Page 64 of The Seaside Supper Club

But now, she could picture it as it might be. A double bed was in fact on order, in a reclaimed pale-wood finish that she and Will had chosen, but they were still waiting on a delivery date. Choosing it online together, before Will’s surgery, had felt like an act of hope, of something to look forward to. They could take nothing for granted, of course, with further PSA tests and follow-ups yet to come, but buying furniture for the beach hut felt like a firm commitment to the future. A happier future, together, with beach days, chilled days, family days, friends over days, and at the end of those days, a comfy bed to look forward to.

She smiled to herself remembering how completing the bed’s delivery instructions online had kept the pair of them entertained. After having to give the car park as the delivery address, Cath filled in an explanatory message under ‘Access Information’ on the unusual residence, highlighting the necessary trip across the dunes to reach the property. Cath still wondered if a large tip might help persuade the delivery men to help shift the no doubt heavy item all the way to the bungalow. As a back-up plan, they’d figured on having a couple of strong mates on hand at the car park, just in case.

She headed back through to the living space, a gentle smile on her face as she gazed again at the hut’s brand-new interior, which turned into a daft grin at Andreas’s cocktail corner.

Sat back down beside a still-snoozing Will, she settled to watch the remaining beachgoers on the sands below; birds, animals and humans. She’d let Will rest some more; it had been a busy day, and he evidently needed it. It was lovely to think that from here on in, with all the works done thanks to their fabulous friends, they’d be able to come over and unwind more often.

Glancing at his sleeping form, Cath wondered if it wasn’t just the surgery Will needed to heal from; after losing Jane he was still carrying a ton of grief. These past few years, he must surely have felt as if he’d been buried in an avalanche of loss. Though his own diagnosis and surgery had been a huge blow, it was very much something else to deal with on top of all that had come before. At least now, he … they could slip away and escape to this very special seaside place, which had been brought back to life with love, and a lot of hard work.

Sitting here with the warmth of the June sun caressing her skin, the salt in the air, and a magical view of the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, Cath could already feel the place working its magic on her. She so hoped it would do the same for Will.

Onwards and upwards. With small, steady and gorgeously salty steps.

Chapter 26

Sunday, 3rd August was marked in red and loomed on the calendar. Now that they had hit July, it was only one turn of the page away. The Tilldale Afternoon Tea was coming around, and way too fast. Cath could feel her anxiety levels ramping up.

With the challenging health events for Will in May and June, and the weeks rolling by with Cath’s continuing efforts to support him and his girls, time was moving on. In fact, it had blooming well steamrolled on. It was great that they had the date and venue fixed for the community afternoon tea, but numbers were constantly growing. As well as the large group coming from the care home, the lads had confirmed that since they’d put a poster up advertising the event in the shop window, the complimentary tickets were being snapped up from the village stores. Firm plans for the catering and entertainment needed to be made, and soon.

With Will still recuperating, only finding enough energy to venture out to check on his cycling shop which was opening on shorter hours, it would be down to the remaining supper club five to put the practical wheels in motion. Cath wanted to ensure the tea was another wonderful social event filled with fantastic food, music and dancing. Could they match the brilliant cuisine, fun and atmosphere of the Christmas lunch? It was a tall order. They’d set their own bar very high. This called for a supper club get-together and brainstorm. Cath felt a bit mean pushing her gang to help out yet again, so soon after all that hard work renovating the beach hut, but this was too big a task to face on her own.

She had already jotted down some thoughts and ideas. Her notebook in her phone listed:

50s music – confirm the band. One that’s not too expensive! Live music would make the event extra special, and help give that traditional tea dance feel.

50s clothes. Looking the part would make it much more fun. She was sure Andreas and Dan would be very much up for it. And, if any of the guests wanted to dress for that era, that would of course be wonderful. She’d give Julie at the care home the heads-up. They’d need to add that to any posters and event information, too.

