That morning he had been about to take Spud for a walk on the beach when he spotted two ducks flying over the roof and happened to notice Melody watching them from her bedroom window. Deciding to mention the ducks to her when they next met up he was pleased with himself for his quick thinking. At least now he had something to talk about to get past what he had seen the night before. The last thing he wanted was for her to know he had seen them about to kiss and not act rationallyin front of her. They were friends after all and if she was attracted to his mate, then he would simply have to get over his disappointment that he wasn’t the one Melody felt romantically towards.
Maybe her quietness had nothing to do with how early it was, or her date with Callum, and rather it was down to her regretting agreeing to be interviewed on the radio. ‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said as he parked the car and got out. ‘If you’d rather not do the interview tomorrow, I completely understand. I know speaking on the radio isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.’
She seemed surprised by his comment. ‘Sorry, I’ve been a bit quiet, haven’t I? I’m just not really awake yet,’ she said, waiting for him to let Spud out of the car. ‘I don’t have a problem chatting on air.’
She seemed very confident. ‘Have you done it before then?’
She shook her head and laughed. ‘No, not on the radio, but Gran has a monthly podcast.’
‘Patsy has a podcast?’ Why wasn’t he too surprised? ‘What does she talk about on it?’
‘Oh, this and that, but mostly about wellness, living your life to the full. She chats with people who give courses either online, or in the local area and shares ideas about how to keep active both mentally and physically.’
‘Good for her.’ He smiled, thinking of the sprightly lady and her enthusiasm for life. ‘Hey, maybe she could do an episode to promote the festival? What do you think?’
‘I can ask her. Gran is a great one for making the most of opportunities that come her way. She’s always encouraging me to do the same thing.’ Melody grinned. ‘I’ve had to go on that a few times when she needed someone to step in. As Gran constantly reminds me, technology isn’t only for the young.’
Seeing a horse and rider about to make their way down the cobbled slipway, Zac decided to take another route there. ‘Ithink we’ll go this way,’ he said, walking towards the long grass above the high beach wall towards a round Martello tower with a Second World War bunker next to it. ‘Please don’t let Patsy know I was surprised to discover she has her own podcast.’
Melody laughed. ‘I won’t but you should understand Gran well enough by now to know she loves nothing better than shocking people. She says it helps her feel less invisible.’
Zac couldn’t understand why anyone would feel that way. ‘Invisible? What a strange thing to say.’
‘Not really,’ Melody said, slowing to look at the deco house she had just spotted ahead. ‘Gran says that the older she gets the less she feels noticed by people.’
Zac turned to her, surprised. ‘I can’t imagine anyone not noticing your grandmother. It’s as if she has some sort of magnetic field shining from her. She’s great fun.’
‘I’m glad you think so.’ She pointed to the property overlooking the sea built in the shape of a boat. ‘What is that? A house?’
‘It is,’ he said. ‘It’s one of my favourite places here. It’s called Barge Aground but the name embossed on the building is Seagull. It was built sometime in the nineteen thirties and was one of several Art Deco follies dotted along this coastline. People rent it out for holiday stays from Jersey Heritage.’
‘Can we go closer to get a better look?’
‘Of course.’ He led the way and soon they were standing right in front of it at the short path. ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’
‘I’d love to stay in there sometime,’ she said wistfully.
He watched her gazing at the place he had loved his whole life and decided that if possible he would try to arrange for her to see inside the boat-shaped house overlooking the expanse of the bay. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
She turned to him, a look of surprise on her face. ‘Really? You’d do that?’
He wasn’t sure why she was taken aback by what he had said, but nodded. ‘I’ll do my best.’
Spud barked, distracting them. Zac called out to him to wait, but Spud was too focused on another dog down by the water’s edge and immediately ran towards the granite steps leading down to the beach. ‘Spud, I said wait,’ he bellowed.
Ignoring him, Spud hurtled down the stairs, his black and white tail wagging.
‘I’d better get after him.’
‘He’s quick, isn’t he?’ Melody called as she raced after Zac.
‘Especially when he’s doing something he shouldn’t.’
The following afternoon, as he and Melody were at the radio station waiting in reception to be taken up to the studio for their interview, Zac hoped he would remember everything he needed to know.
‘Are you nervous?’ Melody asked, resting her hand on his.
Not wanting her to remove her hand, but aware he didn’t dare forget all they needed to bring up with Callum, he said, ‘I know we need to mention our website, so people can find out more about the event.’
