The Cornish Beach Hut Café

Chapter 47

47

The Barbie and Ken fancy dress day, The Promenade, St Aidan

Significant others

Saturday

‘O MG you look just like my Hot Skatin’ Barbie from when we were kids!’

Sophie is leaning up against the railings of the promenade swirling my shortest pearl-pink skater dress around her legs as she takes in my outfit, with Nate next to her in a pink gingham shirt, and Maisie, Marcus and Tilly like a cluster of mini-mes further along the prom.

I hope I wasn’t mean keeping my brightest pink shorts for myself when people came to borrow outfits, but I already had the paint-splash print swimsuit and visor-hat to go with it. Now, as I spin around on my skates and look along the crowd milling on the wide pavement of the promenade, the bright July sun is supercharging the colours so much it’s like Barbie land.

The curtain of platinum hair Sophie swishes back is way longer than her own. ‘Thanks to Janice, we’re all rocking our peroxide waves.’ She pokes my fluorescent yellow elbow-guard and gives my flaxen hair a flick. ‘How is life as a blonde, Flossie-boots?’

I have to be honest. ‘I’m the bounciest I’ve been for weeks.’ I’m thinking I should embrace the skater vibe every day, when I see a figure in a fuchsia pink jumpsuit waving at us from beyond the bandstand.

Sophie nudges me as she waves back. ‘Have you seen Mum and David over there? This surely has to banish any reservations you had about him? ’

I’m not sure about that, but I wave anyway. ‘He certainly gets the prize for best Hawaiian shirt.’

The day we talked to Mum, I made it clear to Sophie that I would not be going down the road of speculating about who my dad was, and since then we’ve successfully managed to put those few seconds of doubt behind us for ever and carry on as we were. I literally couldn’t have coped if every time his name came up her eyebrows went up too.

We turn to Nell and George, sitting on the bench next to us, behind a Bugaboo the size of Waitrose. I’m looking at their shirts and shorts. ‘Not being the outfit police, but what are you two wearing?’

Nell’s laugh explodes. ‘There wasn’t time to pack the changing bag and get dressed, so we came in our pyjamas. At least we match!’

As Clemmie sweeps to a halt next to us all, snatches of The Beach Boys’ ‘Fun Fun Fun’ are blowing on the breeze. ‘All this buzz, and my two are sleeping through it.’ She looks past Diesel’s big head into her double-decker buggy, then smiles up at us. ‘Rye must have got a free pass for the afternoon, too, because he and Plum were down by the harbour when I passed.’

Nell blows out her cheeks. ‘Another win for the singles club.’ She frowns at me. ‘You and Kit are my biggest disappointment yet.’

I’m rising above it. ‘We’re a great match professionally, Nell.’ Even though that sounds like an end to it, I hold my dog lead out to Clemmie. ‘If you don’t mind holding Shadow while the babies sleep, I’ll have a whizz along the prom and catch you all in a bit.’

I didn’t ever intend to use the ancient lace-up roller skates I borrowed from Clemmie, but as I glide to the centre of the pavement a feeling of freedom creeps into me. The long prom with its metal railings and light strings swinging between the lamp posts could have been made for skating. By the time I’m on my fourth circuit, I’m feeling like I could go on for ever. I make a turn by the harbour, wave to Nell and Clemmie on their seat as I speed by, and as a figure steps out from the crowd twenty yards further on I skid to a standstill and do a double-take.

Dillon at the Barbie day?

I swallow my surprise and as I land a quick kiss under his ear a strong blast of Dior Sauvage tells me I’m not mistaken. ‘Hey, great to see you, Dillon!’ There’s only one reason I can think of for why he’s wearing a ridiculously well-cut suit on a scorching afternoon at the seaside. ‘You’ve come as Ken in Dubai!’

He smiles. ‘Here on a flying visit! There was a last-minute meeting in London, so I hopped on a plane to Newquay on my way back.’

I’m shaking my head in disbelief. ‘What are you like?’

He looks me up and down. ‘I wanted to see how you were doing, and I got my answer. Flossy May comes to town, and sleepy St Aidan doesn’t know what’s hit it!’ His face breaks into a grin. ‘It’s lovely to see you doing so well, and good to know I needn’t have worried about you half as much as I have.’

He couldn’t look happier, but I still have to ask. ‘How are things working out for you?’

He gives a shrug. ‘Dubai suits me, the projects are the kind I’ve dreamed of since I was six. I’m so grateful to you for having the insight to see that, and giving me the push to go.’

‘You’re welcome, Dill.’

He’s in his element. And I can’t help feeling proud of him for everything he’s achieving. It’s a relief that he’s not only flying but soaring.

