The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (011) A New Beginning

 

June

When the day came for Danny and Molly to leave Lakeside for Downshire at the end of June, there was a tearful farewell between Molly and Elisa Ghelardoni, the family cook, the housekeeper Rebecca Clarke and gardener handyman husband Ross, and Victoria Pullen who nursed her grandfather to the end.

The other member of the household staff was the gentle giant George Wood, who referred to himself as the chauffeur gofer, who was returning to the UK with them.

 

Their first port of call when they arrived in Downshire was Abbottsford, where they had an appointment at Bramstock, Goodman, Crossfield, and Bushe, who were Sir Avery Arnold’s UK solicitors, where they had some documents to sign, and instructions for them to initiate the paperwork for the repatriation.

After which Danny called in at Parsons, his publishers, to drop off the last two chapters the book he effectively wrote with Molly, so the two of them looked at some artwork depicting the new protagonist Sharon Jacques picked out by Max, even though she didn’t say so in as many words, they both agreed it wasn’t quite right, so Max said he would try his regular illustrators again.

 

After spending the night at the Abbottsford Regents Hotel George Wood drove them down the Expressway to Pipershaven in time to catch the 5pm ferry to Beaumont Island.

Once they were out in open water Molly and Danny stood by the rail and got their first proper look at the Pepperstock Bay Islands while George was talking with one of the crew members.

“Do you remember anything from back then?” Danny asked.

“No, I don’t think so” she replied, “But it’s difficult to pin a memory down, we went to a lot of places, Hotels I assume, until we settled at Lakeside, that’s where almost all of my memories are from.”

“Your grandfather would be saying “It’s time for new memories.”

 

Beaumont wasn’t their first port of call, first stop was Cabot Town, on St Giles du Cabot, which was only two miles from Pipershaven, though the round trip via St Pierre and Beaumont Head was nearer 22 miles.

The port of Cabot Town, in the southwest corner, was actually just a hamlet, and was also not really a port, it was just a jetty for the car ferry and a small quayside.

St Giles was a much smaller island than Beaumont, so it was always a short duration to unload and load again.

 

After leaving Cabot Town the ferry passed between Cabot Head and Spaniards Point and shortly before proceeding up the west coast, they passed the mouth of the river and got their first glimpse, albeit distant, of Spaniards Creek.

“How are you feeling?” Danny asked.

“Nervous” she replied, “And a little excited.”

 

As the ferry began its approach to the harbour entrance, Molly suddenly said.

“I’m just going to the bathroom.”

“Nerves or excitement?”

“Neither I just need to pee” she retorted and rushed away laughing.

 

When she returned, the ferry had lined up with the jetty, so they walked briskly back to the car, where George was already behind the wheel waiting for them.

“Who was that you were talking to?” Danny asked him after getting into the back seat.

“A very old friend” he replied.

“Army or school?”

“Both actually, we joined up together, he came out after 3 years I stayed on for 9.”

“Are you going to meet up with him for a catch up?” Danny asked.

“Yes, I’ve got his number, he lives on the mainland now, so I’ll meet up with him next time I’m over there.”

 

As soon as the ramp was lowered, they began disembarking and when their turn came George drove the AUDI RS6 off the ferry and headed straight to the Beaumont Manor Hotel, where they had a suite booked, they would drive down to look at the cottage the next day.

That night Danny and Molly were dining in the Orangery, but George had other plans, he was dining on good home cooking with his sister Sarah Rich and her husband David in Saxvirdan.

 

Gentle Giant George Wood was 47 years old and had worked for Sir Avery Arnold for 20 years after serving 9 years in the Downshire Light Infantry, and the reason Sir Avery choose him out of all the many applications he received, wasn’t his exemplary military record, or the impeccable references, what made him stand out from the crowd was that he was a fellow Beaumont Islander and he had gone to primary school with his daughter Charlotte.

He had no regrets working for Sir Avery for all those years, and had he lived he would have given as many years as was needed to serve the family.

And he would continue to serve for as long as Molly needed him too, but he was happy to be back on the Island again.

His heart soared when the door opened, and his sister’s smiling face greeted him.

“Hello sis”

 

Danny Nightingale was sitting in the lounge when Molly appeared from her room.

“Can we have dinner in the room tonight? Everyone is going to be staring at me.”

“Nobody here knows who you are, but I admit heads will turn when you walk in the restaurant but not for the reason you think.”

“Why? Do I look funny?” she said and got very flustered as she looked in the mirror.

“No, you don’t look funny” he replied and laughed “They will turn to look at you because you’re lovely.”

“Oh” she said and blushed

“So no, we can’t eat in the suite tonight, but you can have a room service breakfast in the morning.”

“Ok Uncle” she said which was what she always called him when she had to do something she didn’t want to do.

 

The next morning Molly devoured a full English, Danny had poached eggs on toast and George declined any breakfast as he was slightly hung over and suffering from indigestion following Sarah’s cooking.

 

The drive from the Hotel took them on the road through Woodside Farm, which was the largest of the five farms on the island covering the whole of the southeast corner, a large wedge-shaped parcel of land bordered by Halfway Lane to the north, Spanish River and the Eagles Crag in the west and the rugged coastline from Manor Cliff Beach to Armada Head to the east.

“I’m not sure this car is entirely suitable for this road” George pointed out.

“I’ve always wanted a Landover” Danny responded absentmindedly.

“And it would be more appropriate.”

They didn’t get as far as Armada Head because the road veered off to the right towards Spaniards Creek.

 

They drove slowly along the quayside attracting inquisitive looks and through the village, continuing up the winding hill, called Cliff Top Road, until they could drive no further and came to a halt outside a wild and overgrown frontage.

They had no idea what state the house was in as it wasn’t possible to see it through the jungle.

“Well, I’m guessing that somewhere in there is Cliff Haven” Danny observed.

“Let’s see if we can get a closer look” George said and then all three of them set about gaining entry.

“Excuse me, excuse me, what do you think you’re doing?” A red-faced angry man shouted.

