Page 83 of Happy Days Ahead in the Cornish Village

She could feel her stomach lurch as the three of them walked down towards the beach together. Forcing herself, she turned back to the milkshake machine and began cleaning it down, trying to keep her mind busy.

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‘So, what do you think?’ Primrose dragged the mop across the floor.

‘I’ve really enjoyed today,’ Megan said as she scrubbed at a stubborn dribble of what looked to be mint ice cream on the counter and smiled. She had enjoyed it. With there always being either customers to serve or machines to clean or ice cream to restock, the hours had sped by and she could hardly believe that her first shift was over.

‘That’s good to hear. You’ll be back tomorrow then?’ Primrose paused and looked at her, the mop still in hand.

‘I’d love to come back tomorrow.’

Did that mean she officially had the job then? Primrose hadn’t said anything about today being a trial, but Megan had assumed it would be.

‘If you’ll have me, of course.’

Primrose chuckled. ‘Oh, you’ve done a marvellous job and I hope you’ll accept the job offer.’

‘Yes, I will. Thank you.’ Megan grinned.

‘Good, good.’ Primrose glanced outside. ‘I’ll just bring the chalkboard in, and I think we’ll be ready to lock up.’

‘I’ll go and get it.’

Megan threw the paper towel she’d been using to clean the counter into the bin and rushed around the counter onto the shop floor.

Opening the door, Megan stepped outside and took a deep breath in, the warm salty air filling her lungs. It felt good to be back in a job, to be earning and to be working towards independence and her future.

She looked down at the A-frame chalkboard displaying a selection of the ice cream flavours written in Primrose’s delicate cursive writing. It was the perfect advertisement to draw in passers-by on their way down to the beach. She carefully closed it and picked it up. It was heavier than she’d imagined it would be, but she guessed it needed to be to withstand the gusts from the sea on windier days. Turning, she headed towards the door, pausing as movement on the beach caught her eye.

It was Jay, Mia and Leanne. Jay and Leanne were standing opposite each other, throwing a brightly striped beach ball between them as Mia ran in and out of the waves that lulled up the beach.

Megan placed the A-frame back down and watched for a moment – as Mia circled around her mum, laughing as she then threw herself into Jay’s arms, who picked her up and swung her around before passing her across to her mum.

They looked like the perfect family. To anyone passing by they did. All three of them were grinning from ear to ear and laughing. If she hadn’t been told their history, then she would have thought so too.

Shaking her head, she picked up the A-frame again and carried it inside. Even when they’d been in the ice-cream parlour, Jay and Leanne had been fine with each other, friendly. She couldn’t imagine her and Lyle ever getting to that point, even being in the same room together and tolerating each other would be unlikely, but Jay and Leanne had seemed normal, had seemed happy in each other’s company.

She stood the board against the wall by the door and glanced back out of the window. They did appear happy. It wasn’t an act for Mia; she was certain it wasn’t. If it had been she’d have been able to pick up on something, on some slight awkwardness or intolerance and the only time Jay had looked in the least bit uncomfortable was when he’d first come into the shop and introduced her to Mia.

‘Perfect. Thank you.’ Primrose appeared from the kitchen carrying her handbag. ‘You can get off now, love. I’ll see you at ten again tomorrow?’

‘Definitely.’ Megan took her bag from behind the counter and held her hand up in a wave before stepping back outside. She looked down towards the beach again. They were still there, Jay, Leanne and Mia. Still playing together. She turned and headed back up the lane towards the edge of the village and Wagging Tails.

‘Is that you, Megan? We’re in the kitchen,’ Flora’s voice called out.

Megan closed the front door of the cottage and slung her bag down by the shoe rack before heading towards the kitchen. Flora, Percy, Poppy and Mack were sitting around the table. ‘Hi.’

‘Hello, lovely. How was your first day?’ Flora stood up. ‘Do you want a cuppa?’

‘No, I’m okay, thanks.’ Megan shook her head. ‘It was great, thanks. Primrose seems really lovely, and to be honest, the hours flew past.’

‘Glad to hear you enjoyed it.’

‘We’re just deciding what film to see at the cinema this evening.’ Poppy turned to her. ‘Do you fancy joining us?’

‘No, thanks for asking, but I think I’m going to head up and take a nap.’ Megan smiled. Any other day she would have jumped at the chance and invited Jay along too but she just couldn’t shift the feeling of unease about her and Jay’s fledgling romance. Not after seeing him with Mia and Leanne this afternoon. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate on a film and she’d be lousy company too. ‘I’m shattered after today.’

‘No worries.’ Poppy smiled.

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