Page 81 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘Nice TED talk,’ Livia said from behind Eden. ‘You should do it for a living.’
‘I’m the last person to be giving out life advice.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I think you’ve got more to offer than you realise. After all, when you’ve lived it, you can talk about it, right? What time did your sister and dad say they’d be coming?’
Eden gave her a grateful smile. She wondered, not for the first time, why she’d been so afraid to share the events that had led up to her mum’s death with Livia because when she finally did, Livia hadn’t judged at all. Just as Eden had hoped and as she ought to have known, Livia had listened and then told Eden that she couldn’t keep punishing herself for a mistake, no matter how big. She also decided that, in the process of punishing herself, Eden had inadvertently punished her family by disappearing from their lives. Caitlin had said something similar, but Livia’s way of putting it had been far gentler.
‘I was hoping they’d be here for the start, but Caitlin texted me to say they’d hit traffic so they might be late.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Yes, but I suppose it can’t be helped. It’s a miracle they’re coming at all – at least, it’s a miracle Caitlin is.’
‘Look on the bright side – you were worried you’d be neglecting them while we got set up, so if they arrive later, everything should more or less be ticking along, and you’ll be able to give them your full attention. If you need to pop up to Four Winds when they arrive to let them in with their stuff, I can hold the fort here.’
‘Actually, Dad booked a hotel for them.’
‘Oh.’
‘It’s OK,’ Eden said. ‘It’s the first time we’ve all been together since I left, and I wonder if Caitlin had some kind of conversation with him about breathing space. I have to agree, I think it’s a good idea we’re not all staying at Four Winds. We’ll see how this couple of days goes, and then maybe we can move forward together to a day when it will be fine, but until then…’
Livia laid a hand on her arm. ‘I think that’s probably sensible. But you’re really OK with it?’
‘Of course. I’m just glad they’re coming.’
‘So…Have you heard from Cam?’
‘Not since he left.’
‘You haven’t even texted him?’
‘I messaged him about this thing today, but he didn’t reply, so it’s obvious he thinks that’s the end of it.’
‘I still say you’re both being idiots. One of you needs to say something.’
‘There’s nothing to say. He won the bet – the land will soon be gone and the scout hut with it. I know he said he’d help set something up in its place but…’ Eden shrugged. ‘Realistically, I don’t think that will happen. Out of sight, out of mind. He might have felt that way while he was in the bay, but I doubt he’ll remember his promise now.’
‘What about the fact that you liked him?’
‘I liked him because…I don’t know why. Because I was being stupid. It was never going anywhere.’
‘He liked you too.’
‘It was intense, the drama that was going on between us, and we got swept up in that. It didn’t mean anything; it wasn’t real. It was just…’ She cast around for a way to explain, but she couldn’t find one. ‘Sexy,’ she concluded lamely.
Livia raised her eyebrows. ‘Arguing over a scout hut made you both horny? Is that what you’re saying? And you’re actually standing by that rubbish?’
‘I know,’ Eden said. ‘Whatever it was, he’s gone, and that’s that. It must not have meant enough to him to come back to the bay, so why would I go chasing it?’
‘It’s only been a few weeks, and he might have been busy.’
‘Yes, busy selling our land.’
‘It was never our land. We knew this would likely happen when you started the café up, remember?’
‘I know, but?—’
‘Are you two going to stand there chatting all day?’