“What does it look like, I’m trying to open the gate” George said.

“This is private property you know” the man said.

“I’m well aware” Danny said as the gate yielded.

“Well, you can’t go any further without the owner’s permission” the angry man persisted.

“The owner is well aware I can assure you” Danny said as he and George forced the gate wide open.

“I’m going to call the owner.” The man barked and turned away.

“Good luck with that.” Molly shouted after him and Danny and George stopped what they were doing and looked at her in surprise.

When she turned around and saw them looking at her, she shrugged, and they all laughed.

“I’m assuming that was the odious Paul Steptoe” Danny said.

George armed himself with a piece of broken tree branch and used it to hack a path through the overgrown nettles, hogweed, and brambles until they’d reached the front door.

Sir Avery Arnold described Cliff Haven as a cottage, but close up and personal Danny thought it looked more like several Cottages knocked into one, Avery also told him that it would need a coat of paint but when he looked up at the flaking paintwork, cracked glass, crumbling render and clogged guttering he thought there was going to be a lot more to do than that.

“So much for Paul Steptoe keeping an eye on the place.” Danny said as George pushed open the front door which creaked in protest.

 

The interior was generally in a better state than the outside but there was the telltale smell of dampness and there was evidence of water penetration probably as a result of leaky guttering.

All the furniture was covered by white dust sheets but there was 17 years’ worth of dust on the covers and floors and all the other surfaces and cobwebs everywhere.

“We won’t be moving in here anytime soon” Molly said glumly.

“We’re going to need help George” Danny said.

“Leave it with me.”

“Let’s use local trades though” Danny added as Molly lifted one of the dustsheets and looked beneath, and then another.

“It’s my mum’s furniture” she said.

“You remember it?” Danny asked.

“No but I’ve seen it in photographs.” Molly replied then she added urgently.

“We have to save the furniture.”

“Add a furniture restorer to the list.” Danny said.

 

Building regulations were very strict on the Island for new buildings but permission to renovate existing buildings was almost always granted.

 

While George got busy with rounding up trades and casual labour, the other two took the AUDI back to the mainland and returned 3 days later, with a Landover and a Campervan.

While they were on the mainland, they went to Abbottsford for a meeting at Parsons to review some more artwork, which they passed on again, and then Hanratty’s Department store so Molly could do some shopping.

On the way back to Pipershaven they also paid a visit to Danny’s flat in Applesford, so he could pick up some more clothes for himself.

 

July

 

Over the following few weeks Molly and Danny were ensconced in the suite at the Beaumont Manor and when they weren’t paying visits to the cottage, they were working on the suggested edits to the book and trawled the internet for ideas for the cover art, while George lived out of the campervan at the cottage supervising the repairs and renovations. 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (010) Paying a Debt

 

Lisa Stokes had worked for Shaw Brothers since she left school aged 16 and was only a month short of twenty years’ service.

She was taken on as a trainee and had to do a variety of jobs in her first three years, both on land and sea, and soon became a very valuable asset as a relief.

But she was like a sponge and absorbed skills and knowledge covering all aspects of the business which is what led to her being appointed manager of the St Pierre operation.

Lisa was offered the job by her friend Olivia Shaw and was her first appointment after she and her sister Tanya took over the running of the company following the retirement of their parents.

She was not a native islander and was originally born in the seaside town of Sharpington, but the offer came at just the right time as she was in desperate need of a fresh start following the breakdown of a ten-year relationship.

 

Lisa never regretted making the move and is very happy in her work and in her new surroundings, she had one of the former labourer’s cottages in the hamlet of Saxvirdan close to the remains of the old Roman fort site to the north of the town which she loved.

Only one thing was missing from her life and that was Paul Holland.

Paul was the St Pierre Harbour Master, and he was the first man she had been interested in for the three years since her last relationship ended in bitterness and acrimony and having been badly hurt, she had been reluctant to risk her heart again.

However, the heart wants what the heart wants, and she fell for him.

Falling for him though was the easy part, because after three months she was no further on.

 

Now being a modern woman, of strong character and extreme confidence, she could easily have taken the initiative and just asked him, were it not for one thing, she had done that with her last partner and that didn’t go so well, so she didn’t want to jinx the next one, it was a stupid reason, she knew that, but that was how she felt.

Lisa knew that Paul liked her because he was always popping into the Shaw Brothers Office for no good reason just to chat with her, but he never said what she wanted to hear, despite her flirting with him outrageously.

 

Paul Holland was born and bred on the island and became Harbour Master about two months before Lisa moved to the Island and he fell for her at first glance, so she was right to think he was smitten with her, and despite his repeated visits to the office and her flirty-ness, but no matter how great his resolve when he walked in he seemed unable to say what was on his mind once he got inside. 

 

Of course, had she known for certain the disposition of his heart it may have made her task easier, but she didn’t, so she had to enlist the help of a friend instead, and the friend she chose was Olivia Shaw.

She hoped that Liv would be obliging, she was a good friend after all, and she was more worldly wise, Lisa just needed to work out how to broach it with her.

 

As it turned out the perfect opportunity presented itself in April when a storm closed the port, trapping Olivia Shaw and her ferry on the island, and while she was in the office Olivia was reunited with an old flame, or more precisely an old spark, that never made it to a flame.

However, thanks to the storm Olivia was presented with the opportunity to rekindle that spark, when she suggested a dinner date for that night.

“I’m staying at the Beaumont Manor tonight, so how about there?” she suggested to Josh Beaumont.

“Ok sounds good to me, what time?”

“8 o’clock”

“It’s a date” he said then blushed.

“Well, you know what I mean, see you later” he added and quickly went out the door.

“That blush was very telling” Lisa said as Olivia watched Joshua hurry away into the dark.

“Yes, wasn’t it” she agreed “I think I need to ask you a favour.”

 

Because of the possibility of getting stranded on the islands, even though it wasn’t a regular occurrence, Olivia always had an overnight bag aboard, but the bag only contained a clean uniform shirt, underwear, socks, casual shoes, and toiletries.

