Page 5 of Be More Capybara

He sat back and took in the rest of the surprisingly professional production. As the closing credits rolled by, there was a dull ache in his chest as he realised just how much he’d missed this place.

Make sure you’re in next year’s show, Nige.

An interesting thought - his subconscious was obviously keen to stay in Dashford.

2

HELEN

Helen stood by the French windows, sipping her first coffee of the morning. She never tired of this view - the scattered white houses of Dashford dotted over the landscape like sugar cubes scattered straight from a sugar bowl; the huge sky; and the sea that seemed to go on forever. It was looking particularly inviting in the cool, early morning light today. The views from her old London home had felt claustrophobic by comparison.

As long as she kept looking out to sea, she could relax. But she couldn’t stand here forever. She needed to get on with the unpacking that she’d been putting off for days.

She turned around and looked at the pile of boxes in the corner of the kitchen. There were similar piles in every room in the house. Where to start?

Her phone buzzed. A text from her son Harry.

Happy New Year Mum

She smiled

Happy New Year to you too. I’m surprised you’re awake this early xx

I haven’t been to bed yet

Typical Harry. Oh to be young and carefree again. You sound like your mother - you’re only 48. There’s plenty of life to live yet.

Any New Year’s resolutions? Xx

Yeah. To go to bed earlier. It’s not started well. Haha!

There’s always tomorrow xx

She sighed as she pressed the Send button. That seemed to be her motto lately.

Helen looked at the boxes again. Maybe not tomorrow, but later. She’d unpacked the basics days ago, but she wanted to get the house looking reasonable. She might feel less stressed then. But that sunrise was too good to ignore - a walk was always a good start to the day, and Rocky needed to go out, though he wasn’t showing signs of wanting to get up yet. She’d never realised how lazy greyhounds were until her friend Carrie had persuaded her to take him on. ‘You need someone to keep you warm at night, and greyhounds are a lot less bother than men.’

That had proved to be very true. Rocky had made no attempt to lose her life savings. Not yet anyway.

Her phone buzzed with another message from Harry.

Any chance I could stop with you for the rest of the holidays?

Not what she’d been expecting. Harry had made it clear that Devon was dull compared to London.

I thought you were staying with Ellie? xx

I was, but 2024 hasn’t got off to a great start romantically.

Of course you can come home. When will I see you?

Late morning.

That’s fine xxx

Mumsy?

That always preceded a request for money or assistance.