Autumn Antics: Escape to the seaside with the perfect autumn read! (The Boardwalk by the Sea Book 2) Read online

  She pictured the sea out the front of her home. “The spray of the waves?”

  “Yes, the spray. It is still warm enough to be outside.” He laughed. “Nearly.”

  Apart from when she was away from the island, Bella couldn’t remember a day that she hadn’t walked on the beach at some point. “You’re too used to Italian weather,” she joked. “You’ll soon toughen up after a winter here on the seafront.”

  They sat in silence for a moment. Bella assumed that Alessandro’s awkwardness earlier had been because Nicki was coming to stay. She didn’t like to think that she was making anyone uncomfortable, especially about something that really was nothing to do with her. “Alessandro,” she said. “You don’t have to be concerned about Nicki coming to Jersey you know.”

  “She is not a very nice person, I think,” he said thoughtfully. “Jack is your friend and also I know Sacha, she does not like Nicki.”

  Bella took a sip of her drink. “But it’s up to Jack to decide what happens between them, not us.”

  Alessandro nodded. “Is true.”

  She opened her mouth to speak only to be interrupted by a loud rapping of the heavy front door knocker. “That sounds urgent,” she joked, putting down her mug and hurrying to answer the door.

  The rapping was repeated.

  “Hang on a sec,” she bellowed, irritated by the visitor’s impatience.

  She opened the door, pulling it back to be confronted by a wild-haired woman of about forty.

  “Quick, let me in before I get soaked,” she said, pushing past Bella. “You’d better close it unless you want to get wet too.”

  Bella closed the door trying to control her annoyance. “Now, you listen here,” she began, turning to address the rude woman when she realized with a shock that it was her mother. “Mum?”

  Bella thought back to her childhood, living with her nan in this cottage. She barely remembered her mum, Claire, being at home but hadn’t resented her absence. Even at ten she had been aware that living with Nan while her mum followed her dreams had been the right thing for her. She loved her mother, but as Nan explained often, her mum had barely been eighteen years old when Bella was born and was sorely lacking when it came to maternal feelings. “Da, dah,” her mother sang, pulling Bella into a brief, awkward hug.

  “Pleased to see me?”

  She was, but her mother’s arrival was usually followed by some form of disruption. “Yes,” she said, taking her mother’s worn leather jacket from her and hanging it on the back of one of her newly acquired mahogany carvers. “Come through and meet Alessandro. He’s one of my lodgers and we’re having a drink out the back together.”

  She led the way, trying not to feel concerned by this unexpected arrival. As they stepped outside, Alessandro stood up and looked from Bella to her mother. “Good evening.”

  She didn’t blame him for looking confused. They were obviously related and could have passed for sisters. Bella recalled her nan giving her a brief lecture once when she complained that her mother didn’t act like other mothers at school. “If you’re wanting a milk and cookies stay at home mum, Bella, then you’re going to be disappointed. If you want to have a relationship with her, you need to accept her for who she is.”

  That was part of Bella’s problem though – she wasn’t exactly sure who her mother was.

  “This is my mum, Claire. Mum, this is Alessandro, Sacha’s boyfriend.”

  She cringed when her mum fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Well, lucky Sacha,” she said as he stood up. She took his hand, pulling him towards her, kissing him on both cheeks. “You’re one of Bella’s lodgers? I’m looking forward to meeting the other one now.”

  “Yes,” Alessandro replied, looking stunned. “You would like a drink?”

  “Do you have gin?”

  “We have wine,” Bella said. “White, red and rosé, or tea or coffee.” She wondered how long her mother intended staying.

  “Red for me.” She took a seat and dropped her small holdall at her feet. “I can see you’re wondering why I’m here,” she said, pinching Bella’s cheek. “Don’t worry it won’t be for too long.”

  Alessandro went to fetch Claire a glass of wine.

  Bella picked up her mug and comforted herself by drinking.

  “Which room have you put Alessandro in?”