What it didn’t contain was girl clothes suitable to impress a man, which is why she needed to ask Lisa for a favour. 

Lisa and Olivia were the same dress size and similar height and shoe size, so the favour was in the form of access to Lisa’s wardrobe from which she borrowed a powder blue cocktail dress, black tights, and matching shoes.

 

The following morning when Olivia walked into the office she was grinning from ear to ear.

“Good morning, Lisa”

“I think it was a good night judging by the smile on your face” Lisa Stokes said.

“A great night” she agreed with a gleam in her eye.

“It was a success then?” Lisa asked.

“Very much so” Olivia replied, “I owe you one.”

“Well, it’s funny you should mention that” Lisa said with a wicked smile.

 

Over coffee Lisa explained to Olivia, in some detail, the exact nature of her dilemma, her longing, her desperation and finished off by saying.

“I need help.”

“Why?” Liv asked in disbelief.

“Look at you, you’re gorgeous” Liv said.

“But that’s not enough” Lisa retorted.

“And I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Well, I’m not sure I do either” Liv admitted.

“You are alluring, you have the looks, the personality and a great bod” Liz said, “So I’m not sure what I can add to that.”

“But if I can think of something, I will” she said and gave her a hug.

 

A week and a half later, on the Sunday morning of the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, Olivia Shaw was in bed at Woodside Farm, and was disturbed by a text message while laying with her head on Josh Beaumont’s chest.

They were enjoying some impromptu intimacy while their respective siblings, Ben, and Tanya, were out riding, they had been asked to join them but preferred a different kind of ride.

Olivia picked up her phone and read the message and exclaimed “Oh God.”

“What?” he asked with concern.

“It’s Lisa from work”

“Is it a problem?”

“No, its personal, she asked me for my help with something last week, but I have absolutely no idea how to help her” she explained.

“I want to help because I owe her for last week and if she hadn’t, we probably wouldn’t be here.”

“What sort of help?” he asked, and she laughed.

“Matchmaking” she replied, and this time Josh laughed.

“It’s no laughing matter, I have to help her snare a guy she fancies.”

“So, who does she have the hots for?”

“The Harbour Master.”

“The St Pierre Harbour Master?”

“Yes”

“She has the hots for Paul Holland?”

“Yes,” she replied, and he laughed.

“Do you know him?”

“Of course we’re old friends, we were at school together, I’ve known him since we were 7.”

“Really?” she said thoughtfully then she asked.

“Does he ever come here?”

“Yes, often, in fact he’s coming down for the weekend at the end of the month.”

“That’s great, that’s the solution,” she said smugly.

“Does that mean we can get back to business.”

“Oh yes” she said and pulled the covers up over their heads.

 

Three weeks later Paul Holland left his home in St Pierre

on Saturday morning of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend carrying a small suitcase and got into Josh Beaumont’s waiting Landrover.

Paul didn’t own a vehicle of his own as his flat was only a five-minute walk from the harbour, car ownership was fairly uncommon on the island, as St Pierre was the only town on the island and the most densely populated part, with Saxvirdan, a small hamlet north of the town, and the fishing village of Spaniards Creek to the far south.

There was also a good bus service, so the majority of residents didn’t need a vehicle.

Most of the car owners were people who were regular commuters and travellers to the mainland, the rest were commercial and agricultural, hence the Landrover picking him up.

 

The journey down to the farm was always enjoyable for Paul, partly because of the congenial company but mainly because Woodside Farm was one of his favourite places on the planet.

 

Woodside was the largest of the five farms on the island covering the whole of the southeast corner, a large wedge-shaped parcel of land bordered by Halfway Lane to the north, Spanish River and the Eagles Crag in the west and the rugged coastline from Manor Cliff Beach to Armada Head to the east.

 

The Beaumont family had once owned the whole island but after three successive heirs were killed in action during the Great War the accumulated death duties forced the only surviving Beamont, George, to sell off the estate in 1920, auctioning off the buildings, the port, and parcels of land.

Fortunately, the sale managed to raise enough to pay off the taxman, while being able to keep Woodside Farm and retain a Beaumont family presence on the island.

 

It was that event that was celebrated on the last weekend in May every year.

There was a dinner party on Saturday night with a few houseguests and a BBQ on the Sunday for about twenty additional guests.

“So, is it the usual suspects this weekend?” Paul asked, being a regular guest.

“Yes, more or less” Josh replied enigmatically.

 

At lunchtime Paul got to meet Olivia and Tanya socially for the first time although he had met them many times professionally.

“Are you hoping to go riding this afternoon?” Josh asked.

“If that’s ok.” Paul replied.

“Of course,” he replied, “But we’re going to be tied up all afternoon so would you mind taking another guest out with you?” 

“Not at all”

“That’s great it’s their first time at Woodside and we really don’t want them to get lost” Josh said and laughed.

“You mean like I did?” Paul said and chuckled.

 

The conspirator’s kept the identity of his riding companion a secret in the hope that they would drift seamlessly into something beyond riding.

After Paul had the horses ready, he walked them out into the yard and as she turned the corner, he realized his companion was Lisa Stokes.

“Hello” she said.

“Lisa!” Paul exclaimed. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“Yes, I’m riding with you” Lisa said and then stared at the tall, broad, snorting beast and suddenly felt exceedingly small and childlike.

“I didn’t know it was you” he said.

“Didn’t you?” Lisa said and laughed nervously.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

“Well to tell you the truth, I’m a bit nervous” she confessed.

“Nervous? you?” he asked.

“Terrified to be precise” Lisa confessed “It’s much bigger than the last horse I rode.”

“When was that?” he asked.

“When I was 7.”

“And what happened to make you so scared?” he asked.

“I fell off” she admitted.

“Well let’s try to keep you in the saddle today then” he said and for the first time since he’d fallen for her, he felt like she was not completely invulnerable, so before he helped her to mount the chestnut mare, he took a deep breath and kissed her and when he had finished, he said.

“That’s for good luck.”

“It felt lucky” she retorted.

