The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (016) A Wonderful Little Holiday

 

The first week in October, George was at the house to receive delivery of the restored furniture while Danny and Molly were in Abbottsford, shopping for things for the house, cutlery, bed linen, and pots and pans, all the basic stuff.

When they returned to the island they were on the same ferry as the Here, There & Everywhere Domestic and Business Removals trucks carrying all of Molly’s possessions from Colorado, so they drove in convoy to Cliff Haven.

 

The following two weeks were spent putting everything where it belonged, including George’s belongings, as it was always part of Sir Avery’s plan that George was to have a place to live with them, if required.

 

The very last thing to arrive at the house arrived in the middle of October, a Lean-To Greenhouse, not that she had any interest in horticulture, she wanted a greenhouse because her mum had a green house.

 

Finally, with everything done and everything at the house that needed to be, and a full week until Molly’s 23^rd birthday, and therefore moving day, they decided to go to the mainland for a short holiday.

As they had to take the VW campervan back to the hire company, as it was no longer needed, Danny suggested they hire a car and visit some of the places that Molly knew her mum had been to after seeing Katie’s photo albums.

So, they took the Expressway to Finchbottom and did some shopping, then onto Abbottsford for the galleries, museums, theatre, and more shopping.

From there they stopped briefly at his flat in Applesford for another suitcase full of clothes, then took a short drive to the Dancingdean Forest and spent the night by Teardrop Lake.

Another short drive took them to Mornington by Mere, onward through the Dulcets, and ended up in Sharpington-by-Sea.

Danny loved Sharpington because it was a traditional seaside resort, with its Victorian Pier, seafront hotels, crazy golf, Palladium ballroom, well maintained gardens, promenade, theatre, and illuminations, has all the usual things to have a great time by the seaside, as well as amusement arcades and of course the Sharpington Fun Park.

All though it was end of season, and many of the attractions were closed, there was still plenty to do, because the Fun Park, which was the first purpose-built amusement park to open in Britain, remained open until the end of October for the Halloween Fright Nights.

 

They were too early for Halloween but there was still an assortment of rides to enjoy, like the Ghost Train, the Rotor and the Wild Mouse, The Cyclone, the Caterpillar, and the Morehouse Galloper, all very tame compared to 21^st century roller coasters, but still fun.

The weather was too cold for sandcastles and paddling in the sea, but there were plenty of arcades to entertain them, and of course Bizzoni’s Ice Cream Parlour on the Pier.

However, it wasn’t just his love of the place, or the fact he wanted to share it with Molly, he had another motive for being there at that particular time, he had commissioned a special present for her birthday and the craftsman lived and worked in Sharpington.

But as she was constantly by his side, stuck to him like sticky glue, and he wanted it to be a surprise, his problem was getting the gift from the maker unnoticed.

Not that he didn’t like having her beside him, he did very much, but he didn’t want to spoil the surprise.

They stayed at the Seaview Hotel, not as grand as the Beaumont Manor, but nonetheless very pleasant, and it was on their last morning at the hotel while Molly was in the suite enjoying a room service full English that he took the opportunity to meet Sam Archer on the pretence of going out for a newspaper, as he had arranged for him to bring it to the hotel.

He emerged in the lobby and looked around, but as he had never met the guy, he had done everything on the phone and email, so he not only didn’t know what he looked like, he didn’t know how old he was, his ethnicity, or anything about him at all, so looking around the lobby was never going to help.

So, he went to the reception desk and asked if anyone had been looking for him and he was directed to a young man sitting in the lounge, and he would never have picked him out of a crowd, he was younger than him by a couple of years with shoulder length straw coloured hair.

“Sam Archer?”

“Yes” he said and stood up “Mr. Nightingale?”

“Danny” he responded and shook his hand.

“Pleased to meet you Sam.”

They sat down and Sam handed him a parcel from the seat beside him.

“I hope this is ok.”

Danny opened the box and smiled.

“Wow, that is amazing, you are a genius, she is going to love it.”

“You’re happy with it?”

“Couldn’t be happier” he replied.

“That’s great” Sam said, “That’s just leaves one formality.”

Then he smiled as he handed him a book and a pen.

 

When he got back to the suite Molly had finished her breakfast and was in the shower so he snook into his room and hid the gift in his suitcase.

After dressing they attended the morning service at St Lucy’s Church, her grandfather was keen on her keeping her faith, and he supported her, and afterwards decided to take a walk along the promenade as it was such a lovely day, they had ice cream at Bizzoni’s Ice Cream Parlour on the Pier, then spent the rest of the day in the Fun Park.

They were worn out by the end of the day and the walk back to the hotel was much slower than the one the other way.

“Would you like to spend another night here?” he asked.

