Page 85 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘I wouldn’t mind a dip right now,’ Bella said.
‘Go on over if you fancy it. I can look after this place.’
‘Not now. I don’t have my costume for a start.’
‘Hitch up your dress and paddle.’
Bella grinned. ‘That does sound nice. Maybe I’ll go over at lunchtime and dip my toes in. Fancy coming with me?’
‘What about the stall?’
‘We’ve been quiet enough. If we close it for half an hour, I can’t see what difference it will make. Come on – it’ll be fun.’
Celestine pointed to her foot, still bandaged. ‘I think you’re forgetting something.’
Bella laughed lightly. ‘OK. Just dip one foot in.’
‘Hmmm.’ Celestine shoved her ice lolly into her mouth.
‘I’ll bring a bucket of seawater over and you can dunk your one good foot in it here. How’s that sound?’
‘Now you’re just being silly.’
‘Hang on!’
Bella crammed the last of her lolly into her mouth and then went to the stall. She took two unused buckets from storage and ran across to the beach, laughing. At the edge of the sand, she slipped off her shoes and then raced across it. It was hot but soft, whipping over her feet as she went. As she reached the water’s edge, she let the waves wash over them while filling each bucket and then hurried back to Bay Blooms.
‘You’re mad!’ Celestine said as a panting Bella placed the two buckets down in front of their chairs.
Bella dunked her feet into one of them with a contented sigh. ‘Go on – get in there. You don’t know what you’re missing!’
‘But—’
‘You know what they say: if you can’t go to the sea, then let the sea come to you.’
‘I don’t think they do say that.’ Celestine laughed, but she slipped off the sandal on her one good foot and plonked it into the bucket anyway.
‘See!’ Bella grinned. ‘Isn’t that lovely?’
‘It is a bit,’ Celestine admitted. And then they fell to contented silence for a moment as they both looked out over the packed beach, enjoying the sounds of children playing and gulls squealing overhead.
‘I love it here,’ Bella said finally. She turned to Celestine. ‘And I love you. I don’t think I’ve ever said it – at least I don’t remember – but it’s true. Thank you for everything. I didn’t know what to expect, and I still don’t know what the future holds back home, but I’ve had the most amazing time with you, and I’ll always be grateful for it.’
Celestine’s eyes misted with tears. ‘I love you too,’ she sniffed. ‘And I’ve loved having you here with me. I wish you didn’t have to leave.’
‘If I can find a way around it, I will,’ Bella said.
From the stall, Bella heard her phone ringing. For a brief second, she considered ignoring it, but curiosity got the better of her. But by the time she’d got her feet out of the water and dried them enough to go inside, whoever had wanted her had rung off. She didn’t recognise the number on the call log and wasn’t sure whether that made missing it better or worse. She hadn’t forgotten that her separation from Sean still hung over her and wondered if it might be something to do with him.
As she went to put the phone back in her bag, a text message came through from the same unrecognised number.
Hello, Bella, this is Lisa. Could we meet?
Bella frowned. It seemed the most stupid idea she’d ever had to say yes, but she wanted to. She didn’t even know why. Perhaps she felt she owed that much to Rory’s wife, who’d been taken in just as she had. But what if Lisa meant her ill? Perhaps Bella deserved that too for not giving enough consideration to Rory’s circumstances. The truth was she’d been so dazzled by him, so close to falling in love, that she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge there might be complications.
Where and when?
I’m flying home this evening so before then if possible. I’m free this afternoon if it helps.
