Page 73 of Seashells at The Summer Hotel Lovely Bay
‘I hope it stays that way. If you need anything, you know where I am.’
‘Ahh, thank you.’
‘You know how it is around here. It takes a village. We’re all here to help in Lovely Bay.’
Nina nodded. As many other times since she’d moved to Lovely, she felt exponentially grateful for the close-knit community around her. ‘It’s nice to have the support.’
‘Yep. Part of living in Lovely, eh? We have our downsides, too.’ Alice chuckled and gestured to the deli. ‘Anyway, I’d better get on, or you know who will have my guts for garters.’
Nina raised her eyebrows. ‘I’d better leave you to it, then. We wouldn’t want that. See you later.’
‘See you. Hopefully, next time I bump into you, she’ll be awake and I can have a cuddle.’
As Nina strolled, a few more locals passed, stopping to admire Faye and have a chat. Nina felt a lump in her throat that Lovelies were not only taking the time to talk to her but more that they seemed genuinely interested and offered support. She continued along the street until she reached the alleyway leading to the back entrance of the chemist, where she was meeting Birdie for a cup of tea. She pushed the pram over the cobbles towards the back, fiddled with the lock for a bit to get the gate open, and squeezed the pram in the narrow gap. The sound of the Shipping Forecast filled her ears as she opened the back door to the chemist and rolled the pram in.North-west by west five. Nine miles. Cromarty, Forties, Forth, Tyne, Dogger.
On hearing the door go, Cally, who helped out in the shop, popped her head around from the storage room where she normally sorted out the deliveries.
‘I thought that might be you! Hello! How are you? Congratulations!’
‘I’m well, yes, good thanks. Really good.’
‘That’s amazing to hear. Ooh, you look well for it! How are you feeling?’
‘Great.’
‘I’ve heard about what happened at the lighthouse after we left. What a turn-up for the books. You sure know how to cause a bit of Lovely drama! What a way for her to arrive, eh?’
‘Yes, I know,’ Nina laughed.
‘A first for Lovely Bay, I think—a birth in the lighthouse.’
‘Yes, I think so.’
‘Alright, let me have a little look at her.’ Cally peeked in the pam. ‘Oh my! How gorgeous is she?’
‘I know. Thank you.’
Cally leaned over the pram, making cooing noises as she admired the baby. ‘She's absolutely beautiful, Nina. Looks just like you. That beautiful newborn skin, eh? So sweet.’
Nina smiled proudly. ‘Thanks, Cally. It's been a whirlwind.’
Cally straightened up. ‘Aww, yeah. Must be a whole new world for you. How’s our Robby handling the new dad duties?’
‘He’s been fantastic. He adores her. It's lovely to see.’
‘That's wonderful to hear. And how about you? Managing to get out much?’
‘A bit here and there. Just trying to make the most of these early days. It’s not easy to plan anything too ambitious with a newborn.’
Cally nodded. ‘True. They grow up so fast, too.’
‘Yeah, everyone keeps telling me that,’ Nina chuckled as she adjusted Faye's blanket.
Birdie came through from the shop. ‘Ahh, I thought that was you. How are you?’
‘Great. I was just telling Cally.’
Birdie leaned over and looked in the pram. ‘Aww, she’s better than the last time I saw her. So pretty.’
