Page 3 of Toy Boy

“You should be very proud of your boy, by the way.” Tim smiles as I pour his coffee.

“I am.”

“You’ve brought up one tough, talented kid there. He’s going to go a long way, maybe even come aftermyjob one day.”

I smile back, but sometimes, when people tell me I brought Josh up well, it almost feels like they left the “despite the fact you were a single mother” off the end of the sentence, and – I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I haven’t quite managed to dust that tiny chip off my shoulder yet; maybe it’s just my own paranoia, but it’s still there. Even though I’m positive people mean well, when they tell me that.

“I just wanted him to be happy, in whatever he chose to do with his life.”

“And what about you, Megan? Areyouhappy? Come on, sit down for a second. Talk to me.”

I look over at the counter, but everything seems to be under control. So I take a seat opposite Tim, tucking my notepad into the back pocket of my jeans and sliding my pen behind my ear.

“So, what do you want to talk about?”

Tim sits back in his chair, and sighs quietly.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, eyeing him warily.

“He’s back, Megan.”

“Who’s back?”

And that’s a rhetorical question. I know who Tim’s talking about, of course I do. I can tell by the look on his face.

“Scott. He arrived back in the bay a couple of days ago. He’s bought Neville Bannister’s old place on Marina Drive, and… he’s about to take over as consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, at the hospital.”

“Okay…” I look out of the window, at the terrace filling up with new customers as the early morning sun beats down, it’s going to be another warm day. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“And he came home alone.”

I stare at Tim, my expression one of utter bewilderment, I mean, is that supposed to mean something to me? The fact he’s come back to town alone? “She left him, too, huh?” I get up, but Tim gently places a hand over mine, and when I look at him this time his expression is one of concern, and that’s something I really don’t need.

“I just thought you should know, Megan. This is a small town, and him coming back…”

“I’m sorry, Tim, I really should get back to work.”

He lets go of my hand, and I walk away, over to the counter.

“Everything alright?” Hanna asks as she slides a fry-up through the serving hatch and rings the bell for service.

“Everything’s fine. I’m just popping outside for a few minutes. Shout if you need me.”

Stepping out into the sunshine, I cross the street and lean over the railings, staring out at the boats moored in this pretty, picturesque little harbour. Beachcastle Bay is a beautiful place, and I never regret for one moment my decision to move here from the city when Josh was just a toddler. I’d wanted him to grow up by the sea, in a place where community was key and people looked out for each other. Beachcastle Bay ticked all of those boxes, and it didn’t disappoint. We’ve both made friends here, good friends. People who helped me when I needed their support; people who became a part of our life, like family, almost. I can’t think of living anywhere else now, even if a man I never wanted to see again has just returned. But it’s his home, too. And as much as I’d like to, I can’t stop him from returning, but it doesn’t matter. I can deal with Scott Warren. He means nothing to me now, but the people of Beachcastle Bay, I wonder how they’ll react to his return. Like I said, he’s a man people always had a lot of time for, and even though the majority of them were extremely supportive of me during the divorce, at the same time I don’t think they were able to allow themselves to see this man they all held in very high regard in the same way I saw him. Flawed. Weak. Manipulative. And I still think one or two people blamed me a little when Scott announced that he was moving to Europe to take up a post in a cutting edge clinic in Denmark. Did they feel like I’d driven him away? Yes. I think they did, but no-one ever said anything. Not to my face, anyway.

“You shouldn’t frown so much. It’s a beautiful day, what’s making you so sad?”

I turn my head slowly to see a tall, strikingly handsome young man leaning over the railings beside me, his hands clasped together in front of him, his eyes staring out over the harbour. And when he directs his gaze at me I’m momentarily floored by his eyes, they’re the brightest of blue. A colour I’m not sure I’ve seen before, it’s quite startling.

“I’m sorry?”

He stands up straight, and that’s when I realise how tall he actually is. “No, I’m the one who should be sorry. I apologise, if I was out of line there.”

“You weren’t. It’s fine.” Still, he’s a complete stranger. What business is it of his whether I’m frowning or not? And I’m not sad, but my feelings have fuck all to do with him. “It’s okay.” I wave my hand about in a dismissive manner and turn around, I should go back inside now.

“Are you going to the café?”

His voice stops me in my tracks, and I turn back around to face him because where I’m going, that’s none of his business either. “I own the place.” Did he need to know that? “Feel free to come in and have some breakfast, if you’re hungry. Our blueberry pancakes are pretty special.”

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