The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (123) Love Sojourns

 

It all began for Jade Bargeron and Matt Deighton with a first date to the Forum Cinema in St Pierre to see a Mission Impossible movie.

That first date led to a second and a third, a fourth and a fifth, there would even have been a sixth, but in the middle of August, Matt had to go back to Sharpington to help train some new members of staff.

Jade missed him while he was away, she missed him coming into the Galleon each day and ordering his coffee’s, she missed his smile.

She also missed holding hands with him at the pictures, but most of all she missed his kiss, the goodbye kiss before he left, was incredibly special.

 

So she counted the days while he was away and looked forward to his return, by the middle of the second week Jade was beginning to think it was a terribly slow count down.

The lengthy emails helped as she consumed every word and digested every romance laden syllable, they were proper love letters which she read over and over again.

The correspondence helped the day’s race by.

 

Following their eastern European tour Danny Nightingale and Molly Barrington had a wealth of material they had gathered and spent the whole week locked in Cliff Haven metaphorically getting it all down on paper.

The trip was so successful they had a wealth of material and ideas, so much so that by Friday they had surprised themselves as they had more than enough to not only complete the Sharon Jacques Book, they were working on but had some very sound plots and ideas for another in the Fraser Markham Book Series.

 

Elisa Ghelardoni and Henry Noble had been conspicuous by their absence all week, with Elise going out early every morning and returning late every evening, so when Molly and Danny walked into the kitchen at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning they were surprised to find Elisa sitting at the kitchen table drinking a mug of tea.

“Hello Elisa” Molly said and kissed her “Not walking today?” 

“Hello dear, no not yet” she replied “I wanted to talk to you first”

“Oh ok” she said, “What about?”

“I’ve got a job” she said smugly

“Really, where?”

“The Seaview Hotel”

“On St Giles?” Danny asked

“Yes, I’m to be the cook” 

 

At roughly the same time Reverend Henry Noble was having a similar conversation with Arielle Archer about him starting to work at the St Giles Retreat.

They would only be working on St Giles from Monday to Friday, they would get the Water Taxi to Cabot Town on Monday mornings and return to Spaniards Creek the same way on Saturdays.

“So I will be here every Sunday to help with the Services”

He said

 

“Of course, that will change when we get married” Elisa said

“Married?” Molly asked and Elisa nodded

“You’re getting married” she squealed, and they hugged

“I can feel a celebration dinner coming on” Danny said

 

There was indeed a celebration dinner at the Beaumont Manor that evening, where the six of them were joined by Victoria and Harold.

 

The Sunday service was much more subdued than usual because Arielle and Henry were both nursing colossal hangovers.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (122) Mending Bridges

 

It was a damp drizzly Sunday morning and Lily Nunthorpe and Barney were not disappointed when the walk was over.

Lily owned a vintage clothes shop, “Then for Now” and specialised in repairing and rejuvenating old garments, as well as stocking a large quantity of Vintage wear.

When they arrived at the back door, she opened it and the dog beat her through it.

It wasn’t the rain that got her down so much, it was the fact that her usual companion, David Lee, and her had had a falling out, because she had told him she had feelings for him, that she loved him. 

She towelled Barney dry before kicking off her boots and hanging up her coat and afterwards she went in search of the kettle.

When she reached the kitchen her niece Poppy was sitting at the table pouring a cup of tea from a large tea pot.

“Is there another one in there Poppy?” she asked

“Yes Aunty, get yourself a mug”

After Poppy had done the honour’s Lily took a tentative sip.

“Oooh that’s nice” she said 

“Did you enjoy your walk Aunty?”

“No not much it’s a bit miserable out there today” she replied

“Have you been out walking with the David lately?” Poppy asked

David Lee was the owner of the Forum Cinema, and Lily had been friends with him and his wife Brenda for many years.

“No, why?”

“It’s just that I thought you two had become inseparable”

“That was just a coincidence”

“Oh that’s a shame” Poppy said

“Why?”

