19
Stefan
Even though it was still light out, Stefan switched on some fairy lights he’d put up in the back garden, as he figured both Lindy and Florence would love them. He wanted to set an enchanted scene for their picnic dinner so included teddy bears and a ladybird ornament he’d bought at the supermarket.
Hearing his daughter’s squeak of delight, and seeing Florence’s smile widen told him he’d done all right with his design.
They sat on a large black-and-white check blanket and ate quiche, salad, and sausage rolls, amongst other bits and pieces.
Lindy was in her element and so happy to talk about the school at the Seaside Centre, filling Florence in on how small it was, and how she would be having pottery classes after the summer holidays.
Stefan had never felt so relaxed. As he sat there listening to his daughter natter away to Florence, he realised just how hectic his life had been back in London. No wonder so many of his doctor friends in the city had retired early. He could see why Dr Tully was happy to work forever in Pepper Bay. Retirement hadn’t been easy for him. He was often at the practice just pottering around, but Stefan didn’t mind.
Lindy jumped up, announcing she needed the bathroom, and Stefan leaned closer to Florence.
‘Do you think Dr Tully wants to come back to work?’
Florence shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Why would you think that?’
‘He’s at the practice a lot. Not doing anything much. Just there. Got me thinking he was missing the place.’
Florence laughed, then bit her lip.
Stefan frowned. ‘Why do I get the feeling you know something I don’t know?’
‘I guess I can tell you, seeing how they’re telling their families now.’
‘Tell me what?’
‘Dr Tully and Rose are a couple.’
He quirked an eyebrow in amusement. ‘They are?’
‘Yep. Sweet, isn’t it?’
He frowned again. ‘Why was it a secret?’
‘They were worried it might upset their kids and grandkids. Not everyone is good with that kind of change.’
‘I suppose. But they’re telling them now?’
‘Yes. Rose was fed up living like that.’
‘Can’t say I blame her. I wouldn’t want to sneak around with my partner.’
Florence lowered her plastic beaker of lemonade. ‘Do you feel ready for another partner yet?’ Her head dipped a touch. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that. It’s a bit personal.’
‘It’s okay. You’re not the first to ask.’ He put down his plate. ‘I’ve been on my own for a long while now. Guess I’m used to it. Plus, Lindy keeps me busy.’
They stared at each other for a moment, then Lindy came bouncing back to the blanket, plonking down her drawing pad.
‘Sit closer, I want to draw you two together,’ she told them, shaking her pencil side to side.
They shared another look, then Stefan moved to Florence, who simply smiled.
‘Huddle, cuddle,’ said Lindy, waving them closer.
Stefan controlled his fluttering heart as Florence shuffled over until their arms were touching. ‘How long do you think we have to stay like this?’ he whispered to her, grinning.
‘As long as we can still eat, I’m good.’
‘You can still eat,’ said Lindy. ‘You don’t have to be like a statue.’
Stefan picked up his orange juice. ‘Good to know.’
Silence followed for a short time, but Stefan was okay. Quite enjoying the picnic, in fact. He stole some glances at Florence and spent some time smiling to himself on the inside at his new life.
‘I’m going to view the flat above the sweet shop soon, Lindy, so I won’t be able to stay here much longer, I’m afraid. Tyler and Erin are busy during the day, so it made more sense to view in the evening, and it doesn’t get dark till late, so I can still see everything in the light of day. Not sure if it’ll make much of a difference.’
‘Can we come with you?’ asked Lindy, not looking up from her drawing pad.
‘I’m sure Florence—’
‘Yes, that would be lovely.’ Florence smiled at him, so he smiled back.
‘Are you sure you want us tagging along?’
Florence nodded. ‘It’s good to have a second opinion. I’d like yours.’
‘All right. When do we need to leave?’
Florence checked her phone for the time. ‘We have an hour yet, but if we’re finished here, we could go for a slow walk down to the shop and have a mooch by the sea.’
He liked that idea.
Lindy closed her drawing pad at once. ‘I’ll get a towel so we can paddle.’
They laughed as she ran off to the back door.
‘Well, I guess that’s our night sorted.’ Stefan stood to clear the picnic.
‘I feel a bit nervous,’ muttered Florence, helping him.
Stefan stopped collecting food and focused on her. ‘Of what exactly?’
‘I’m not sure. Moving again perhaps. What if Tiggy doesn’t like it here? I’m not sure what I’ll do. I don’t want to leave. I love my life now.’
‘Have you told her that?’
Florence nodded. ‘Yes. And she said she wants to live with me here, so I’m not sure where this is all coming from. All I know is I’m a little worried.’
