Chapter nine
The walk to Katherine’shouse felt surreal. Tammy was still feeling the sluggish aftereffects from her nap. Seagull Bay didn’t offer much space for its residents. Their houses were small and the garden space limited, but they were truly blessed to live in a picturesque place like this with a beautiful beach a stone’s throw away. She guessed it was a small price to pay to live in paradise.
Using the walking choice on Google maps, Tammy admired each home she passed as she walked the warren of narrow streets to get to Katherine’s address, marvelling at the fact there was not one house that wasn’t colourful in some way or other. If they weren’t painted a wonderful pastel pink, sorbet lemon, Buckingham green or Aztec blue, there were window boxes abundant with vibrant flowers to add colour, or knitted bunting bearing intriguing pictures hanging on frontages. Tammy sighed with contentment. She really was living the dream here in Seagull Bay.
Google maps stopped her outside a baby-pink house that had both flower boxes and bunting. Tammy grinned. The exterior of Katherine’s house was a true reflection of the wonderful person Tammy had grown to know in the short time she’d been here.
She lifted the brass pug knocker, its extended tongue hitting the brass plate attached to the door, and rapped it lightly. Tammy smile grew when she heard Katherine’s sing-song reply.
‘Coming!’ The door opened and Katherine’s kind eyes twinkled. ‘I wondered when you’d get here, Tammy. I was just considering walking up to Ben’s house. But in all honesty, I don’t think I have the energy. I haven’t stopped since the crack of dawn.’ She ushered Tammy inside. ‘Go through that door into the lounge. You’re in luck. I just brewed a pot of tea.’
‘I’m so sorry if I’ve kept you waiting, Katherine. I can’t lie to you. I zonked out for an hour after a lunchtime beer with Pharis and Declan.’
Katherine tittered as she made her way into the kitchen, shaking her head. Tammy watched her, feeling even guiltier, before heading through the door Katherine pointed out.
Inside the house was no different from outside. Lilac floral wallpaper adorned the walls of the lounge. Tammy eyes took in the cosy scene, looking where to sit. There was just an armchair or a two-seater oversized couch filled to the brim with cushions of all shapes and sizes. Each one embroidered with a scenic photo or a picture of an animal.
The armchair had a notepad with a pen balancing on the arm, undoubtedly Katherine’s chair, so Tammy opted for the mountain of cushions. She sat down gingerly, but she was instantly swallowed by the cushions.
The tinkle of best china being carried on a tray alerted Tammy to Katherine entering the room, but for love or money she couldn’t escape the marshmallows that were enveloping her.
Katherine openly laughed out loud as soon as she saw what had happened to Tammy. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, love. I was just sorting through them, deciding which ones to take with me to mum’s. It’s my passion you see. I collect cushions. Well, more so cushion covers these days. I’ve done so since I was a child.’ She set the tray down on the coffee table. ‘Just throw them over the side onto the floor. This lot is going in the loft.’
‘Wow. That’s some collection. You are the first person I’ve ever met who collects cushions.’
Katherine blew out her cheeks. ‘This is only a small part of it. Most of my collection is stored at mum’s. Actually, I intend to have a proper sort through it whilst I’m there. I think a large donation to charity is on the cards.’ Katherine lifted the teapot and began pouring into the matching teacups. ‘Milk and no sugar is the way you like it, isn’t it?’
‘It is. Well remembered.’
‘Comes with the territory. I could tell you how each of my customers takes their tea and coffee. What am I like? I should be sayingyourcustomers now.’ She chuckled and handed Tammy a cup and saucer.
Tammy accepted it with a smile. ‘I can’t quite believe it yet, Katherine. Just over a week ago, I was miles away in a claustrophobic city sleeping on my friend’s couch, licking my wounds, and wondering if my life would ever get any better after being dumped by my cheating boyfriend, who’d been sly enough to put the flat and business in his own name. I’d lost everything. My home. My business. My savings... But worse of all, I’d lost my self-esteem—my dignity.’ Katherine gasped as she settled into her armchair with her tea. ‘But then I called Uncle Ben to wish him a happy birthday, and it was as if my dearly departed parents were looking after me from heaven above, because the next thing I knew, I was on a train visiting Uncle Ben for the first time ever.’ She looked into Katherine’s kind eyes. ‘Now here I am about to start over. Thanks to Uncle Ben and you, I have a roof over my head and I’m about to embark on a new business venture. Thank you so very much.’
Katherine’s smile lit up her entire face as she shook her head. ‘It should be me thanking you, Tammy my dear. You have made it possible for me to look after my mother. You were meant to come here and take over my café. It will make a much better tearoom.’
Tammy laughed with relief at hearing Katherine’s acceptance of her tearoom. ‘You think so?’
Katherine nodded enthusiastically. ‘Yes. I wished I knew how to bake, or I would have done so myself years ago when I first bought the business. Seagull Bay is a magical place, Tammy. It makes wishes come true. It appears to know what is best for its residents before they do.’ Tammy chuckled and nodded in agreement. ‘And I’m not just talking about buying houses or starting businesses, either. It’s been the catalyst for more blossoming relationships and marriages than I care to count.’
Tammy gasped. ‘But I don’t want a relationship, Katherine. I’m happy as I am on my own. Men are more trouble than they’re worth.’
Katherine smiled serenely. ‘If Seagull Bay intends to pair you up with your fated partner, then there’s not one thing you can do about it, love.’ Her eyes twinkled as she spoke. ‘Now, let’s get down to business and tie up these loose ends. I need to sort through the rest of my belongings and store them in the loft. The estate agent is coming to take some photos in the morning to put the house on the rental market. I need everything I don’t want the renter to have access to stored away tonight. Then I intend to be on the road no later than 7 PM. I was aiming for six, but I think I was being a little too optimistic.’
Tammy listened intently to Katherine, but she didn’t believe a coastal town held such mystical powers. ‘Sorry Katherine. It’s my fault you’re behind.’
Katherine shook her head vehemently. ‘Not at all. I’ve been sorting out as I waited for you... It’s Monday when you intend to re-open isn’t it?’ Tammy nodded. ‘Have you been able to find anyone to fill Agi’s shoes?’
Tammy’s brow pulled together. ‘Agi?’
‘Yes. Didn’t I mention her to you?’
Tammy shook her head, her face crinkling, bewildered. ‘No.’
‘Oh dear. I’ve had so muchstuffrunning through my head it must have slipped my mind. ‘Agi used to come in part-time to help me on certain days when I was at my busiest. She would be in the kitchen cooking, and I’d make the drinks and serve. But she was offered a full-time job the day before you arrived in Seagull Bay. I thought I’d mentioned to you that I wouldn’t have been able to cope without a little help from Agi.’
Tammy shook her head and then shrugged. ‘No, but I’ll be fine. I’m used to busy. I came from the city. The patisserie and bakery business I used to own was non-stop all day long. I’ll be fine. I don’t expect the same capacity here as there was in my city shop.’
Katherine furrowed her brow. ‘Are you sure, Tammy? I could always ring around before I go.’