“Oh yes please” she said taking his arm “I’m pooped.”

                                       

So, they stayed another night at the Seaview Hotel and had another full English the following morning before driving to Pipershaven in time to catch the 2pm ferry.

They left the Hire car at the ferry terminal and travelled across with George who met them on the mainland side so they could transfer all their purchases into the Landrover.

Once on the Island he drove them to the Beaumont Manor and after spending a couple of hours catching up with each other’s news, he took all their shopping to the Cottage.

While they returned to the suite and began their preparations for moving to Cliff Haven on Molly's birthday which was only two days away.

“That was a wonderful little holiday” Molly said.

“Yes, it was, wasn't it” He agreed “But now we need to pack.”

“Do we have to?” she whined.

“Yes, we do.”

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

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (015) The Art of Publishing

 

October

At the Beaumont Manor Hotel Danny and Molly were sitting on the balcony, having just eaten lunch, and were discussing when they would move into Cliff Haven.

The restored furniture was due to be shipped from the mainland in the following few days and the landscape gardeners would finish in the same week.

“I don’t see why we couldn’t move in next week” he suggested.

“That soon?” she responded.

“Yes, I don’t see why not.”

“Oh, I’m not sure.”

“Are you reluctant to leave here then?”

“No not at all, I’m looking forward to living with you, I mean I’m looking forward to living in the cottage” she said.

“But?”

“Well, I was kind of hoping.”

“Yes”

“To move in on my birthday” she blurted out.

“What a great idea” he said, “I wish I’d thought of that.”

“So, is that ok?”

“Of course,” he said, and she jumped up and squealed then she sat on his lap and hugged him.

“Thank you, thank you” she said and then realized what she had done and blushed.

“Sorry, sorry” she said as she stood up.

“No need to be” Danny said, “It was nice.”

“I'm just very happy” she said.

“Look, it's your house at the end of the day” Danny said.

“No, no, it's our house” she corrected him forcefully “equals remember.”

“And as equals we both get a say, so if you don't agree with something I'm suggesting put me straight.”

“OK” she agreed, but she was still thinking about the hugging which was also giving Danny food for thought.

However, they were bought out of their musings by the Teams ringtone on his laptop and when he looked at it, he said it was from his publisher.

“Hi Max”

“Good news Danny it's about the artwork you sent me, I really liked it and so I've tracked down the artist, so I'm coming to the island tomorrow.”

“Why are you coming here?” Danny asked.

“Because she lives on the island, Beacon Farm, I’m on the first ferry in the morning, meet me” he said and then he was gone.

“Beacon Farm sounds familiar” Danny said.

“That’s where George has been spending so much time” Molly pointed out.

 

They picked Max up from the ferry the next morning and he was extremely excited.

“If we get this wrapped up, we might still make Frankfurt.”

They suggested driving up to Cliff Haven so he could see the place, but he was very single minded.

“Maybe later” he replied, “Let's find our girl first.”

They drove past the Bellevue Hospital, and the Hotel, and Halfway Lane, and then turned right onto Beacon Farm Road.

When they entered the yard, they instantly spotted the huge frame of George Wood standing outside the kitchen door with an attractive sandy haired woman beside him.

They had phoned George after breakfast that morning to say they were coming, and that they needed to speak with Nicola,  just not why.

George had told Katie and explained who they were.

“So that's the family you work for?” she said as the Landover came to a halt.

“Oh my God” Katie exclaimed loudly when Molly emerged from the back door.

“I'm sorry, but I thought I'd seen a ghost, you are the image of your mum.”

“You knew her?” Molly asked and Katie laughed.

“Oh yes, we were all friends from primary school, your mom and dad, my husband Eddie, George, and me,

Charlotte was bridesmaid at my wedding, and I was Matron of honour at hers.”

“Really?” Molly asked.

“I have pictures” Katie added “Would you like to see them?”

“Oh yes please” Molly replied excitedly.

“Come on then” and took her arm and led her into the house.

“Nikki is in the barn” George said, “We won't see those two for a while.”

 

Nikki was working on a quadbike, and all was not well, she was clearly her mother’s daughter, just younger, and with redder hair, and George could testify to the fact that they cursed the same.

“Hey Nikki, these are the people I told you about” and she looked up from what she was doing and did a double take. “Danny Nightingale!” she squealed.

“I hate it when they do that” Max whispered to George.

“Me too” he agreed.

“I’m a bit oily so I won't shake hand” she said.

“But I want to, I'm a big fan.”

She was furiously trying to wash her hands clean as she said.

“Is there another book? what’s it about? when can I get it?” “Nikki! Nikki!” George interrupted “Take a breath.”

“Well, the answer to all of your questions, is very much in your hands” Max said.

