The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (074) Meetings

 

The day after the meeting at Beacon Farm Danny and Molly took a stroll down to the river so they could see firsthand how everything was going and when they reached the site on the east of the river they couldn’t believe their eyes, there were vans and pickups everywhere and dozens of hard hats milling around purposely.

“It looks like someone’s kicked over an ants’ nest” Danny observed

“Well lets go and find the Project Manager ant and have a proper look around” Molly retorted

They found Adam and Franci in the site office

“Morning” he said brightly “Have you come for a look around?”

“If that’s ok” Molly said

“Of course” he replied “My right hand “man” here will get you kitted out”

Franci grimaced when he said “right hand man” but only Molly noticed.

 

“You’ll have to wear these stylish articles” Franci said and gave them both hard hats and hi-vis vests which they put on “But these are the real fashion statements” she added handing them each a pair of steel toe capped overshoes

“Oh lovely” Molly said “Very stylish”

“So a lot of trades here today” Danny said

“Yes, they all answered the call to come home” Franci said

“Are they all locals then?” Molly asked

“90 percent” Adam replied

“We all jump at the chance to work on home soil” 

 

As they walked towards the old brewery, Danny was up front talking with Adam and Franci and Molly were about five yards behind.

“You should tell him” Molly said quietly

“Tell him what?” she asked

“Well it’s obvious you don’t like being his “right hand man”“ she replied

“I don’t know what you mean” Franci said

“You either don’t like being called that or you want to be something else” Molly said “either way you should tell him”

“It’s not that simple” Franci replied

 

They left the site an hour later, minus the fashionable footwear, very impressed with what they had seen and continued on their walk, but this time went somewhere different, walking down to Armada Head from where they had a great view across to St Giles du Cabot.

The rest of the week was just a round of social engagements, Wednesday was spent at Woodside Farm with the Beaumont’s and their partners, where the girls went riding and the men fished in the lake, Thursday was Dinner at the Beaumont Manor with Max Parsons who was on the island to, A, pester them about a third Sharon Jacques book and B, meet with Nikki Harrison to discuss the cover art for the second book, so on Friday they spent the afternoon and evening at Beacon Farm.

 

Max stayed with them at Cliff Haven on Friday night and Danny drove him up to St Pierre in order to catch the midday ferry.

Also in St Pierre on Saturday morning were Doctors Woodward and Cameron who were both shopping in Stephenson's Supermarket.

Although they arrived independently in their own cars Deborah and Stuart bumped into each other, almost literally, in the coffee aisle.

“Oh hello” she said “You know we should coordinate our schedule and carshare for shopping”

“Good idea” he agreed, and they spent about 20 minutes chatting

“Are you walking this weekend?” he asked

“I'm afraid not” she said “Chores today and I'm working tomorrow”

“That’s a shame” he expressed “Another time then”

“Maybe next weekend although my brother is staying so I’ve no idea what he’ll want to do”

 

He found he was more disappointed about her not walking than he would have expected, he really liked her company, but strictly as friendship.

He walked on Sunday anyway, but he didn’t stay out long because as he suspected it wasn’t as much fun without her company.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (073) Plans and Schemes

 

Freelance Architect Carolyn Livingston was heading to Beacon Farm for another clandestine meeting with Molly Barrington and the team for the Spanish River site.

She liked Molly, she had gumption, she also appreciated any work that brought her back to the island.

She was a native of Spaniards Creek but had to leave for the mainland to pursue her career, but welcomed any commission that brought her home.    

When she was midway between the Manor Cliff and Norman, Beaches, she got a nearside front puncture and came to rest on the verge.

“Damn it” she exclaimed “Not again”

It was her second puncture in two days, and she still had the flat in the boot because she hadn’t had time to get it replaced.

It looked like she was going to have to walk the rest of the way and was going to be late for her meeting.

Carolyn got out of the car and gathered up her drawing tubes and put the straps over her shoulder, and did the same with her laptop bag and prepared to walk, but paused to wait for a passing pickup to pass by, but instead it stopped, and the window lowered

“Carolyn Livingston?” the driver said

“Howard?” she responded

“I heard you’d been seen on the island” Howard Nelson said

“Is everything ok?”

“Puncture” she replied “No spare”

“Are you working?”

“I am” she said “And I’m going to be late”

“Jump in, I’ll give you a lift,” he said

“Thanks Howard, you’re a star” she said and got in

“Where do you want dropping?”

“Beacon Farm please” she replied

“So how have you been?”

“I’m good” he replied “The yards doing well”

“That’s good to hear” she said

“And you?”

“Yes, I’m doing good” she replied

“I never had a doubt that you would” Howard said as he pulled into the yard at Beacon Farm. 

