Page 32 of A Seaside Escape
‘I’m quite capable of making my own sandwiches, thank you,’ he snapped.
Seriously, what is his problem?She opened her mouth to snap back, but thought better of it. ‘Fine. See you later then.’ She wasn’t sure what she had done wrong.
‘I’ll see myself out.’ He walked away. As he did so his mobile rang. ‘Aye, what is it? No, I’m just finishing a job… Where did they find it?’ He froze. ‘Aye, okay. Thanks for letting me know.’ He shook his head as he hung up the call and turned to look at Mallory, ‘See you tomorrow.’ There was a hint of sadness to his gaze. Before she could ask if he was okay, he was gone. Mallory wondered what the call was about. It sounded serious judging by his reaction but knowing how he could change on a halfpenny she decided it was probably best that she hadn’t asked.
After lunch, Mallory decided she would go for a walk with Ruby. This had become somewhat of a daily routine now and she enjoyed the fact the weather was improved of late. This time she decided to take a slightly different route, avoiding the bridge for once. As she walked past the houses adjacent to her own and in the direction of the pub, one of the neighbours waved to her. She seemed to remember her name was Aileen. After the funeral she had called around with a pot of Irish stew which Brad had devoured in one sitting. It was a good job Mallory had no appetite at the time as she didn’t get a look in.
‘Good afternoon! Good to see you out and about, hen,’ the neighbour called.
Mallory waved back and smiled. It brought tears to her eyes when people she hardly knew showed such kindness.
She continued on and walked to the right past the pub which was closed. She wondered how Greg was. He had been brusque on leaving this morning, but he seemed to be upset by the call he had received. Perhaps it had been bad news. She’d have to try and cut the guy a little slack, after all she knew there was something painful in his recent past and she could understand what that was like.
She called into the little shop to get a bottle of water.
The shop owner, Colin, greeted her with a huge friendly smile and then came around the counter to give her a hug. ‘Oh Mallory, it’s so good to see you out.’ He stepped back, holding her at arm’s length. ‘I know we don’t know you all that well, but if you need anything, anything at all…’ He didn’t need to finish the sentence.
She smiled and nodded, biting her cheek to halt the tears that threatened. He was such a kind, thoughtful man.
‘I was wondering, Colin, I’d like to get some fresh air and see some nice views. Where’s the best place to do that without having to go by car?’
Colin tapped his chin as he thought. ‘You know what? You need a boat trip.’ He proceeded to give her directions down to the marina where there was a daily outing run by one of the locals. He said that she would get to skim the coast and see some stunning views and maybe even some seals. It sounded perfect.
She set off with a renewed enthusiasm, following the directions Colin had given. When she arrived at the little marina she stood for a few minutes to take in the view. There was a scruffy old chalkboard displaying the words:
BOAT TRIPS ON LITTLE BLUE
£10 PER PERSON
DOGS FREE
She looked around for the captain and spotted someone with their back to her. He was wearing a woolly hat, which was odd considering it was now May and it wasn’t cold. He turned and spotted her and a grin spread across his face.Greg.
He waved. ‘Hey, you’re out again. It’s becoming a habit.’
Why did everyone greet her as if she’d been in prison?And why is he so mercurial?she wondered as she strolled towards the boat.
‘This is you then, eh?’ she asked, gesturing at the boat. She wondered how many jobs this guy actually had. ‘I hadn’t twigged that you did excursions when you said you were working on your boat this afternoon.’
‘Aye, it’s my day job.’ He smiled. ‘You up for a trip out?’ he asked, almost looking hopeful.
‘Why not? I could do with a bit of fresh air. How many of us will there be?’ She wondered where the other passengers for the trip were.
‘You’re it.’ He carried on making the boat ready. ‘Bit of a slow day. I was just about to give up and go out by myself.’
She suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. ‘Are you sure you want me to tag along?’
‘Aye, why not? I get sick o’ my own company. Get enough of it, day in day out.’ He held out his hands and she passed Ruby over and then she blushed as she took his hand, stepping onto ‘Little Blue’. She held out a ten-pound note, but he waved it away. His unwillingness to take her money was becoming a regular thing.
She gestured to the sign. ‘Cute name. The boat, I mean,’ she clarified. She watched as he tightened ropes and did a lot of other things that she didn’t really have a clue about.
‘Aye, named it after my old dog; had him as a boy. He was a black lab and when he was a pup he almost looked like there was a blue tinge to his fur, hence the name.’ Greg gestured to Mallory to take a seat which she did immediately.
‘Aww, that’s sweet.’ Mallory saw yet another new side to this man she hardly knew. She looked out into the distance as Greg started the engine and steered the boat away from its mooring.
‘Do you want the running commentary that I give to all my passengers?’ Greg enquired of the sole occupant of the boat trip.
She gave him a puzzled glance.
