Page 110 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘You,’ said Katie.

She pressed her hand to her chest dramatically. ‘Jeez, you had me worried then. Honestly, sometimes adults can be so dim.’

Katie laughed. ‘Is that right?’

‘Dad is mad about you.’

Katie’s heart thumped and she stared at Amber in disbelief. Could that be true? But before she could quiz her any further, a woman holding a clipboard with her pen stuck behind her ear approached them.

‘Katie Small?’ The woman smiled as Katie nodded. ‘We need you for a photograph. All the shortlisted businesses are being done. Prints will be available to purchase from our website.’

‘Sure.’ Katie wrinkled her nose at Amber. ‘Sorry, we’ll have to wait to get a drink. Will you come with me?’

Amber shook her head. ‘I’ll go and find the ladies room; I’m going to see if there’s any free toiletries and then take some more selfies. By the way, stick your bum out behind you, it makes your waist look thinner. Top tip off YouTube.’

‘Well … ’ Katie wavered; she’d promised Barney that she’d look after his daughter, but on the other hand, she’d much rather not have an audience while she was having her photograph taken. ‘OK,’ she said, making a snap decision. ‘But don’t talk to any strange men.’

‘Except my dad.’ Amber stuck her thumb up. ‘Got it. Laters.’

The photo session was quick and painless, and she was soon on her way back to find Amber. She bumped into Robyn and Finn in the foyer; they were posing for a selfie, their heads touching and looking very much in love.

‘Look at you!’ Robyn gasped, making Katie do a twirl. ‘That dress looks amazing on you.’

‘Do you think?’ Katie felt her cheeks flush. ‘I feel very exposed.’

‘You look stunning,’ Robyn exclaimed. ‘I’m really proud of you. Oh, you haven’t met Finn!’

Finn stepped forward and kissed her cheek. ‘Good to meet you. Although I feel as if we’ve known each other for years.’

‘Likewise,’ Katie said, taking in his rugged good looks and lean physique. The pair of them glowed with health and happiness.

‘And this is for you!’ Robyn picked up a package, beautifully wrapped in tissue paper and ribbon and handed it to her. ‘It’s nothing much, but I thought … well, open it and see for yourself.’

Katie took it from her, intrigued. It was surprisingly heavy. She tore off the wrapping and gasped. It was a mosaic made from sea glass, in myriad shades of blue and in the centre, picked out in shells, were the words ‘Mermaid Cottage’.

‘For the outside of my cottage, you remembered!’ Katie was touched and hugged her again. ‘I love it so much. Oh my goodness, I can see everyone on the high street wanting one of these. You could make a fortune.’

‘Really?’ Robyn’s eyes danced with the thought.

‘Why not?’ Finn puffed his chest out proudly. ‘It’s genius.’

He offered to look after the mosaic for her for the time being and Katie handed it back to him after kissing them both again.

‘There’s something else I’ve been thinking about.’ Robyn chewed her lip. ‘But it’s only an idea, I’ll show you.’

She scrolled through the pictures on her phone and held the screen up to Katie.

‘It’s only a sketch at the moment, but … ’

Katie stared at Robyn’s artwork; it was a drawing of Auntie Small’s. Above the windows was a new long sign: another sea glass mosaic on a much larger scale. But it was the name picked out along it that really stood out. ‘It’s beautiful, but it says Katie Small’s?’ Katie said, confused.

‘That’s right,’ said Robyn, looking pleased with herself. ‘Maybe it’s time to put your head above the parapet. Just a thought.’

Katie was still digesting this when Grace and Ned arrived.

‘It’s the woman of the hour,’ cried Grace. She kissed Katie’s cheek, whispering in her ear. ‘You look every inch a winner, darling girl. Barney would have to be barmy if he didn’t offer to unzip this dress for you later.’

Katie glowed with the compliments and put her shoulders back. Then after more introductions and cheek-kissing, Grace suggested finding the bar to buy drinks. Katie excused herself to go and find Amber and set off for the ladies’ loos.