Chapter 10
Hannah stared at the tissue-paper-wrapped packages spread out across her bed and grinned. Her hunt for a dress to wear that evening had turned into a full-blown retail-therapy-fest… and she regretted nothing.
Connie had been amazing, and the pair of them had giggled their way through over an hour’s worth of trying on, styling, and over-the-top catwalk struts around the little shop. It had been more fun than she’d had in years.
‘Right… let’s hang you up!’ she murmured, gently running a finger under the All Things Woolly sticker holding the first package closed, before peeling back the delicate sheets of tissue.
As the rich, wine-coloured knit came into view, Hannah’s smile grew even bigger.
As weird as it sounded, Mr Eaves’s choice for her had been nothing short of perfect.
She’d known it the moment she slipped the dress over her head – it suited her figure perfectly and made her feel…
well… beautiful. It was something she hadn’t experienced in a seriously long time.
Grabbing the padded hanger she’d found abandoned in the master-bedroom wardrobe, Hannah carefully arranged Ewan’s beautiful creation and hung it from the curtain-rail so that it could drop out a bit before she was ready to change for the evening.
After admiring it for several long moments, Hannah turned her attention back to the mountain of packages still waiting for her on the bed.
It was fair to say that she’d gone a little bit nuts.
In fact, she’d bought so many bits and pieces from All Things Woolly that it hadn’t all fitted into one bag.
She really shouldn’t have…
‘No – don’t start with the guilt!’ she huffed, as the familiar feeling started to gnaw at her gut. This was a hangover from her marriage, and she was SO over it!
Pulling a couple of the smaller packages towards her, Hannah opened the first one and grinned as the beanie hat with the prancing Stanley dog pattern fell out onto the bed.
She hadn’t been able to resist… maybe it would help her to remember the happy side of Seabury after she’d left it all behind for good.
Right now, though, the beanie wasn’t the item she was searching for. She reached for the next parcel, opened it carefully and smiled.
‘There you are!’
Nestled inside the tissue paper was the pair of fingerless gloves she’d bought as a token present for the birthday boy.
They were charcoal-grey and boasted a single cable rib in bright orange.
Connie had assured her they’d be perfect for Jason because he’d be able to wear them while working with Lizzie over at Moore Bikes.
Hannah frowned as she stared down at them.
The gloves were lovely, but somehow, they didn’t feel like quite enough.
Hannah stroked the soft knit, turning on the spot and staring around the room as she hunted for inspiration.
Her eyes landed on the stack of boxes at the foot of the bed.
They contained Aunty Millie’s personal belongings that Gareth had ousted from the master bedroom.
‘Wait… that’s it!’ said Hannah, popping the gloves back down on the bed. She’d give Jason something of Aunty Millie’s to remember her by… and she knew the perfect thing. The only question was, had it already been thrown away? And if not, could she find it in time for this evening?
Hurtling out of the bedroom, Hannah jogged down the stairs and into the tiny back sitting room.
Gareth had hated this room for some reason, preferring to lounge around in the larger, emptier front room whenever they visited.
Hannah had never understood it… but now she was glad this cosy little bolthole had largely escaped his attention, because it meant that it had remained pretty much unchanged.
Pausing just inside the door, Hannah peered around.
The room was so full of good memories that it practically took her breath away.
She gazed for a long moment at the old-fashioned open fireplace.
It had been the perfect spot for toasting crumpets, and the two long-handled forks they’d used still rested on the edge of the hearth.
Millie’s collection of knick-knacks still vied for space on the mantel piece – feathers, bottles full of sea glass, and miniature photo frames filled with black and white shots of smiling faces.
Hannah turned towards the old-fashioned sideboard, crossing her fingers.
‘Come on... please be there!’ she muttered, kneeling down in front of it and pulling open the doors.
A wash of nostalgia ran through her. Everything, from the sound of the fastenings clicking open to the faint scent of lavender furniture polish and Murray Mints, took her straight back to her childhood.
Of course, several things were missing from inside.
The top shelf where the biscuit tin used to sit was empty, and Aunty Millie’s ever-present packet of Murray Mints was missing in action, too.
But several worn packs of playing cards still sat in their spot behind the central pillar that separated the doors.
‘Yes—there you are!’ she cheered, spotting the worn navy and red cardboard box she’d been hunting for at the back of the bottom shelf.
Was she being daft? Jason was a nineteen-year-old boy after all…
he probably wasn’t as prone to fits of nostalgia as she was.
In fact, he might not even remember that long, wet afternoon when he was little.
Aunty Millie was babysitting, and she’d charged Hannah with keeping the lad occupied while she baked a fresh batch of biscuits for tea.
Hannah grinned to herself. Five-year-old Jason had adored every second of their snakes and ladders marathon, giggling every time he thrashed her.
Well… it wasn’t like she’d be needing the old board again while she was here.
She drew the worn box out of its hidey-hole and stroked her hand across the lid, smiling at the old-fashioned cartoon.
