Page 43 of Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters

CHAPTER 22

On Easter morning they awoke to glorious sunshine, and the kids said they’d like more surf lessons and a day on the beach. Maya wasn’t going to argue. This was a much cheaper option. An adventure park or something similar would have been expensive. This was free entertainment and allowed the kids the chance to explore.

Before heading down to breakfast, she received a message from Emma: Met any hot surfer dudes?

Maya replied with an eye roll emoji and told Emma that they were having a lovely time away. She omitted that Sam was there. It would only lead to Emma texting a load of questions. It would be easier to tell all once she caught up with her in person.

She felt a pang of disappointment that Pierce hadn’t messaged. But he could be busy, too. She tried to forget about him and concentrate on her holiday. She didn’t miss him as much as she’d expected. Was it because Portishead felt a long way from Cornwall? Or, being busy with her holiday, perhaps she couldn’t think about him as much? The relationship was new, after all.

After breakfast, Rose gave the children a small basket each and sent them out into the garden to hunt for Easter eggs, with clues to lead to the next egg. Maya had already given her children an Easter egg each up in their room. The hunt was geared more for Daisy and Scarlett, but Rose had assured them there were some tricky eggs to find for the older children, too. It made them explore the nooks and crannies of Rose’s quaint garden, including the chicken pen.

“Don’t eat all the chocolate straightaway, Lewis,” Maya said, her eyes narrowing on her son.

Through a mouthful of chocolate, Lewis replied, “I won’t.”

Maya rolled her eyes, and Sam touched her back gently.

Once all the eggs were collected and their baskets laden, the children were allowed to eat one egg before handing them back to Rose. She promised to look after the Easter eggs while the children went to the beach, storing them in her larder.

They made the most of the low tide and rock-pooled in the morning, searching for crabs and shrimps, and even the odd little fish. This kept them out of the wind coming off the ocean, although it appeared to be less forceful than the day before. Maya had removed her fleece jacket and tied it around her waist. Amber and Lewis had done the same.

They had decided not to make a base, but to stroll along the beach and explore the rocks as they went, making a walk of it. Charles showed them how to dip a bucket into the pools, to see what they’d caught, this being kinder to the little critters than fishing nets. Rose had stayed behind at the bed and breakfast with Heather to prepare a lunch, which they would go back for at one o’clock.

“Who fancies a coffee?” Sam asked. He looked up towards Tom and Charles, who were escorting Daisy and Scarlett around the rocks, while Amber, Lewis and Chloe took themselves off with less need for supervision. It still didn’t make Maya relax. She watched them like a hawk … or a seagull, hungry to steal a sandwich.

“Sounds like a great idea,” Tom called from his post on some rocks higher up. Charles also agreed with a thumbs-up.

“Maya, coffee?” Sam asked.

“I wouldn’t say no.”

“You both go. We’ll watch the kids,” Tom called down. “Bring us back a biscuit or something, too.”

Maya and Sam headed back up the sandy expanse in search of coffee.

“It’s another beautiful day,” Sam said, his arms swinging as he walked.

“Yes, shame to go home tomorrow,” Maya said.

“Don’t go. Stay another night. We’re not going home until Tuesday.”

“I can’t.” Maya wished she didn’t have to leave, but she had clients booked in all next week. She’d booked kids’ clubs and her parents to look after Lewis and Amber. “Besides, your mum might need the room.”

“She doesn’t. You can stay,” Sam said, almost pleading.

Maya’s guilt rose in her chest. “You’ve checked, have you?”

“Well … no, but I’m sure it would be fine.” Sam frowned. “It’s just we’re going to Rhianna’s bistro tomorrow evening. It would be lovely if you could join us.” Sam and Joe had pointed out The Beach Front Bistro when they’d first strolled down to the beach together, and Maya would have loved to try the food and the cocktails. It looked so enticing, being able to watch the ocean from the veranda.

“I’m sorry, Sam.” Maya shook her head. “I’ve got work on Tuesday. Only a couple of clients, but I still need to get back. Your family have been more than generous.”

“Okay, well, let’s enjoy today. And you don’t have to dash off too early tomorrow.”

“Oh, no, if the weather is still like this, then the kids will want to be on the beach for another round of the cricket tournament.”

Not realising how far they’d travelled with their rock pooling, it took ten minutes to fetch the coffee from the beach café, then another ten to walk back.

Back at the rocks, Lewis, Amber and Chloe were keen to show off their finds in the rock pools. Sam had picked up some biscuits and cartons of juice for the kids, so they all took a breather from paddling.

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