  “The large room at the front next to mine,” Bella said. “Why?” She suspected that she knew the answer already.

  “I’d rather have that room, but if it’s occupied and he’s paying rent, I suppose I’ll manage with the smaller room at the back.”

  Bella leant forward and lowered her voice. “Mum, I said I have two tenants and there’s only two bedrooms, so you can’t stay here. You’ll have to stay with one of your friends.”

  Claire looked the picture of sadness. “I’m your mother, Bella. I’d hoped you’d welcome me home.”

  “Yes, but it would have been nice to have some warning, so that I could make arrangements, don’t you think?” Bella gritted her teeth, picturing Nan’s kind face as she told her to hold her temper and not give her mother the satisfaction of playing the martyr. “You haven’t been back here for, what is it?” She tried to work out how many years since her mother had bothered to come back to the boardwalk. “Seven?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, it can’t be that long.”

  She could see that her mother knew exactly how long it had been and despite willing herself not to, Bella added, “You didn’t even come back for Nan’s funeral.” She heard her voice crack with emotion.

  It had been three years since her nan had died but it still hurt like hell. Some nights Bella would wake and think she heard her nan talking to her, upset to realize it was just a dream. Other times, usually when she had heard something funny, she thought how amused Nan would be when she repeated the story to her, only to remember that it was impossible and be upset.

  Her mother reached out and placed a hand on Bella’s arm. “Sweetheart, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could go back and rectify not being here for you.”

  Bella wanted to believe her, but experience had taught her to know better. “So why has it taken you another three years to make it back here then?”

  “I’m here now,” she said, and smiled at Alessandro as he brought out her drink.

  “Here you are.” Alessandro placed the glass of red wine on the table in front of Claire.

  She looked suddenly downcast, and said to Bella, “It’s such a shame that you don’t have room for me here. I was so looking forward to making it up to you for being away for so long. I suppose I’ll have to go and book into the Prince of Wales, or the Sea Breeze Hotel, if they have space.”

  Bella doubted her mother had the funds to do any such thing. She usually only came back when a relationship ended, and her money had run out. Bella knew as soon as Alessandro’s smile disappeared that he was going to do the gentlemanly thing and offer his room to her mother.

  “It’s okay, Alessandro,” she implored, not looking forward to having her peaceful routine disrupted by her mother. “Mum is happy to stay there. She’ll only be down the road.”

  He shook his head. “No, this is not acceptable.”

  Claire took her hand from Bella’s arm and took hold of Alessandro, hugging him tightly. “You charming, delightful man,” she said. “Are you absolutely sure you won’t mind?”

  “Mum?” Bella stood up, knocking her mug over and spilling tea all over the table. “Bugger.”

  Alessandro looked mortified and shook his head. “I insist. I am happy to stay there.” He stepped back from her mother. “I will go now and ask if they have a room for me.”

  Before Bella could argue, Alessandro left.

  “You knew he’d do that, didn’t you? You only want to stay here to save money. I rent the rooms out because I need the income, plus he’s very nice. Bloody hell, Mum.”

  Infuriated by her mother’s self-satisfied smile, Bella had to try hard not to lose h
er temper completely. She walked through to the kitchen to fetch a cloth and mop up her spilt tea removing her gloves and dropping them onto the worktop.

  Alessandro returned a short while later. “They have a room. I will take my things and go tonight. You can prepare the room for your mama.”

  Claire got up, smiling at him, but before she could give him another hug, he side-stepped her and ran up the stairs.

  Bella followed him. “Really, you don’t need to do this,” she said, reaching his bedroom door. “Mum can share my bed. She doesn’t need her own room.”

  “No, I am happy to do this,” he reassured her. “You and your mother need time to talk, I think.”

  “You’re not kidding, but I hate to feel like she’s pushed you out.”

  He shook his head. “Please do not worry. When she has left I can come back again. Yes?”