“Now let’s help you mount” he suggested.

“Oh no you don’t, I need an awful lot more of that good luck first” she contradicted him and kissed him.

 

It was fifteen minutes later when the two horses and riders crossed the yard and out towards the woods where they stopped to share a little more luck, and they kept it topped up every fifteen to twenty minutes just to be on the safe side.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (009) A Providential Hand at Work

 Over the first week or so in May there was a circus of Lawyers coming and going from Lakeside as they executed Sir Avery Arnold’s final instructions set about to draught the legal mechanisms and financial instruments essential in creating the trust fund and a codicil to his last will and testament detailing the final disposition of his, not insubstantial, assets.

 

Not wishing to be constantly reminded of the inevitable, Molly decided to knuckle down and concentrate on helping Danny with the book, largely in silence, so as to avoid and further discussion of the impending death of her beloved Grandfather.

 

However, before another week was out it became clear that the end was close.

“Thank you, my boy, it was a providential hand that brought you into our lives” Avery said as his bony fingers gripped his hand.

“It was clearly God at work.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Avery said, “It was certainly a blessing.”

Then he turned his attention to his Granddaughter who was on the other side of the bed holding his hand

“I’m sorry Molly.”

“What for?”

“For smothering you.”

“You wrapped me up in love” Molly said and kissed his hand, then he closed his eyes and didn’t speak again.

 

In the early hours of the morning of May 16th, with Molly and Danny still at his bedside, Sir Avery Arnold passed away quietly in his sleep.

So, Danny comforted Molly, as the nurse, Vicki Pullen, went sympathetically about her unwelcome task.

 

After the normal formalities and legalities were completed,

there was a small private funeral at St Savior’s Church, outside Colorado Springs, where he was temporarily interred in the crypt where he would reside until arrangements could be made for him to be repatriated to Beaumont Island where he would be buried at St Clara’s in Spaniards Creek with Molly’s parents, Charlotte and John, and her Grandmother Bella.

 

Following the funeral, the reading of the will took place at the

Arnold residence, Lakeside.

It was not a lengthy proceeding, the bulk of his estate was left in trust to Molly, all the Art in his collection was bequeathed to various museums and institutions, the staff at Lakeside were left generous lump sums, meaning they would never need to work full time again, unless they wanted to, and Lakeside itself along with its remaining furnishings was left to St Savior’s Church, outside Colorado Springs, which made Danny smile.

The remainder were a large number of smaller bequests to a variety of individuals and institutions which were too numerous to mention.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (008) The Beaumont’s and the Shaw’s

 

May

The first thing the Shaw sisters did on inheriting the company was to upgrade their fleet using some very lucrative government and EU green incentives.

Opting for the British Built Bluebird Electric Powered Ferries, The Bluebird 1, 60 meters Long and 20 meters wide, made of lightweight aluminium, making it half the weight of a conventional ferry, with space on deck for about 80 cars, although its mainly freight vehicles on the Pepperstock Bay Islands ferry route, and can accommodate 250 people.

The Bluebird 2, built of the same materials, is 40 meters longer and will carry 150 cars and 500 passengers on the cross-channel and Channel Island routes.

They sold their old fleet of 8 vessels to a Malaysian and Singapore consortium and along with the cash incentives and a loan from the Downshire and District Building Society, they bought six new Ferries for what turned out to be a very modest investment and the running costs going forward were half of the that of the old ships they replaced and after 3 years would be paying for themselves, judging by the cost saving over the first 12 months.  

 

Olivia and Tanya Shaw were the happiest they’d ever been following their parents’ retirement, leaving them in sole control.

They were running the company that they loved and had their dream jobs as skippers of their own vessels, they shared their old family home in the beautiful village of Pepperstock Green, situated amidst the magnificent mixed forestry on the south and east of the Pepperstock Hills National Park.

They also had sufficient time off to indulge their interests, the only thing that was missing for them both was a significant other.

However, that changed on a stormy April Wednesday when nature leant a hand, when Olivia had to take refuge in St Pierre from the storm and met Joshua Beaumont who she had unfinished business with following a midnight kiss on New Years Eve ten years earlier, a kiss which hinted at being the beginning of something, which never came to pass.

But thanks to the storm they finally moved to the next level courtesy of the Beaumont Manor Hotel.

Meanwhile his brother Ben was stranded in Pipershaven and due to the same storm felling trees he met Tanya on a deserted road, their meeting was more restrained, but the attraction between them was unmistakable, Tanya for one was not going to let restraint get in the way on their next meeting.

However, the Beaumont’s and the Shaw’s didn’t see each other in the week and a half that followed but that was about to change because on Saturday morning of the Early May Bank Holiday weekend the Shaw girls were passengers aboard the Queen Eleanor sailing to Beaumont Island.

 

It was strange to travel to an island they had been to so many times but had nothing to do but enjoy the scenery.

The island has a predominantly rocky coast with high cliffs, with three beaches on the west coast, one either side of St Pierre port, Centurian’s to the north, Manor Cliff to the south and halfway between the port and Spaniard creek was Norman Beach.

The north and south of the island is open farmland, the western side is a rugged grass covered craggy landscape and is good sheep country, the lower slopes on the eastern side of the crags are forested and beyond the woods is lush farmland leading down to the cliffs edge.

St Pierre in the southwest corner, is the largest town on the island, in fact it’s the only town on the island and the most densely populated part, with Saxvirdan, a small hamlet north of the town, made up of former labourer’s cottages close to the remains of the old Roman fort site, so all of the house’s contain to some extent, materials acquired from the old Roman Buildings, and that’s it, apart from the fishing village of Spaniards Creek to the south, so called because it was where a severely damaged Spanish Galleon from the Armada sought refuge from the English Navy and the storm in May 1588.

The only evidence of the event in the present day are the oak beams in the Tudor buildings of the old village dwellings.

 

The island’s population averaged around 3000 and among that number were itinerant workers, fruit and veg pickers on one of the five farms, Roman Water, Woodside, Beacon, Longlake or Crag Edge, and hospitality staff mainly at the Beaumont Manor Hotel which was formerly the home of the Beaumont family, and tourists of every ilk.

