The Old Lighthouse in Sunny Shore Bay (Sunny Shore Bay Book 8): Escape to the British seaside with t

Chapter Sixteen

Slowly but surely, I’m beginning to fall back into old habits.

When I was at the big house and Penny was at school, I’d waste away hours in front of the TV, falling deeper and deeper into depression with every asinine daytime talk show that aired. Now, with no job to occupy my time (apart from sparse shifts at the parlour) and no money to distract me from boredom, I’m sinking into Mia’s couch, barely concentrating on the screen before me.

Mustering every ounce of willpower I can grab at, I sit up straight and brush the biscuit crumbs from my leggings. I’ve left that life behind, and I’m damn sure not going to take those feelings of emptiness along with me. I can’t. Determined, I push myself to my feet. I’ve got to get out.

So I do.

Feeling particularly sorry for myself, I order a cone of chips from The Salty Sea Dog and take a frivolous stroll into town. After I get sick of circling the town square and staring into shop windows at things I can no longer afford, I plant myself down on a bench and munch on my less-than-healthy lunch.

This morning, I received a load of rejection emails for jobs I didn’t really want in the first place. It’s pretty depressing to be told I’m not good enough to wait tables or clean toilets, when that’s exactly what I’ve spent the last ten years of my life doing, as a housewife. Doesn’t that count as experience? Apparently not.

I cram the last chip into my mouth and toss the little crispy bits of batter to the surrounding seagulls, who clammer noisily around my feet, fighting for the scraps. Across the road, my tired eyes settle upon a woman carrying a large cardboard box in both hands. The beads on her many braids clink as she swishes them over her shoulder and awkwardly paces over to her car. But just as she opens the boot, the bottom of the box gives way and a pile of silky garments drop onto the pavement. While she’s cursing to herself, I throw the chip cone in the bin and rush over to lend a hand.

‘Look’s like I’m not the only one having a bad day,’ I comment as I gather up an armful of clothes.

‘Trust me, you’re definitely not the only one,’ she chuckles. ‘Thanks for your help.’

‘It’s no trouble.’ I glance at the label on the blue and white marbled top in my hand. ‘Oh, Cassi Queen, I love this stuff!’

The woman smiles, though there’s a strange little smirk dancing in the corner of it. ‘Do you?’

‘Oh yeah! The little boutique in town stocks this brand, and I’m always picking up bits, well, I - erm, I was.’ Clearing my throat, I show her the tag of my jacket. ‘Look, I’m wearing one of the pieces from the Summer Solstice collection now!’

‘So I see.’

‘My daughter loves this brand too, but she’s only eight, so it’s all too big for her. I made her a dress for her birthday based on the swirly design from last winter’s collection and she adored it.’

‘Do you have experience as a seamstress, then?’

‘Well, not really. I suppose I studied fashion design at university, but I left before the third year was over.’

I hang my head in shame but when I dare to look up, she’s nodding in sympathy.

‘Ah, life got in the way, did it?’

My shoulders lift in an awkward shrug. ‘Something like that.’

With a groan and a heave, she chucks the broken box into her car and then holds out her hand. ‘I’m Cassandra Evans.’

My jaw drops to my feet. ‘Cassandra Evans as in the designer and owner of Cassi Queen?’

‘The very same.’ She looks me up and down for a moment. ‘What did you say your name was?’

‘I didn’t, but it’s Claire. Claire Knight. It’s great to meet you, Ms Evans.’

‘Please, call me Cassandra. Are you looking to get back into fashion, Claire?’

That question comes as a shock, and I pause to think. I haven’t considered that career path for a very long time. After I ditched out on my degree, I’d always presumed that door was closed to me. But there was a time when fashion was my greatest passion, my one love in life, until Jerry came along, that is. He put a stop to it sharpish, stating that it was a useless degree and I was better off keeping it as a hobby. But when we got married and moved into our house, he commandeered the spare rooms for his study and as storage for his many hobbies, so once again, my wants took a back seat. Eventually, the only time I indulged in my love of designing was whenever I made custom outfits for Penny to wear on special occasions, which wasn’t all that often.

I haven’t thought about my long-lost career plans in such a long time …

‘Yes.’ My mouth speaks aloud before my brain has chance to decide whether it’s a good idea or not.

‘I’m looking to grow my team, it’s very small at the moment, just me and Erin. Since I promoted her to head garment technician, I’ve been on the search for a new assistant. You know, someone to handle appointments, pick up fabrics, and help out with designing and sewing. It would only be a part-time position to begin with so the wage would reflect that, but do you think you’d be interested?’

‘Are you kidding me?’ I exclaim, forgetting all sense of professionalism. ‘Of course I would!’

She laughs heartily at my outburst and slips a business card into my palm. ‘Why don’t you pop into our office on Friday, say nine o’clock? I’ll give you a trial run, see if we’re a good fit for each other.’

‘That … that would be amazing!’ I gasp out the words, near breathless. ‘Thank you so much!’

She flashes a bright, gleaming grin. ‘Great, I’ll see you then.’

I manage to hold it together as we exchange contact details, but the very second Cassandra jumps in her car and speeds off, I leap into the air, whooping in triumph and frightening the seagulls. I can’t believe I just met Cassandra Evans, and I really can’t believe she offered me a chance to work for her. Fueled by adrenaline, I sprint through the town back toward the house, I can’t wait to tell Penny and Mia the good news.

Was meeting Cassandra sheer dumb luck, or was it perhaps fate? Either way, I’ve been given a chance to prove myself, to restart my life and get onto what could potentially be an amazing new track, and I’m sure as hell not going to mess this up!