Page 62 of The Winter of Second Chances
‘I’m not sure I’ll have time to read another book by Wednesday,’ said Annie.
‘I’m not talking about a whole book, just two or three short stories. Still by Victorian writers, so we’re keeping to theme. And anyway, the Victorians wrote the best ghost stories.’
As usual, Gemma’s enthusiasm was intoxicating.
‘Will we even have time to get hold of the books?’ Maeve pointed out. Ever the one to bring Gemma’s natural boil down to simmer.
Gemma grinned and, manoeuvring the sleeping Esme so that she could get to her bag, she pulled out three copies of a Victorian ghost stories anthology.
‘I gave Sally hers down at the Nook earlier,’ she said, handing out the books. ‘Happy Halloween!’
‘Thank you, Gemma,’ said Annie. ‘How much do I owe you?’
‘They’re a gift,’ Gemma replied. ‘I thought we could read three. They’re not overly long. I did some research and marked the pages of the ones I thought would be good.’
Annie flicked through the book. A slip of paper marked each story:The Mezzotintby M. R. James,The Old Nurse’s Storyby Elizabeth Gaskell andThe Open Doorby Charlotte Riddell.
‘I can’t wait, a Victorian spook fest!’ Gemma gushed.
Annie was rather looking forward to getting started. The idea of reading ghost stories in an old smugglers’ haunt was quite thrilling...although she decided she would check all the bolts on the doors were secure before she started.
The walk home was chilly, even with alcoholic insulation. They began moving as a mass at closing time and little by little, as revellers turned left and right and trickled away to their houses, the group became smaller, until by the time it reached halfway down the hill it amounted to a small gaggle. When the last person turned into their drive, having been reassured by Annie that she didn’t need escorting to Saltwater Nook, Annie was left alone.
The moon appeared white and bulbous from behind a shaggy cloud and lit the way with its cold blue gleam. Annie shivered and walked on. As she rounded the corner at the bottom of the hill, the promenade splayed out before her, empty and silver in the moonlight. The beach was as black as the sea but for the twinkle of moon-rays catching on the tips of the waves. Annie marvelled at the place she now called home. She had somehow stumbled into this life and it almost felt too good to be hers. Today had been a good day; one of the best she could remember for a long time.
She was woken the next morning by the sound of the doorbell ringing. It punctured her post-wine sleep, continuing relentlessly until she fumbled into her dressing gown and, smarting at the waft of cold air that whistled up the stairwell to meet her, stumbled, grumbling, down to the front door.
‘Did I wake you?’
It was John Granger, looking fresh and designer-stubbled in the kind of smart casual attire which Annie had thought only existed in cardboard cut-outs at Zara Man. For some reason his attractiveness annoyed her intensely.Why is it only gay men or arseholes who know how to dress well?she wondered. Annie squinted up at him; the grey morning seemed impossibly bright.
‘No,’ she answered sarcastically. ‘This is how I dress on Sundays.’ Her naked toes curled backwards against the spiky breeze.
‘Right,’ John said and he continued to look at her and then away towards his car and then back at her again. Annie frowned at him, waiting for him to speak.
‘Do you need something?’ Annie asked, hoping to speed whatever this was along. She was braless under her pyjamas and had folded her arms below her boobs in an attempt to make them look less like they were resting below her ribs.
‘Yes,’ said John. ‘No. I, er, I wanted to apologise, again, for my rudeness after the second time I was rude when I had come down to apologise.’
Annie frowned some more.
‘Okay,’ she said. ‘Apology accepted.’
‘That’s not all,’ said John.
‘Somehow I didn’t think it would be.’
‘I don’t agree with you opening the cafe.’
‘Yes, I did get that impression. But it really isn’t any of your business.’
‘You don’t understand what it is that you’re doing.’
‘And what exactly is that?’ asked Annie.
‘Giving false hope to a trusting old lady.’
‘I don’t see how. From where I’m standing Mari is doing just fine out of our arrangement. She’s going to get twenty per cent of everything I make from the kiosk and the cafe without having to lift a finger. If anything, I’m building her a little nest egg ready for when she comes home.’
