Page 15 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘You seem like old friends,’ she said, surprised.

Robyn and Katie explained that although they’d each known of the other, they’d never actually spoken until this morning. Katie told her about her underwear shop. Grace made a mental note to visit soon; some new lingerie would be a lovely way to cheer herself up. Robyn divulged virtually nothing about herself, other than that she was married to a fisherman, the last remaining fishing family in Merle Bay.

‘I only popped out for a quick walk from work to clear my head and I’ve been gone far longer than planned.’ Katie tucked her windblown hair behind her ears.

‘Oh dear, do you have a headache?’ Grace asked. ‘I’ve got some tablets somewhere.’

‘Tablets won’t make this pain go away, unfortunately,’ said Katie, not meeting her eye. ‘But thank you.’

‘No, thank you,’ she replied. ‘Both of you. I could have been stuck there for ages if you hadn’t been around.’

‘I’m really sorry you hurt yourself,’ said Katie, ‘but I must admit, I am a tiny bit glad that I’ve had a chance to see inside this house. I’ve always wanted to have a nose around.’

‘Me too,’ Robyn agreed. ‘Sea Glass House is the coolest property in Merle Bay. It caused no end of controversy when the owner applied for planning permission.’

Grace remembered something about that. But Ned was an experienced builder, he was used to biding his time, reworking, resubmitting plans until he got the positive result he wanted.

‘And how do the local people feel about it now?’ she asked. Not that it was any skin off her nose, she was only a visitor, but it was handy to know how the land lay before she admitted to being a friend of Ned’s.

‘Mixed.’ Robyn lifted a shoulder and cradled her tea. ‘You know what people are like. Some hate modern design, some love it. There are those who automatically despise second-home owners and those who can see the benefit of tourism. This is the most gorgeous house I’ve ever been in. But I’m happy in my tiny little cottage with tiny rooms where I can leave my stuff out and shut the door on it, so we don’t have to look at it.’

‘I love it. I love the clean lines and the sparkle of the glass,’ said Katie. ‘I could sit and watch the sea all day.’

‘That’s a relief,’ said Grace, letting out a breath. ‘The owner is an old friend of mine and he’s lent the house to me for a few months. It would have been a bit awkward if neither of you approved.’

‘Wow, lucky you. My house is stuck in a time-warp and I haven’t got around to changing anything because … ’ Katie paused, and her face flushed.

Grace waited, not wanting to pry. She was a massive believer in fate. These two women, considerably younger than her, had come into her life for a reason, she was sure. Only time would tell what that was.

Katie cleared her throat. ‘I suppose it still feels like my aunt’s house and not mine to mess with. Although she passed away a year ago, so maybe I need to start putting my own stamp on it at some point.’

‘Totally get that,’ said Grace kindly.

‘It takes time to adjust to losing someone you love,’ Robyn added. ‘You’ll know when the time is right.’

‘Thanks. Anyway,’ said Katie, looking uncomfortable, ‘something like this would be my dream home, although it’s very big for one.’

Grace’s heart squeezed. Katie was right. The house was incredible, but she had no one to share it with. No one to marvel over the gleaming kitchen surfaces, the shower with massage jets big enough for two. No one to sit in the hot tub, sipping Prosecco and soaking up the view across the bay. And on a practical level, she was alone in a massive house, in a remote location with at the very least a twisted ankle. If she couldn’t drive, how would she manage, who could she call to come to her aid? Ned was based in Bristol these days, so he was no good and she couldn’t rely on the kindness of these two strangers.

‘I wish it wasn’t for one,’ she admitted. ‘I’m used to being half of a couple and I was until recently. My husband died in November. Unexpectedly. One day he was there, the next, he was gone. He was the love of my life, my soulmate. It sounds like a cliché but it’s true. And I miss him so much that it hurts. The pain in my ankle doesn’t even register by comparison. I’m not ready to be a widow, I assumed we’d have years together. He was only sixty-two. We were supposed to be exploring New Zealand this spring, our dream holiday. We spent ages planning it: Myles, me and a campervan, a trip filled with Hobbit houses, waterfalls, wildlife and deserted beaches.’ She caught the startled expressions on the other two women’s faces and forced a smile. ‘At least I managed the deserted beach part, eh?’

‘You poor thing, I’m so sorry for your loss.’ Katie got up to fetch some tissue from the bathroom; Grace hadn’t even realised she was crying. ‘He sounds like a wonderful man.’

‘He was.’ Grace took the tissue from Katie gratefully and blew her nose. ‘And I’m lucky to have had him for seventeen blissful years, sixteen of them married to him.’

‘I think you’re amazing,’ said Robyn. ‘Not just for moving here by yourself but for talking about it. I’m rubbish at talking about things that matter.’

‘I talk about everything. Wear my heart on my sleeve.’ A ghost of a smile crossed Grace’s lips and she looked at her bare skin. ‘When I’ve got sleeves, that is. I suppose I should go and find some clothes.’ She tested her foot on the floor and a sharp pain shot up her leg.

‘Right, that does it,’ said Robyn, getting to her feet and tapping a message out on her phone. ‘I’m not leaving you on your own until we’ve unpacked your car and got you properly settled. I’ve texted my husband to let him know I’ll be late for lunch.’

‘Count me in too,’ said Katie, ‘as soon as I’ve made that call to let Nula know.’ She pointed at the suitcases. ‘Shall we start with those?’

‘You’re angels,’ Grace said in a croaky voice, feeling a bit emotional.

Within half an hour, the car had been emptied, her food stored in the kitchen alongside the tantalising treats supplied by Ned, and Grace had directed the various boxes of her belongings to the appropriate room. She’d unpack all her clothes properly later, but for now she was dressed in one of her favourite jersey jumpsuits and had put on some mascara and a sweep of red lipstick and felt almost human again. After some prodding by Katie, who’d done a first-aid course, the three of them came to the conclusion that Grace’s ankle was swollen but nothing more serious.

‘How about a glass of Prosecco to celebrate me moving in,’ said Grace, surprising herself as the words fell out of her mouth. Was it wrong, she thought belatedly, to raise a glass to a new episode in her life? Was it too soon to be celebrating anything?