An Invitation to Seashell Bay, page 15
When they were out of earshot, she turned to face him. ‘You need to tell them that I sacked you.’
‘I will but—’
‘Freddy, it’s lying. You have to come clean.’
‘In my defence they also haven’t asked.’ Nancy gave him a look. ‘Okay possibly you’re right.’ She raised her eyebrows. He held his hands up. ‘Stop the interrogation. Yes, you’re right. But I wanted to talk to you about everything first.’
‘Fire away.’ Nancy went to fold her arms and was frustrated that she couldn’t. She hadn’t realised how much she gestured with her hands until she broke her wrist and no longer could manage simple manoeuvres.
Freddy twisted his lips. ‘Not here. Tonight is not about work, it’s for relaxing and hoping we don’t get food poisoning from Father’s cooking. Let’s discuss it tomorrow. Is that all right with you?’ He put his hands together as if in prayer.
‘Tomorrow but then you have to tell them or I will. Got it?’
‘Absolutely, Boss.’ She arched an eyebrow. ‘Sorry, Nancy. Now if Father offers to put his homemade sauce on your food you need to know that it’s eighty per cent malt whisky.’
‘What’s the other twenty per cent?’
‘Secret ingredients,’ said Freddy. ‘Which means it’s different every time, but it doesn’t matter because you can only ever taste the Scotch.’
While Nancy tucked into her fancy hot dog she tried to see if her shoes were still where she’d left them. She could do with swapping out her giraffes. She caught sight of a movement by the shack and the events of earlier flooded back.
‘Freddy, I tried to tell you earlier. There’s a tramp living in that shed.’ She pointed up the beach. On cue the old man shuffled out and stared across the sand. Oscar started to laugh and everyone joined in. Louisa’s lips were pulled together. ‘What?’ said Nancy to Freddy. Why was it funny? Did rich people find poor people entertaining?
Freddy jogged over to the old man and helped him down on to the sand. ‘Grandpa, I’d like you to meet Nancy,’ said Freddy with a huge grin.
Grandpa? Nancy was confused. If the old lord was still alive didn’t that mean he owned the manor, not Oscar. Or was that why they were keeping him shut in a shed? ‘Hello,’ she said.
The old man squinted at her. ‘You came poking around here earlier. Gave me a fright you did.’
‘Yeah. Sorry about that.’
Louisa appeared. ‘Dad, this is Nancy, the young woman who has employed Frederick.’
Ahh, thought Nancy, that makes more sense if he’s Louisa’s dad. ‘Hiya,’ said Nancy.
‘Hello, Nancy. Nice to meet you properly.’
‘Yeah, you too. What should I call you?’
‘Everyone calls me Grandpa,’ he said with a warm smile.
‘Come and sit down and I’ll get you something to eat,’ said Freddy, guiding his grandfather to a seat.
Nancy intercepted Freddy. ‘Why does he live in there?’ she asked.
Freddy snorted but quickly composed himself. ‘He doesn’t live in the beach hut. He just likes Seashell Bay. He and Granny spent many happy hours in the bay when they visited. I think he feels closer to her when he’s here. We’ve tried stopping him coming down because he’s a bit unsteady, but it doesn’t work so the compromise is that someone brings him down for a few hours most days. Did you really think he was a tramp?’ Freddy’s expression said he was judging her.
‘No, of course not,’ said Nancy, unsure what else to say.
* * *
Alice tried to chill out, but it was almost impossible. If it wasn’t her parents fussing over her it was thoughts of Dom being on holiday a couple of miles up the road. She tried to block him from her mind, she really did, but it wasn’t that simple. She found she was thinking about his Instagram photos which was definitely unhealthy. What had she been hoping for? An Insta-worthy photo of him and his partner as the perfect little family? She wondered if that would help. If it would stop her fantasising about him. Maybe what she needed was to see them all together. To see him with his wife or girlfriend or whatever relationship he was in with Bonnie’s mum. Perhaps that would help her to close the door on that little episode.
Alice wasn’t the sort of woman who would pursue someone who was already in a relationship. She had good morals and believed strongly in the girl code. Although right now it was being tested. There was something about Dom. Their kiss had been an accident, but it had had such an impact on her. She’d always thought friends were exaggerating when they said they felt a connection – she’d assumed it was them feeling horny. She knew what that felt like. But however strongly Alice felt, nothing could come of it because Dom was in a relationship.