“Thanks for the lift, Howard” Carolyn said “You’re a life saver”

“No problem”

Then as she walked towards the house he called out

“You’re looking good by the way”

And she turned and smiled.

 

The reason Carolyn was at Beacon Farm was that they had another clandestine meeting at in the Beacon farm barn, because at Molly’s behest George Wood, had gathered together the relevant group of people involved in the building renovations, Adam Jandrell who was Project managing proceedings, Franci Liebenberg who he called his right hand “man” and Architect Carolyn, as well as the Vicar Arielle Nicholas.

 

“Sorry I’m late” she said “I had a puncture”

“Not to worry” Molly said “We’ve just been discussing drains”

“I’m sorry to have missed that” she said, and everyone chuckled

“Good news is that the Building Inspector has signed off on the work so far” Adam said “So he’s happy”

While Adam was talking Carolyn set up her laptop and started the power point, so everyone could see the plans.

After that Carolyn took questions and then when everyone was happy, she gave a set of drawings to Adam.

“I don’t know if it’s feasible or not, but I want to put a foot bridge across the river down here” Molly said pointing at a drone shot of the area

“We will have to submit the plan to the parish council” Adam said

“Whose on the committee?” Danny asked

“I am” the Vicar said

“Howard Nelson, Church Warden,

Headmistress Margaret Johnson, Katie Harrison, and Rachel Hanson from the Galleon, who is also my Verger”

“Bridges are not really my thing” Carolyn said “you really need someone with Civil Engineering experience, I can give you a name of someone I’d highly recommend, and I know he’s available”

“If he’s that good he’s unlikely to be available at short notice” Franci pointed out

“Ordinarily I would agree” Carolyn said “But he’s available because his wife has breast cancer and is dying, so a small project like this he could do in his sleep”

“It looks like there was a bridge there at one time, the foundations are clearly visible” Molly said.

“Yes, it was struck by lightning about 20 years ago and fell into the river” Franci said

“Well just for the record I would like one that doesn’t do that” Molly said, and they all laughed.

“It won’t be cheap though” Adam added

“Let me worry about that” Molly said “I think it would benefit everyone”

“Ok let’s go Franci” Adam said “Lets crack on”

 

Carolyn stayed on a while longer to talk over a couple of points and the George said

“Come on I’ll run you up to St Pierre and we’ll get your tyre sorted”

“Thanks George,” she said “But I actually need two”

“Bummer”

 

After stopping to pick up the spare from her boot George drove her to St Pierre, had the tyre replaced and returned her to her stricken car and helped her change the wheel.

“My work here is done” he said “I need to get off”

“Thanks George”

“Your welcome” he said “And don’t forget to get your spare replaced”

 

She checked her watch and got in her car and headed into Spaniards Creek and drove into Nelson’s Boat Yard. 

It had shaken her a little when she saw Howard that morning.

They were actually a thing, for about three years, but it had been eight years since they split up.

She had just been offered a job on the mainland and he had just taken over his father’s yard and neither of them could see a way through the impasse.

It had been her biggest regret, and she was left wondering if her puncture was providential, she was rapidly approaching her 40^th birthday and he was only a few weeks behind, maybe it’s their time, their last chance.

She walked into the office and Howard was sat behind a desk.

“Hello” he said with surprise “This is a treat, twice in one day”

“I thought I’d take you for a coffee as a thank you for this morning” she said nervously

“I’d love to, but we’re just about to head over to Sharpington to tow a schooner back to the yard” he said, “Can I get a raincheck?”

“Absolutely, but it won’t be until the end of the month, maybe the beginning of next” she replied

“Maybe we could do dinner?” he suggested

“Ok I’ll call you when I know the dates” she said “Bye”

She had a wry smile on her face when she left the yard and headed back to the port.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (072) Just What the Doctor’s Ordered

 

At 7 o’clock on Friday Morning forty-year-old GP Stuart Cameron drove into the Bellevue Hospital carpark.

After parking in a reserved space he got out and walked toward the entrance when his jovial neighbour and fellow Dr. Deborah Woodward, was leaving.

“Ah, its Dr Samaritan” she said

“Oh hhhhello,” he stammered

“It’s nice to see you again” she said, “Just starting your day?”

“I am, yes” 

“Well I’m at the other end of mine, so I’m off to my bed” she said “Nice running into you again though”

“And you” he said and watched her walk away

with her abundant brunette hair spilling beneath her woolly hat.

 

Deborah did have a car, but she preferred to walk to and from the hospital, unless the weather was particularly nasty, but that day was sunny, though cold, and she enjoyed the walk, she also enjoyed seeing Stuart again.

