‘You sound happy.’
Marina glanced up, a little startled to hear Tiff’s voice. She’d expected her to be out with Dirk – or in with Dirk.
It was a sultry afternoon and Marina had been deadheading the geraniums to encourage them to flower again. She’d also been humming to herself, possibly more loudly than she’d intended. She’d been humming a lot over the past few days and felt her life was finally blossoming as promisingly as her garden. ‘Yeah. I am.’
‘You look glowing, too,’ Tiff said.
Marina laughed, a little embarrassed. ‘Probably because I forgot to put any sun cream on before I came out.’
‘It’s nothing to do with the sun, as you well know. You’ve been like this since you decided to go on this weekend away. He’s good for you and, judging by the smile on his face whenever you’re around, you’re even better for him.’
‘I hope so. I daren’t let myself believe that things could go so well.’
Tiff flopped onto the garden bench. ‘You deserve it.’
‘Can’t remember when I last had a weekend break like this. As a … couple, I mean. I’ve been on a few hols with work colleagues and training weekends with the Wave Watchers but, ahem, this isn’t quite the same.’ She laughed nervously.
‘Have you heard back from the Lighthouse Cottage Company yet?’ Tiff asked, kicking off her pistachio-coloured lace-up pumps. Marina didn’t think she’d seen her cousin in pumps since they were kids.
‘We’re waiting for a confirmation but we’ve booked our ferry tickets. I suggested taking the boat because of … well, you can guess why I didn’t ask him to go by air.’
Tiff’s nose wrinkled in horror. ‘Good idea. I’ve seen those so-called aircraft take off from Land’s End. They’re like toy planes.’
Marina stripped off her gloves, happy to abandon the gardening now Tiff was home. ‘I must admit I’m nervous, but that has nothing to do with the trip itself.’
‘As long as it doesn’t turn out like a Bridget Jones mini-break, you’ll be fine.’
‘I hope not. Wasn’t it all ruined when they got home to find Daniel Cleaver’s girlfriend naked in the bath?’
Tiff nodded. ‘Personally, I’ve always been more of a Cleaver fan than a Mark Darcy one. You’re not really worried about this trip, are you? Dirty weekends are meant to be fun.’ Tiff raised an eyebrow.
‘It’s not a dirty weekend … I’m sure nothing like that will … happen,’ she said, yet she was unable to keep the smile from her voice at the thought of things moving to a new physical level with Lachlan.
Tiff reached forward and patted her arm. ‘Go on, you’d be disappointed if it didn’t! Oh, Marina, it’ll be fine. I’m sure. More than fine. Lachlan seems like one of the good guys, you fancy each other and you deserve an amazing time. Try to stop worrying.’
‘You’re right and it should be idyllic. Hope so, anyway.’ Marina went into the kitchen and brought chilled lemonade outside with a dish of tortilla chips. There had been a few more kisses between her and Lachlan but nothing else yet … and she was more certain than ever that they both needed to get away from past associations, somewhere fresh and new.
‘Dare I ask how things are going with Dirk?’ she said, sitting down at the table again.
‘I wouldn’t go there if I were you.’ Tiff grabbed a handful of chips.
‘I’m sorry. I should have asked you sooner – I thought you seemed quiet and you haven’t mentioned him for a while. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own little world.’
‘I’m glad you haven’t. Dirk and I have had a tiny falling-out.’
‘What over?’
‘The Herald ran a story about Amira – his ex – and her new boyfriend and how she was having a wonderful time getting over Dirk and his moods.’
Marina groaned. ‘Oh God, I bet that went down like a lead balloon.’
‘You could say that, but that wasn’t the worst of it. The story mentioned me in a roundabout way, and Dirk accused me of telling the Herald we were seeing each other.’
‘No!’ Marina was genuinely shocked. ‘How could he do that? You wouldn’t do that!’
‘Thank you for the defence. You’re right, I wouldn’t do it and I didn’t tell them. They could have found out in numerous ways, but Dirk jumped to the conclusion it was me.’
