ring is a gorgeous diamond solitaire, chosen by my lover himself! Such impeccable taste. I was terrified I’d have to pretend I liked it when he produced the little blue box.’
I laugh. ‘The definition of a nightmare right there.’
‘But it all ended happily. And obviously, Lucy, you’re going to have to be my chief bridesmaid.’ She does a gleeful little clap.
‘Well, I should bloody hope so.’ I glance up at the promenade. ‘Listen, we need a drink to celebrate.’
‘Can we start on the cocktails before noon?’ she giggles.
I frown. ‘Hm, good point.’ I glance at my watch. It’s five to twelve. ‘But…it’ll be midday by the time we get to the bar.’
‘I knew there was a reason I liked you. Actually, I fancy a coffee first. I’ve been driving for hours and my caffeine levels have plummeted dangerously.’
I nudge her, as we start walking back up the beach. ‘Mrs Amber Holcroft. Gosh, that sounds posh.’