Page 21 of My Summer of Magic Moments

‘That’s fine. I’ll just pop back in and fetch it. Take a seat and make yourself comfortable.’

They settled themselves onto the wooden chairs on the back patch of lawn, with some slices of the flatbread, a small bowl of olives and the hummus dip spread out on the table. In the late-afternoon sun it felt very Mediterranean and slightly decadent.

‘Mmm, this bread is definitely as good as it looks,’ said Lynda as she broke into it. ‘So you are a natural at it, after all. I might have to start making some of this Manic stuff for the shop. It’s a lovely summer bread. I bet it would go down well with the holiday makers.’

‘Yes, I bet it would.’

‘Wow. What a view there is from here.’

‘Absolutely. I can be on the beach in seconds for a walk if I want, or I can just sit and watch the world go by. It’s lovely.’

‘Yes, I can see the charm in it. I didn’t realize it was such a pretty spot – you can’t tell from the road.’

‘It has its plus points.’ Claire smiled.

‘As long as the weather stays fair, I suppose. Maybe not so much fun here on a wet day.’

Hah, Ed sprang to mind again. The last wet day was certainly full of fun and games. ‘No,’ was all she said.

They chatted about the deli and about Claire’s plans for the last week of her stay, and she mentioned her job as a journalist, outlining her idea for her latest column.

‘By the way, Lynda, what’s your magic moment? As in, what special thing would make your day, however big or small?’

‘Oh, now let me think … Well, then, I get a lovely feeling when someone comes back into the shop to tell me how wonderful something they’ve bought there has been, especially when it’s something I’ve made myself, like the breads. That’s special. You get a real sense of pride.’

Claire was nodding.

‘Oh, and of course when I get my daughter back home for a while, or if we meet up for tea and cake or something. We can natter on for ages. She’s doing well, our Evie. She’s a teacher down in Gateshead. Lives down that way now, so I only get to see her every few weeks. It’s lovely to see your children grown-up and happy, making their own way. But it’s nice to have them back home for a while as well. You give them wings, but you hope they’ll fly back home sometimes too.’ She gave a warm smile.

Claire wondered if she would ever have that experience: having a child, watching them grow, helping them make their way in the world. Her heart gave a small squeeze. It might be a bit of a miracle after all her body had been through. That and the fact that she didn’t have a man on the scene.

‘That’s nice, Lynda. It sounds like a lovely relationship you have with your daughter.’

‘Yeah, we get on well. I’m very lucky.’

They chatted some more. Claire told her about her family back in Newcastle and Lynda mentioned her husband Steve, who worked on a farm just inland from Seahouses.

An hour soon passed.

‘Right, well, petal, I’d better set myself away. Our Steve will be waiting for me by now, and no doubt wondering what’s happening with his supper. Thanks for the glass of wine, and that bread of yours was delicious. It’s been so lovely to chat.’

‘You’re very welcome. I’ve enjoyed chatting too.’

‘Well, have a good last week, and be sure to pop into the shop before you head off away again.’

Claire walked Lynda back through the cottage to the front step, where the middle-aged lady gave her a warm hug.

‘Bye, petal.’

‘Bye.’

The house felt rather empty after she’d gone.

Later that night Claire found she wasn’t angry with Ed any more. She just remembered his smile, how nice it was to see it, the little crinkles at the sides of his eyes, the way his grey-green irises lit up. She pictured his mouth. He had good teeth, white, just one slightly crooked one – the second tooth along at the top and even that was kind of cute. Nice lips too. And his kiss – that was pretty damn lovely. She sighed. Her head was full of him, and her body missed the promise of his touch. Damn it.

8

Magical … sea, sand, towers, knights and castles