 

Stuart would also have enjoyed the walk, but he needed his car for moving between surgeries and for house calls, he would also have liked to have spent more time conversing with Deborah, and that thought scared him.

 

On Saturday Molly received some power point presentations from Carolyn Livingston of her designs for the properties down by the river, and she and Danny spent a large chunk of the day reviewing them and making notes about the bits she was unsure about and emailed those back to her. 

 

Deborah Woodward was unmarried, unfiancéd and completely unattached, she had not even come close to the first two and had been long reconciled with the latter.

Not that there had not been fancies and dalliances, but no one she wanted to be coupled with long term, so it was just her and her cat Murphy.

Oh, and a brother in Sharpington, who was in a similar situation to her, without a medical degree or a cat, and was the owner of the Bluebird Theatre.

 

After she left her house on Sunday morning, carrying a backpack, she caught sight of Dr Cameron ahead of her who had just stepped out of his front gate.

“Hi Stuart! are you going somewhere nice?” She called.

“I was just going to explore” he replied

“Me too” she said, “I’ve only been here since January, so I haven’t done much, what about you?”

“Six months and less than you I suspect” he replied

“Have you not fancied it up to now?”

“Something like that” he replied

“Well why don’t we explore together” she suggested

“Or get lost together” he retorted

“That might well be a possibility” she replied, and they laughed

 

“So where have you been so far” she asked

“I just went up to Bellevue Woods and did a bit of a circuit and came back via the beach.” He replied.

“So where do you want to go first?”

“The Crag” she replied, put on her backpack and strode off,

Stuart was already wearing his and broke into a trot to catch up with her.

It was a nice bright morning, and they could feel the sun on their faces, as they walked briskly down the path and across the St Pierre road and into the Halfway Lane.

They followed the lane up the hill in between Bellevue Woods and High Lake Copse and passed High Lake, and on until they reached the Crag.

When they reached the Zenith of the road, they stopped to catch their breath and have a drink before they followed a path up the Crag itself on the Southern side of the road, and after they yomped up to the top, they stopped to admire the view across to the east and down to the south.

“You get a different perspective altogether from up here” he said.

“It’s not bad, is it?” she responded

“We’re so lucky to live here”

“That we are” he agreed

They had a drink and then sat and soaked in the view until they got their second wind and then they made their way off the Crag, following a different path down to High Lake and the path shadowed a gentle waterfall, not grand or spectacular, but nice enough, as the water tumbled slowly and spilling over the rocks, gathering briefly in deep pools and then tumbling down again to the next pool, until it finally disappeared under ground.

The track then skirted the northern bank of High Lake and into the woods.

The day was unseasonably warm for March, and they had both shed their jackets by the time they entered the High Lake Woods, and they instantly felt the coolness of the shade, but even with the drop in temperature they were still sweating.

They recrossed the St Pierre Road and stopped above Manor Cliff Beach and Deborah checked her watch

“My goodness, I think I’ll give the Beach a miss today” she said

“I can’t believe it’s that time already”

“Nor me” Stuart agreed, and they headed for home.

 

“Thank you” Deborah said when they got back to Manor Row

“For what?” he asked

“For your company” she explained

“No need for thanks” he said “I enjoyed it too”

Then they returned to their respective homes and soaked away their aches and pains in a hot bath.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (071) Job Offers

 Reverend Arrielle Nicholas was invited for Sunday lunch again, ariving at the house after Church and enjoyed another very acceptable meal.

The reason for the invite was to further discuss her remaining as Vicar of St Clara’s.

There were some contractual formalities to be completed over the coming week and they needed to go to the Solicitors to sort out the paperwork, they just needed the Vicar to tell them when it was convenient.

“Well, I have been ordered to the Bishop’s Palace on Wednesday” she said, “Could we combine it with that?”

“Yes, that would work” Molly said.

“What time is your appointment?” Danny asked.

“3 o’clock” Arielle replied, “I’m getting the early ferry and then the train.”

“Road trip then” Danny added.

“My thoughts exactly” Molly added.

“We’ll drive you to Abbottsford and meet the solicitors in the morning then we can go and annoy Max Parsons while you’re with the Bishop” Danny suggested.

“Then we have the option of staying overnight in Abbottsford or Sharpington” Molly mused.

“Sharpington!” Arielle exclaimed.

“Sharpington it is then” Danny said and smiled.

 

The next day they wanted to talk to Amelia Williamson but had no contact details for her so Molly phoned her friend Franci Liebenberg.

“Hi Franci” she said “I need a favour”

“What do you need?”

