Page 89 of The Summer That Changed Us

‘Tea please,’ said Grace, reaching into her pocket for money. ‘And some of your delicious cake.’

‘Me too,’ said Zoe, joining them. ‘but I shouldn’t really. Food pickers wear bigger knickers, as the saying goes.’

Grace’s face fell. ‘That is very true. Although in your case, you’re rushing around after two kids. I think you deserve cake. I should probably just have a cup of tea.’

Bloody Myles, thought Robyn crossly. Grace had been so confident in her own skin when Robyn met her. It was only since she’d discovered that he’d cheated on her that she’d become body-conscious.

‘Absolutely nothing wrong with big knickers,’ Robyn said, cutting a slice of carrot cake for her friend. ‘And this cake is so full of carrots it’s practically health food.’

Finn poured her some tea and waved away Grace’s attempt to pay. ‘On the house. You’re a friend.’

‘Oh, Finn what a lovely thing to say,’ Grace looked genuinely touched. ‘Thank you.’

‘Is that flapjack?’ Zoe asked. ‘I adore flapjack. That’s healthy too, right?

Finn put a piece of flapjack on a plate for Zoe. She took a delicate bite and closed her eyes in rapture. ‘That is seriously good.’

‘Thanks,’ he grinned. ‘I added maple syrup for a change.’

‘Lucky Robyn, having a handsome man who knows how to handle himself in the kitchen.’ She smiled at Finn.

‘Hands off, he’s mine,’ Robyn said, forcing a laugh. She wrapped an arm around her husband’s waist.

‘Ignore my sister,’ said Grace. ‘Besides, she has terrible taste in men. Finn is far too nice to be her type.’

Zoe choked on a crumb of flapjack and Grace had to thump her back.

‘I think that’s a compliment,’ Finn looked embarrassed.

There was a sudden wail from Ruby’s pram and Zoe groaned. ‘Typical. I’m sure my daughter has a sensor which picks up a signal as soon as I get a cup of tea.’

‘I’ll get her, you finish your tea,’ said Finn, striding towards the wailing baby.

Robyn watched as he scooped Ruby up into his arms. Immediately she stopped crying. She patted his face and tried to chew his chin.

‘Look at that!’ said Zoe, cramming another piece of flapjack into her mouth. ‘I hereby appoint you the baby whisperer.’

Finn laughed and pressed his mouth to Ruby’s ear. The baby squealed with delight. Grace wolfed down the rest of her cake and took her niece out of Finn’s arms.

‘My turn,’ she said, plonking a kiss on Ruby’s cheek.

‘Bye Ruby.’ Finn waved his fingers and returned to the refreshments table, smiling at Zoe. ‘She’s adorable,’ he said to her.

Robyn’s stomach dropped like a stone. His desire for a baby was still there, as strong as ever. She’d seen it when he held his baby niece, but that was different. Betty was family, he was bound to love her. But seeing his face light up when he’d had a stranger’s baby in his arms confirmed it. He wanted what Robyn couldn’t give him and she didn’t know how they’d ever get past this. Not as a couple anyway.

‘Excuse me,’ she mumbled. She strode off across the beach, head low and let the tears flow.

‘Wait for me!’ said Grace.

She waited, blinking away the tears.

Grace handed her a tissue. ‘Come and help me find some sea glass.’

‘OK.’ Robyn wiped her eyes and watched while Grace kicked through the shingle looking for glass.

‘So, what’s up?’ asked Grace.

‘Finn,’ she sighed. ‘He flirts with Zoe and treats me like an elderly aunt.’