Panic filled Ginny as she tried so hard to reach the nervous moggy. Her foot slipped in sludge, her legs buckled, and her nails gripped into the grass as she grabbed Lucky, flinging her out of harm’s way. But as she quickly turned to flee the scene, part of the clifftop crumbled and fell down to the rock pools below, taking Ginny along for the ride.
Chapter 21
Will
‘Might have some more work for you, Will,’ said Shaun, entering Lottie’s back garden.
Will glanced up from clearing away some plastic packaging. ‘That’ll be great, thanks.’ He figured the more to keep him busy while he sorted the tearoom the better.
Over the last few days, Will had really sorted out his head, knowing exactly what path he was going to take. Doing a bit of hard graft, even though most of it was him being the dogsbody, helped keep his fitness levels up.
What with it coming up to Christmas, Will assumed the job would be in the new year. ‘Is it local?’ he asked, slinging a rubbish bag over his shoulder.
Shaun grinned, placing a gloved hand close to his lips. ‘Samuel’s bought next door. It’s a surprise for Lottie, but we’ll make a start next year.’ He muffled his laugh as he added, ‘Another one to knock through.’
Will stared over at Ginny’s fence as Shaun went back to work.
Someone asked him to make a cup of tea as they passed by, which was a welcome relief. The air was turning bitter, and he still hadn’t got over his rotten cold, quite sure it had moved to his chest.
Clearing his throat, Will set about making a brew for the workers. The new kitchen cabinets were at different heights, making life easier for both Samuel and Lottie, and now Will, as doing anything on the lower worktops gave him backache.
Paint charts were on the side, so he had a nosey, thinking he needed to be as creative as Lottie. She seemed to have her home all figured out. What a shock she would get once Samuel hit herwith the news he’d bought Ginny’s. Lottie would have to start over with her decorating plans.
Perhaps Will could get her input for his shop. He knew gingham would be involved, and something with coastal vibes. Never mind he spent twenty-two years of his life as a sailor, he couldn’t copy Ginny’s café.
Will placed down as many mugs that would fit on a tray, then walked around the house, handing out the tea.
‘Ooh, lovely, thanks, mate,’ was his feedback.
He nipped to the loo to spend a minute coughing his lungs up, then washed his hands and went into one of the quieter bedrooms; his head was aching. Perhaps it would be best if he cut his day short. Not only was he feeling rough, he was sure the others wouldn’t want to catch his germs, especially just before time off to spend Christmas with their families.
I need to buy some presents.
The thought had completely slipped his mind. He was definitely going to buy Mabel a little something, as she was so good to him, and seeing how he was having dinner at the pub with his new friends, he’d have to buy them a gift too, but what?
Chocolates?
It was always an easy buy but lacked thought. He went to the window to stare out at the sea. Perhaps he could buy starfish keyrings or something from the RNLI gift shop.
Not a bad idea. I could . . . What on earth?
Across the road, by the cliff edge, was Ginny. What she was doing, he couldn’t say. She appeared to be on her knees, stretching out an arm.
‘What are you doing, woman?’ He breathed out a laugh, watching her for a while. Then he noticed the black cat. ‘Ah, I see.’
The wind blew up, flapping a piece of green netting on the scaffolding.
Will thought he’d better report to Shaun that it needed securing, but just as he went to turn away from the view, his heart plummeted as he witnessed Ginny tumble over the cliff.
‘Ginny!’ he cried, hurtling down the stairs and running out the house. ‘Call 999,’ he yelled to Shaun as he passed him at the front door. ‘Ginny’s fallen over the edge.’
Shaun said something, but it was lost in the wind.
Within seconds, Will was lying flat, peering over the drop. Every single part of him locked into rescue mode. The last thing he expected to see was Ginny hanging on to the side of the cliff. He was certain her lifeless body would be down in the rock pools. The tide was out, but he knew, even if in, she’d be in trouble if she slipped.
‘Ginny, hold on. Don’t you bloody move a muscle.’ He heard a whimper, but she didn’t look up.
Will checked over his shoulder to see Shaun talking on the phone while heading his way. At least the emergency services were on their way, but sod them. He couldn’t wait. ‘I’m coming down to you, Ginny. Don’t move, okay.’
