Second Chances at Samphire Bay (Samphire Bay Village #1)

Chapter 30

Emma had teased Perry non-stop since his first date with Bunty. Refusing to rise to the bait, he had taken it all in good spirit. Unbeknown to his daughter, he had already arranged to see Bunty again, but this time it wasn’t on neutral territory, very much the opposite in fact. He’d suggested a sail on his narrowboat, which she had gladly accepted.

‘I’d love to see The Merry Perry !’ Bunty had exclaimed in excitement. Her response had reminded him of Emma and how she was desperate to see inside Bunty’s art deco house.

It was because Emma was so keen to meet Bunty that he had kept a low profile. Not that he didn’t want to introduce his daughter to Bunty, but thought it better to wait a little longer, to see how things panned out; the last thing Perry wanted was for Emma to get attached to Bunty if it all ended belly up. She spoke with familiarity about her already and this was before even setting eyes on the woman.

As a result, he’d taken to snatched calls and messages on his mobile when the coast was clear. Like a teenager, hiding from parents, he was in the garden sat on a bench, having just texted Bunty.

‘Hi, Dad!’ Emma called from the back door, back from work.

He quickly got up to join her in the kitchen, slipping his mobile away in his back pocket.

‘What’s for tea?’ she asked.

‘I thought we’d go out,’ Perry replied.

‘Oh, right.’ Emma sounded surprised. ‘Any particular reason?’

‘Just thought I’d treat you.’ He smiled.

Truth be told, he felt guilty not updating her about Bunty. In an attempt to ease his conscience, he wanted to spend some quality time with his daughter.

Emma eyed him suspiciously.

‘Go on, what’s up?’ she said.

‘Nothing!’ he replied, then his mobile rang. He ignored it. Emma folded her arms and lent on the kitchen worktop. She clearly wasn’t going anywhere.

‘Aren’t you going to answer that?’ she asked innocently, suspecting who it was.

‘Er… Yeah…’ Perry took out his phone and cleared his throat. ‘Hi, Bunty,’ he tried to sound casual, conscious of Emma’s beady eyes on him. ‘Yes, yes that’d be great, thanks.’

Bunty’s voice was fairly loud and could be heard by Emma, who was taking a very keen interest. ‘Yes… bye.’ He gave his daughter a sheepish look. ‘That was Bunty,’ he explained unnecessarily.

‘So I gathered,’ Emma said.

‘I’m er… taking her out on the boat,’ he went on, feeling like a naughty schoolboy.

Emma burst into laughter.

‘Oh, Dad, you look almost guilty.’

‘Hey, I’m new to this, cut me some slack,’ he reasoned, still feeling like this was role reversal.

‘Well, you look like you’re doing just fine to me,’ she chuckled.

‘I do want you to meet her Emma,’ said Perry.

‘But just not yet. I understand.’ Emma held her hands out in surrender.

‘I hope so.’ Perry was at pains not to cause any offence.

‘Stop worrying, Dad, honestly, I just want you to be happy.’

‘Which is exactly what I want for you,’ replied Perry with a firm nod.

‘Good,’ said Emma, then couldn’t resist singing David Grey’s, ‘Sail Away’.

Bunty was no fool. She knew full well, judging by Perry’s demeanour on the phone, that he hadn’t been alone. He sounded a tad awkward, which could only mean he was uncomfortable with his daughter listening in. Whilst understanding the situation, she didn’t want to cause any embarrassment for Perry. Perhaps it would be better if she met her? Curious to see Emma, having heard so much about her, she wanted to put a face to the name.

Bunty’s thoughts turned to a more serious matter, something that had been on the backburner of her mind for some time – selling her house. It was no good procrastinating; she really did have to start the ball rolling.

Initially, Bunty was going to contact the same estate agents that oversaw the sale of the cottages. However, after giving it more consideration, she realised such an impressive property would need more than just a run-of-the mill agent. The marketing for the exclusive art deco house would require specialists. She went online to research estate agents with the calibre for selling premium properties. Eventually she settled for Grand compared to where she was now, it would seem like a shoebox. Still, if she was happy to buy back the cottage, so be it. At least it would give them the cash flow to start a new project.

When Robin had told Jasmine of Bunty’s intention to buy the cottage, she was thrilled.

‘It makes perfect sense to me,’ she’d said. ‘I’ve always been a bit concerned about Bunty being by herself, out there cut off by the tide.’

They’d been lunching in her garden studio, both having worked all morning. Jasmine liked knowing Robin was only next door, but knew it was all about to change, now that he and Jack had completed the restoration.

