Page 24 of Finding Love in Micklewick Bay

FOURTEEN

Inside her apartment, Stella leant against the door, waiting for her stampeding heart to slow down, wondering how a man could affect her in such a way. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly in an attempt to steady her breathing. She was used to being in control of her emotions, used to being cool, calm and collected, but this? This was something completely new, and she wasn’t sure she liked it.

And now she’d discovered Alex Bainbridge didn’t just live in the same apartment building as her, but on the same floor and directly opposite? Lark would say it was the universe talking to her. Despite her misgivings, that thought made Stella laugh. She pressed her hand to her chest, there was definitely something talking to her, Stella very much doubted it was the universe; her rampaging hormones more like. She’d be sure not to let them get out of hand; she needed to stay focused on her career and not get distracted.

She headed to the kitchen and poured a long, cool glass of water. Had she really just invited Alex to join her and her friends at The Cellar? What had she been thinking? His presence would result in a load of ribbing from them, particularly Jasmine and Maggie. She could only imagine what they’d say. She took a sipof water, consoling herself with the knowledge that they at least didn’t know what effect he was having on her insides, how her emotions were thrown into turmoil whenever he was near. Only she knew that. As far as her pals were concerned, Alex was just another man she was attracted to, and if they dated, their liaison would have the same finite lifespan of all the others that littered her dating history. She only hoped the sparks she felt flying between them weren’t visible to anyone else.

‘Right,’ she said out loud, setting the glass down on the granite worktop. ‘Time to tackle these boxes.’

Stella had made great in-roads with her unpacking by the time the intercom buzzer sounded. Slotting the last of the books into the bookcase, she headed over to it, surprised to see her mum’s image on the screen. Though she’d sent a text earlier, saying how she’d taken the week off, Stella hadn’t expected a visit from her mother quite so soon. But then again, Stella had a sneaking suspicion she knew the reason behind it.

‘Hi, Mum,’ she said, smiling as she opened the door. She noted the pretty tea dress her mum was wearing, and how she was still radiating the same happy glow that had been evident the day before.

‘Hello, lovey.’ Alice beamed up at her daughter, offering her cheek for Stella to kiss.

‘This is a treat. Can I get you a cup of coffee? I was just about to have one. We can drink it sitting out on the balcony, if you like?’ As soon as the words were out, Stella wished she could take them back. What if Alex was out on his balcony? Wouldn’t that be a bit embarrassing or awkward? Telling herself it didn’t matter if he was, she headed towards the kitchen.

‘Mmm. A coffee would be great, thanks.’ Alice set her handbag down on the table and glanced around her. ‘I love the atmosphere of this place. You were so right to snap it up when you did, it’s a sound investment.’ Her eyes landed on the stack of empty boxes alongside reams of bubble wrap and paper. ‘Mind, I don’t think Andrea would be too chuffed at having all her handiwork undone.’ She laughed jokingly.

Stella followed her gaze and smiled. ‘Don’t worry, it looks worse than it is. That can all go to the recycling centre in one fell swoop. And, actually, there wasn’t much for Andrea to do this morning with me having just moved in a week ago.’ She set about frothing a jug of milk.

Her mum nodded. ‘Andrea said to tell you she’s done some of your washing while she was here, by the way; just some undies. Said she thought it was such a lovely day, she might as well make a start on it and get it hung out in the garden.’

‘In the garden?’ Stella frowned, popping a coffee capsule into the machine and selecting the lungo button; she quite fancied a large cup of coffee.

Raising her voice to be heard above the noise of the coffee machine, Alice said, ‘Yes, she mentioned that since there was no washing line, she grabbed a spare clothes airer from her van and hung the washing on that. Said the garden’s a right little suntrap and it’d be dry in no time.’