‘Alice, love,’ called her mother. Alice had managed to grab ten minutes to herself in her bedroom before her mum had tracked her down. She loved them dearly and it was kind of sweet that they wanted to spend time with her, but it was also quite intense. ‘Your dad has got out the Monopoly and we know how you love a game. Shall we set it up?’
‘Okay. I’ll be down in five minutes.’
Alice sighed heavily and flopped back on her bed. At least Monopoly would take her mind off Dom. She’d never felt like this about a man before, not even when she’d split up with boyfriends. She’d found it easy to move on. This thing with Dom was different but she knew she needed to put a stop to it for her own sake. Maybe what she needed was a glimpse at Dom playing happy families to help reset her moral compass. She checked his Instagram again – no new posts. If Dom wasn’t going to provide the pictures maybe she needed to go and seek them out in real life for herself?
Chapter Nineteen
Nancy was surprised at how much she enjoyed the evening. It had been nothing like she’d imagined. She’d made some assumptions, some of those she was prepared to admit were based on the few episodes of Downton Abbey that her mum had made her sit through. None of the people she’d met at Langham Hall were anything like the characters on the telly. She watched Oscar trying to force the last of his chilli jam sausages onto Freddy while Allsop refereed a game of football between the younger staff. Freddy’s grandpa was asleep in a chair with Otto dozing across his feet. It all felt quite normal really, until Nancy took in the location. A private bay on the south coast. This was a different life to hers and they were different people. She leaned back against the largest boulder on the beach and watched the sun melt into the sea. There was a small boat bobbing in the water that hadn’t been there on her earlier visit. She watched as the tide turned it gently one way and then the other.
‘You okay?’ asked Freddy, joining her.
‘I’m good thanks.’
He leaned back against the rock, his warm skin brushing hers, making her shiver. ‘Are you cold?’ Nancy tried to cross her arms over her protruding nipples – the perils of not wearing a bra. ‘Let me get you a blanket,’ said Freddy and before she could reply he was wrapping a soft blanket around her shoulders.
‘Do you usually leave the hall unlocked?’ she asked and Freddy raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m not going to be tipping off any crooks if that’s what you’re worried about.’
‘Do you know any crooks?’ he asked.
‘I might do. Actually a few of the kids I went to school with ended up inside.’ Why was she telling him that? ‘Not that I’m in touch with them. My mum updates me.’ She decided to shut up and stop reinforcing her kid-from-the-dodgy-council-estate stereotype.
Nancy stared at the changing shades of the sky as the sunset bloomed before darkness rubbed out its colour. It was such a peaceful place. She scanned over her shoulder at Oscar and Louisa now holding hands and sipping champagne. She stole a glance at Freddy, the fading light enhancing his features. She’d only been there a day and she’d seen a completely different side to him. ‘It’s been lovely.’
‘How’s the arm?’ asked Freddy.
‘A bit achy but otherwise okay.’
‘Should it not be in a sling?’ he asked.
‘Yeah, it should. I didn’t want to spoil my outfit.’ Nancy lifted up a giraffe slipper and wriggled her toes.
‘Completely understandable. I’m going to be taking Grandpa back shortly. You’re very welcome to stay or you can come back with us.’
Something made Nancy yawn. ‘I think I might come back with you if that’s okay. The combination of champagne and sea air has tired me out.’ It was also the fact she’d not slept well thanks to her cast.
‘I’ll round up Grandpa and we’ll make a move.’
Nancy thanked Louisa and Oscar who both kissed her on the cheek and made her promise that she’d join them the next day for breakfast. Nancy said goodnight to the others and then looked about for Freddy and Grandpa, but there was no sign of them. Grandpa was no longer in his chair and they weren’t on the steps as she’d expected. Surely they’d not dashed up them that quickly.
‘Hey, Nancy! Are you ready?’ called Freddy.
She spun around to see Freddy and Grandpa sitting in the little boat. Freddy beckoned her over. She had to hold her slippers and the blanket in the air as she waded out to the boat where Freddy helped her in.