‘You’ve grown rather fond of Bunty, haven’t you?’ smiled Robin.

‘Yes, I have. She’s a lovely lady. Despite the age gap between us, I find her full of life and such good company.’

‘She’s certainly a character,’ he chuckled.

‘Absolutely and so interesting,’ agreed Jasmine. ‘I’m so glad she and Perry are reunited.’ A thought occurred to her, and she grinned.

‘What?’ Robin asked, noticing her lips twitch.

‘Do you think she’ll end up living with Perry?’

‘Next door? I dunno.’ Robin shrugged with a smirk. ‘Who’d have thought, eh, you living next door to Bunty and her fancy fella?’

At this they both burst into giggles. It was a relief to Jasmine that Bunty was buying the cottage next door. She no longer felt unsettled by having a new neighbour. Her mind cast back to the first day she’d arrived at Samphire Bay, when she hadn’t wanted anyone living near her, just the glittering sea. How things had since changed.

Robin saw the expression on her face and wondered what she was thinking. Then he decided to ask her something they had touched upon before.

‘Jasmine, are you ready to meet my parents?’

They were dying to meet her, that was for sure. Absolutely delighted by the change in their son, they were more than keen to be introduced to the girl responsible for Robin’s happiness. Jasmine looked up at him.

‘Of course, when?’ she replied, well aware of how desperate her parents were to see Robin. Knowing the interrogation he would endure from her mother, she was putting it off though.

‘At the weekend?’ suggested Robin.

He could see it now, Sunday lunch, the full works, all cooked by an eager mum. Maybe this would be a bit too soon? When saying as much to Jasmine, she surprised him.

‘Hell no, I’d love a Sunday dinner!’ She’d leapt at the chance. That was one of the things she really missed not being at her parents’ house. Her mum’s roasts were legendary.

‘OK, I’ll let them know then.’ He paused. ‘But be prepared, they’ll be more than pleased to meet you,’ he’d warned.

That had been two days ago now, and as they got closer to Sunday, he couldn’t deny the nervous butterflies fluttering inside his stomach.

Jack came up the stairs to join Robin.

‘Everything OK here?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, it’s all good,’ replied Robin with a nod.

‘Right, let’s give the old bird a viewing then,’ Jack said with a grin.

Unlike Robin, who had contemplated buying the cottage himself, Jack was more than ready to get the house sold. Time was money, after all, and they were running a business.

‘Now’s a good time. She’s got someone to value her house next week apparently.’

Jack turned, taking in the cottage. ‘It’ll be interesting to see who’s going to end up there.’ He still thought Bunty’s house would have been an ideal business venture, if, that is, they could have stretched their finances that far. Out of the two, Jack was more ambitious than Robin, always hunting for the next project. As soon as it looked like they’d be in a position to start another renovation, he’d put the feelers out. As for Robin, well, he was far too busy with the girl next door, thought Jack with affection, chuffed for his mate. ‘How’s things with Jasmine?’ he asked.

Robin’s face lit up. ‘Fine. She’s meeting my parents at the weekend.’

Jack whistled. ‘Must be love.’

There was a knock at the door, then a voice called, ‘It’s Jasmine!’ from the bottom of the stairs.

‘Up here!’ Robin shouted back.

Jack watched as she came in the room and smiled at Robin, then him. Only the smile he got was less warm and still a touch uncertain.

‘Hi, Jasmine,’ he dipped his head.

‘Hi, Jack,’ she replied, then faced Robin again. ‘Lunch later?’

‘Lovely, thanks,’ answered Robin, then in an effort to encourage conversation with Jack said, ‘We were just discussing Bunty viewing the cottage, weren’t we, Jack?’

‘Yes, that’s right.’ Jack smiled again at Jasmine, wishing she’d learn to like him. Clearly, he had given her the wrong impression from day one.

‘I’m sure she’ll love it,’ Jasmine said, seeming to ease slightly in his company. Despite what Jack thought, her opinion of him was on the ascent, ever since he’d told Ellie where to go. She knew that Jack had had Robin’s best interests at heart. ‘Have you agreed on a price?’ she enquired, curious to know. Then she felt a little embarrassed. It wasn’t really any of her business, was it?

‘Not yet, but we’ll honour the reduction she gave us,’ Jack stated, further attempting to coax himself into her good books. It worked. He was rewarded with a huge beam.

‘That’s decent of you,’ she said.

‘I am decent,’ he replied, making Robin laugh.

‘Right, I’ll arrange a viewing with Bunty, get things moving,’ said Robin rubbing his hands together in anticipation.