“Well you’ve had a bit of a spring in your step for the past few weeks” she replied

“And you didn’t let a bit of rain dampen your enthusiasm, you’d have been out there for hours on a day like this”

“Oh I don’t know about that” Lily protested

“And you looked good together” She added

“Now you’re just being silly”

“And I’ll tell you something else Auntie, I think Brenda would have been pleased”

“Would she?” Lily asked with surprise

“Yes, she was very fond of you”

Lily was thoughtful for a few moments as she finished her tea, then she stood up and walked around and kissed the top of Poppy’s head

“You have wisdom beyond your year’s sweetie”

“It’s a gift” she replied

“Come on then dog, it’s time to get wet again”

 

David had had a very troubled night’s sleep and was still wearing his dressing gown while he was sitting in his study drinking black coffee.

 

The reason for his lack of sleep was due to a recurring series of dreams about his last exchange with Lily, interspaced with images of his deceased wife Brenda.

 

Lily and Barney walked past his house five times before she plucked up enough courage to go and knock on the door.

The drizzle of earlier had turned into proper rain and there were rivulets running down her face and large droplets on the end of her nose as she knocked.

But when there was no answer, she suddenly felt very foolish, he clearly didn’t want to see her, and he couldn’t have made it plainer.

She imagined him to be looking out the window and wishing she would go away.

 

But unknown to Lily the reason David didn’t answer the door was that he was upstairs getting dressed.

After musing over his nocturnal trials he shook off his earlier torpor and galvanized into action and he was going to call on Lily.

But he had to make himself presentable, he was nearly finished, with only his trousers to go when he heard a knock at the door.

He did indeed look out of the window but his thought process when he saw who it was not to hide and hope she went away.

But it did throw him into a blind panic about how he could get his trousers on and get downstairs before she did go away.

After several false starts, firstly putting them on back to front and secondly trying to get both legs down one leg hole, he made it downstairs and opened the door just as Lily had reached the front gate.

“Lily!!” he called, and she turned around

“Come on in Lily, you look soaked to the skin”

Still thinking herself foolish she thought about ignoring him and just going home, but she didn’t.

Once through the door David closed it behind her and he handed her a towel to dry her face

“Thanks David”

He then used a second one to dry Barneys coat.

“There you go” he said when he was finished

He then helped Lily out of her coat and asked

“So what brings you out on a filthy day like this?”

“That’s a good question” she replied enigmatically

“Well come into the kitchen and you can tell me over a hot drink”

He suggested.

When they were seated at the table with a steaming beverage in front of them, he repeated his question

“So what does bring you out on a filthy day like this?”

She had been desperately trying to work out what to say but it was all such a jumble in her head and all she could think to say was

“I’ve been thinking”

“Oh”

“Yes”

“What about” he asked

“About the other day”

“Oh I see” he said and bowed his head

Lily then took a deep breath and said

“I don’t regret it”

“You don’t?” he asked as he looked up

“No I don’t” she said proudly “In fact I’m glad I did it”

“Oh” was all he could manage

“And I don’t think that Brenda would mind”

“No nor do I” he agreed and reached across the table and held her hand

“So that’s what I’ve been thinking” she concluded, and she squeezed his hand

“Well that is a lot of thinking” he said

“And have you done any thinking?” she asked coyly

“Yes, I have” he replied but didn’t elaborate

After a minute had elapsed, she could wait no longer and snapped

“Well?”

“Well I was thinking I should take you out tomorrow for your birthday and we can take it from there” he said and leant across the table and kissed her.

“Good thinking” she responded and then she returned his kiss with interest.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (121) Helping Sheridan

 

Sheridan Tilbrook was only 18, shy, naïve and sweet natured, despite everything life had thrown at her, and she was all alone in a world she didn’t really understand.

She had been raised by a bitter, mean spirited and domineering mother.

Her father had deserted them when she was a baby and her mother blamed Sheridan for that and made her life a misery.

But following her mother’s death she was free and living in the Saxvirdan cottage in which her mother kept her imprisoned, but there was only a little money, so she had to work if she wanted to stay there, and that was a problem she was ill equipped to solve.

 

It was Maria Jenkins, who came to her rescue, she lived in Saxvirdan and knew her mother, through her work as a mobile hairdresser.

She asked around some of her clients she broached the subject with some of them about full time or part time work for Sheridan, and she got several opportunities for her so on a hot August Day she went in search of her and tracked her sitting on the bank of Roman Water dangling her naked feet in the water.

“Hello, you” Maria said startling her.

“You made me jump” she said and giggled.

“What are you up to?” Maria asked.

“Nothing as usual” she replied glumly.

“Just as well I’ve found some work for you.”