“I’m looking for Amelia” Molly said

“She’s working the morning shift at the Galleon” Franci replied

 

Molly and Danny walked down the hill into the village to the Coffee Shop and found Amelia serving behind the counter of the Galleon.

“Hello, you two” she said, “What can I get you?”

“A latte and an Americano, please” Danny said

“And a few words in private” Molly added quietly looking around at the other patrons

“I could pop round to the house this afternoon” she replied in a whisper

“If you want to take a seat, I’ll bring them over”

 

It was about 3 o’clock when Amelia arrived at the cottage and Molly got quickly down to business.

“I’d like to offer you a job”

“Really?”

“If you’re interested” Danny added

“Of course, I’m interested” She replied but went on to explain her circumstances and how she was picking up shifts as a barista at the Galleon and behind the bar at Philips Folly so she could be at home to help her mum nurse her dad.

“You can do whatever hour’s you want to fit in around your other commitments” Molly said

“At the moment we don’t even have an office for you” 

“Where will the office be?” she asked

“In the village” Molly replied, and in answer to the next question, she added “We have no other details on that as yet”

“If you give me your email address, I’ll get the solicitors so send the offer letter, you can then reply with your CV and bank details” Molly said

“Ok” Amelia said “Thank you”

 

The next day was a lazy pre road trip movie binge day then on Wednesday they were up early to pick up the Vicar in the Range Rover and catch the early ferry.

Once on the mainland they got on the Expressway and drove nonstop to Abbottsford and when they got to the Solicitors Molly and Arielle went straight to the ladies.

Once they had spent a penny, they all met with Clive Crossfield.

Firstly there was a one to one between Arielle and Clive to discuss her employment and contract details, while Danny and Molly drank coffee, then they swapped.

“Has Amelia Williamson been in touch yet?” Molly asked

“Oh yes” Clive replied and laughed “it took her all of 8 minutes”

 

After leaving the solicitors they took Arielle for lunch at an Italian Restaurant called Roberto’s before dropping her outside the Bishops Palace.

Next stop was Publisher Max Parsons, and when they were sitting comfortably in his office Danny said  

“We have a present for you”

“Oh good I like presents” he said, and Molly opened her bag and handed him a folder

“That’s the final six chapters” Danny said

“It’s finished?” Max said “Already?”

“Ahead of schedule” Molly said

“You are the best thing that ever happened him” Max said and kissed her

“That’s what I keep telling him” she said

 

After leaving a very happy Max Parsons they went to pick up the Vicar who was already outside the Palace standing on the pavement.

“Well how did it go?” Danny asked

“His Grace was not very graceful” she replied

“He didn’t take it well then?” Molly asked

“I told him I was leaving, and he wished me well, but when I told him I was staying on as Vicar of St Clara’s his mood changed” She explained

“And his face went as purple as his robes.” 

 

They got to Sharpington and went straight to the Seaview Hotel and after checking in Molly said

“Are you joining us for dinner, or do you have other plans?”

“I definitely have other plans” she replied and blushed

 

They were in no hurry to leave on Thursday because Molly and Danny loved Sharpington and Arielle just wasn’t in any rush to leave Harry.

So they left it as late as they dare in order to catch the last ferry.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (070) Changes

 

Friday was a remarkable day at Cliff Haven because for the first time in weeks, nothing of any consequence happened.

There was just Molly and Danny, with no deadline to meet, no visitors and no documentation to read.

So they completed watching the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.

It was the last such day for several months.

 

GP Stuart Cameron had lived a life, and he had something of a reputation as a womaniser in his younger days, which he tried rather unsuccessfully to live down, on the mainland.

It was a deserved reputation, which he would be the first to acknowledge, but he changed after a near miss at a party with an underage girl.  

It has to be said, it may have been a spine growing moment or at the very least developing a conscience.
He did not kid himself that he possessed any high principles, he did hold certain standards and preferences but they were at best flexible.
He had begun, despite his penchant for all things crumpet, tried to avoid fishing in someone else’s pond, no matter how attractive the body of water might be, but he had abandoned that after failing to meet his exceptionally low standards and repeated his failures on numerous times afterwards.
So although he did possess some scruples he showed by his behaviour that they can be overcome, as his many peccadilloes testified to.

It was at a fancy dress party where he met his Waterloo.

He didn’t know why he didn’t accept the girl’s overt invitation; it certainly wasn’t through a lack of attraction or even what she was wearing, he liked uniforms and outfits.

He had rummaged his way into a Vicar’s vestments at one time, so that certainly didn’t put him off.

It was one of his fondest memories, probably because she was a Vicar, although had she been in any other occupation he would probably have jumped her bones in a second anyway.

