Page 63 of The Seaside Supper Club

‘Okay, it must be cocktail time, so who’s for the real deal and who’s on the mocktails?’ Andreas called out as he began to pass around glasses filled with the creamy pineapple and coconut coladas, with vivid paper umbrellas and straws in. ‘It’s a hut-warming moment.’ He smiled at his pun.

‘And a big heartfelt get well soon from all of us,’ added Dan earnestly.

‘Yes, time to celebrate,’ said Lily. ‘And to wish you well, Will.’

‘Absolutely,’ added Nikki. ‘To a speedy recovery.’

‘Cheers, to you both,’ said Gemma.

Oh, the lump in Cath’s throat thickened even more.

‘Music, maestro!’ Dan then instructed.

Andreas took up his phone, ready to play something on the mini speaker, and Wham’s ‘Club Tropicana’ blasted out. ‘Oops, no, hang on, your first song was meant to be this …’

They all had to laugh.

After fiddling with his mobile, Andreas found the right track. The beat began, and the unmistakable chords of The Drifters’ ‘Under the Boardwalk’ played out. The gang were soon swaying gently along, sipping their summer drinks.

‘We’ve made a beach-inspired playlist for you,’ added Dan.

‘Aw, that’s brilliant,’ said Cath.

‘Oh, and we mustn’t forget the nibbles,’ Nikki added. ‘Lily’s made Doddington cheese straws, there are also king prawns with a lemon-garlic mayo dip and sea-salt Kettle crisps.’

‘And I have feta and spinach pastry parcels, and honey-spiced nuts,’ said Andreas.

‘Sounds delish,’ said Cath.

‘Don’t forget the mini chocolate brownies too,’ added Lily. ‘In case anyone wants something sweet.’

‘I’m in for those,’ said Sophie with a smile. It was lovely to see her looking so happy.

‘And I’ve brought the loo roll.’ Gemma laughed. ‘As well as the loo, of course.’

The group mingled, chatting about the new decor, and how this had all come about, with Andreas telling them that the germ of the idea had started with Will back at home, post-op, expressing his regret at being unable to make these changes for himself for a while. The group so wanted him and Cath to be able to start using the place as a bolthole for Will’s recovery. The freshen-up with a lick of paint Andreas had initially suggested, grew into a bigger job as Dan remembered how drab and tiny the original kitchen unit was, and fancied putting his DIY skills to the test. After that, it had kind of morphed into a full interior design ‘Beach Hut Challenge’, Lily explained, with Sophie getting involved too. The crowning glory being a chance chat with Gemma at the village stores, who offered to help with her fabulous plumbing finale.

On that note, Will went off to inspect the new loo – a shiny white throne – needing his privacy for a short while. He hadn’t quite imagined having a party going on while he changed his pad in the beach bungalow water closet, but at least the external noise made him feel a little less obvious. He’d been left feeling so damn debilitated by the operation. And yet, in the small yet light space, despite his ongoing physical discomfort and bloody annoying ‘leaky tap’ peeing syndrome, he couldn’t help but smile, caught up in the sense of joy at the unexpected renovations.

*

Later, once the others had gone – with Sophie deciding to head back over to the village with Lily and Nikki – following a happy chorus of ‘take care’, ‘get well soon’ and ‘goodbye’, and big thanks all round, the hectic afternoon began to catch up with Will.

With a yawn, Will admitted to Cath that it had been a wonderful but exhausting day, so soon post-surgery. She set up two chairs for them outside on the deck, and left him to rest a while. They didn’t need to rush back to Tilldale, though staying here on the sofa bed was a no-no whilst he was still feeling discomfort. In all honesty, it was so lovely here, Cath wasn’t quite ready to leave, either. She was still soaking in all the wonderful new details: the shell-patterned cushions and curtains, the sand-and-sea swirled pattern of the abstract rug by the fire.

Cath popped the singing kettle onto the camping stove, and set out mugs and a cafetière. She then spotted the old brown-glazed, now sparkly clean, teapot, which had been artfully placed with an art deco cup on the kitchen side, and gave a smile. Hardly an heirloom, but a thoughtful memento saved from Will’s family’s past. Opportunely, she also noticed that a couple of chocolate brownies were left over, and once Will had had a little shut eye, they sat sipping soothing, mellow coffee out on the deck overlooking the sea.

‘What a day. And you were in on it all along, I suppose?’ Will gave a warm smile. ‘I still can’t bloody well believe it. What a transformation.’

‘Yeah, well, I knew they were intending to paint the place, and I’d seen some woodwork being put together by Andreas and Dan, but I had no idea of the extent of the project. Not all this … the whole house through. I really don’t know how they’ve managed it. And, they’ve done their best to keep up with their day jobs all the while, too.’

‘Yeah, there must have been some late nights going on.’

‘Yes, I bet. And then Lily teaming up to get Sophie on board, I had no idea of that development until I saw her here. But that’s lovely, too.’

‘Yeah, Sophie looked so happy. It’s great they’ve made friends. It’s all amazing.’ Making the most of the chance to rest, Will put down his almost-empty cup and closed his eyes again for a while. Cath sat contemplating, thinking how life had changed so very much these past months, all the while mesmerised by the sea in motion. Her gaze then followed a trio of terns in flight as they swooped and dipped across the bay. Her breathing slowed as she began to relax, too. It was such a beautiful place.

After the reveal, they’d stayed socialising with the others in the main living space. She had looked briefly in on the bedroom earlier, noticing that, too, had had a fresh lick of paint. With Will dozing once more, she couldn’t resist another peek in there. Heading back, and opening the door, the room was so lovely and airy. The walls were painted the same fresh white as the living area, and oh, one wall – the one you might rest a headboard against – was now a soft powder-blue that made her think of a coastal springtime sky. The shell and driftwood artworks – that Will’s distant relatives had likely made – which had been hanging in the living space, were now here. Aw, such a pretty memento and nod to the past. A further seashell-patterned curtain, to match those in the living area, had been put up at the little window. Of course, there was no furniture in here as yet.