Coming Home to Wishington Bay. Maxine Morrey
my pride and joy. We’ve won the village Best in Bloom award a few times over the years and I like to think I’ve helped a little in that.’
I ran my eyes over the pub again, taking in the flowers bursting and spilling out of the boxes, their red and white contrasting with the pale blue of their containers.
‘I’m very sure you did, if this display is anything to go by.’
‘That’s most kind of you. Thank you.’
‘You’re very welcome.’
‘Are you on holiday here or just visiting us for the day?’
‘Actually I’m staying for a little while. In Betty Gardner’s house. I’m her granddaughter.’
‘Oh well then, welcome, welcome! There’s a drink here waiting for you whenever you’re ready. Betty was a wonderful woman.’
‘She was. And thank you.’
‘Anytime. It’s nice to know there’s someone breathing life into that place again. Gabe’s done what he can from the outside, of course, but a house needs love from the inside too. Kind of like people.’
‘You’re quite the philosopher.’ I smiled.
He did the boomy laugh again, making me smile more. ‘My wife says the same thing. Usually before she gives me another chore to get on with.’
‘Perhaps she thinks it’s best to keep you busy?’
‘Have you been talking to her?’ He grinned.
‘No, but maybe I will when I come for that drink.’
‘Excellent! Excellent! Then we’ll look forward to seeing you …’
‘Holly.’
‘Holly. I’m Edward. My wife is Philomena, and we shall very much look forward to seeing you at The Lighthouse.’
I shook the hand he offered, smiling as he laid his other on top and then waved as I left.
Making my way through the small streets, I stopped at the butcher’s, bakery and greengrocer’s, filling my basket with fresh, fragrant produce and not a hint of a plastic bag in sight.
‘Mind those sausages,’ the butcher had cautioned once he realised I lived next door to Gabe – or more specifically Bryan. ‘He’s a fiend for sausages, that one. Certainly lives up to his breed name!’ I thanked him, assuring him that I would keep them somewhere the little dog wouldn’t be able to snaffle them before heading back out into the street and nipping through one of the tiny alleys that led through to the beachfront side of the village.
It was this side that Ned’s restaurant sat but I knew he’d be busy getting ready for lunchtime now and Carrie was at the surgery today so I walked down onto the beach, pulled my sandals off, hooked the straps over my fingers and pointed myself towards home.
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