The whole prospect of defrocking a Vicar, in costume, aroused him greatly, it was probably a combination of the fact that she was a woman of the cloth, and his distaste for the Church, that sweetened the experience.

His epiphany with the young girl took him by surprise, the girl was acting under the influence of two much wine on an empty stomach, but for that to stop him would have been totally out of character, but something did stop him.
What scared him was if she had offered it to him on another day he might not have been so strong.
It became a turning point in his life, but he couldn’t shake off his past,

his reputation always got in his way, and no one would accept that he had turned over a new leaf, so he decided to go somewhere that he was unknown, change his career and become a GP.

It suited him because the likelihood of meeting anyone he knew or one of his past conquests was very unlikely.

 

There was a large surgery at the Bellevue and smaller ones on the Saxvirdan side of St Pierre and another in Spaniards Creek and he divided his time between the three, as well as doing house calls when necessary.

He wasn’t the only GP on the island, but he was the youngest by some distance, but he wasn’t the youngest Doctor.

The job also came with a two-bedroom cottage in Manor Row, overlooking Manor Cliff beach where he could hide away and reflect on past mistakes.

 

He had been on the island for six months and kept himself to himself, he didn’t socialise with work colleagues or frequent pubs, coffee shops or any form of social gatherings, he just worked or stayed home.

However, one Saturday he was getting a bit stir crazy and when there was a break in the weather, and the sun actually put in an appearance, he decided to take a stroll up to Bellevue Woods.

As soon as he stepped out of his front door and felt the sun on his face, he thought it would be nice to see another human being as he walked briskly down the path and across the St Pierre road and into the Halfway Lane.

After three hours of walking in the countryside, through the woods, skirting High Lake and ending up at Manor Cliff Beach he felt refreshed of spirit and cleansed of mind, but he didn’t see a single solitary soul until he’d climbed back up to Manor Cliff turned the final corner towards his house when she saw a figure appear carrying some shopping bags and then almost immediately disappeared again, and then there was an exclamation of “oh bugger”.

He pressed on round the corner and found a woman sitting on the wet ground, legs akimbo, surrounded by her shopping, and she was laughing.

“Are you ok?” he asked with concern

“I fell on my arse” she said and laughed again

“I’m serious, I’m a Doctor”

“So am I” she said and laughed again even harder

 

When she had gotten herself under control, he finally got her to her feet.

“Now can you tell if you are you ok?”

“I’m fine” she said “I’m not so sure about my eggs though”

Stuart helped her pick up her shopping and carried the bags to the house for her.

“Thank you” she said “I’m Deborah by the way”

“I’m Stuart” he replied

“Can I offer you a cuppa? It’s the least I can do” she suggested

“I won’t thank you” he said “I’m already running late” 

“Ok, another time perhaps” she called after him

 

They both lived in Manor Row, which was made up of a dozen, one- and two-bedroom cottages, for the exclusive use of essential hospital staff.

Deborah lived at number 6 he lived only a few doors away at number 10.

She was disappointed that her good Samaritan hadn’t accepted her offer of refreshment, she liked the look of him.

 

Stuart liked the tall jovial Doctor, with her abundance of brunette hair and an infectious laugh, and he really wanted to stay for a drink, but he was strong and resisted the temptation thankfully, when he got  home, he slept away the afternoon on his sofa.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (069) Roman Water Farm Romance

 

Duncan picked Anna up from the Beaumont Manor Hotel in the Range Rover after breakfast and drove her straight to Roman Water Farm.

After settling her into the guest room and making her coffee he said

“I need to go off and do some farmer type stuff for a few hours, but you have free range of the place, and I’ll be back as soon as I can”

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll make use of the time making myself desirable” she said and blushed

 

Anna had high hopes of Duncan Wilson, and she was hopeful he might fill the hole in her life, and she spent five hours getting ready for the evening, which involved applying endless lotions, potions, creams and balms, as well as applying wax, and all the time she was dressing she was imagining Duncan undressing her.

 

He was later in the fields than he intended so when he got back, he was left with less time to get ready than he intended, which was probably just as well as it left him with less time to think.

He hadn’t been intimate, with a woman since his divorce, he had dated once or twice but that was all, and it had been several years since those.

She had intimated when they were having dinner that his advances would not be unwelcome, but at fifty-five he had reached the point where gravity had become his enemy and a mirror had becomes something to avoid.

 

Duncan really liked Anna and he was hopeful that his feelings would be reciprocated, and he was confident he could leave her satisfied, if he got that far with her he was sure she wouldn’t regret it but his great fear was that he would leave her disappointed with his natural appearance, she might have a more refined palette, she was a couple of years younger, but he really wanted to reach a level of intimacy with the very attractive divorcée Anna Turnbull.