“Mine?” she retorted and looked at them and frowned as they were still very oily.

“Yes, let's go over to the house and you can wash up and we'll explain everything” Danny suggested.

 

At the house Katie and Molly were in the sitting room on the sofa with Katie chatting nineteen to the dozen while Molly studiously poured over the photo albums on her lap.

Nikki went into the kitchen and washed her hands at the sink while the other three sat at the large pine table.

When she had washed off every speck of dirt from her hands, she dried them on the towel and said.

“Now I can shake your hand” and when the ritual was  concluded she sat down at the table with them, and Danny said.

“We wanted to talk to you about this” Max said and turned his tablet around so she could see it.

“That's one of mine” she said proudly and grinned.

“We know” Max said “And we want to use it on the cover of Danny’s next book, the first of many Sharon Jacques books, and then he swiped onto another image this time the actual front cover they were proposing going to print with, with the book title, and Danny’s name.

“Are you serious?” she asked looking from the tablet to them and back to the tablet again.

“Very” Max said and handed her an envelope.

 

It was three hours before they left the farm and when they did, everyone was happy especially Molly because the last thing Katie said as she hugged her was.

“I’ve got some more albums in the attic, for next time.”

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (014) Shepherd’s Delight

 

Around the same time George and Katie had just finished repairing one of the stone walls through which, a number of errant sheep had escaped, and as the southern border of the farm was the cliffs edge with a sheer drop to the sea, the wall was to prevent the sheep going over the edge in bad weather or poor visibility.

 

Katie could ill afford to lose any of her livestock, so they had identified several places that needed repairing and a couple that needed the height raising, and it took them a full week to complete the work.

The last part they worked on was a high point as it crossed a gully, so Katie was sat astride the 6ft wall and the 6ft 4 gentle giant was handing her the stones.

When the last stone was in place she said 

“I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”

“Nonsense it would just have taken you longer” he said modestly.

“Yes, but that would have taken time I just don’t have.”

“Well, it’s done now” he said, “And I’m ready to eat.”

While they were rebuilding walls Nikki was busy about the farm, feeding the chickens, and milking the goats, but more importantly she’d had a casserole in the slow cooker since 7 am.

“I’m a bit hungry myself” Katie said, “Theres just one problem.”

“What’s that?” he said.

“I can’t get down” she admitted.

“Just sling your legs over the side and slither, then let go and I’ll catch you” he said.

“What!” she retorted with alarm.

“I’ll catch you; I promise.”

“You’d better”

She let go and the gentle giant caught her and safely lowered her to the ground.

When she was on terra firmer again, she seized the moment and kissed him and when she met no resistance she didn’t hold back.

“That was very nice” he said after coming up for air “But do I still get dinner?”

“Yes, but you get your dessert first” she replied and kissed him again.

“It’s a good job I have a sweet tooth” he said as they walked arm in arm back to the farm.

 

Towards the end of September George was dividing his time, more or less equally between the cottage, which was very nearly completed, and Beacon farm, where things were just beginning, both in his relationship with Katie and the new arrivals born to her sister Louise, which were due home from the Bellevue Hospital any day.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (013) Making Plans

On the next morning Molly and Danny were eating breakfast on the terrace when she asked

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course,”

“We’re here because of family, my family, but you’ve never mentioned whether you had any family?”

“I do, I have an older brother in Australia, Sam, his lovely wife Emma and three nephews, who I’ve only met once.”

“Are you close?”

“Close enough, we’re in regular contact, but don’t see each other as often as we’d like.”

“Did you tell him when you had the car accident?”

“No, I didn’t want to worry him unnecessarily.” Danny replied.

“When do you think you’ll see them again?” she asked.

“I’m not sure, but not too long I hope.” He replied and a full minute of silence passed before she said.

“Maybe we could invite them here? When we’re able”

Danny was speechless, he was not expecting a bold suggestion from Molly.

“That’s real progress” he thought.

“That’s a great idea” he said.

 

By the end of July all the external work was completed, the groundwork had been done, all the overgrown shrubbery had been cleared, dangerous trees felled. the roof, soffits, guttering, double glazing, and external rendering were all completed.

 

August

 

August was taken up with the interior, all the items of furniture Molly had earmarked to be kept had been shipped to a furniture restorer on the mainland.

The kitchen and bathrooms were stripped out and the electrics, plumbing and central heating were replaced.

When the old, damaged plaster had been removed in readiness for the plasterers and the decorators, something happened that led to George asking for permission to spend three days a week at Beacon Farm helping Katherine Harrison.

Katie’s sister Louise, who was pregnant with twins, was rushed into Bellevue Cottage Hospital, which was originally built by the army during the Great War when Beaumont Manor was commandeered, by the Medical Corp for convalescing officers.