‘What if you take some photos of the flat and show them to your sister. That way you can decide together.’
‘That’s a good idea. I don’t want her to think I’m organising her whole life when she gets out, but I kind of am, and I don’t always know if I’m doing the right thing.’
Stefan followed her into the kitchen. ‘If you keep her in the loop, make decisions with her, and show her what it’s like around here, then you’re doing all right.’
‘I have shown her photos before, and she seems happy enough to come live here.’ Florence looked up and shrugged. ‘I know, I’m overthinking. Tiggy tells me off for doing so. She’s been nothing but supportive of my move, and she’s always keen to hear more, so why can’t I shake this off?’
Stefan put some food away in the fridge. ‘It’s just moving, isn’t it? It’s always a big deal, even if you’re not going far.’
‘I suppose. And I’m so used to living at the B&B now.’
‘Don’t you want to move out?’
‘It’s nice being at Rhett’s, but it’s not practical.’
‘If you’re really unsure, have another chat with your sister. Get the reassurance you need.’
Florence nodded. ‘Were you scared to move here?’
‘A little. My concern was more for Lindy. I just wanted peace and quiet for her.’
‘That’s what I was looking for when I came here. I wasn’t too nervous then. More like glad to get away from my old life.’
Stefan offered a warm smile as he took the plates from her hands. ‘It’s lovely here, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Ready,’ called Lindy from the hallway.
‘Five more minutes to clear up,’ called back Stefan, heading to the garden.
‘Thanks for not hating me,’ mumbled Florence, joining him. ‘You know, after everything with the article I wrote.’
Quickly, he turned her way. ‘Florence, I don’t care about that anymore. We’ve moved on from that. And we’re good friends now. Please don’t add that to your stress levels.’
Florence scoffed. ‘Stress levels?’
‘Hmm, worrying about your sister is a huge weight you carry, so the last thing you need is one more straw on your back.’
‘Is it that obvious?’
Stefan wasn’t sure if anyone else had spotted it. He just knew he could clearly see she wouldn’t be fully relaxed until her sister was free. ‘You and your family have been through a lot. It’s normal to have stress.’
‘That’s why I ride a lot.’
‘Perhaps that’s the root cause here with your concerns about the flat.’
Florence frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Not being so close to the horses, thinking you won’t ride as much.’
‘Oh.’
‘But look,’ he pointed back at his cottage. ‘The sweet shop is within walking distance to me, and you often walk here from the farm in no time, so tell your mind you won’t be far from the stables at all once you’re in the flat.’
‘Plus I’ll still be giving riding lessons, and Rhett is going to pay me for my help once I’m no longer living rent-free at the B&B.’
‘That’s great.’
Florence smiled. ‘I guess it did feel far away.’
‘Come on, let’s get this lot sorted, then go for that walk.’ He was pleased to see the happiness return to Florence’s face. The short walk would help remind her just how close the windmill was to the sweet shop.
It was a mild evening, and Lindy couldn’t wait to go to the small shingle beach down the bottom of Pepper Lane. There were still quite a few people pottering around, enjoying the last of the daylight, even though all the shops were closed.
The pub was busy, and some customers were on the pavement, chatting and drinking by the bench outside.
Stefan and Florence gazed up at the flat above the sweet shop.
‘Nice view,’ he said.
The door to the shop opened and Tyler stepped out. ‘Hey, I thought that was you.’
Florence turned to him. ‘Oh, I know I’m early. We were just going to have a paddle.’
‘You can come look now if you want,’ said Tyler, waving them forward. ‘Erin’s just gone over to the pub with Anna for dinner.’ He thumbed next door at The Book Gallery. ‘They were at book club, then the group got hungry, so I’ll show you around, then I’m off for my dinner too. Do you want to join us?’
Florence shook her head. ‘We’ve just had ours.’
‘We had a picnic,’ said Lindy.
Tyler closed the door to the shop as soon as they came inside. ‘Lucky you.’ He pointed at the jars of sweets lining the shelves. ‘Would you like something for dessert, Lindy?’
She nodded. ‘We’re going to have ice cream when we go home, but double dessert is always good.’
Tyler laughed. ‘Couldn’t agree more. Pick something out.’
Stefan watched Lindy and Florence peruse the glass counter containing chocolate treats. ‘I think we might buy a box of those on our way out to have with our ice cream later.’
Lindy agreed with a clap, then pointed out a strawberry lolly.
Tyler handed Lindy the sweet treat she was pointing at. ‘Well, this one’s for Lindy. On the house.’
