Fish and chips in cardboard trays with lashings of salt and vinegar. Those little crispy bits of batter, crunchy then melting on the tongue, the soft white fish beneath, eaten with little wooden forks. The taste of summer at the seaside.
The three of them were sitting on the inner harbour wall. Rachel was amazed that she was actually enjoying her trip out with Jake, and seeing Maisy’s smiling face right now made it all the more worthwhile. Perhaps she was able to move on, forgive Jake his wayward past, and have a future that meant Maisy could be happy and loved by both parents. She wasn’t holding out too much hope that he’d be around very regularly in this future, but perhaps it could work okay for the three of them.
‘Right then, would you like to go and see Auntie Eve at the craft fair? It’s just in the village hall here,’ she added for Jake’s benefit.
‘Okay, yeah, no worries.’
‘Yes! Is Amelia there too?’ Maisy asked.
‘I’m not sure, petal. I think she was staying with her daddy today, as Eve is busy with all her crafts for sale.’
The hall was bustling, with tourists and locals browsing the various displays. There were so many talented stallholders selling a range of toys, woodwork, candles, photography and art. Rachel clocked the stand at the end with the big seascapes on canvas, and wondered if that was ‘the guy’. As they neared, she saw a sign that read ‘Aiden Cole – freelance artist. The coast is my canvas.’ Ah yes, that must be him.
Behind his stand were several paintings, and a tall blond chap was talking to some prospective buyers about the quality of light and the fantastic skies here in Northumberland. Rachel had to admit that he was quite handsome, though a little too arty-farty looking for her taste. He was sporting a dashing neckerchief in blues and greys, a pale blue linen shirt, beige shorts, and there were Crocs on his feet. It was a look that was a million miles away from Eve’s husband, Ben, in his practical navy work overalls or off-duty jeans and T-shirt. The artist’s paintings looked rather stormy and moody, and she couldn’t help but wonder if, despite his charming smile with his customers, his temperament might reflect that.
Looking around the hall, she spotted her friend’s stall in the opposite direction and zigzagged her way across the venue, holding Maisy’s hand and dodging several slow-moving browsers, and a couple of spaniels on leads.
‘Hey, Eve! How’s it going?’ She finally reached her best friend.
‘Hi Rach, thanks so much for dropping in. Good so far. I’ve sold quite a bit already, mostly my toys – they’re proving popular with the families on holiday. And some cards, and the wooden coasters: the “Prosecco time!” and “Gin O’Clock” seem to be doing especially well. There are lots of people coming through, which is great.’
‘Brilliant, and are you doing okay?’ Rachel didn’t want to mention Aiden out loud, but she knew it couldn’t be easy for Eve.
‘Yep, all fine.’ But she sounded distracted, glancing across at Aiden at that point.
Rachel saw her friend’s cheeks flush.
Maisy and Jake had wandered along to the next stall by now, where Maisy was holding up a charm bracelet and chattering away.
‘Oh Eve, for goodness’ sake be careful,’ Rachel whispered. ‘Just keep your distance and don’t get wrapped up in something you’ll regret.’
‘I’m fine. I’ve got this.’ Eve’s tone was full of bravado.
It wasn’t the place to take the conversation further, but Rachel couldn’t shift her sense of unease. ‘Anyhow, what about you?’ Eve continued. ‘How’s today been with Dodgy Daddy?’
‘Hah, yes, all right actually.’
‘Been behaving himself, has he?’
‘Yeah, surprisingly.’
‘That’s good. Maisy looks happy anyhow.’
They both looked up at Jake and Maisy, who were wandering back over to them holding hands.
‘Well best of luck, hun.’ And Rachel meant in more ways than sales. ‘We’ll take a little look about and then I need to go and pick up my wedding chocolates, and get this little one home.’
‘Oh yes, you were collecting your favours, weren’t you. I bet Emma’s done a smashing job.’
‘She really has. They looked gorgeous when I called in earlier.’
‘Ooh, exciting times, Rach.’ Eve smiled warmly.
Exciting and worrying, Rachel mused. She hadn’t had the chance to share all the latest woes in her complicated pre-wedding life with her best friend.
‘Aw, look, Mummy, these are so sweet.’ Maisy was holding up a felt finger puppet sheep. ‘I could pretend it was Petie and he could play with the Christmas mouse and hedgehog ones I have at home.’
The tag read £4.50, which was reasonable, but after buying the extra chocolates and insisting on paying half for the fish and chips, Rachel’s funds were all out for today.
‘Go on then, I’ll get it,’ Jake offered, peering over Maisy’s shoulder. ‘Are you sure that one’s your favourite?’
‘Yes, he’s called Petie, and I love him already.’
‘Ah, you spoil her,’ Rachel said, but with a smile.
‘And why not, we don’t get to spend much time together, do we, princess?’ He ruffled her blonde hair. ‘It’ll be a little something to remember today by. You don’t want a puffin or a seal one, do you? For the seaside?’
‘Nope.’
‘All righty.’ Jake took a five-pound note out of his pocket and paid.
Maisy was already popping the sheep on her finger and baaing. Luckily her antics were drawing a few other children to the stall, who tried on some of the other puppets, wiggling fingers and giggling, and two more sales swiftly followed.
‘Hah, I need you to stay a bit longer, Maisy,’ Eve grinned. ‘You’re a sales magnet.’
Rachel had a feeling she should stay on too, as chaperone, whisking Eve swiftly away at the end of the event. But it was time to move on and get back to the farm.
She gave her friend a farewell hug, whispering ‘best of luck’. After a quick whizz around the stalls, they were soon heading for the exit; Rachel turning at the last to see artist Aiden making a beeline for Eve’s stand. Oh crikey. But, she told herself, Eve was a big girl now. And she usually had a sensible head on her shoulders. It just seemed to have been turned of late.
With the wedding chocolates collected and safely stowed in the back of the Land Rover, the three of them were soon weaving their way home along country lanes. Maisy was snoozing, with her head tucked against Jake’s side, his arm around her. Despite her concerns for Eve, it had been a good day.
Yet, as they edged closer to Kirkton, the three of them singing along to George Ezra’s ‘Shotgun’ at the tops of their voices, Rachel saw a familiar truck coming around the bend. Tom.
Rachel paused to wind the window down to say hello, but her fiancé had a face on him like thunder. The three of them singing in unison and playing happy families wasn’t exactly a welcome sight, she supposed.
‘All right? Had a good day?’ Tom was trying his best to be polite.
‘Yeah, great mate,’ Jake cut in, leaning across to the open window.
Tom gave him a look that said he was anything but his mate.
‘Good, thanks,’ replied Rachel calmly, trying to hold it together. ‘It was … nice at the beach. And lovely to see Eve at the craft fair.’
‘Well … see you later then,’ Tom said to Rachel, as he put the truck back into gear. He couldn’t get out of there quickly enough.
‘Okay. See you later.’ Why did life and relationships have to be so damned complicated?