The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (144) Trick or Treat

Halloween had arrived at Cliff Haven and Molly was very excited about the evening, because it had been many years since she had celebrated Halloween.

Because all the years she lived at Lakeside with her grandfather in Colorado Springs they were too far out and too remote to attract trick or treaters.

That was not the case in Spaniards Creek, and she intended to make the most of it.

 

Elsewhere, in another part of the village, there was also excited anticipation of the evening’s events at the Bargeman’s house.

25-year-old Zoey Bargeman, worked in the village for Baker’s Tree Surgeon’s, and she had become close friends with one of her bosses, Vicki Baker, and it was through Vicki that she met her brother Brian and lost her heart.

She was a stunningly attractive girl and had been on the radar of every man she’d ever met, but she was very choosy, so for her being the pretty girl was a blessing and a curse.

It wasn’t her feeling excited anticipation of the evening however, it was her cousin Marion Fuller.

Marion had never done Halloween before; she had spent all her life living on remote farms, so she had never had Trick or Treaters knock on her door.

The girls were alone in the house dressed as witches when Marion pulled the curtain back a couple of inches and peered out and she suddenly panicked.

“They’re coming, what do I do?” she asked urgently, and Zoey laughed

“What do I do?” she urged

“Alright just calm down” Zoey said and after Marion took a breath she added

“All the children will have a goody bag”

“Ok” Marion retorted

“You put a small handful of sweets into each bag, but don’t be too generous too early or you won’t have enough to go round everyone”

“Ok” she said and nodded.

“But first you have to open the door” Zoey said inclining her head towards the closed door.

“Oh yes” Marion said and laughed nervously “That’s a good idea”

Marion opened the door and was met with a chorus of “Trick or treat!” from a small group of excited witches, warlocks, ghosts and ghouls.

“Wow! look at all of you” she said “What brilliant costumes”

“Ok who’s first?” she asked as she picked up one of the sweet tubs and scooped up a handful.

At the back of the group, chaperoning the group, was a tall dark-haired man, wearing a flat cap and a leather jacket, and a shorter auburn haired man in an overcoat, the former was Geoff Melling and Marion caught his eye briefly and smiled and he smiled back, then she carried on but she kept glancing in his direction, he was in his mid-twenties, and was there because two of the group were his nieces.

Soon she had deposited a handful of sweets into every bag and the group moved back up the path in a chorus of thank you’s.

“Goodbye” the tall man said and smiled.

Marion smiled back and then looked self-consciously in Zoey’s direction and was still smiling as she shut the door.

“Who was that?” she asked

“Which one?” Zoey asked

“The tall one” she retorted

“Geoff Melling”

“And the other one?”

“Brian Baker” Zoey replied

“The Brian Baker that you fancy?” she asked, and Zoey blushed deeply just as the doorbell rang.

“Saved by the bell” Marion said and opened the door and repeated the exercise, and then another five times until the sweet tubs were empty and all the village children had had their share.

She closed the door and reached for her wine glass.

“I’m exhausted” she said

“I enjoyed it though” 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (143) Halloween

 

The previous year Molly and Danny had only been at Cliff Haven for a few days so didn’t do Halloween or Guy Fawkes, but this year was different, so on Monday Molly said

“We need to get the sweets for Halloween”

So after breakfast they drove up to Stephenson’s Supermarket in St Pierre to stock up.

 

On the same day Tree Surgeon Nathan Baker was also in St Pierre, though much later in the day and for a very different reason. 

He was one of five siblings in the Baker family, but only two of them were tree surgeons, and they lived together in St Pierre in a large Victorian house, with rooms over 4 floors since the substantial loft space had been converted into another bedroom, and there was also a cellar that was used as the movie/games room.

Their parents had retired to Spain and left the house to the five children equally, it was built by one of their ancestors, and was something of a monstrosity, but it was home.

Two of his sisters Vicki and Morgan had now found new loves and although he was happy for them, it did remind him of the fact that he didn’t have anyone special himself.

Not that he didn’t have someone in his sights, because he did and the fact that he hadn’t done anything about it grated on him.

So he headed for Beth’s Coffee House which was located on the town square next to the Church and opposite the Forum Cinema.

There were no shops around the square anymore, it was virtually all eateries, café and bars and the cinema and a small theatre, so it was a sort of leisure haven.

When he walked into Beth’s it wasn’t for the coffee, even though there was nothing wrong with it, he was there for the person who it was named after, Beth Brine, and he had decided to ask her out, he had even decided where he wanted to take her.

Which was why, as he was sat waiting to be served, he was Googling the Forum to see what films were showing.

“Bloody Halloween!” he exclaimed

“Do you hate Halloween as well?” Beth asked as she arrived at his table

“Of course I hate Halloween, why wouldn’t I, why doesn’t everyone, all those ghastly trick or treaters begging door to door”

He ranted

“And then there are the implied threats of violence and vandalism” Beth added

He looked at her and raised his eyebrows and she laughed

 

“So what upset you about Halloween?” Beth teased him when she brought his coffee

“Well if you must know I was going to ask you out to the pictures, but all they have is stupid Halloween nonsense all week”

“You were going to ask me out?” Beth asked and she sat down opposite him

“Erm um yes” he replied

“Excellent” she retorted smugly

 

While she watched him drink his coffee she asked

“So what do you normally do on Halloween when you’re not taking attractive Coffee Shop owners to the pictures?”