  “Yes,” Bella said miserably. “I’ll miss having you around though. It’s been fun here with you and Jack, especially the evenings when Sacha calls in.” She thought of the times they’d laughed and drank until the small hours and how much she was going to miss them while her mother was staying.

  Alessandro pulled a case from the wardrobe and filled it with a few of his clothes and shaving gear. “It won’t be for long maybe.”

  She hoped not.

  Bella left Alessandro in peace to pack his things. He soon joined her in the living room and she thanked him again as he left the cottage. Then turning to her mother, she said. “Right, come and help me make up your room.”

  She picked up her mother’s holdall, unable to forget her manners. “Follow me.”

  They got to the room and her mother took her bag from Bella’s grasp. “I’ve only got a few things to hang up,” she said. “I thought I could borrow some of your clothes if I needed to.”

  Bella took a deep breath and walked to the airing cupboard to fetch some clean sheets and a towel. They stripped the bed and her mother helped her make it up again.

  “Okay,” Bella said, grabbing the heap of bedlinen and towels she’d discarded on the floor. “I’ll take these downstairs to the washing machine and leave you to settle in for a bit.” And clear my mind before I completely lose it, she thought as she closed the bedroom door quietly and walked down the stairs.

  Why, she wondered, did her mother have to return just when she was happy and settled for once? It had been a fun summer for the most part and that had been largely down to her two tenants. She hoped Jack wouldn’t now decide to move out to join Alessandro at the hotel. After all, Nicki was staying there now, too. He might think it would make things easier all round.

  She clicked open the door of the washing machine and pushed Alessandro’s things inside. Setting the dial, she added the powder and slammed the door closed with more effort than she’d intended.

  Jack. She tried to imagine how he was getting on but all that happened was a vision of Nicki looking glamorous and perfectly made up came into her mind depressing her even further.

  “Stop frowning,” her mother said, joining her in the kitchen. “You’ll get lines.”

  Bella leaned back against the worktop and studied her mother in her skinny jeans, short glittery T-shirt and black biker boots. She was forty-eight, with the last thirty years of partying leaving only slight lines on her pretty face. She still thought she was twenty.

  “Why have you really come back, Mum?”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “I thought you loved living in, where was it?” Bella asked, as they leaned against opposite wooden worktops in her galley kitchen.

  “Mirissa,” Claire said, fiddling with the coloured glass beads on her bracelet.

  “What about your boyfriend? Last time you wrote, you said you two were blissfully happy. Is he coming to stay, too?”

  Claire shook her head. “No. I’ve left him.”

  Bella could see her mum was upset and her irritation towards her lessened. “I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

  “His vile mother never took to me,” she said quietly. “She hated that he wanted to marry a woman who was…” she hesitated, glancing up at Bella. “Well, I’m a year or more older than him. She was hoping he’d marry a younger girl and produce a large family.”

  “How much older?” Bella asked. “If you don’t mind me asking.” Bella knew she would mind but wanted to be certain of all the details before she felt she could criticize the man’s mother.

  Claire shrugged. “Twenty-one years.”

  “So, that makes him twenty-seven. Mum, he’s younger than I am.” She couldn’t help feeling slightly impressed. She liked the idea that her mother had enough confidence to date a man so much younger than her. “I suppose I can see his mother’s point of view though,” Bella admitted. “But if he’s happy then surely his mother shouldn’t mind?” When her mother didn’t reply, she added. “Hang on, why are you here and not trying to make things work with him in Sri Lanka?”

  Claire stood up. “Because there are times, Bella, when you hope the man you love bloody stands up for you. I thought I’d get away from it all and come back here to catch up with you. While I’m away he can ponder on whether or not I’m going back.”

  It made sense. “Good for you. Well, I hope it all works out in the end.”

  As annoying as her mother could be at times, Bella still hated seeing her upset. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a bit more welcoming,” she said. “It’s been a trying day. I know that’s no excuse, but you caught me off guard.”

  “That’s all right. Can I have a hug now? A proper one mind.”

