Page 31 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
The walk turned into a run as he entered the sea, meeting the buffeting surf head-on until he was deep enough to dive right under. Surfacing, he kicked rhythmically and twisted to look at the white outline of the surf club a little further down the beach.
He remembered evenings with his mates around a flickering bonfire, when there had been laughter, shared stories and beer and… Jen. He’d made the first move by giving her a lift. And she’d made the second. He hadn’t been able to believe a girl like her — quietly clever and beautiful — could be interested in him. But she’d made it quite clear she had been. And then…
He dived into the oncoming wave, needing its cold strength to counter the heat just thinking of Jen had created in him. When he surfaced, he swam back to shore, wondering with every stroke how he’d let her slip through his fingers.
But he knew. He’d been a fool. And no doubt he was still a fool — especially in her eyes. But he needed her to know he was no longer a fool. And he needed her to know he’d always be there for her — as a friend if nothing else.
As he emerged from the surf, water streaming from his body, he felt a sense of purpose crystallise within him. He’d been given another chance — a chance to redeem himself. And he’d not let it slip through his fingers. Not this time.
Jen returned home after her morning shift at the café, debating with herself whether she was disappointed or relieved that Sam hadn’t shown up. But, by the time she’d leaned her bike against the outside of the shed, the debate had turned into annoyance with herself. She had far more to worry about than a man who’d broken her heart too many years before.
But, as she followed the sounds of Liam’s voice through the garden to the rear of the house, she knew why Sam haunted her thoughts in her quiet moments. Because he’d somehow circumvented her defences and stirred feelings inside of her which she never expected to feel again. But they had to stay there. Deep inside her. She had no choice. Because it wasn’t only herself she was protecting.
She looked over the fence and the trees bent by the prevailing wind, at the white-topped waves which pounded to the shore. There were only a few people on the beach, heads down against the wind, enjoying the brilliance of the bright sunshine. A dog ran towards the house, looked up, saw her and gave her a volley of barks before returning to the woman who waved at her. Jen forced herself not to shrink away. Instead, she waved back, wondering if she’d ever completely recover from her years with Alistair.
A burst of laughter made her turn to see Liam trailing behind her mother through the kitchen garden. He was moving with a confidence and buoyancy which she hadn’t seen in him since forever.
She’d done the right thing.
No matter how many times she said it to herself, she still had doubts. She’d taken her son away from his father to another country. Not something courts would approve of. Nor Alistair. She fingered the piece of paper on which Lucy had scrawled the number of a good lawyer.
But not yet. She’d enjoy a few more days of peace and healing before she immersed herself in legalities.
‘What have you got there?’ she asked Liam, walking towards them. She crouched down beside him and put her arm around him.
‘Mum!’ he exclaimed. ‘Look, Mum, Grandma said it’s good luck,’ his eyes bright with excitement. ’It’s a ladybird.’
Jen exchanged smiles with her mother, who was moving her hand to keep the ladybird uppermost.
‘Sure is, darling,’ Jen replied, rising to her feet. ‘And we could all do with a bit of good luck.’
At that moment, there was a sudden gust of wind, followed by a groan from above and a wrenching sound. She snapped her head up in time to see a downpipe detach itself from the gutter, dangle precariously for a moment, before falling to the concrete path, narrowly missing the hydrangea bushes below.
‘Mum!’ she cried out, pulling Liam closer to her as if he was in imminent danger, although it was some distance from them. ‘Liam or you could have been under that.’
Kate looked at them anxiously before rubbing her forehead as if overwhelmed. ‘I thought I’d fixed it.’
‘With the broom handle propping it into place?’
‘And a piece of wire,’ Kate muttered.
‘This can’t go on. The house is falling down. And if we’re not careful, it’ll fall down on top of us.’
Kate shook her head and glanced at Liam. Jen could see that the falling pipe had given her a scare. ‘You’re right.’ She flung her hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. ‘Of course you’re right. Trouble is, most tradespeople are only interested in big jobs, and all I have is my pension.’
‘But this is MacLeod’s Cove. You know everyone. There must be someone willing to help. Besides, you’ve got enough small jobs needing to be done to make it worth someone’s while. The gutter isn’t the only thing that needs fixing. And I’ll help with the cost. I’m sure the others will, too.’
Again, that evasive shrug. ‘I know, it’s just…’ She trailed off and heaved the kind of sigh which Jen understood.
‘It’s just that it’s all too much?’ Jen asked gently.
Kate bit her lip. ‘I suppose so. Plus the idea of spending money on a house that isn’t even mine. It flies in the face of common sense.’
‘I get it. But if you’re going to continue living here, then it really has to be done.’ She paused as she watched her mother sink into a chair as if she felt shaky. ‘Why don’t you leave it to me? I’ll ask at the café. Someone must know a decent handyman willing to take this on.’
Kate shot her a relieved smile. ‘Thank you. I’d appreciate that.’ Whether or not her mother had asked for it, she needed help and support. It made Jen feel better about imposing herself on her. Maybe she’d be of some use after all.
‘Leave it with me, then. I’ll find someone to come around to give us a quote on the more urgent items. In fact, I’ll make a start right now.’
