Page 64 of The Secret Beach

Underneath was a white marble plaque with their names carved on it in black. Nikki’s eyes rested on her dad’s – William North – and then the one above his. Rik Mahoney-Chambord. She had learned not to flinch.

Adam reached his hand out and touched the marble reverently, tracing his fingers along the letters of each name.

‘I imagine it never gets any easier,’ he said softly.

Nikki couldn’t answer. She just shook her head. He dropped his hand, then wordlessly took her arm, hooking his in hers in an easy gesture of comfort. It filled her with warmth, for the memorial always chilled her inside, and there was the added icy fear that hit her as she remembered her persecutor. The horrible recollection that she wasn’t the person everyone thought she was.

There was always something there to remind her.

She composed herself as they walked towards the pub.

‘Shall we sit outside?’ She disentangled herself from him and edged towards the best table. There was a light breeze tap-dancing across the water, just enough to whip little white tips onto the surface, but the sun was gaining confidence as if it had been practising for its summer performance.

‘Definitely. What do you fancy? I’ll go and order.’

Nikki slid onto the bench. ‘I’ll have what I always have,’ she said. ‘Salt and pepper calamari and dirty chips.’

‘Oof,’ he said, grinning. ‘I mean, there’s no point in even looking at the menu. That ticks all my boxes.’

They nursed two glasses of icy Muscadet while they waited for their food. Then Gloria headed out with two bowls of chargrilled calamari and two bowls of triple-cooked chips topped with crispy bacon, spring onion, red peppers, sour cream and melted mozzarella.

‘Hey, Nikki,’ she said, ‘thanks for the party invitation. Me and Belle will try and get over after service, if you think you’ll still be going strong?’

‘Oh,’ said Nikki, pretending to wince, ‘I don’t know. I’ve got my grumpy neighbour to worry about.’ She turned to Adam. ‘Do you think he’ll be OK with noise after midnight?’

‘He might complain to the police.’ Adam played along. ‘Maybe you should invite him? Then he can’t complain.’

‘I don’t know if he’s a party person.’

‘People can surprise you.’

Gloria was watching their exchange, bemused. Then she pointed at him. ‘You’re the grumpy neighbour.’

‘I am.’ He held out his hand. ‘Adam. And don’t worry. It will still be going until the small hours, I’m sure.’

‘I’ll see you then,’ Gloria said, and headed back inside.

‘These chips aren’t just dirty,’ said Adam, digging into his. ‘They are absolutely filthy. You’re a temptress.’

‘Blame Gloria, not me,’ laughed Nikki. ‘Once you’ve tasted them, you’re done for. She and Belle totally turned this place around when they moved in. You wouldn’t have risked eating here before.’

They ate in silence for a few minutes. This was bliss, thought Nikki, sitting in the sun with a glass of wine, sharing delicious food with someone who really appreciated what they were eating and where they were sitting. From time to time, someone would pass by the table and she would introduce them to Adam.

‘You really do run through this town like letters through a stick of rock,’ he said admiringly.

‘I’ve lived here all my life. There’s not many people I don’t know. Though there are a lot of newcomers these days. Second-homers.’ She made a face, then realised he would be classed as one of them. ‘Sorry, I don’t mean you.’

‘I’m guilty as charged,’ he said. ‘Though not anymore. I like to think I’ll be putting back into the local economy, and contributing to the community. Especially now I’ve got my office.’

‘Of course.’ Nikki felt mortified that she’d judged him, and hoped he wasn’t offended. He didn’t seem to be.

He nodded over to the lifeboat station. It was on the other side of the quay, perched by the slope where the boats were launched into the harbour when a shout came in. The front was always open so passersby could see in, and have a look inside if they wanted. Speedwell was proud of its lifeboat. ‘Would you show me around when we’ve finished?’

‘Of course!’

‘I was thinking,’ he said. ‘About volunteering. Not as crew – I’m probably too old, for a start, and I’m too much of a land lubber. But there must be other roles. And it feels like the best way to get to feel part of the town.’

‘We always need help with fundraising. You should talk to my mum. Or Graham. And there are other roles that come up from time to time.’ She clicked her fingers and pointed at him as if she’d had a brainwave. ‘Oh – hang on a minute. We always need someone to dress up as Sammy the Seal in the summer. He’s our mascot.’

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