Chapter 8
8
I didn’t think I’d slept as well in years. After it initially took me a while to go off, probably because I had the creaks and groans of a new house to get used to. I only woke up, around three thirty because there was a clanking noise coming from the hall. Tentatively, I’d tiptoed down the stairs, with an umbrella in my hand poised for smacking someone over the head if needed. My relief was amazing when I realised that it was one of the radiators clanging into life when the heating had kicked in. Funny, after all this time of living in only one place for so many years, there was so much more to learn about a new house. I got back into bed and put my earplugs back in.
Glancing at the clock, I smiled as I saw that it was seven thirty. I stretched my arms above my head and stretched my neck, rolling my head from side to side. Not wanting to waste this glorious spring morning, I slid my feet into my slippers and pulled my fleecy dressing gown around my shoulders before walking towards that window again, the view drawing me in. I could see that the sun was just starting to peek out from above the mountains and I couldn’t think of a more beautiful way to start the day. The sky was a myriad of colours ranging from yellow to gold and speckled with pink.
Throwing open the windows lifted my spirits. Despite the gorgeous sky, the temperature was still cool as the breeze hit me, but felt refreshing. Exhilarating even. I pulled my gown closer and tied it tighter. The sound of cawing seagulls was a joy to hear. I couldn’t believe I’d be getting up to that sound every morning.
Tea. That’s what I needed right now. As I headed downstairs and took in my surroundings in the cold light of day, I could feel a grin spread across my face again. I flicked on the kettle and while it was boiling, the clanking of the letter box jolted my attention. I bent down to pick up a pink envelope with my name and my new address on, which I tore open and grinned wider still. Lisa had sent me a gorgeous ‘New Home’ card with her warm wishes to enjoy my new adventure. It was so nice of her to do that.
Bang. Bang. Bang. A hammering at my door made me spill hot water all over the work surface and I cursed as I mopped it up, yelling, ‘Hang on!’ to whoever it was.
Bang bang bang again.
‘All right, I’m coming…’
I flung open the door to the rear view of what appeared to be a tall man in combat shorts, boots and a hoody, the hood part pulled over the back of his head. My heart started to pound. Who on earth was this person at my door this early? I was almost scared of him turning round, but when he did, he was grinning.
‘Hello. Jo Jenkins?’
‘That’s right. And you are?’
‘Seamus, Seamus Shaffernakker. My dad Bill sent me.’
‘Oh, right.’ I glanced at my watch. ‘You do realise that it’s only just after seven thirty in the morning, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, I’m an early bird. Sorry about that, but I was taking an early-morning walk along the beach with this one.’ He reached down and ruffled the ears of the scruffy-looking soggy dog next to him, who looked up at me with beautiful big brown eyes. ‘I’ll go and stick him in the van as he’s just come out of the sea and is filthy but I hoped you didn’t mind me popping by to introduce myself.’ He removed his hood, looking so much less intimidating now. Men shouldn’t be allowed to put the hoods up on hoodies, I thought to myself. I mean, I know that’s what they’re for, but I don’t think they realise just how scary it can be.
‘It’s fine, he can come in. It’s not a problem at all.’
‘Are you sure? He’ll be no trouble but he might just walk sand everywhere, he went in the sea and then had a good roll in it. Filthy animal.’ He tickled him behind the ears and the dog looked up at him. They clearly adored each other.
‘He’ll be fine. I can sweep any sand up afterwards. The beauty of a wooden floor. What’s his name?’
‘Theodorus Lunablue Shaffernakker the Third.’
‘Crikey!’
‘Don’t say a word. I know. That’s obviously his pedigree name. But you can call him Theo.’
‘Thank you, that’s definitely less of a mouthful at this time in the morning.’ I turned down to the dog, who was looking up at me expectantly. ‘Come on, Theo, do you want some water?’
‘Gosh, you’ll never get rid of him if you’re nice to him.’
‘He’s lovely.’
Despite Theo being a total sweetheart, I pulled a bit of a face when he dribbled water all over my kitchen floor and headed over to the French doors where the net curtains I’d hung yesterday were blowing gently in the breeze. He turned round three times, plonked himself down in a patch of sunshine and sighed really loudly before placing his head on his paws and closing his eyes.
‘Dad said you’d bought this place from Mrs Cooper and might welcome some advice before the builders called in today. I didn’t know what time they were coming, so as I saw the shutters opening while I was walking, I knew you were up. Sorry, do you want me to call back another time?’
I could hardly say yes, when the man was doing me a favour. Well, I hoped it was a favour.
‘Do you charge for this advice, Mr Shaffernakker?’
‘Please call me Seamus. It’s such a mouthful and I’ve had the mickey taken out of me for years. Trust me to get a German dad and an Irish mum, hey?’ He winked at me and when I saw his eyes crinkle I realised just how much he looked like his father – from the little that I’d seen of him. ‘And no, I don’t charge for a little friendly advice for a pal of my dad’s.’
‘I’ve just put the kettle on, Seamus. Can I get you a drink?’
‘Coffee, big splash of milk, four sugars, please.’
My eyes widened.
‘Yeah, I know,’ he replied. ‘Stopped smoking two years ago and started a sugar addiction instead.’ He started scanning around the hallway. He was actually rather handsome now I got the chance to look at him.
I handed him a mug and excused myself for two minutes for not being dressed yet, while I threw some clothes on, telling him to feel free to wander around. I grabbed the jeans and jumper that I’d had on the day before which would do for now and, after walking past the mirror and seeing how my hair was sticking up all over the place, tried to smooth it down. I’d literally put the clothes back on, on top of the pants I’d had on all night. Good job I wasn’t considering spontaneous sex with a stranger today. Though why on earth was I even thinking of having spontaneous sex with a man I’d only just met?
Gently shaking my head at myself, I walked back downstairs, fanning myself with my hand, sure that I was probably looking flushed. Seamus turned and asked if I was OK. I felt quite flustered.
‘Always wanted to have a look around this old place, you know. It’s a gorgeous building. One of the loveliest spots in the resort too. Lots of people around here have been waiting for these two places to come up for sale for ages.’ He pointed to the vacant house next door. ‘And this one didn’t even seem to go on the market. How did you swing that?’
Once I told him a little of my history with the cottage, he nodded approvingly.
‘Nice work, Jo Jenkins. I like your style.’ He winked as he wandered back into the lounge and looked out towards the beach. ‘I mean, I don’t think you’d get a better view than that in heaven, would you?’
We both stood and watched the long grasses swaying in the gentle breeze and the sea beyond twinkling in the early-morning sunlight.
‘Are you local, Seamus?’
‘Yeah, just further down the resort. One of the houses on the high street. It’s nice enough but you can only see the sea if you stand on the bed and stretch your neck to look out of the skylight. I’d kill for a view like this.’
‘Ah, well, hopefully, you won’t have to be murdering anyone. You could just pop round for a cuppa on my decking instead. Less messy too. No blood to clear up on the whitewashed wood.’
He threw back his head and laughed.
‘I like you, Jo Jenkins. You’re funny.’