Page 30 of The Cottage By the Sea (Sunrise Coast)

‘Find a home – somewhere you feel you belong. I know you left Suffolk thinking London would be it. I’ve always sensed you hankered after something else. Return to Suffolk, Abi. Give it a month or two at least. Do it for me.’

Lili glanced at Abigail, hoping she would take his advice. Lili knew from her own experience of living in a small community and making new friendships that having a supportive network of people was just what Abigail would need.

‘Don’t push away your friends. I know what you’re like.’

Lili nodded, catching Abigail staring at her.

‘Hey, what are you nodding for?’

Lili smiled. ‘I know what you’re like too.’

‘Go and see your family. I mean it. You keep saying you will; go do it – now!’ His voice softened. ‘I know things were never easy for you, seeing your little sister growing up with her dad, your stepdad.’

Lili looked at Abigail.

‘Just go see them, okay? Oh, and another thing: get a pet. I know you want one, even though I’m not keen. Hey, I’m gone now, so go do it, get one!’

His smile faltered. ‘Now, you’re probably getting bored and throwing stuff at the screen saying, booooo! Turn the boring paramedic off. Let’s have some good, fun home movies. Well, that’s what I want for you, to make more home movies, with fun and laughter and …’ he paused, ‘children. It’s not too late, I know it isn’t. This is the most important thing I want for you. I want you to find your soulmate.’He turned around at that point. Lili heard Abigail’s voice in the background, calling out from upstairs, asking what he was doing.

He shouted,‘I’ll be up in a minute!’

Lili glanced at Abigail. No wonder she had spent the week on the sofa. However, she caught Abigail smiling as she said, ‘I remembered thinking at the time, what on earth is he doing down there? I thought I heard him talking, but assumed I was imagining it.’

‘Well, that’s all folks!’he finished in a silly Mickey Mouse voice.

They both sat in silence for a moment, until Abigail said,‘I don’t think I can find all of them.’

‘I’ll help.’

‘You know what I’m talking about. Hewasmy soulmate.’

Lili stood up. ‘I’ll tell you what, let’s start with the first one, or maybe it was the second – finding a bit of happiness.How about a bracing walk along the clifftop after breakfast into Southwold?I bet you’ve hardly seen the sea since we arrived last week.’

Abigail shook her head. ‘It’s true.’

‘Good. Afterwards, I want you to come with me to Cobblers Yard.’

‘Cobblers Yard?’

‘Yes, in Aldeburgh, where I run The Potting Shed.’

‘Why – are you going to give me some flowers?’

‘No, of course not. I don’t run a charity, you know.’

‘Oh.’

Lili smiled mischievously. She had a better idea. She was going to help Abigail find her purpose.

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