The beaches, hill walking, bird watching and fishing were the most popular pastimes that attracted the visitors.

The ruins of the Roman fort, Saxa Viridia Castellum. was of great interest to archaeologists and tourists alike and Beacon Rock was also a visitor’s favourite, it was so called, because a beacon was built on the rock to warn of the impending arrival of the Spanish Armada, but it was never lit due to the fact that the weather was so bad that the sentry’s couldn’t see past the end of the island let alone a fleet of ships.

The fresh water on Beaumont came from three Lakes, Roman Water to the North, Shepherds Lake in the Southeast and High Lake in the Centre, which fed the Spanish and Beacon Rivers, and there was good fishing to be had on all of them.

 

But the girls knew nothing of the island, none of the history, none of the geography or topography, none of the ruggedness, none of the beauty, Olivia had had only been as far as the Beaumont Manor Hotel and Tanya hadn’t been further than the harbour, but that weekend it would be different.

 

Tanya spent much of the journey on that bright spring Saturday pacing up and down the deck.

Since she last saw him on board that very ship, she was pacing on. They had been trading texts and emails, the general content of their missives was first date stuff, finding out the other’s likes and dislikes, their backgrounds, and their aspirations, interspersed with humour, and a little flirting.

But there had been no real depth to them, she liked him, really liked him, and she hoped he felt the same, but she didn’t know, the whole thing had left her feeling like a schoolgirl.

 

Olivia also had been in regular correspondence with Josh and spent most of the crossing glued to her phone trading messages.

Because their relationship was further advanced than the siblings, their interactions were sprinkled with outrageous flirtation and no small degree of lovemaking.

This had been a new experience for her, and she hoped for Josh also, she had not had phone sex before, it was nice, but she couldn’t wait to see him again so they could do it for real again.

 

Tanya on the other hand was feeling a mixture of fear and disappointment, fear that he didn’t feel the same about her as she did about him and disappointment in herself for not snogging his face off the previous time instead of kissing his cheek, twice.

Tanya Shaw’s attractive figure trembled as she recalled her cowardice, and she was determined there would be no cheek kissing this weekend.

 

As the Queen Eleanor began its approach to the harbour entrance, Tanya turned on her heels and rushed away.

“Where are you going?” Olivia asked.

“To the toilet” she replied curtly.

“What again?”

After emptying her bladder for the umpteenth time, she stood in front of the mirror and surveyed her reflection.

She was, by her own admission, an attractive young woman, red hair, with rather striking features, the most stunning eyes, and even better legs.

As she stood in front of the mirror, she combed her shoulder length red hair and then touched up her makeup.

She wore a short floral dress, showing off her legs, she liked her legs, then turned side on to admire herself in the mirror, then she stood on her tiptoes to get a better look at her legs, and then she nodded to herself.

Having viewed herself from every possible angle she gave herself a quick spray of perfume and put her things away in her bag.

After stopping briefly for one last look in the mirror and then she said out loud.

“You are definitely going to get snogged.” She said and nodded to herself and made her way back to her sister.

 

Olivia and Tanya left their car in Pipershaven and travelled as foot passengers on the ferry as they were being met by the Beaumont’s who were taking them to lunch.

As soon as Tanya caught sight of them on the quayside, her eyes went straight to Ben, who was wearing chinos and a plaid shirt and she thought he looked great, in fact he looked good enough to eat, and she would have gladly had him for lunch.

 

When the ramp was lowered, and the pedestrians began to disembark, Olivia grabbed Tanya’s hand and they ran headlong for the quay and the waiting Beaumont’s.

Olivia let go of her sister’s hand about ten yards from her target and launched herself into Josh’s arms and they embraced, unrestrained.

  

Tanya stopped when Olivia let go of her hand and her confidence began to ebb away as she looked into his soulful eyes, smiled, and walked toward him, and as she approached, they never averted their gaze, totally oblivious to anyone else’s presence.

“Hello” Ben said.

“Hello” She answered coyly and then they kissed, not a full on unrestrained pash like the other two, but all the panic and self-doubt she had felt, just melted away.

 

They lunched at the Orangery at the Beaumont Manor Hotel and Tanya and Ben held hands all through the meal and afterwards they moved to the lounge for coffee and liqueurs, but after about 10 minutes they stood up and Tanya said.

“We’re just going out to the terrace for some fresh air.” 

 

About twenty minutes later Olivia and Josh had finished their drinks and decided to go and join them on the Terrace but were surprised to find it empty.

On the way back to the lounge they paused beside the cloakroom they could see Josh’s twin brother locked in a passionate embrace with a little redhead.

“Hello, you two” Olivia called “We were expecting you to still be on the terrace.”

The couple instantly separated, and a blushing Tanya said.

“It got a bit chilly.”

“Really?”

“Yes really”

“It’s a bit hotter in the cloakroom I’m guessing” Olivia said, and she and Josh laughed as they headed towards the lounge.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (007) The End is Nigh

 

By the time they headed into a more benign April, Sir Avery Arnold was confined to his bed and the amount of time spent on chess games with Danny Nightingale became less and less.

Until one day towards the end of the month he didn’t want to play at all and said.

“I only have enough energy for one thing today and I really need to talk to you about the future.”

“Ok”

“Over the past few months, I have noticed you have taken Molly under your wing, and I thank you for that.”

“Molly is like a sponge for knowledge, she is a very clever girl, very resourceful, very smart.”

“Of course she is, she has two degrees after all.”

“Really? she told me she hadn’t been to University.”   

“That’s right she hasn’t, she was home schooled, private tutors, online lectures and such, the best that money could buy” he said, “I’m very proud of her.”

“You should be.”

“The problem is that because I have cossetted her, I have left her vulnerable to the dangers of the outside world, which was the very opposite of what I intended, so it’s my fault because I have been overprotective of her.”

“I don’t think she’s vulnerable” Danny said, “She seems so confident.”