‘Does he still believe that?’ Marina was amazed and fuming on Tiff’s behalf. Dirk was an idiot; she’d thought that the two of them were finally building a real rapport but this showed otherwise.
‘He back-pedalled a little but I was so furious that I walked out.’
‘Have you seen him since?’
‘He has messaged me, asking to meet, but I’ve ignored it. Haven’t seen him for over a week now. Like all fireworks, we appear to have enjoyed a spectacular display and then fizzled out.’ She grinned. ‘And at least I’m now able to get my beauty sleep. Now, don’t worry about me. You worry about this trip. I hope you’ve no intention of packing those “sensible” knickers I saw in the laundry basket. Trust me, it won’t end well …’
A few days before their trip, Marina invited Lachlan round for dinner while Tiff went to a Pilates class at the community centre. She said she’d probably go to the pub with some of the other women afterwards so they had the place to themselves.
A warmth stole into her cheeks at the thought she might not have quite so much sleep over their weekend away, if they took things further than kisses.
Lachlan brought their plates through and sat down but didn’t even pick up his knife and fork. ‘It’s no good. I can’t wait any longer. I want to tell you something.’
‘Oh? What?’ She readied herself. Lachlan seemed twitchy. What was about to happen?
‘I’ve got a bit of a surprise. I hope you won’t be disappointed … there’s a slight change of plan for our trip.’
‘Oh … I see,’ she said, readying herself for disappointment. Was he going to say the whole thing was off? Was that why he’d spent a while on her iPad and gone quiet before dinner?
‘We’re not going to Scilly on the boat,’ he said, with a smile.
‘Oh no! Have they had to cancel?’ she said.
‘No. We’re going by air.’
‘What? But we’ve booked the Scillonian tickets already.’
‘We had … but I rebooked them earlier and upgraded to Skybus. They’re all part of the same company and they managed to squeeze us onto an early morning flight. It’ll be much faster and give us more time on the islands to relax. Don’t worry, I’m paying for the upgrade,’ he added, possibly seeing her jaw drop in amazement.
‘No. I’ll pay for my share. I don’t mind at all and I’d love to fly but … how will you handle it? I thought you wanted to sail?’
‘I want to fly, Marina. I need to try and get back to the way I was or at least regain some confidence. I’ll be honest and say that I am bricking it but I need to do this. And besides,’ he added with a smile, ‘you’ll be there to hold my hand, won’t you?’
No wonder he’d seemed on edge, she thought. It was a bold and unexpected step. Wow. ‘Yes, of course! This is … very brave of you.’
‘Brave?’ His brow creased and she worried she’d said the wrong thing. ‘It’s not brave,’ he said. ‘Brave is flying out in dangerous conditions to save a stranger or going into battle.’
‘You are going into battle. You’re facing up to very real fears when your instincts are screaming at you not to. I understand a little of what it’s like to decide to re-engage with your fears, to decide to come back to the world instead of hiding away. I respect that and I’ll help you in any way I can.’
He looked at her with what she thought for a second were eyes glistening with tears but then he reached for her. ‘Better toughen up, hadn’t I? If I’m to live up to you.’
‘I don’t expect a “tough guy” or a “hero”. I’m happy to have a kind, decent man who’s prepared to face up to life, even when it gets difficult. You don’t need to prove anything to me.’ And one she fancied like mad too, of course.
‘Ah, but I want to and I’m going to do my very best to show you what I was – what I can be.’
She didn’t argue any longer and after they’d eaten, they wandered down to Porthmellow Beach with a bottle of wine and some glasses. Lachlan put his arm around her and they drank their wine, watching the waves break softly on the sand. There were still people strolling, walking their dogs and watching the sunset. She’d missed this so much: the pleasures of sharing a meal with someone special in her little back garden or walking on the beach on a summer’s evening.
Most of all, she was touched that Lachlan was ready to set his fears aside for her sake and to try to move on. She’d missed that most of all: someone doing something for her, not out of pity, but because – dare she even think it – she was special to them. It was a heady feeling, and one she was rapidly becoming addicted to … one that would be even harder to lose, second time around. And no amount of reminding herself to live in the moment could stop her from hoping it would go on forever.