As I stand there blinking at him, it’s hard to think we woke up next to each other every morning for all those years. That for almost a decade our hearts were beating to the same rhythm, that we shared the same dreams, and built our hopes together. I’m trying to work out if he’s changed, or if I have.

He raises an eyebrow. ‘They’ve offered me a shiny new job and a long-term contract. I wanted to check in with you before I accepted.’

And this is Dill. Still looking out for me.

All that time we spent together he was so full-on, I simply followed his lead and let him do the deciding. Seeing him now, I realise I’m not that person anymore. Having my own place and my own life here has given me a will of my own and I’ve discovered a drive I never knew I had. And now I’ve found it, I like it. Far from the shrinking I was terrified of, St Aidan has let me be a whole new version of myself – but best of all, I’m proud of what I’ve become.

I smile at him. ‘When I used to drift through life, I’d look at other people and be amazed at how sorted they were. I admit it was circumstances that brought me back here rather than choice, but it’s turned out that this is where I fit – the beach hut is my place and my purpose. Thank you for coming, Dill, but I’m surrounded by friends and family here, and I really am all good. The Emirates let you realise your potential, and St Aidan’s done the same for me.’ I grasp his hand. ‘Go and enjoy your promotion – it’s what you deserve.’

It’s strange to think how close we once were, and how little by little we’ve separated since our paths have diverged, until now we’re each our own entity. We’re the same people we always were, but our time apart has made us different. And now we’re each on our own distinct road to the future.

‘Maybe we could catch up over the weekend and you could see Mum?’

He looks at his watch. ‘When I said a flying visit, I meant it. I’m here for another two hours, and I’ve promised to touch base with Mum and Dad. But maybe next time?’

‘In that case, I’ll say “Goodbye and good luck”, and let you get on.’

When I go in to hug him, his body feels strangely unfamiliar. Like I’m hugging someone I hardly know. Then he lets me go and I take a step back. And then another.

It’s only as my foot fails to move that I know there’s something wrong. By the time I look down and see the loop of my laces caught round a wheel, there’s nothing I can do – the rest of my body is committed. My feet stay rooted, I put my arms out to save myself as I topple, but I’m like a tree that’s being felled. My backbone crashes against the paving slabs and a second later there’s a resounding thud as my skull hits too and a pain explodes through my head.

I hear Dillon’s cry. ‘Floss!’

Then as I look up at the blue sky high above me, there’s another deeper, more familiar voice.

‘Say something, Flossie, tell me you’re okay?’

I mumble, and silently thank my lucky stars that Kit is here.

Kit starts again. ‘It’s Dillon, isn’t it? I can probably take it from here.’

I prop myself up, and as Kit’s arm slides around my shoulders, I can see Dillon looking down on us.

‘I can see you’re in good hands there, Floss.’

I shade my eyes as I look up. ‘We aren’t actually a couple, Dill!’

Dillon smiles. ‘She’s one in a million, look after her.’ He’s staring at Kit. ‘Hang on – aren’t you…?

Kit looks up. ‘The one who made your rings, yes.’ He laughs. ‘A long time ago.’

This is an ideal opportunity, so I’ll seize it. ‘I still have those rings, Dill. If you don’t mind letting them go, I’ve an idea to put them to good use.’

Dillon steps back. ‘It sounds fine to me. They’re yours to use as you wish.’

I give a silent cheer. If Kit melts them down, we can donate the gold for a ring-making day and run an online auction. My head might feel like my skull is cracking open, but I can still plan fundraisers for the sea pool.

There isn’t time to say any more, because Plum comes running over then, followed by Milla and all her friends, who all start bouncing around Dillon. As I stare up into the sea of faces Rye stoops down and puts his hand on my forehead.

‘You can’t be too careful with a bang on the head, Floss. Stay with her for twenty-four hours, Kit. If she gets blurred vision or is sick give me a shout, and we’ll ring through to A&E.'

Twenty-four hours with Kit? I’m trying to think of anyone else. ‘I could stay with Clemmie. Or Nell. Or Mum. Or I can go to Sophie’s!’ Once she’d have been my last resort, now she’s my go-to choice.

As Clemmie steps out from behind the crowd, Shadow dives towards me and starts to lick my face.

She hands Kit the lead. ‘It’s a shame to miss the fun, Flossie. Why not sit with us as long as you feel up to it, then Kit can drive you home?’

Dillon laughs. ‘In the meantime, the ice creams are on me.’ He’s immediately mobbed by Milla’s group, and fighting off twelve teenagers.

As I untangle my laces and Kit helps me to my feet, I know I’ve got a couple of hours tops before I move on to the hardest night of my life.

It’s one thing keeping my hands off Kit when he’s in the studio. When he’s in The Hideaway, it will be a whole different matter.