 

She slipped on her expensive, purposely purchased silk undergarments, and completed the look with stockings and suspenders.

No one had seen her dressed like that since her husband, nor had anyone seen her naked.

Finally, she got into her cocktail dress and deemed herself satisfied with the final look; she just hoped it would suffice for him.

Then she slipped on her heels, and when she looked at the final result of her efforts in the mirror, she had no doubts at that moment the Duncan would get her into the bedroom, but with everything removed she was worried he might not want to go back for seconds.

After a final squirt of her most expensive perfume, she picked up her handbag and walked downstairs to meet him.

 

Neither of them should have been worried, because they were a match made in heaven.

Duncan cooked them a wonderful dinner, however they were making love before desert and slept exceptionally late the next morning.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (068) Bucklebury and Brandywine

 

After reading through Amelia Williamson’s thoroughly put together dossier on the Church Lane properties they scanned the documents to her solicitors, Bramstock, Goodman, Crossfield, and Bushe, and then Molly phoned Clive Crossfield, who handled her affairs.  

The conversation lasted an hour, and he said he would have the agents’ invoices checked to see if they had been billing for work that hadn’t been done, with a view to prosecution.

“Obviously we don’t want to use them going forward” she said

“But alternatives are in short supply, so I think we should set up our own”

“Great idea” Clive said “I can set that up for you, but you’ll need a name”

“Well, we’ve been thinking about that, and we like

“Bucklebury and Brandywine”“ Molly said

They picked that because they had watched Lord of the Rings the night before, so they took the name from the Bucklebury Ferry and the  Brandywine Bridge.

“Good name” Clive said, “What about the registered address?”

“Number 1, The Old Mill, St Pierre Road, Spaniards Creek, 

“Ok I’ll get things in motion, and be in touch” Clive said and hung up

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (067) The Dinner Date

 

While he was shaving, fifty-five-year-old Duncan paused to look at his reflexion and thought his face had stood the test of time, and his body wasn’t too bad for a man at his time of life, he was still physically fit despite being a little softer around the middle, but when he was dressed in a smart suit, he was genuinely quite presentable for his age.

 

In her room at the Beaumont Manor Anna had been having a similar internal discussion as she stood before her own mirror, the only difference was that she had been doing it for a few hours longer.

At fifty-three her figure was in quite good shape, she kept fit and hadn’t given birth or had a hysterectomy, so her body had not reached the level of decline that some of her contemporary’s had.

 

Duncan was very nervous as he drove to the Beaumont Manor that evening because he felt very much that after their previous date things had quickly moved to a whole new level, and although he was very comfortable with that.

His nerves stemmed from a fear that he might blow it.

It had been a while that he'd felt that way about someone and he didn't want to lose her now he'd found her.

 

Anna was also nervous, she had fallen head over heels for Duncan, and that wasn’t what she expected would happen, and was out of character for her.

She just thought she had found someone companionable to share a meal with, now the stakes were much higher, so she dressed in her most flattering dress.

 

Suffice is to say he for one was very pleased with the way she looked, and they had a great evening, good food, good company and good conversation. 

When they got to the coffee stage he asked

“So back to the mainland tomorrow?”

“I’m afraid so” she replied “Which is a shame because I’m not back to work until Monday”

“Can’t you stay extra night at least” Duncan asked

“No, I can’t get away with another night at the trusts expense” Anna replied sadly

“You can always stay at the farm” he suggested

His parents were away on holiday, they were the reason he was unable to meet her on Monday as he was dropping them off at the airport, and his children, Derek and Emily, were away at university, so they’d have the place to themselves.

“However, I just have to say in the interests of full disclosure I can’t promise that my intentions will be truly honourable”

“Then I’m afraid the answer is yes” Anna said

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (066) Coffee Date

 

Debbie Wilson had only recently turned fifty and had been a widow for eight years and thought that it was time to put some romance back in her life, whether out of desperation or loneliness, and dip her toe back in the water and begin dating.

She did think about dating apps, but her heart was never really in it.

But after she had a providential coming together with another car in the Stephenson’s Supermarket car park, she thought she might try something more spontaneous.

So about 90 minutes after the event she phoned the number on the business card that he gave her.

“Daryn Goldsmith” he said

“Hi Daryn, its Debbie Wilson from this morning”

“Oh hello, is everything alright?” he asked

“Yes, yes, everything is fine” she said, feeling like she was 14 again

“I still feel bad about this morning”

“There really is no need” he retorted

“Please allow me to buy you a coffee by way of an apology” Debbie said

“There really is no need” He repeated

“It would make me feel better” she added

“Well, ok” he agreed “But I’m in Spaniards Creek for the day”

“That’s ok, there’s a Coffee shop there called the Galleon, I can meet you there at one o’clock” she suggested

“One thirty would be better” He said

 

Daryn got to the Galleon a few minutes late and Debbie was already seated at a table facing the door, drinking a coffee, and she smiled when he walked in.