Perfect. This was one memory she could pass on to Jason’s safekeeping.
Hannah had a feeling Millie would approve.
Pausing just outside the hotel, Hannah smoothed her hands nervously over her dress.
Nervous? Why?! She felt amazing right now. The butter-soft wool hugged her curves, and the drape of the cowl neck made her feel both casual and a little bit glam.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Hannah had taken the time to style her hair, pinning the top half up in twists and letting the rest fall in smooth tendrils.
Sure, the overall effect had probably been wrecked during the rather breezy stroll down into town, but she didn’t regret the walk one bit.
Seabury’s evening air—full of calling gulls and lapping waves—had cleared her mind.
Unfortunately, all that had dissolved the moment Pebble Street had come into view. Hannah couldn’t help but wonder if she’d made a mistake accepting this invitation. What was she going to talk to these relative strangers about all night? Why had they even asked her to join them in the first place?
Sucking in a deep breath, Hannah let it out slowly.
Then she rolled her eyes at herself. She really was an idiot, wasn’t she?
! This was Seabury, not London. These people weren’t playing some kind of power game.
This was just good food and a couple of hours spent with nice people.
Besides, if conversation ground to a halt for any reason, she could always resort to talking about Aunty Millie.
She might not know Mr Eaves all that well, but he’d been Millie’s next-door neighbour for years.
‘Hey! Hannah?’
Hannah whirled around, the paper bag containing Jason’s gift clutched tightly in her hand. ‘Sarah!’ she said, breaking into a broad smile. ‘Wow, you look lovely.’
‘Thanks!’ Sarah fluffed up the frothy skirt she was wearing, and tiny lights danced in the net as minute sequins caught the lights of the hotel. ‘I was worried it might be a bit… you know… too much?’
‘No such thing, and don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise!’ said Hannah, her voice coming out a little more insistent than she’d intended.
‘Okay. Well, thanks. I’ll remember that,’ said Sarah with a grin. ‘And, can I just say… you look epic. That dress is perfect on you! And I’m loving the boots.’
‘Thanks,’ said Hannah, casting a rueful glance at her chunky leather boots with their embroidered roses and colourful laces. ‘I’ll be honest, I wasn’t so sure about them, but they’re all I’ve got with me other than a tatty pair of trainers. I do love the dress, though. I got it from the wool shop.’
‘Of course, I’d recognise Ewan’s work anywhere!’ said Sarah. ‘So, are you ready to see if the boys are already waiting for us in there?’
Hannah nodded. The idea of Mr Eaves being described as a boy made her smile.
She’d definitely noticed a few silvery streaks at his temples while he’d been dashing around her garden after Bernard…
and tiny lines crinkling around his eyes when he smiled.
Not so much a boy… more like a slightly tired badger.
‘You okay?’ said Sarah.
‘Yeah… maybe,’ laughed Hannah. ‘Can I tell you a secret?’
‘Of course!’ said Sarah, looking intrigued.
‘I’m nervous.’
‘Why?’ said Sarah, looking surprised.
‘I guess I don’t really know Mr Eaves all that well,’ she said with a little shrug.
‘David’s a sweetheart,’ said Sarah. ‘Anyway, I thought you guys had known each other for years? Wasn’t your aunty his neighbour before Jason was even born?’
‘That’s right,’ said Hannah, feeling even more awkward. She really shouldn’t have opened this can of worms. What was she thinking?! ‘But… well, he was already a dad when I was just a teenager.’
‘Yeah, I guess he would have been,’ Sarah nodded. ‘He started young!’
‘Then he lost his wife… and… well,’ she cleared her throat. ‘We just never really talked much, that’s all.’
‘From what Jason has told me, I think he was really sad for a very long time,’ said Sarah. ‘He kind of keeps himself to himself a lot, but he really is lovely.’
Hannah nodded, feeling even worse about her behaviour last time she’d been in town.
‘What’s up?’ said Sarah, clearly noting Hannah’s look of discomfort.
‘I was really rude to him last time I saw him,’ Hannah muttered. ‘I kind of… yelled.’
‘Oh. Well... I doubt he even remembers it,’ said Sarah. ‘And anyway, you don’t seem like the type, so I’m guessing you had your reasons.’
‘Ex-husband-related reasons,’ said Hannah, decided there wasn’t really any point sugar-coating it. ‘Sadly, David just got caught in the blast zone.’
‘Well, I can guarantee he doesn’t hold it against you,’ said Sarah. ‘It’s not his style. It sounds like you were going through a crappy time.’
‘Thanks. Anyway, sorry, you didn’t need to know all that,’ said Hannah, shaking her head. ‘We’ve got a birthday to celebrate.’
‘You feeling better?’ said Sarah.
‘Nothing Hattie’s food won’t cure,’ laughed Hannah.
‘Come on then,’ said Sarah, tucking her arm through Hannah’s as if they’d known each other forever. ‘I’m Marvin! Time to make our fabulous entrance.’