“I normally stay indoors with the curtains shut and pretend I’m not in” he replied

“Interesting strategy” she mused

“So why don’t come to my place and we can have a movie night,” she suggested “Then we can close the curtains, and pretend not to be in together”

“That sounds like a great idea” he responded

“I’ll bring the wine and snacks” 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (142) Damage Report

 

In Manor Row Deborah Woodward received the report on the damage to the House, repairs were going to take four to six weeks as a substantial section of the roof needed to be replaced.

“Oh Hell” she exclaimed

“What’s up?” Stuart asked

“They’re saying a month to six weeks to do the repairs” she replied

“That’s ok, you can stay here as long as you need” he said

“I can’t possibly impose on you for that long” she protested

“Nonsense, its rather nice having company” he retorted and smiled

“What else does it say?”

“They say it’s safe for me to go into that room now, so I can move all my stuff into the spare room and see what’s salvageable and what I need to claim for on the insurance” she said 

“Well I know what we’re doing on Saturday then” Stuart said

“You don’t…” she began but stopped her with a look, so she smiled and said “Thank you”

 

As luck would have it, Adam Jandrell’s Team had just finished work on the Church Lane properties in Spaniards Creek and still had a site presence at St Clara’s Church, so they were in a position to be able to start almost immediately.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (141) Surprise Meeting

Kristina Causer worked at Nelson’s Boat Yard in Spaniards Creek and on Saturday Night she was supposed to be attending a Halloween Fancy Dress party with her Fiancé Martin at the Beaumont Manor, even though it wasn’t actually Halloween until Tuesday.

However, for a combination of reasons she was running late so arranged to meet Martin at the Beaumont and the party was in full swing when Kristina arrived and when she walked into the Ballroom, she was not only late to the party, but it also appeared she was too late to save her engagement.

Because she found her Fiancé Martin otherwise engaged in a very passionate kiss with her cousin Briony.

If Kristina had been surprised by what greeted her in the Ballroom, it was nothing compared to Martin’s surprise when she put her knee into his scrotum and there was definitely a look of surprise on Briony’s face a split second after Kristina slapped it.

With Martin doubled up on the floor, unable to speak and Briony with a scarlet handprint on her face, Kristina stormed out of the hall like a Norse Goddess with her blonde tresses  streaming behind her.

She was like a heat seeking missile and shot straight out into the car park and straight into Dave Glennie who was lost in thought as he walked the other way and they both ended up in a heap on the floor.

“Why don’t you look where you’re going, you idiot” she screamed.

Dave totally ignored Kristina’s angry bile, and instead chose to look at her golden locks shining in the moonlight and her striking blue eyes.  

“Are you ok?” he asked with concern

She looked confused at first and then opened her mouth to launch another tirade of abuse at him but dissolved into tears instead.

Dave took her in his arms and comforted her while she cried her pitiful tears and as they sat on the damp tarmac of the car park in the moonlight she sobbed and dribbled on his costume until their hearts somehow became entwined.

Kristina spent that night at his cottage, in his bed, while he slept on the sofa. 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (140) Zoey’s in the office

 

When Lawrence Gilbert and Brian Baker opened their new Chandlery premises at the Old Mill in Spaniards Creek, he was particularly pleased that they were moving in next door to Baker’s Tree Surgery, who were one of the first tenants to move in, back in June.

The reason for that was Lawrence’s partiality for Vicki Baker, who was his partner Brian’s sister, but he hadn’t been able to separate her from her brother and fellow tree surgeon Nathan or her best friend and colleague Zoey Bargeman, long enough to ask her out. 

He had known her for many years, but it wasn’t until he moved to the island that his feelings towards her changed.

 

So on Monday morning when Lawrence and Brian arrived at their unit, Brian went straight inside, but Lawrence was surprised and delighted to see Vicki was walking towards her pickup, so he thought he would take full advantage of the situation.

“Hi Vicki” he said

“Oh hello” she replied “Zoey’s in the office”

“Ok that’s good to know” he said “but it was you I wanted to talk to”

“Me?” she said incredulously

“Yes you” he replied

“Why?” she asked

“Why do you think?” he said

“Oh I understand” she said with a sigh “you want her phone number I suppose”

“No” Lawrence replied with surprise “Why would I want her number?”

“Everybody always wants her number” she replied “Which is a waste really, as she never wants to go out with any of them, she’s only ever had eyes for Brian”

“Really?”

“Yes”

“Well no I do not want her number” he said

“Now I’m confused” Vicki said, “Do you want to ask her out or not?”