  Bella smiled and stepped into her mother’s outstretched arms, breathing in the familiar patchouli-based scent she always associated with her. She couldn’t help wondering how long it would be until her mother became bored of life on the boardwalk and yearn to return to Sri Lanka. She just hoped she didn’t get too used to her being back, only to be devastated when she suddenly announced her departure, as was usually the case.

  The front door closed, alerting her to Jack’s return.

  “Bella?” he bellowed. “Fancy a quickie?”

  She froze, stepping back from her giggling mother.

  “He means a drink,” she whispered through clenched teeth. “Through here, Jack.”

  She could hear his heavy footsteps as he neared the kitchen. “Well, look who it is,” he beamed, recognizing Claire. “The happy wanderer returns.”

  Bella’s heart contracted watching his handsome tanned face as he kissed her mother on the cheek. “You’re looking amazing, Claire.”

  “She does, doesn’t she?” Bella said. “But she’s kicked poor Alessandro out of his bedroom.”

  “He offered,” Claire nudged her in the ribs. “You make it sound as if I insisted.”

  Bella pulled a face at Jack. “Put it this way, he’s too much of a gentleman not to offer.”

  “So that’s why I saw him at the Sea Breeze?” Jack said, enlightened by this news.

  “You didn’t speak to him?”

  Jack sighed heavily. “Too busy listening to Nicki’s speech to be able to chat with anyone else.”

  Bella pictured Jack’s sleek ex cornering him. He was a free spirit and she still couldn’t imagine what had attracted them to each other in the first place. “Didn’t go too well then?”

  “She still insists that we should give it another go, despite me telling her that I had no intention of returning to the mainland.” He walked into the kitchen. “Drinks, anyone? I know I need one.”

  Bella couldn’t help smiling at this news. Jack was happiest on the beach. When he wasn’t helping Sacha run the café he was surfing, or rock climbing. She doubted he could stand living in a city for too long. “Surely she doesn’t expect you to go back and live in London, not really?”

  “She does,” he said, reaching into the fridge and taking out three bottles of lager. “Claire?”

  Bella watched her mother take her drink and then, taking one from Jack, followed her into the living room and sat down.
“Sacha will be glad that you’ve decided to stay here.”

  Jack took a mouthful from his bottle. “Not really. She’s already told me that she’ll be reducing the opening hours for the café in the next two weeks. She wants to keep young Milo on for Saturdays, which is great, but there’s no point keeping it open when fewer people come to the boardwalk now summer’s over.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find something though?” She tried to come up with a suggestion.

  “We’ll see.” He stared into the cold fireplace. “I was offered work by Tony Le Quesne this morning when he overheard me and Sacha chatting.”

  “Who?” Claire asked.

  “He’s a fisherman who moors his boat down here,” Bella explained. “He’s a widower, sadly. He has two small children.”

  Jack added, “His wife died a while back. Must be eighteen months or so now. He’s finding it a bit difficult without her, poor bloke.”

  Bella pictured the handsome man who took his children to eat at the café most days. Sacha had spoken about him many times. Bella had seen him several times too and he always looked as if he was trying to put on a happy face for his children’s sakes. “I gather from Sacha that he and his wife were very much in love.”

  “Poor sod.”

  They fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts. Bella wondered if there was ever a time when a bereft person could truly move on from losing the love of their life. She sighed miserably. Would she ever find a love that strong? She hoped so.

  “Hey,” Jack said, making Bella and Claire jump. “Enough wallowing. How about I treat you ladies to a bite to eat at Summer Sundaes? You must be famished if you’ve only just arrived, Claire?”

  The words were barely out of his mouth when Bella remembered that she had been supposed to go there to try Sacha’s new soup with him.

  “That would be perfect,” her mother said. Never one to miss an opportunity, she finished her drink within seconds and, standing up, linked her arm through Jack’s. “Come along, Bella, before he changes his mind.”

  Jack ruffled Bella’s hair. “Bella knows that when food is on my mind I’m not easily distracted.”