‘Thank you,’ said Stefan, seeing his daughter beam.
Lindy glanced up. ‘Can we move here, Dad? I’d love to live in a sweet shop.’
‘Not sure my patients would approve.’
Tyler shook his head. His dark eyes twinkling. ‘Oh, I think they’d love it.’
‘Me too,’ said Florence.
Tyler guided them to the internal door. ‘As you can see, this will be moved.’ He motioned to the back door. ‘The door will be there. It leads to the back alley, but it’s well-lit out there, and all the balconies overlook that way. It’s also where we put the dustbins.’
Stefan followed them upstairs, thinking he’d prefer the door to be on the main street.
‘Oh, this is nice,’ said Florence.
Tyler started to point things out. ‘Two bedrooms, one bathroom, and as you can see, this is open-plan, and the kitchen area is small but does the job.’
‘Freshly painted too,’ said Stefan, glancing around the living room.
‘Yeah, we gave it the once over,’ said Tyler. ‘Erin wanted it to look light, but feel free to decorate how you want. We don’t expect you to stick with magnolia walls.’
‘I like it,’ said Florence. ‘Do you mind if I take some photos to show Tiggy?’
Tyler shook his head. ‘Snap away.’
Stefan checked out the bathroom. All looked clean and new.
‘And come see this,’ said Tyler, taking them back to the stairs.
‘What’s up there?’ asked Lindy.
‘The rooftop balcony,’ replied Tyler. ‘Now, it’s not much. Just a few patio slabs, but you can sit out here and watch the sea. It’s a great view.’
Florence gasped in delight as she peered over the side and looked right. ‘Yep, you can definitely see the water from here.’
‘A few plant pots would look nice out here, Florence,’ said Stefan. He glanced down at the alleyway.
She only has one shop to pass before she’s back on the lane. That’s not too bad .
He thought it might be creepy for her come nightfall, but with all the lamps he could see, and the flower pots sitting outside some of the other back doors, the alleyway looked just as quaint as the front. ‘This is a really nice flat, Tyler.’
‘Yeah. Erin was going to live here at first, but then we decided we preferred living together at mine.’ Tyler pointed down at the alley. ‘Work on the door starts in a couple of days. You can come back when it’s finished and view again if you like.’
Florence faced him. ‘That would be great. I want to show my sister first. Let her make the decision.’
Tyler nodded. ‘That’s fine. We’re not in any rush.’
Florence took some more pictures. ‘Right, I’ve seen enough, so we’d best let you go have your dinner.’
‘And don’t forget Dad said he’s buying some chocolates for us,’ said Lindy as they headed downstairs.
Stefan laughed. ‘How could I forget?’
Tyler boxed them up a selection, then placed Stefan’s money under the counter, ready for when he sorted the till in the morning.
They parted ways outside, and Florence took a photo of the window boxes above the shop.
‘What do you think, Florence?’ Stefan asked as they headed for the sea.
‘I think it would suit us perfectly.’
‘I do too.’
They shared a smile. Something Stefan noticed they were doing a lot of lately. He shook it off and stared out to sea as they sat upon the small wall down by the shingles.
‘When Florence moves to the sweet shop, we can come down here every night and eat chocolate and paddle,’ said Lindy.
Florence chuckled. ‘Sounds like my idea of fun.’
‘Mine too.’ Stefan nudged her arm as Lindy went off to the shoreline to remove her sandals. ‘Here, want one now?’ He opened the box, offering the chocolates.
Florence snaffled one immediately and grinned. ‘Lovely, thanks.’
You’re lovely, Florence. I hope this works out for you and your sister. I really do .
He popped a chocolate in his mouth whilst watching Lindy squeal as the small waves washed over her feet.
Florence tapped his thigh. ‘Ready for a paddle?’
‘Yep.’ He followed her down to the front, balancing as he slipped out of his flip-flops. He placed down their beach bag and shoved the chocolate box by the towel, then padded over the small shingles, glad to meet some sand on the seabed.
Florence stumbled to his side, and he quickly grabbed her hand. Those beautiful cornflower-blue eyes of hers sparkled his way, and just for a moment he was quite mesmerised. Just for a moment he wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms and kiss her lips.
Lindy’s giggle brought him out of his trance with Florence’s mouth.
‘I’m really happy, Stefan,’ Florence said softly, smiling his way.
The fact she was still holding his hand made him feel the same. ‘We have a lot to be thankful for.’
‘We do.’
They turned to face the gentle rolling waves lapping against the shore as the sun slowly said goodnight.