‘Hold on,’ said Freddy, carefully wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. He started up an engine and the boat pootled out of the bay before suddenly picking up speed and tearing across the water. Grandpa grinned as they sped along. Nancy tightened her grip. Within minutes the engine slowed and Freddy brought them back into shore, on a much longer stretch of beach. He jumped out into the shallows, pulled the boat in and tied it to a post sticking out of the water.
Freddy helped them both onto the sand and they followed Grandpa up a small ramp to where an old Land Rover was waiting. ‘He can’t cope with the steps but this is manageable.’
They were soon inside Langham Hall and from a quick inspection it didn’t seem that they’d been burgled while they were out which was a relief to Nancy. ‘Did you fancy a brandy or a hot drink to warm you up?’ asked Freddy.
‘But Paul’s still at the beach.’
‘Hey, I am capable of getting drinks. I’m fully certified as kettle safe, you know.’
‘Are you? Because that’s a certificate I’d like to see.’
‘Okay. There might not be an actual certificate but … do you want a drink or not?’
‘I’d love a hot chocolate. You know how to make that, right?’
‘Actually, I think we’ve got a machine for that.’
Nancy shook her head at him. ‘Show me where the kitchen is in this place and I’ll supervise.’ He tilted his head. ‘Okay, I’m really only coming to point and laugh at you.’
‘Your honesty is admirable.’ He led the way.
As she’d expected, the kitchen was vast with a huge marble island in the centre. To her left were a row of cookers and stainless-steel work areas, to her right was a pale green country kitchen with a cream Aga – it was like the room had two identities.
Freddy was busy opening and closing cupboards but he noticed her turning her head from side to side. ‘Mother wouldn’t hand it all over as she likes to cook so this is her half and the stainless steel is better for events so our cook, Mrs Mason, rules that side. It stops any bloodshed,’ he said with a smile.
‘It’s so big.’
Freddy looked around. ‘I suppose it is.’ He opened another cupboard. ‘Found it.’ He pulled out what looked like a jug and base.
‘I’ve seen those on the telly,’ said Nancy. She’d also looked them up and scoffed at paying over a hundred quid for something that basically warmed up milk. Nancy pulled out a barstool and sat down to watch.
‘Standard chocolate or dark mint?’ asked Freddy, holding up sachets.
‘Standard please.’
Freddy put milk and the sachet contents into the jug and hit the start button. ‘Back in a mo.’ He dashed off, leaving Nancy swinging her legs. He gave her a cheeky little look as he darted past. She’d never imagined he could be this sweet and attentive. Perhaps she had been very wrong about him. Or was all of this just a ploy to butter her up so that she’d lie about him working for her for six months? Either way Freddy was definitely growing on her.
Carrie announced her entrance with a loud meow. ‘Hello there,’ said Nancy, realising she couldn’t reach the cat without getting off the barstool and she really couldn’t be arsed. ‘Have you enjoyed having the run of the house?’ Carrie sat and stared up at Nancy with her unblinking eyes, which basically meant, ‘Cut the small talk and feed me.’
Carrie’s ears pricked up, but before either she or Nancy had worked out what was happening, the kitchen was invaded by one very excitable and sandy Labrador. There was no way Nancy could get to Carrie in time. ‘Jump!’ she yelled at the cat and she held out her arms. Unfortunately, Carrie wasn’t as well trained as Otto, so she hot-footed it around the other side of the island. Otto gave chase.
‘Shit!’ said Nancy, clambering down from her barstool as the animals did their third high-speed lap around the island. Nancy splayed out her arms and legs in the hope of stopping them, but Carrie dashed past her on one side and the Labrador, close behind, on the other. On their next lap Carrie fled out the door with Otto in hot pursuit. ‘Freddy!’ yelled Nancy as she joined the chase. She quickly lost sight of them but claws on tiles and wooden floor meant she could still hear them. Nancy skidded into the hallway where halfway up the stairs there was a stand-off. Carrie had turned around and was staring down Otto who was standing three steps below with his tail wagging off the scale.
Nancy crept up the stairs. Perhaps she could sneak by the dog and grab Carrie. But suddenly the cat bobbed down and lunged forward, making Otto hop back a step. Otto lost his footing and went further down and before Nancy could grab her, Carrie had run at him. The startled dog tumbled down a couple more stairs, found his feet and darted past Nancy, with Carrie in hot pursuit. They charged through the entrance hall and off down a corridor.
Freddy appeared from the other wing waving a bottle. ‘Did you call?’
