‘Okay. You win. I had to do it. I know you think you’re destined to be with someone called Steven but you and Nick are perfect foreach other. I’ve always thought it. Now that you’re single and back here, I realised there’d still be nothing I could do about it if I was on the other side of the world so I had to give things a little nudge before I left. You’re not mad at me, are you?’
I took one look at her mischievous twinkling eyes and laughed. ‘You’re so naughty.’
‘I know, but I’m still your favourite auntie.’
‘You’re my only auntie,’ I said, ‘which is just as well as I don’t think I could cope with more than one like you.’
‘Are you going to put your favourite auntie out of her misery, then? Are you going to see him again?’
The kettle clicked off and I quickly turned my back on her under the pretext of making the drinks. I needed my cheeks to lose some of their colour before I turned and faced her once more.
‘Yes, but only as friends.’
‘No! Why?’
‘Because you were right. He’s a really lovely guy and I like his company.’
‘You know that’s not what I mean. Why just friends? Why not more?’
‘It’s bad timing. As you just said, I’ve got loads to do with the shop. Plus, I’ve just come out of a long-term relationship and he’s not called Steven.’ I turned back round and handed her a mug. ‘So I’m not going to rush into anything with anyone just yet. Maybe in the New Year.’
‘With Nick?’
‘You never give up, do you?’ I ushered her towards the desk and perched on it while she sat on the chair.
‘Finding out about Nick isn’t the only reason I came in. Do you have any plans for Thursday night?’
‘No. Why?’
‘I’m cooking a farewell meal for you, Ben, your mum and dad. Thought I might as well take advantage of your brother being home for a long weekend. Seashell Cottage for half six?’
‘Sounds good. I’m guessing I won’t see you until then?’
She smiled as she shook her head. ‘You know I’m at the end of aphone if you have any burning questions, but you’re doing brilliantly without me, exactly as I expected.’
‘I just don’t want you to feel pushed out.’
‘Believe me, I’d never feel like that. It’s not my business anymore, sweetie. It’s yours. Oh, and I have something for you.’ She rummaged in her bag and handed me an A5-sized envelope. ‘You were asking about a photo with the lighthouse…’
‘You found it?’ I fumbled with the envelope, pulled out an old black and white photo, and gasped. Standing in front of Whitsborough Bay’s lighthouse were three figures. I’d seen their childhood photos before so immediately recognised the children as Mum and Auntie Kay. If I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn the adult with them was me, not my grandma. My heart thumped as I reached out and gently touched Grandma’s image.Is it true about Steven, Grandma?
‘I was sorting through an old box of papers last night and came across it. I had to do a double-take. The likeness is uncanny, isn’t it?’
I nodded slowly, mesmerised by the photo.
‘What made you ask about it?’ she said.
‘Madame Louisa mentioned it.’
I watched her frown. ‘No! So I’ve just found something that’s going to make you believe in that prediction even more. Which is going to make you believe Steven’s your destiny and Nick isn’t…’
‘I’m afraid so.’
‘Damn!’
There was another knock on the door. ‘That’ll be the men fitting the floor,’ I said.
‘I’ll leave you to it, then,’ Auntie Kay said, standing up and following me to the door.