“Really?” she said excitedly.

“You’re not just winding me up,” she continued, obviously used to being let down.

“No, I’m serious”

Sheridan turned away from her and Maria could tell the way her shoulders were moving that she was crying.

“Well come on then” she said, “Get your shoes on.”

“They’re waiting for you.”

“What now?” She said wiping her face on her sleeve and nearly falling into the Lake, then she threw her arms around her.

“Thanks Maria”

Then she sat down again, and Maria handed her some tissues, which she gave a double take at, not knowing whether to dry her eyes or her feet so she did both in the end, eyes first.

As they walked back into Saxvirdan Maria filled her in with what odd bits of work she had found for her so far, it was not much, some cleaning, shelf stacking, gardening and the first was at Woodside Farm.

“But the rest is up to you” she said.

“I won’t let you down Maria, I promise.”

 

Maria drove her down to Woodside Farm and parked by the stables.

“This one is only temporary because of the girls is ill but if you work hard, I’m sure they’ll use you again, now go inside and ask for Natasha.”

She got out of the car stood up straight and gave her a wonky smile.

“What if she doesn’t like me?” She said nervously.

Marie got out of the car, wiped the last remnants of her tears away and took her inside to meet Natasha.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (120) The Summer Fête

 

As had been the long-standing tradition the summer Fête was held in the Hospital grounds and also in keeping with tradition it was extremely well attended.

It was a glorious day with not a cloud in the sky but it was extremely hot so Heather had insisted additional tented areas should be provided and free bottled water.

Fortunately a lot of money was raised for good causes, and no one suffered any ill effects of the heat, well almost no one.

 

Caroline Wells had a popup coffee stall at the Summer Fête, and she did the early stint and spent the rest of the day with Austin enjoying all the stalls and attractions, and for her at least it felt like they were a proper couple.

 

It was at the end of the day when all the punters had left and a few helpers were milling around packing up the stalls, Heather was in the refreshments tent, packing away the un-drunk water when Frazer happened along.

“Ah Heather” he said “There you are”

“Hello Frazer”

“It’s been a wonderful success” he said

“You sound surprised” Heather said

“Well I am a bit” he confessed and sat down

“We obviously make a good team” she offered as she picked up a box of water.

“Yes, we do” he agreed just as Heather stumbled and dropped the box she was carrying

“Damn it” she said and crouched down to pick it up then she looked up at him and smiled

“Sorry” 

Which was when he leant towards her and kissed her and more to the point she kissed him back.

When their lips parted, they looked at each other and she said

“Well I think that has made all the hard work worthwhile”

“Exactly what I was thinking” he agreed, and they kissed again.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (117) Lily and David

 

Lily Nunthorpe was a seamstress by trade and owned a vintage clothes shop in St Pierre, “Then for Now” and specialised in repairing and rejuvenating old garments, as well as stocking a large quantity of Vintage wear.

Her best friend was David Lee who was the owner of the Forum Cinema, and they had been friends since their school days along with their other halves.

Since they were both widowed, they became much closer, her husband Jack hand been gone for ten years whereas David’s wife Brenda had only passed two years earlier.

In those two years they were always together and could often be seen  walking their dogs together.

It was a significant year for both of them as they were both turning 60.

David was first and he had a big family celebration on the day but two days later on Saturday the two of them celebrated it again, ending up at her house.

Her niece Poppy lived with her, but she couldn’t keep up with the oldies and went to bed leaving them to carry on celebrating, and they celebrated so well that their inhibitions floated away on an alcohol fuelled wave, which is why, Lily suddenly said.

“I love you David”

“I love you too” he replied and had another drink

“No I mean “I love you”” she said and held his hand.

He squeezed her hand in return and smiled and said  

“And I….”

But he never finished, and shook his head

“No, no, I can’t”

Then he got up and stumbled out of the door with Lily shouting at him as he left

“Don’t go David, I’m sorry”

 

The next day Lily berated herself for her stupidity, in declaring her love for David, and had condemned herself to walking the dog alone, and now wouldn’t be able to celebrate her birthday with the man she loved.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (116) Hopeful Heather

 

August

Heather Edwards was a well-presented divorcee at the wrong end of her forties who had been a receptionist at the Bellevue Hospital for 25 years in all and had been divorced and living alone for ten years, but she hadn’t given up on love, and she had someone in her sights, and her target was Frazer Richmond.