“That’s because she lights up around you, she seems to draw energy from you” Sir Avery said.

“She keeps the world at arm’s length, all her communications with the real world are done by email or messages.”

“What do you want me to do?” Danny asked.

“Molly is my sole heir, I’m leaving her everything in a trust fund, so she is going to be incredibly wealthy when she turns 25,” he explained.

“I want you to ease her into the world, introduce her to things I have denied her, through my cosseting, so she is better able to cope with the burden I’m leaving her with.”

“You want me to be like her guardian?”

“In a way”

“But she’s only 22, do you really think she’ll put up with me holding her hand for 3 years until she comes of age?”

“I do, I have no doubt of it” Avery replied, “She has been like your shadow almost since the first moment you met, she admires you, respects you and looks up to you.”

“Have you spoken to Molly about this?”

“Not about your involvement, but everything else yes”

“So, what exactly is “everything else”?”

“Do you remember I told you I was from Spaniards Creek on Beaumont Island?”

“Yes”

“Well, I still own the cottage there, it hasn’t been lived in since Charlotte died, so it will need a lick of paint, an annoying man by the name of Paul Steptoe keeps an eye on the place, to be honest he’s been trying to buy it from me for years, but he’s an odious individual and I’d rather burn it to the ground than sell it to him”

“So, the cottage is important to you” Danny said.

“It was my parents’ house, and I was born there, and it was Molly’s home, before Charlotte and John were killed” Avery explained. “So, its sacred ground for me”

“I understand”

“It would also be a great place to write, and as the island only has a population of about 3000 it would be a good place for Molly to rejoin the world.”

After a few moments he added.

“I know I’m asking a lot of you, why don’t you take some time to think about it.”

“I don’t need to,” Danny Replied, “Of course I’ll do it, providing Molly is cool with it.”

“Thank you” Avery said and shook his hand, and it looked as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“Just one question though, we’ve only known each other for a few months, and you are trusting me with your most precious possession” Danny said, “What makes you think I’m the right person?”

“Well, I’m a good judge of character for one thing and you’ve agreed and haven’t once asked what’s in it for you, that’s how I know,”

The conversation had clearly taken its toll and left him fatigued so the nurse ushered Danny out.

“That’s enough for today, time to rest.”

 

The evening had clearly taken more out of him than Danny had first thought, because he was declared out of bounds by 

the nurse, Vicki Pullen, so it wasn’t until the afternoon of the following day that Danny got to see Avery again, and this time Molly was present as well when he arrived.

Avery had already explained about the Cottage in Spaniards Creek, and some of the financial points.

“There is something I haven’t discussed with you before in relation to the cottage, I have asked Danny to stay with

you to act in an avuncular way.” Avery explained.

“But only if you are in 100% complete agree…” Danny began.

“Yes” she replied emphatically.

“So just to be clear, you are happy for me to be living in your house?”

“Sharing the house” she corrected him.

“And you are quite happy about that?” Danny asked.

“Providing we are equals” she replied, and Avery smiled because her reply was evidence of the positive effect that Danny had already had on her.

“That’s a done deal then” Sir Avery said.

 

Despite the fact that she was deeply upset that her grandfather was on the brink of death she left his room there was a positivity she hadn’t felt before, she had worried that she wouldn’t see Danny again once her grandfather had passed away, but she had been given a reprieve.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (006) The Morning After the Night Before

 

The next morning Ben was woken by a loud knocking on the driver’s door window.

He and Tanya were asleep under the blanket, and she was cuddled up close to him with her head on his shoulder.

On opening his eyes, in the half light, his eyes and brain were struggling to make sense of what they were seeing.

The problem is that the brain processes what you can see and then fills in the blanks with things from your memory bank.

I.e. when your eyes become more accustomed to the darkness a sleeping dog on the floor becomes a dressing gown discarded the night before, or a sleeping child on the chair becomes a sweater dropped haphazardly.

In this case he was looking at a six-foot chicken, but after a few blinks he realized it was a firefighter, so he opened the window.

“Morning” he said, “I think.”

“Hello, sir, is everything alright?” the firefighter asked.

“Yes, all good”

“No injuries? Damage? Mechanical problems?”

 “No, everything is fine.”

“And the horse?”

“Yes, he’s fine too” he said, “It’s just trees in the way.” 

“Well, we’ll have the road open again very soon” The firefighter reassured him.

“Do you know where the driver of the MG is?”

“Yes, she’s here” Ben replied.

“Really?” he retorted with admiration.

“We’ll let you know when it’s safe for you to leave.”

“Ok thanks” Ben said and closed the window.

However, the chilly morning air flooding the cab caused Tanya to stir, and when her eyes opened, she said.

“What time is it?”

“Just after 5” he replied and then she became aware that she was cuddled up to him and apologized.

“I’m sorry”

“Don’t be silly” he reassured her.

“The Fire Service are here by the way.”

“How long will they be?” she asked with a yawn.

“At least an hour” he replied, “So plenty of time for coffee.”

“I thought we’d finished the coffee” Tanya retorted.

“I have a kettle in the back?” he replied.

“You’re a wonderful man” she retorted grinning broadly.

 

By the time they had said hello to Trojan and made and drank their coffee and he had easily towed the MG off the verge they were told the road was reopened.

“Well, thank you for sharing your coffee and blanket.

and of course, for your company” she said and kissed his cheek.

“My pleasure” he said as she got into the Midget.

“Don’t forget you have an open invitation.”

“I won’t,” she said as she started the engine and after flashing him a smile Tanya said, “Bye Ben” and drove off, muttering under her breath over and over,

“Why did I kiss him on the cheek?”

 

Tanya went straight home to quickly shower and change so she could get back to Pipershaven in time to take out the 8am Ferry and Ben finally got to the Starlight Café where he made use of the facilities and got two sausage and egg baps to go before heading back to the port.

 

The Queen Eleanor wasn’t slated for the 8am sailing but due to the Empress Victoria having to sit out the storm in St Pierre Port Tanya needed to take the Eleanor out early and she was conscious of the fact that she was uncharacteristically late.