‘Oh, right, okay.’ Stella had always had her washing and ironing taken care of through Spick ‘n’ Sparkle. As a rule, it was taken away in one of the company’s laundry bags by Andrea on a Monday, and returned freshly laundered and pressed the next. She really didn’t mind that Andrea had made a start on it here at the apartment. Stella always felt guilty that she paid her mum reduced rates for the cleaning and laundry services anyway, but she wasn’t sure how she felt about having her expensive silk underwear hung outside. Wouldn’t the sun bleach it? She hopednot, some of it cost a small fortune. Anyway, that was something to think about for later; she’d go and retrieve it after her mum had gone. Next Monday, she’d leave a tactfully worded note to Andrea saying that she’d prefer it if they could just revert back to their usual arrangement as far as her laundry was concerned. ‘There you go, Mum.’ She handed her a cup of coffee.

‘Thanks, lovey.’

They’d just got themselves settled outside when her mum said, ‘Rhys thinks you’re wonderful by the way. Says you’re a chip off the old block.’ Smiling, she looked over at Stella, her eyes shining happily.

Stella smiled back, her heart squeezing for her mum. ‘Lots of people say that, don’t they? And I’m always proud to hear it.’

‘Thanks, lovey, that’s kind.’ Alice took a sip of her coffee, her expression thoughtful. She took a few moments before she spoke again. ‘So, what did you think of Rhys? Did you like him?’ She turned to face Stella, meeting her eyes.

‘I did actually, he came across as a decent bloke and from what I could gather, he seemed genuine.’

‘Oh, he’s most definitely a decent bloke and completely genuine,’ Alice added quickly. ‘You know I’m not the sort to get taken in by anyone’s flannel. You and I are the same in that regard. And you know better than anyone how wary I’ve been of having a relationship. There’s no way I’d consider getting involved with anyone I didn’t think was one hundred per cent genuine and had high moral standards. No way at all.’

‘I totally get that, Mum.’ From her mother’s almost defensive tone, Stella felt the need to take things gently.

‘I’ve honestly given it a lot of thought, which is why I waited as long as I did before I introduced you to him. I wanted to be certain, didn’t want to rush things.’

‘I know you’ll have thought long and hard about it, Mum, and it really is great to see you looking so happy.’ She reached over and took her mum’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

‘And you’re really okay with me going on holiday with him?’

‘Of course I am! And anyway, it’s not up to me.’ Stella couldn’t help but laugh at that. ‘I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time. Tuscany’s a wonderful place. It’ll do you good.’

Visibly relaxing, Alice breathed a sigh of relief and said, ‘Thank you. I’m really quite excited about it. Rhys has booked the flights.’

They sat in contemplative silence for a moment, the only sound the cries of the gulls overhead and the rumble of the traffic below. Stella’s mind drifted to the conversation she’d had with Alex about family, in particular her father. She stole a look at her mum, watching as she sipped her coffee, a contented expression on her face. Maybe now would be a good time to ask a couple of the questions she’d been mulling around in her head for some time. Her curiosity had gained momentum ever since her mum had mentioned Rhys, her father occupying an increasing amount of her thoughts.

Conscious of not wanting her mum to feel she was being interrogated about her ex, Stella opted for a more subtle approach, hoping she’d be able to glean the odd scrap of information about him. With that in mind, she asked, ‘What was it that made you come to Micklewick Bay all those years ago? I mean, why pick here out of everywhere else you could’ve chosen? Did you know someone who lived here at the time? Do we have some kind of connection to the town?’ Though Stella kept her tone casual, she observed her mum closely.

‘Well…’ Alice took a slow sip of coffee, the pause instantly alerting Stella’s suspicions. ‘It’s such a long time ago, I can’t really remember to be honest. And no, I didn’t know anyone from the town at the time.’ She gave a shrug, suddenly avoidingeye contact with her daughter. ‘I’ve always liked the seaside, so maybe that was it.’ Her body language had switched from being open and happy, to closed and defensive. A familiar pose Stella had seen many times before, particularly when she’d been asking about her father.

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