He joined her at the table where she ordered him a coffee and he asked.

“Are you from the village?”

“No, I’m from the north, but I spent a lot of time here because I keep my boat moored here” she replied.

“What kind of boat?”

“A 30ft Masthead Sloop, called “The Sea Nymph”” She replied.

“What hull type?”

“Fin keel and skeg-hung rudder.”

“Made from?” he asked.

“Wood, built on the island in 1934” Debbie replied proudly.

“Nice”

“Do you sail?” She asked.

“Yes, but not since before my wife got sick.”  

“I’m sorry to hear that” she said, “I lost my husband 8 years ago.”

He too had suffered a bereavement but his had only been two years ago, so still felt fresh at times.

“Its two for me”

“Perhaps you’d like to come out on her one day” She asked.

“I would like that, thank you” Daryn replied.

“Would you like to see her?” she asked hopefully.

“Very much so, yes”

“Come on then” she said draining her coffee cup

 

They walked from the Galleon and over the bridge where they turned right and followed the tow path to the moorings.

“Here she is” Debbie said proudly “The Sea Nymph”

“What a beauty” he said

“Come aboard” Debbie said and gave him a full tour finishing in the cabin

“I’m very impressed” Daryn said

“I sleep aboard sometimes, when I’ve been working on her” She said

“I look forward to seeing her in action” he said     

“I look forward to showing you what she can do” Debbie stated

“And I look forward to seeing you again” Daryn added

“Likewise,” she said

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (065) Girl Friday

 

At the same time Debbie was reversing into Daryn’s car

Franci Liebenberg and Amelia Williamson were walking into St Clara’s Church where Danny, Molly and the Vicar were already seated in the pews.

“Morning” Franci said

“Good Morning,” Molly said, “How did you get on?”

“I think you’d better Judge for yourself” Amelia replied and presented Molly with a comprehensive report on the condition of the 12 Church Lane Cottages.

“But they haven't had a single basic maintenance visit from the agents, and when they have an issue, they are slow to respond, if at all, and the external decoration is probably 10 years overdue”

“Then, there is penetrating damp due to poorly maintained guttering” Franci added

“But it's all documented” Amelia said 

“This is very impressive” Molly said as she looked through the dossier

“And it looks like we need new agents”

“Unfortunately, Brown and Leigh are the only agents on the island”

“We'll see about that” Molly said

“Well, I need to get back to meet the Building Inspector” Franci said

“Ok thanks” Molly said

“So what would you do first?” Danny asked Amelia

“There is a detailed schedule in here” she said handing Molly another dossier

“I need to get back to work as well”

“Thanks Amelia, this is really impressive” Molly said

“What do you think?” the Vicar asked  

“I think we've found our Friday” Danny said

“Your what now?” the Vicar asked

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (064) A Coming Together

On the first Wednesday in March, Daryn Goldsmith was in Spaniards Creek to perform his first inspection on the Spanish River site.

He was a stonemason by trade but doubled up as the Islands Building inspector, which was scarcely even a part time occupation.

He was forty-eight years old and was widowed, and was living in Purplemere at the time, and immediately after his wife’s death he seemed to suddenly appear on the radar of the local spinster’s, widows and divorcees in and around his own age.

It all began at his wife’s funeral where he was buttonholed by two well-presented mourners who made it perfectly clear he could avail himself of them if he so chose to do.

Many months after his dear wife was laid to rest, after repeatedly rebuffing the endless advances of even the most attractive of his pursuers he decided to transfer to Pipershaven.

Part of his duties at the council was to perform any and all building inspections on the Pepperstock Bay Islands.

In the two years following his bereavement he had managed to avoid dating even if he was sometimes lonely and he would probably have continued avoiding it but for a providential coming together.

 

He travelled to Beaumont Island on a damp miserable Wednesday morning and his first stop was Stephenson’s Supermarket on the outskirts of St Pierre to pick up something for lunch.

He was just about to leave the car park when another car reversed into him, and they had a minor fender bender.

Daryn and the other driver got out of their cars, and they both looked at the damage before looking at each other. 

“Oh God I’m so sorry” she said

“No harm done” he said

“I’ll pay for the damage”

“There isn’t any, just a few scuffs” he said and then looked at the other driver for the first time.

She was a very tall striking woman, with long ginger hair, and a smiling freckled face.