However, when Tanya got to the port office, she found that everything was in hand and loading was in progress.

 

At the Beaumont Manor Hotel the next morning began for Josh and Liv with a shared shower and some over enthusiastic mutual drying, which resulted in them having to skip breakfast and Joshua having to drive her to the port at speed where they shared a farewell kiss outside the Shaw Brothers Office before he went off in search of a full English.

 

Olivia watched Joshua drive away, feeling that she had made the right choice to forgo a hotel breakfast and she was grinning from ear to ear as she opened the door and walked in.

“Good morning, Lisa”

“I think it was a good night judging by the smile on your face” Lisa Stokes said.

“A great night” she agreed with a gleam in her eye.

“It was a success then?” Lisa asked.

“Very much so” Olivia replied, “I owe you one.”

“Well, it’s funny you should mention that” Lisa said with a wicked smile.

 

After exchanging pleasantries and doing twenty minutes of essential admin Tanya left the office and made her way to the Queen Eleanor, and when she was about halfway there her phone rang and she saw it was her sister Olivia, so she accepted the call.

“Something amazing happened” they both said simultaneously and burst out laughing.

 

After sharing all the details of their amazing happenings Tanya was left feeling a little jealous, not that she begrudged Olivia’s good fortune, but she only had a coffee and a peck on the cheek for breakfast whereas Olivia had the full English, twice last night and once again that morning.

Olivia though had the benefit of a hotel room Tanya was less fortunate and she wasn’t about to do it in a horsebox, she had more class than that, if it had been a camper van it might have been different.

 

After navigating her way past the breakwater and into open water she could relax, so she took in the scenery and enjoyed the warm spring sunshine.

Halfway across the bay she saw the Empress Victoria coming the other way, it was unusual for both Ferries to be out in the bay at the same time, so as they passed each other the two sisters waved to each other from the navigational bridge.

 

When they had passed by, she cast her eyes around the ship, and she caught sight of a burgundy-coloured Horsebox on the deck and her heart skipped a beat.

So, she left the first mate, David Leggett, at the helm and went down to the car deck to look for Ben, but she couldn’t see him anywhere.

Tanya was just about to give up and return to the bridge when she caught sight of him standing by the rail looking out to sea, so she made a beeline for him. 

“Good morning, Mr. Beaumont” she said, and he turned to look at her.

“Hello” he said and did a double take when he saw her white uniform shirt and epaulettes on the shoulders.

“When you said it was your ferry, I didn’t realize you were literally in charge.”

“I am the Captain.” she said proudly.

“Well having seen what you can do with an MG Midget I would just like to ask where I can find the lifejackets?” 

“That’s not fair, it wasn’t my driving, it was God throwing trees at me” she said indignantly, and they both laughed.

“You do realize that as Captain, I can have you clapped in irons and make you walk the plank.”

“In which case I will definitely need a life jacket” he retorted, and they both laughed again.

But their joviality was brought to an abrupt end by the blast of a claxon.

“Sorry I have to go and do important maritime stuff now” she said and kissed his cheek and climbed the companionway to the bridge.

“Why did I kiss his cheek again? I should have snogged his face off” She muttered.

“Next time he’s mine.”

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (005) Divine Intervention

 

At the same time Joshua Beaumont was leaving the Shaw Brothers office in St Pierre his twin brother Ben was driving the 3.5t Horsebox into the docks in Pipershaven, only to find the Ferry had been cancelled, and he wouldn’t be able get to the island until the next morning.

He was 34 years old and was the younger twin by 3 minutes, they weren’t identical twins, but they were alike enough for strangers to recognize the fact they were siblings.

After confirming that he was booked on the first ferry the next day he parked up on an access road while he figured out what to do next.

Firstly, he phoned his brother, but it went straight to voice mail, so he messaged him instead.

Had he been on his own he would simply have found a local Hotel or B&B for the night, but he wasn’t alone, he had Trojan with him, and he wasn’t going to find a B&B for him.

So, he decided on the Starlight Café halfway between the Expressway and Pepperstock Green.

To the south and east of the Pepperstock Hills National Park there was an extensive tract of magnificent mixed forestry which was rivalled only by the ancient woodland of the Dancingdean Forest, and that is where the village of Pepperstock Green was situated.

The Starlight was a popular greasy spoon with a sizable lorry park attached so it was popular with truckers going to or from the port.

 

The storm was raging as he drove towards the Expressway, and it showed no sign of abating and being in the horsebox he was getting buffeted by the wind, so he was relieved when he saw the sign for the exit slip.

Half a mile before the slip he was overtaken by one of his favourite cars, a 1978 MG Midget in British Racing Green, which immediately indicated and took the exit.

 

Ben was glad to be off the motorway and into the shelter of the forest, but the storm was ever present, and he heard a terrifying crash behind him and looking in his mirrors he saw a tree across the road, then about 2 miles along the road he suddenly saw Hazzard lights flashing ahead of him, so slowed down accordingly.

As the lights got brighter and he got closer Ben could see the MG he had admired was half on and half off the road with a fallen tree just ahead of it.

He pulled up behind the car and jumped out and rushed over to the driver’s door and opened it and found a very attractive young woman sitting behind the wheel.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine, just a bit shaken” she replied and picked up her coffee cup, shook it then discarded it with disgust.

“Come and sit in the van,” he suggested.

“Could you tow me back onto the road? then I can go back the way we came” she asked.

“Theres another tree down a couple of miles behind us I’m afraid” Ben said.

“Damn, oh well I’ll just sit here and wait until help arrives” she said.

“I’ve got coffee” he added.

“Ok you’ve got me” she said and got out of the car while Ben phoned 999 to report the fallen trees.

 

“I’m Ben by the way” he said as he handed her a coffee.

“Thank you, I’m Tanya.”

“Are you sure you’re ok, you look a little pale” he asked.

“I’m a redhead I’m always pale” she retorted, and they both laughed.