‘Yes, Otto is chasing Carrie. No, other way around. You know what? I’m no longer sure who’s chasing who but they went that way.’ Nancy pointed.
A shout from Grandpa had them both charging in that direction. Nancy followed Freddy and they both did an emergency stop in Grandpa’s bedroom doorway. Grandpa was sitting up in bed with the bedcovers pulled up to his chin while Otto and Carrie bounced around him like they were at a soft play centre.
‘Otto get down,’ instructed Freddy. Nancy noted that he was rather masterful with the dog. Otto instantly jumped to the floor and stood looking at Freddy as if awaiting the next command. Carrie trotted to the edge of the bed and watched them then bobbed down before leaping from the bed and skidding out of the room. Otto twitched. ‘Stay,’ said Freddy firmly. He turned to Nancy. ‘Otto’s only playing.’
‘Running for your life isn’t the same as …’ but Nancy didn’t finish the sentence because Carrie strolled back in, walked over to Otto, sat down between his front feet and both animals looked up at Freddy. ‘Unbelievable,’ she said as she started to laugh.
‘I’m trying to get some sleep,’ said Grandpa, who was narrowing his eyes at Nancy as if she were to blame.
‘Sorry, Grandpa, we’ll leave you in peace,’ said Freddy, holding up the bottle.
‘Actually, I will have a little one if you’re offering,’ said Grandpa. He downed the water in the glass on his bedside table and held it out to Freddy who obliged. They wished Grandpa goodnight and left the room with the animals trotting at Freddy’s heels.
‘Are you some sort of animal whisperer?’ she asked.
‘One of my many gifts,’ said Freddy, opening a random door as they passed and flicking on a light. The dog and cat filed in, but Freddy carried on along the corridor.
‘Hang on,’ said Nancy, doubling back. She was still undecided on whether or not Otto was intent on eating Carrie. She popped her head around the door and looked into a vast room. A huge fireplace was halfway down one side, with three large navy sofas pointing at it. Oversized paintings adorned the walls on the same side and opposite were three lots of vast navy curtains between which was a large brown beanbag where Carrie was curled up with Otto sitting on the wooden floor watching her.
‘See, they’re fine,’ said Freddy. Nancy had to agree.
* * *
Alice woke up with a plan and that made waking up in her old childhood bedroom a lot more palatable. She showered and after taking a while to decide she put on a daisy-print T-shirt and pale yellow shorts – she was feeling sunny and her outfit matched. She bounded into the kitchen where her mum was buttering toast. ‘You’re up early. Did you sleep okay? Is everything all right?’ Her mum’s brow was furrowed.
‘I’m fine, Mum.’
Her dad checked his watch. ‘Good morning, Alice, to what do we owe this pleasure?’
Alice got out a bowl and the Coco Pops. ‘I thought I’d check out the beach.’
‘That’s a lovely idea,’ said her mum, clapping her hands together. ‘We could take a picnic and I could make—’
‘Actually, I was just going to walk down there with Cindy.’ The dog twitched an ear at the sound of her name. Her mum looked bereft.
‘Cindy doesn’t go very far these days,’ said her dad. ‘Any further than round the block and she lays down in protest.’
‘I’m sure Cindy’ll be fine. I’ll take it slowly. And maybe we could have a picnic tomorrow?’ Alice felt she needed to offer a compromise to counter the look of disappointment on her mother’s face.
‘That’s even better because then I’ve got time to bake a cake and think of sandwich fillings. We’d best go shopping.’
‘Now look what you’ve done,’ said her dad good-naturedly as he batted her with his newspaper.
Alice was starting to think that perhaps she’d not fully thought through her idea when just ten minutes into their two-mile jaunt Cindy was already lying flat on the pavement and refusing to budge. ‘Please walk,’ she said, crouching down to the dog who simply huffed. ‘I’ll take that as a no then.’ She looked around. She could carry her home. That was probably the smart thing to do but without the dog her plan didn’t really work. Without the dog she was just a sad person stalking Dom and his family. With the dog she was just out on a casual walk and bumping into him by accident. Alice gave another gentle tug on Cindy’s lead, but nothing happened. Across the road was a bus stop. Alice had another idea. She lifted Cindy into her arms and carried her over where she scanned the timetable. ‘Blimey you’ve put on some weight.’