“Well, we’d better exchange details anyway just in case” She said and handed him her business card, Debbie Wilson, Roman Water Farm.

“Ok, Debbie Wilson, Roman Water Farm, but I don’t think there’s any need” he replied and handed her his own details 

“Well sorry again, Daryn” she said, and he watched as she got back into her car and drove away. 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (063) Dinner with Anna

The first week of March, fifty-three-year-old Anna Turnbull returned to the island to hold her Audiology clinic.

The clinic normally ran for two or three days, depending on the volume of patients, she always enjoyed her trips to the island but in March it had a different dimension, because she had arranged to have dinner with Duncan Wilson.

She had hoped to meet him on Monday, but he had a prior engagement.

 

Duncan Wilson was a farmer up at Roman Water Farm and he had felt like a schoolboy, he had not had a date for a very long time, but then he hadn’t wanted to date anyone, until he met his Audiologist. 

 

Anna stepped outside the Hotel wrapped up against the cold, but she was happy, despite the bitter cold, because she had been looking forward to seeing Duncan again, she had not dated for a while herself, and then she saw the Range Rover pull up to the curb.

“Hi” she said and leant over and kissed him, which took them both by surprise.

“Well, I can tell you’re hungry” he said, “So let’s go.”

“Where are we eating?” she said with a giggle.

“Roman Water Farm” he replied.

 

“Wow that was an amazing dinner” she said.

“Your ex didn’t say you could cook.”

“Oh, you’ve been talking to Caroline” he said, “So what did she tell you?”

“That you were a good and kind man”

“Well, that was nice” Duncan said “I hope you feel the same way”

 

At the end of the evening, he drove her back to the Hotel and pulled up outside.

“So what ferry are you catching tomorrow?” he asked “Maybe we could get a coffee before you go”

“That won’t be possible” she replied

“Oh” he said disappointedly

“Because I’m not getting the ferry tomorrow” she explained and smiled

“Really! Then we can have dinner together again” he suggested

“Yes, I’d like that, but we can dine at the hotel” she said “My treat”

“That would be lovely, but I don’t care where we go as long as we’re together” he said and leant over and kissed her

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (062) New Beginnings

 

After Church on Sunday Reverend Arielle Nicholas arrived at Cliff Haven for lunch.

She liked being invited for Sunday lunch because she was a terrible cook, and even if she wasn’t she wouldn’t have bothered just for her.

After a very acceptable meal Molly and Arielle retired to the lounge while Danny cleared away.

“So, what were your questions?” Molly asked

“I just have one question really” she said

“Which is?”

“Why don’t you want people to know that you’ve bought the Church?”

“That’s simple” she replied

Then went on to explain that she wanted to do the best for the people of Spaniards Creek, but she didn’t want to come off as Lady bountiful, so she wanted to help them without them knowing she was helping them.

Molly further explained that the reason the Bishop agreed to sell St Clara’s to her was because the land on which the Church stood already belonged to her, along with the vicarage.

“What about the Church Lane Cottages?” she asked

“Yes, I own those as well, and an assortment of derelict buildings down by the Spanish River” Molly replied

“What made you think of the cottages?”

“Well, the tenants have been telling me for years that they belonged to the Church” the Vicar said as Danny entered the room carrying a tray of coffees.

“I would prefer they kept thinking that” Molly said “Because I’m in a bit of a quandary”

Then she explained she didn’t want her tenants to know who their landlord was, nor did she want Brown and Leigh, the property agents, to know she was involved, but she wanted an independent inspection of the 12 cottages, without the agent’s knowledge or consent.

“Are you not happy with the agents?”

“No, I’m not” Molly said “I think all the cottages need work, I just don’t know how much”

“The tenants are all congregants, so I can talk to them” The Vicar suggested

“Yes, that would be helpful, thank you” Molly said

 

The next afternoon the Vicar was back having spoken with the residents and she had a plan, or rather, Franci Liebenberg, had a plan.

Molly knew Franci because she was working on the renovations.

The Vicar knew her because she also attended St Clara’s, and because she was a native of Spaniards Creek, and her plan involved getting her friend Amelia Williamson to help.

 

Amelia was also from Spaniards Creek and had been working in property management in Purplemere for four years before returning to the village following her father’s stroke.

She was now picking up shifts as a barista at the Galleon and behind the bar at Philips Folly so she could be at home to help her mum nurse her dad.

 

March

 

So on the first of March, Franci and Amelia knocked on the door of the first cottage.

As far as the residents were concerned the cottages belonged to the Church so they weren’t suspicious as the Vicar had visited them all, the day before, to warn them, and by the end of the day they had done a comprehensive inspection of all 12 properties.