 

“Drink your coffee I just need to check on the horse.”

“You’ve got a horse on board?” she asked excitedly.

“Can I come too?”

“Sure, if you’re interested.”

“Oh, I’m interested,” she replied, “I’ve been riding since I was 4.”  

“Well, I doubt you’ve ridden anything like Trojan” he said as he opened the door.

“Hello Trojan, old fella” he said as he stepped inside

“Is that a Suffolk Punch?” She asked as she followed him in

“It is” he replied a little impressed “Trojan, meet Tanya, Tanya, meet Trojan.”

“Hello Trojan” Tanya said patting his neck.”

 

They were in the back of the horsebox for about fifteen minutes and while Ben sorted out Trojan’s feed and water, Tanya fussed the horse.

“You’re right by the way.” She spoke.

“About what?” he asked.

“I’ve never ridden a horse like him.” She replied as they closed the door and left Trojan in peace.

 

“So where are you taking him” she asked as she climbed back into the cab.

“Well, we were headed for Beaumont Island, but the ferry was cancelled” he said.

“Ah sorry about that” she replied sheepishly and finished her coffee.

“Why are you sorry?”

“I’m Tanya Shaw, it’s my Ferry.”

“That’s ok, I’m Ben Beaumont so it’s my island” he retorted, and they both laughed again.

 

After getting a lift home, Joshua showered, shaved, and redressed in record time and got to The Beaumont Manor Hotel with ten minutes to spare and after parking the car he walked into reception just in time to see Olivia Shaw walking down the stairs in a borrowed powder blue cocktail dress, black tights, and matching shoes with her shoulder length brunette hair dancing on her shoulders.  

He was speechless and even gulped at the beautiful vision in front of him.

Then Olivia stopped on the bottom step and inclined her head in anticipation.

“Wow!” was all he could manage.

“That is an acceptable response” she said and smiled.

“Shall we?” she added offering her arm.

 

Ben poured Tanya another coffee and noticed her shiver, so he reached behind the middle seat and fished out a blanket which he handed to her.

“It’s only a horse blanket I’m afraid, but it’s warm.”

“Thank you, I was starting to get chilly” she said gratefully.

“Do you have one for yourself?”

“No, but I’ll be fine?”

“Nonsense” she retorted “We can share.”

Tanya scooted onto the middle seat and spread the blanket over them both.

Then when they were comfortable, she said.

“So, if you were returning to the island, where have you come from?”

“The Veterinary Hospital in Purplemere, Trojan needed an operation, he’s all sorted now though.”

“Is he a working horse?”

“Well, he’s trained in harness, and pulls the dray on special occasions, fete’s and such and the Christmas parade, but his primary purpose is as a stud animal” he explained “As part of a rare breeds program.”

“Lucky boy” she said and smiled.

He went on to explain that Woodside was primarily an arable farm, potatoes mainly but also other root vegetables, but half the business was breeding horses and ponies, rare breeds in particular, heavy horse’s, Cumberland fell ponies and other breeds in danger of extinction.

They also had a Clydesdale Stallion and a Cleveland Mare in foal, hopefully carrying a colt.

“What about riding?” she asked.

“In what way?”

“Do you ever ride?” she clarified.

“Oh yes, not every day, but often”

he replied, “What about you?”

“Not as much as I’d like” she replied.

“Well, maybe we could go riding the next time you’re on the island” he suggested.

“Yes, that would be nice” she agreed.

“Give me your phone then.” He said and she unlocked it so he could enter his number.

“Now you can text me when you’re free.”

 

Once they were seated at a table and the waiter had taken their order Joshua said

“So, you’re the boss lady.”

“I am” she responded smugly.

“Well, joint boss lady would be more accurate.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, since my parents retired my sister Tanya, and I are joint owners.”

She explained,

“So, you could be spending your working week in a plush office rather than on the “high seas”“.

“Where’s the fun in that” she retorted with a chuckle.

Then after a few moments thought she added.

“And I wouldn’t exactly describe Pepperstock Bay as the “high seas”“. 

In response they both dissolved into laughter.

 

The evening went by very quickly with exceptionally food, a lot more laughter and a glass or two of wine but neither of them mentioned the elephant in the room, the New Years Eve kiss.

Nor did it raise its head during coffee or the accompanying liqueurs or even the nightcap in the bar, although the memory of that magical kiss was never more than a moment from their thoughts.

It was gone midnight when he checked his watch and said, “Sadly I think the time has come for us to say goodnight.”

“It can’t be” she snorted and then checked her watch “Damn it, how did it get that late?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun” he said.

“Well then I think you had better escort me to my cabin” she said and giggled as she got to her feet, only slightly unsteadily.

“My pleasure Admiral” he said offering his arm.

“Oh, I’ve been promoted,” she said putting her arm through his “I started the evening as a salty seadog.”

 

As it had done all evening, laughter accompanied them all the way as they climbed the stairs to the first floor and along the corridor but when they reached the door to her room, they went silent.

Olivia was smiling as she turned to face him and kissed him gently on the lips, a warm sensitive and tender kiss, and when their lips parted, she smiled at him coyly and flushed a deep shade of pink.

“I’ve wanted to do that all evening” she said, and Joshua kissed her forehead before cupping her flushed cheek in his palm, then he slid his fingers beneath her soft brown hair and caressed the soft downy hair on her nape as he pulled her sweet lips to his and returned her kiss.

Olivia’s arms enveloped him, holding him so close, and so tightly, not wanting to let go, not wanting to lose what they had found and not wanting to lose him again, there were no fireworks this time, but the sparks were in abundance.

They stood locked in their embrace until Olivia pulled away for a moment before burying her face in his neck and sighing softly.

After a minute or so of enjoying the closeness Joshua said

“Wow, that, was very nice.”

“Very wow” she concurred.

“But you know that after we did this the last time my whole world fell apart” he said sadly.

“I’m not going to let that happen again” she said after emerging from his neck and took hold of his hand.

“I let you slip through my fingers once, never again.”

Then she unlocked the door and led him inside.