“No! I wanted to ask you out” he explained

“Me?” she said incredulously

“Yes you” he replied

“I’ve been wanting to ask you out for ages but you’re always working or you’re with Zoey and I never get a look in”

“Seriously?” she asked 

“Yes” he replied “So?”

“So what?”

“Will you go out with me?” Lawrence asked

“Yes” she said and grinned from ear to ear

“I’m free tonight”

“Great” he responded “Dinner?”

“Lovely” she acquiesced 

“Where do you fancy?” he asked

“How about The Cherry Blossom?”

“Ok, do you want me to pick you up?” Lawrence asked

They both lived in St Pierre but on opposite sides of the town and the restaurant was equidistant between them.

“Why don’t we meet there” Vicki replied

“Great, I’ll see you there then” he said and walked toward the building.

“Lawrence?” she called, and he stopped and walked n

back 

“Yes” he replied

“In order to seal the deal” she said “shouldn’t there be a kiss”

“You want a kiss?” he asked

“Yes please” she replied

“Anything to oblige” Lawrence said and kissed her

 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (139) Birthday Salutations

 

On Thursday evening Molly and Danny returned to the island in time for her 24^th birthday the next day and were on the last ferry of the day and drove through the rain to Spaniards Creek and had an early night.

 

They rose late the next morning and after serving her breakfast in bed he wished her happy birthday again and so they were even later rising, so much so that she didn’t have time to open her presents from Danny before they had to leave for the Orangery.

When they arrived at the Beaumont Manor, George, Katie, Sam and Nikki were already at the table and Arielle and Harry joined them shortly afterwards.

 

After the usual birthday salutations Katie asked

“So what wonderful present did he get you this time?”

“Whatever it was, he didn’t get it from me” Sam Archer said

“I haven’t had chance to open my presents yet” she replied, and Katie raised an eyebrow

“But he did give me this” Molly added extended her left hand for them to see the ring, and after the squeals and congratulations had died down the engagement was all they wanted to talk about.

 

She did get to open her presents later that day but there were more birthday and engagement celebration with friends over the weekend.

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (138) The Tempest

 

While Molly and Danny were sunning themselves on the white Sardinian sands, the Pepperstock Bay Islands were taking a battering from an autumn storm, which in the early hours of Wednesday morning brought part of an oak tree down in Manor Row which ended up going through Deborah Woodward’s bedroom window.

Fortunately she wasn’t at home at the time as she was on a night shift, but she got a nasty shock when she got home at 8 o’clock even though Stuart Cameron had phoned her.

 

The fire service was in attendance when she got home and she was greeted by part time firefighters Frazer Richmond, who she knew from the hospital as he was also a paramedic, and Adrian Robinson.

The damage was much worse than she expected, the huge oak bough had indeed gone through her bedroom window, but it had taken a big chunk of wall as it did so, and there was substantial damage to the roof as well.

Frazer and Adrian had secured a tarpaulin over the damage in order to keep the elements out, but the tree was still in situ as it was still partially attached to the tree.

“Is it safe to go in?”

“I wouldn’t recommend it until the tree has been removed” Frazer replied

“Can I at least go in and pack a bag?” she asked

“Yes, but don’t go into that bedroom” Frazer said, and she let herself in.

 

Deborah returned about ten minutes later carrying a large suitcase and a small holdall, she paused briefly to lock the door and then she walked up the path. 

The rest of the crew had stowed their gear on the vehicle and Frazer and Adrian had been joined by Stuart.

“Have you got everything you need?” Frazer asked 

“Yes, I think so” she replied despondently

“Where are you going to stay?” Adrian asked

“The Hotel I suppose” she replied

“Nonsense” Stuart interjected “I’ve made up the bed in the spare room”

“Are you sure?” she asked

“Absolutely” he replied as he took her suitcase

“Bless you” she said

“And thank you guys as well”

“No problem” Frazer said “The Baker’s will be along in a little while”

“Who are the Baker’s?” she asked

“The tree surgeons”

 

It was midmorning when Brother and Sister, Nathan and Vicki Baker arrived in Manor Row, it was not their first job of the day.

There were five siblings in the Baker family, but only two of them were tree surgeons, and they lived together in St Pierre in a large Victorian house, with rooms over 4 floors, since the substantial loft space had been converted into another bedroom, and there was also a cellar that was used as the movie/games room.

Their parents had retired to Spain and left the house to the five children equally, and it was built by one of their ancestors, and was something of a monstrosity, but it was home.

 

They soon set to work and quickly dealt with the problem bough, before dealing with any loose or damaged branches on the tree itself, and just as they had finished loading the last of the lumber onto the pickup, Adam Jandrell and Franci Liebenberg arrived to do a full inspection and make the tarpaulin secure after the tree was gone. 

 

Once they had finished in Manor Row Nathan and Vicki drove back to Spaniards Creek and unloaded the wood in the yard, where it would be cut and dried to sell as firewood by local girl Zoey Bargeman, who began working for the Baker’s within a week of them moving in.

Apart from working for them, stunningly attractive Zoey spent a lot of her spare time with Vicki, and they became great friends as they were both 25 years old and had a lot in common.