Chapter 23
D aisy hated leaving Pretty Beach for any reason and tried to avoid it as much as possible whenever she could.
She didn’t particularly like going anywhere for happy, fun occasions, let alone trekking up to town to be part of a situation that really was not very nice at all. These things come to try us.
After her bathroom phone conversation with Miles, Daisy had phoned Susannah, who, bless her, had jumped in right away and offered to sort out the twins.
Susannah had said she’d stay at the bookshop to make things easy and had advised Daisy to pack a change of clothes in her bag and toiletries just in case she wanted to stay.
Daisy had little to no inclination to stay up in London, but if Susannah offered advice, she usually took it, so she’d packed clean underwear, a spare blouse and a little toiletries bag full of bits and bobs that she might need.
She’d washed her hair when she’d got up at the crack of dawn to prepare a dinner and lunch boxes for the twins, added layers to her outfit so that she was ready for all and any inclement weather, packed a mini umbrella in her bag and had her laptop on board so she would be able to work on the train and was good to go.
Once her mum had arrived and the girls were in their uniforms and had eaten breakfast, Daisy had kissed them and headed for the station with plenty of time to spare.
Just as she was getting to the drop-off area at the station, Holly from the bakery was standing by her car on the passenger’s side, helping her mum, Xian, to get out.
Holly lifted her chin in greeting and smiled. ‘Morning, Daise. How are you?’
‘Morning.’
Xian, in a fluffy fuchsia pink jumper, tracksuit bottoms tucked into white sports socks, green plastic sliders and huge white headphones, smiled. ‘Daise, morning.’
Daisy smiled. ‘Morning. Any further news about the sale and all that stuff?’
Holly shook her head. ‘They are in negotiations. We were going to pop in and tell you…’
Daisy sighed. ‘Right, thanks, what does that mean for me, do you think?’
Xian tutted. ‘We’re not sure, yet. We’re going to get everyone together and have a town meeting of concerned parties. It’s not just you who is right to be worried.’
‘Okay. Yes, good idea.’
Holly inhaled and let out a long sigh. ‘I’m going to rally people. We’re not sure if it will be in the bakery or the hall behind the lifeboat station.’
‘At least that’s a start.’
‘Yes. We won’t be letting anyone into Pretty Beach we don’t want.’ Holly frowned and flicked her eyes towards the station. ‘Anyway, where are you off to? Leaving Pretty Beach, it must be an occasion.’
Xian chuckled. ‘I thought the same.’
Daisy checked the time on her phone. She was early and had plenty of time to chat. ‘You know me better than I know myself.’
Holly pushed the passenger door shut and turned back to Daisy with a little frown that meant she was about to dig for information.
Daisy knew it well. ‘So, go on then. Where are you off to with your big bag and your laptop case? You’re dressed for something serious and you hate leaving town even when it’s for something special. This must be big.’
Daisy glanced at the station entrance, then back at Holly and Xian. She shifted the strap on her shoulder. ‘I’m going to London. Well, to see Miles, actually.’
‘Ooh.’ Xian adjusted one of her sliders. ‘What’s the story there then? A nice bit of romance in the city without the twins? Can’t be bad.’
Daisy blew out a breath. ‘I wish. His mum’s been mugged again. It’s bad this time and she’s in hospital. I’m going up to see him just to give a bit of moral support, really.’
Holly’s eyes widened. ‘Again? You’re kidding me! That’s more than dreadful.’
Daisy shook her head. ‘Same spot. Same group, apparently, or at least they’re assuming so.
They were on those electric bikes and just left her there.
She hit her head as she went down and had to have it shaved and stitched.
She’s black and blue. They also got a watch from a couple and a designer handbag.
Unreal, like so unbelievable that this is happening in our country. Anyway.’
Xian swore under her breath, tugged her headphones down to hang around her neck and folded her arms. ‘That’s awful. What is wrong with people? Utter criminals doing this in broad daylight!’
Holly tutted and shook her head. ‘That makes me feel sick as in properly sick. I can’t believe she’s had to go through that again. Poor, poor woman. My heart goes out to her.’
‘She was just going to the local post office, too.’ Daisy’s mouth pinched. ‘Miles said they keep telling her not to take that shortcut, but she’s got a walking stick because of her hip and she said it saves her five minutes.’
‘You can understand it.’ Xian whipped a small silver hip flask out of her pocket, held it to her lips, tipped her head back and glugged.
‘You want to keep your independence, don’t you?
Still, that’s no excuse for the police not doing something about it the first time.
The robbers obviously think they can just get away with it. ’
Holly tutted. ‘Exactly, there have been so many stories like this lately. Elderly people are getting shoved over or having their phones swiped while they’re still in the middle of sending a message. I don’t know what the world’s coming to. Thank goodness we don’t live there.’
‘I thought the same.’
Holly shook her head. ‘It could be us! We were in two minds whether to stay in London or to move down to the coast here all those years ago. Imagine if we were there, Mum!’
Xian sighed. ‘I don’t even want to think about it.’
Daisy nodded. ‘Miles is pretty cut up about it. So, here I am on my way there and yes as you know it’s not my favourite thing to do but there you go.’
Xian nodded. ‘Well, good for you. That’s a big thing, going up there like that.’
Holly pushed her sunglasses up on top of her head. ‘Is Miles okay?’
‘He’s fine, but I could hear it in his voice. I mean imagine if it was one of us…’
Xian stepped forward and touched Daisy lightly on the arm. ‘You be careful. Seriously. You’re not just nipping up to town for a nice lunch and a wander. That’s a proper trauma he’s going through. People get all over the place with that sort of thing.’
‘I’ll just pop up and back. It’s nice to have someone to give him a bit of moral support. You know?’
Holly smiled. ‘We know and he’s lucky to have you. Not everyone would get on a train for something like that.’
‘I packed a few bits just in case.’ Daisy glanced at her bag. ‘Though I don’t know if I’ll stay. Depends on how it all feels. Mum’s holding down the fort.’
Xian nipped her flask again. ‘Go with your gut. If it feels off; come home, if not stay. Thank goodness for the fast train, eh?’
‘And if he needs you, stay,’ added Holly. ‘You’ll know what to do when you get there.’
‘Anyway, just to let you know, I’m up to date with work and I’ve messaged Chloe, so all good there.’
Holly flicked her hand. ‘Don’t be silly. Don’t even think about that.’
Daisy made a face. ‘You know I’d never let Chloe down.’
Xian nodded and sipped her flask again. ‘True that. We do, which is why we want to keep you.’
Holly cackled. ‘Correct. Anyway, I hope everything is okay. I’ll text you about the meeting. Don’t worry about the newsagent’s sale.’
Daisy checked the time. ‘I’d better head in. The train’s in ten, so I’ll get going.’
Holly touched Daisy’s arm. ‘Keep us posted, yeah? Send a message later or let Chloe know and she’ll pass it on.’
‘I will.’
‘And tell Miles we’re thinking of him and his poor mum,’ Xian added. ‘We don’t know him very well, yet, mind you, but if he needs anything, we’ll sort it.’
‘Thanks.’
As Daisy walked in the direction of the station entrance, Holly called out behind her. ‘And Daise, be careful! London’s not Pretty Beach! Watch yourself all the time.’
‘I know!’ Daisy called over her shoulder. She did know that without a doubt, which was precisely why she didn’t want to go. Really didn’t want to go.