Louise was kept in for observation and her husband Neil Stratford stayed with her and that left Katie and her daughter Nicola struggling on their own, so George’s help was a godsend.

 

Molly and Danny had finished the book edits and had even found some very promising artwork online, the details of which had been forwarded to Max Parsons.

Their time had been freed up enough, so they were able to liaise with the decorators at the cottage, as they had yet to settle on the colour scheme of the downstairs rooms because they were struggling to match the colours from photographs of her childhood to wall charts and it was important to Molly to get it right.

In the end the boss agreed to mix the paints himself to match the pictures Molly provided and the next day they were back at Cliff Haven to discuss door furniture as the original doors were expected back from the mainland later that week after being acid bath dipped.

 

September

 

In September George was still at Beacon Farm and Danny and Molly were back at the cottage, this time dealing with the landscape gardener and a hard landscaping contractor when Danny nudged Molly and remarked.

“Here comes that odious little man again.”

“This should have been mine by rights.” Paul Steptoe barked.

“He promised to sell this place to me.”

“That’s not what he told me.” Danny said, “In fact his exact words to me were “I’d rather burn it to the ground than sell it to him.”“

“That’s a lie because I actually knew him very well.” Steptoe said pompously.

“So, did I,” Molly snapped “He was my grandfather.”

As Steptoe went off in a huff Danny remarked

“You’re getting very feisty.”

“It must be the red hair” she retorted.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (012) Shepherd’s Tale

 When he wasn’t at Cliff Haven or sleeping in the van, he was at the village pub, Philips Folly, grabbing a pint and a sandwich or walking in the hills to clear his head and blow the cobwebs away.

It was on one such day, a Sunday, when he set off to get to the famous landmark, Beacon Rock, 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 see a fleet of ships.

To get to the rock he had to cross the neighboring Beacon Farm, which was the third largest of the five farms on the island, covering an area in the southeast, bordered by the Beacon River in the west, and the Spanish River in the east and the rugged coastline to the south from Beacon Rock to Spaniards Point.

George followed a route close to the cliff edge and then cut inland when he spotted the beacon and was enjoying the peace and solitude, when the peace was shattered by a female voice uttering some very un-lady like phrases, so he walked in the direction of the cursing. 

It didn’t take long to reach the source, which turned out to be a strawberry blonde woman trying to wrestle a trapped ewe out of a brook.

“Do you need a hand” he asked.

“I can manage” she snapped.

“It looks like it” George retorted as he got closer.

“I said I can manage” she barked which was when he realized who it was, Katherine Harrison, a little less vibrancy in hair and a few more lines on her face, but it was clearly her.

“For God’s sake Katie take the damned help when its offered” he said as he stepped in the brook.

“Who the Hell do you…?” she began and looked up at him.

“George Wood?”

“In the flesh” he said.

“Then give me a bloody hand” she snapped.

Once the stubborn ewe was extricated from the stream, they both clambered out after it and sat down on a nearby rocky shelf, while her dog corralled the beast against the rocks.

“How long have you been back on the Island?” she asked between breaths.

“About a month” He replied.

“The last I heard you were in America” Katie said.

“Yes, Colorado mainly” he replied.

“What brought you back?”

“My employer died” He replied solemnly.

“Unemployed then?” she asked.

“No, I’m still employed by the family” he replied.

“That’s a shame, I could have used some extra help.”

“Are you shorthanded then?”

“Yes, Louise is pregnant, with twins, due imminently” she said, “And Neil has a broken collar bone, so Nikki and I are doing everything.”“

Louise was her younger sister; Neil Stratford was her husband and Nicola was her daughter.

“What about Eddie?”

“Eddie?” she asked with surprise.

“He’s been in prison for the last three years.”

“I’m sorry, I hadn’t heard” he said, “What did he do?”

“Armed robbery”

“Eddie?”

“Yes, Eddie, and two people were killed, not by Eddie, but he was there” She explained “So he won’t be getting out anytime soon.”

“How did he get involved with armed robbers?” 

“No idea” she replied and then after a minute added.

“We weren’t together, we were divorced by then.” 

“Divorced?” he exclaimed, that was very surprising, and remarkably interesting news.

“Anyway, due to the afore mentioned circumstances, I don’t have time to sit around chewing the fat.”

Katie said.

“It was good to see you though.”

“And you” he agreed.

“Where are you staying by the way?”

“Up by Spaniards Point”

“I heard some silly bugger was living in a campervan up by the ruins, is that you?”

“It is” he replied, and she laughed as she walked away.

“If I get any free time I’ll come down and give you a hand.” He called.

“I’ll look forward to it” she called back.

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.