Page 70 of Just the Beginning

They all turned to see Maud step out of the shadows, her neat bob dyed a fetching shade of lilac and her jeans so tight they looked sprayed on. Davy leaned over to peck a kiss on her cheek then tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and the pair of them walked out. The table was silent for a moment before they all began to talk at once. Rick turned to Anya, who was smiling to herself. ‘Did you know about that?’

She shook her head. ‘I had no idea, but good for them.’

Rick wondered if it was such a good idea given what Davy might be facing, but then decided that it didn’t matter what he thought about it. ‘Yes, good for them.’

‘I can almost hear your brain whirring from here, Rick.’

He gave her a sheepish grin. ‘I’m trying, okay.’

Ed leaned across the table and Rick had to reach out and grab a half-empty wine bottle before his brother sent it flying. ‘Come on, Liam, the suspense is killing me. What’s in the envelope?’

Clearly uncomfortable at suddenly being the centre of attention, Liam pulled up the flap and slid a thick wedge of documents out. He scanned it over, his frown deepening, before he eventually handed it to their father.

‘What is it?’ Ed demanded again.

Looking completely dumbfounded, their eldest brother sat back in his chair. ‘It’s the deeds to the hotel.’

As uproar broke out around the table, Rick heard Anya murmur, ‘Oh, Davy, what are you playing at now?’

34

The evening broke up soon after Davy’s spectacular walkout. While the others fussed around, dividing up the birthday cake while Ryan and Jago argued jovially over who was paying the bill, Anya busied herself packing up Freya’s things. She’d already worked out what their food had cost and she’d sort it out with whoever ended up winning in the next couple of days. ‘Come on, poppet, time to go,’ she said to Freya in her best encouraging voice.

‘I’m tired, Mummy.’ Freya held up her arms, refusing to stand.

Seeing she was on the edge of being too tired that could easily tip over into tears, Anya crouched and picked her up. ‘Oof, you’re getting too big to be carried,’ she said as she braced Freya on her hip. ‘Let’s give Ma her card and present, then it’s home to bed for us, young lady.’

Anya fumbled with the handbag hanging over her opposite shoulder, trying to keep hold of Freya with one hand.

‘Here, let me.’ The strain in her arm disappeared as Rick lifted Freya up like she weighed nothing.

‘Thanks, I won’t be a sec.’

She quickly worked her way around the table and handed Ma her card and the apron she’d made for her. ‘Thank you so much for inviting us,’ she said, pressing a kiss to Ma’s cheek.

‘Thank you for coming.’ She unfolded the apron and held it up. ‘Oh, this is beautiful, thank you. Did you have a nice time?’

‘It was great. I’m going to dash though, because it’s way past Freya’s bedtime.’

Ma laughed. ‘She’s not the only one! We can catch up in the morning when you drop her off. Go on, get that poor child home to bed.’

Though she’d only been gone a couple of minutes, Freya was fast asleep on Rick’s shoulder, her arms clasped around his neck. Anya held out her hands to take her. ‘I don’t mind carrying her,’ he said, quietly. ‘I know you don’t need my help, Anya, but I really don’t mind.’

She stared up at him for a long minute. Was she really going to risk waking Freya up on a point of principle? Yes, she could manage to carry her home, but it would be bloody hard work. ‘Thank you.’ She glanced around but everyone else was still chatting and didn’t look like they would be on the move anytime soon. ‘I don’t think we should wait for the others, if you don’t mind?’

‘Whatever you need is fine with me.’ Rick gestured towards the door before laying a large, protective hand on Freya’s back to hold her safe.She’d always be safe with him.

The truth of it burned deep into Anya’s bones as they strolled along the seafront in silence. Yes, he’d lied to her, but Rick was nothing like Drew. Everything he did was for other people’s benefit, whereas Drew had only ever been out for himself.

I don’t think anyone has ever stopped to ask him what he needs. Anya realised she had no idea because they had never taken the time to actually get to know each other. Not really.

The sun was setting, turning the horizon where the sky met the sea into a molten river of fire. It was so beautiful, Anya had to stop and watch as orange turned to red, to shades of violet and indigo and finally to the soft grey of a dove’s wing.

‘I never get tired of that,’ Rick said with a sigh as they began to walk again.

‘Do you like living here?’

She could sense him glance down at her but she kept her eyes fixed on the path. ‘In the Quay? Sure, I mean it’s the only place I’ve ever known, but yeah, I’m happy here.’

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