What she didn’t realise was that she was leaning against an open door in that regard.

 

Frazer was a paramedic and part time firefighter and was confident and brave but hadn’t been able to pluck up any courage in relation to Heather, and when he was close to her, he became tongue tied.   

But he wasn’t going to give up, he just needed to get into her orbit for some reason or other and then his eyes settled on the poster for the summer Fête on the wall in a shop window, so he went straight to Bellevue.

“Hi Heather” he said

“Hello Frazer, I didn’t think you were working today”

“I’m not, but I needed to see you” he replied

“Really?” she replied hopefully

“Yes, yes” he said desperately trying not to lose his nerve.

“Why?” Heather asked.

“The Summer Fête” he said with more confidence

“What about it?”

“I could really use your help” Frazer said

“With what exactly?” Heather asked

“I need your organizational skills” he replied

“Oh I see” Heather said

“I’m a bit overrun” he said, “So will you, do it?”

“So I will be helping you?” she asked

“Yes”

It was manner from heaven for her, but she thought he was probably only asking because she had been involved to some degree with previous events, but she hoped otherwise and so she said

“Yes, why not”

 

Frazer was on the organizing committee for the Bellevue Hospital Summer Fête which was a big deal on the island and it took place in the Hospital grounds, with all the traditional stalls, face painting, tombola, lucky dip, coconut shy, aunt sally, hook-a-duck, cake stalls, guess the weight of the cake, Raffle, Bouncy Castle, Merry-Go-Round, Helter-skelter, Hot Food, Refreshments, Beer Tent, Pony Rides and the Beaumont’s also brought their Heavy Horses in livery, in was a very popular event for islanders which also attracted many mainlanders.

 

Frazer was very pleased with himself; he had very cleverly got her to help him with the Fête which was the perfect way for them to progress from friendship to something else.

 

Heather was feeling equally smug even though it meant allowing herself to be shanghaied onto the Summer Fête committee to get closer to him and it meant they were in each other’s pockets for the rest of the week.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (115) Platonic Doctors

Thursday the woodworm treatment was completed, and all the residents were back in their homes with no ill effects apart from some indigestion due to the rich food.

 

By the end of August, Elisa and Henry were casting their net further afield with regular outings on the Water Taxi to the neighbouring island of St Giles du Cabot.

 

Saturday was another crazy day at the Gilbert, luckily Caroline had put on more staff to allow her to escape for a couple of hours to have lunch with Austin across the square, and that was their first lunch date, but there was no repeat of the New Years Eve Snogging.

 

GP Stuart Cameron had been something of a womaniser in his younger days and wasn’t particularly discerning and went for quantity over quality, but he changed after a near miss at a party with an underage girl.

His epiphany with the young girl took him by surprise, the girl was acting under the influence of two much wine on an empty stomach, but for that to stop him would have been totally out of character, but something did stop him.
What scared him was if she had offered it to him on another day he might not have been so strong.
It became a turning point in his life, but he couldn’t shake off his past, his reputation followed him and relationships became impossible, his reputation always got in his way, and no one would accept that he had turned over a new leaf, so he decided to go somewhere that he was unknown, change his career and become a GP.

Which was how he ended up on Beaumont island and it suited him because the likelihood of meeting anyone he knew or one of his past conquests was very unlikely.

He was doing very well for the first six months but then he met Thirty-eight-year-old Dr Deborah Woodward who had accepted the position of Chief of Medicine at the Bellevue Cottage Hospital because she wanted a change of pace and Stuart liked the tall jovial Doctor, with her abundance of brunette hair and an infectious laugh.

They both lived in Manor Row, which was made up of a dozen, one-and two-bedroom cottages, for the exclusive use of essential hospital staff, Deborah lived at number 6 he lived only a few doors away at number 10 and when they met Deborah liked the look of him.

 

They became friends and spent time walking together, shopping together and even meals out together but nothing more.

Deborah really liked him, but he had told her about his past, in glorious technicolour and didn’t hide anything even the underage girl, so she understood his position, but she noticed the way he looked at her, so she had hope, but she respected his position, and played the long game.

So they kept up the recreational pursuits, the joint shopping trips and meals together.

 

A busy and varied July came to a somewhat benign end and drifted seamlessly into August.