Page 44 of The Summer Swap

“There isn’t much point. I won’t be sleeping in there. I’m happy in the second bedroom.” On the other hand, why was she refusing? Lily was offering to do a job she’d been dreading. Why not let her help? “I suppose if you have time to clear it all out, then that would be good.”

“Great. It can be a job for this weekend. That reminds me.” Lily stood up. “I have something to show you. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it yesterday. This is why I needed you to lend me your car today. Thanks for that, by the way.”

“You’ve bought something else? Lily, you must let me pay you.”

“It didn’t cost anything because it was damaged. I found it outside a house that was being renovated with a note saying to help myself. So I did as I was told and helped myself. Close your eyes.”

Cecilia dutifully closed her eyes, wondering what Lily had brought home this time. She heard the sound of something scraping along the floor and then a loud clonk as Lily put something heavy down on the deck.

“Okay.” She sounded breathless. “You can look.”

Cecilia opened her eyes and saw an old, battered bookcase, complete with splinters and chipped paint.

Lily blew strands of hair out of her eyes and sent her a triumphant look. “Isn’t it fantastic?”

“I—”

“I happened to notice that you have a lot of books stacked on the floor in the second bedroom. I thought they needed a home, and this should fit perfectly in the little nook by the window.”

Cecilia wasn’t sure what to say.

Lily waited expectantly. “You’re thinking it’s hideous.”

“I’m thinking it looks—distressed.”

Lily grinned. “Well, that makes three of us, doesn’t it? We can all be distressed here together. But not for long. At least, not for this bookshelf. Ta-da—” Like a magician, she produced a tin of paint. “It’s called Seafoam Green. Just a hint of the ocean. I bet the marketing people had fun with that. More appealing than calling it Lizard Green, I suppose. Anyway, it’s going to look great.”

Cecilia decided it was worth giving houseroom to the hideous bookcase just to see Lily looking so animated. “Does it have woodworm?”

“I don’t think so, but by the time I’ve finished the only thing living in this will be your books.”

How could she say no?

“If you think we should keep it, then we should do that. I suppose it would be a kindness to give it a home. It needs some love.”

And so did Lily.

Cecilia felt a ripple of frustration. Did Lily’s parents not see how creative she was? It shone through in everything, from the way she dressed to the food she prepared. It was almost as if they didn’t know their own daughter.

But she probably shouldn’t be judging. She was all too aware of her own deficiencies as a mother. Parenting was never straightforward. And it was easier to see both the big picture and the mistakes when the child in question wasn’t your own.

She was increasingly intrigued by Lily. There was no doubt that she had an eye for shape and shade, and for design. Cecilia was interested to see her paintings but so far hadn’t been able to persuade Lily to share her work.

“You don’t believe me when I say it’s going to be beautiful. Wait until I’ve finished with it. I can’t believe what some people throw away.” Lily put the tin of paint on the table and sat down again. “I was thinking that if being in the cottage is difficult for you, then maybe we could change it.”

“Change it?”

“Why not? Instead of tweaking things, let’s be bolder. For example the walls where you removed the paintings look—”

“Truly awful?”

Lily smiled. “I was going to say ‘bare.’ And while we’re thinking about the living room, we should consider moving the sofa so that it faces the view. And how would you feel about me painting the walls?”

“Did you have a color in mind?” The idea of redecorating the cottage hadn’t crossed her mind. There didn’t seem to be much point. But now she thought about it, moving the sofa was a good idea. Why on earth hadn’t they done so before?

“I was thinking bright red for one of the walls and luminous purple for the other two. Maybe add a gold stripe or two.” Lily looked at her, deadpan, and then laughed. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist. You should see your face.”

“You’re a wicked girl. And now tell me what color you really have in mind.”

---