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ISABEL’S SATURDAY MORNING at The Natural Way flew by in a flurry of natural remedies for everything from head lice to rosacea. She was eager to get back to Pier View House though, as Austin had talked of nothing but the fish he was going to choose from the moment he’d opened his eyes. He’d also informed her that yes, his mummy did have a NutriBullet but he didn’t like the smoothies she made in it because they were always green.
She’d promised him she’d be home after work as quick as she could and Rhodri planned on distracting him with a long walk along the beach to see how many periwinkles they could find. Austin had screwed up his nose when Rhodri explained how you boiled them in seawater and then hooked the mollusc out with a pin to eat it. They’d have fun foraging for them at any rate, she’d thought, giving Rhodri a kiss goodbye and planting one on top of Austin’s head. She’d had a definite skip in her step as she’d made her way up Union Street.
She avoided looking across the street at the letter box because there was no time for flagellating herself about sending her letter to Veronica today. Dodging her way through the shoppers, she hared off down Union Street noticing the cluster of white down by the shoreline. The noise of squawking seagulls grew louder the closer she got. She wondered if that meant they were due for some bad weather. She was sure she’d read somewhere that when a large flock appeared like that so close to land it meant a storm was on its way. They’d had a good run and it couldn’t last forever, she supposed. At least it wouldn’t affect their afternoon if it packed up. She reached A Leap of Faith and burst through the doors.
She waved at Nico who was chatting with a young man about a soft, dreamlike watercolour on display, although Isabel thought it more likely he was interested in Nico and not the watercolour.
‘I’m home,’ she called, racing up the stairs.
Rhodri greeted her with a smile from where he was standing at the stove by a pot of bubbling water. Austin was standing on one of the dining table chairs observing what was going on from a safe distance.
‘Winkles,’ he said. ‘I’ve talked this young man into trying one and I plan on having mine on a piece of brown bread and butter. Can I tempt you?’
‘No thanks, I’ll stick with a ham sandwich.’ She wrinkled her nose at the fishy smell.
‘When we’ve had the winkle can we go and get the fish, please?’
‘Yes, that’s the plan,’ Isabel said, as excited as he was to get to the pet store.
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IT TURNED OUT AUSTIN had exotic tastes when it came to fish and despite her and Rhodri’s best efforts to steer him toward the guppies and goldfish he went straight to the tropical fish tank. Isabel elbowed Rhodri and they both smiled indulgently, seeing him staring through eyes round in amazement at the colourful fish. They all watched the vibrant oranges, reds and blues swirling lazily about in their watery home.
‘I like that one there, Daddy, Isabel.’
‘Austin, don’t touch the tank,’ Rhodri said, leaning in for a closer look. ‘The one with the purple in its fins?’
‘Yes, I’m going to call him Nemo.’
‘Definitely looks like a Nemo to me,’ Isabel said, squinting at the prices tacked onto the side of the tank. Her eyes began to water. Who knew tropical fish were so expensive? She doubted Rhodri would be exclaiming quite so gleefully over Bubbles, Fin and Fish Finger having also been picked out had he seen it. No wonder Sally had held off. They hadn’t even checked out a tank and all the other paraphernalia that would go with it.
Ten minutes later, Rhodri muttered, ‘This was your big idea,’ to Isabel as he dusted off his wallet while his son yabbered on about how tropical fish had to have warm water. His smile softened his words.
Austin’s hand searched out Isabel and at that moment she wouldn’t have minded if Rhodri sold all their worldly possessions and bought the entire pet shop because the feel of his plump warm hand in hers melted her heart.