Food? Proper afternoon tea style – dainty sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, mini cakes and bakes. She’d added LILY in capital letters. The baking queen might fancy taking a lead on this one, and they’d yet to firm up who exactly was cooking and making what.

FUNDS?? More capital letters. Funding was going to be her biggest dilemma. Again, they’d agreed to host this as a free event, keeping it accessible to the elderly and those who might feel isolated or a bit lonely, including both young and old from the area. Tilldale wasn’t a big village by any means, and they strongly felt it was important to try and cater for everyone who’d like to join in. At least, with ticketing via the shop, it meant that they had a track of numbers.

Cath felt slightly panicky, realising she’d left all this a bit late. But her mind and energy had been diverted to caring for Will these past few weeks. The other supper clubbers had been focused on their own lives plus doing the beach hut renovations. School teacher mode began to kick in as she sat pondering over a cup of coffee, ramping up ideas: the raffle – they’d need to get that hamper of tea-time goodies out on display with tickets for sale, the tombola to organise, additional donations – where might she ask locally for help? And she needed to check up on those sponsorship ideas mooted at the last meeting, including the Brownies’ bounce-a-thon and Nikki’s boys’ car-washing idea. Had anything in fact moved forward with those? Time was running short.

Her usual organised self had been flagging; of course she’d had a hell of a lot to cope with, and right now, it being late in the evening, her energies were low. She stifled a yawn, realising her mind felt rather mushy instead of productive. Right then, time for bed. She’d sleep on it. She knew better than to try to make important decisions with a tired brain. But she hoped to have some more concrete, and also inspiring, ideas to take with her to the planning session tomorrow. She also hoped that Andreas would have some baklava handy for the morning. She needed thinking fuel.

*

A baklava brainstorming session was indeed doing the trick.

In Andreas and Dan’s flat above the shop, coffee was poured, and the sweet honey and walnut delights were going down a treat. Nikki had pushed her first cleaning job to an hour later, and the lads were going to take turns to mind the stores. Lily was there, looking like she’d just got out of bed – which she probably had done after getting used to post-exam lie-ins. She’d turned up with her kohl looking slightly smudgy, not quite as slickly painted as usual this morning (or perhaps it was still last night’s, Cath pondered amusedly). And, terrier Shirley, their extra team member, was there acting as a crumb cleaner and foot warmer for Cath under the table.

‘Right, guys,’ Cath started with an upbeat tone. ‘We have four weeks to go until the Tilldale Afternoon Tea, and so far other than a poster in the shop and handing out several tickets …’

‘Twelve,’ added Andreas. ‘Twelve tickets, so far.’

‘Plus, the minibus – correction, minibuses – coming from the home, which at the last count was …’ – she took a breath – ‘twenty-six residents plus three carers.’ Of course, they’d loved the idea, and word had spread within the home about the Big Christmas Bash, so there was a ‘fear of missing out’ factor going on. ‘Well then, we have a venue, a date and plenty of guests … and, I’m sorry, I realise I’ve let things slip lately, but …’

‘Hey, that’s only natural. You’ve had important stuff going on. You’ve been caring for Will and his family,’ said Nikki kindly.

‘Yeah, we could have got going a bit quicker on this, and helped you out,’ added Andreas.

‘But you were already doing all of that fantastic DIY at the beach hut,’ Cath countered.

‘Okay, so we’ve all been pretty busy,’ said Lily.

‘Right, we need a plan and fast. Food, music – and as we discussed before, a band would be lovely if we can afford it – and yes, we need to sort the finances.’ Cath was getting down to business, with her phone out ready to add some detail to her list.

‘So, the band.’ Lily jumped in. ‘I’ve been chatting with the Swing Band I’d mentioned from school. With it being the holidays, some are away, but a core of about five or six can come along. I’ve said I’d check it out with you guys, but that we’d perhaps give them a small payment for their time, plus a free afternoon tea. I mooted twenty pounds each, hope that’s okay?’