Page 12 of The Perfect Gift

Sheila frowned. ‘I’m not sure either of them will be any good, given how dark your hair is. Let me have a look out the back and see if we’ve got anything else in the stock room.’ She returned a few moments later, her face wreathed in a triumphant smile. ‘Midnight Black!’ she declared as she placed a box of dye on the counter.

‘You are a lifesaver!’ Ed declared as he hurriedly placed the other two packs back on the shelf. ‘Honestly, Sheila, if I’d had to pitch up at Mum and Dad’s in this state, I’d never have heard the last of it.’

‘Well, your secret is safe with me,’ Sheila said with a wink as she scanned the dye at the till. ‘That’ll be £9.50, please.’ Ed doubted she’d be able to keep it to herself, but he just smiled as he pulled a card out of his wallet and tapped it on the payment reader. It didn’t matter if people gossiped about him. As long as there was nothing to connect what had happened to Frankie, then he’d consider the situation salvaged.

Ed was almost back at the seafront when a familiar voice called his name and he turned to find his older brother Rick hurrying towards him, a broad smile across his handsome face. ‘Hello, stranger!’ Rick dragged him into a huge hug and for the second time that morning Ed felt truly at peace again, secure in the love of one of his brothers. ‘Welcome home,’ Rick said when he finally released him after several pats on the back. He eyed Ed up and down. ‘You’re looking well. Everything going okay with the job?’

Having expected the third degree about his latest misadventure, Ed was surprised by the question. ‘It’s brilliant, mate. Honestly, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.’

‘Good. That’s really great to hear.’ Rick sounded genuinely delighted for him.

‘How’s things with you? All good with Anya and Freya?’

If his brother’s smile had been broad before, he was beaming now at the mention of his girlfriend and her daughter. ‘They’re brilliant, both of them. I couldn’t be happier. And moving in with Ma and Pa has gone better than we could’ve hoped. It’s given Freya the security and routine she needs, and Ma and Pa adore having her around. Pa told me he feels ten years younger.’

‘That’s wonderful.’ Ed was thrilled everything was working out so well for Rick. Of all his brothers, Rick was the most selfless and always put the needs of others before himself. As well as running his own summer hire business, he helped their mum out in the family chandlery business on the quayside and still found time to be a local parish councillor. If anyone in the village had a problem, be it a blocked drain in the street or noisy holiday renters disturbing the peace, Rick was the first person they called for help. Seeing him happy, knowing he had someone in his life who loved him and would take care of him while he was taking care of everyone else, was a great relief to Ed. And he’d bet their grandparents, known to the entire family as Ma and Pa, were loving the chance to have some of their brood back under their roof to cherish and look after too.

‘Have you seen Mum and Dad yet?’ Rick asked him.

Ed shook his head as he held up the box of dye in his hand. ‘I thought I’d better make myself presentable first.’

Rick laughed. ‘Yeah, probably a good idea. Mind you, Mum will be so thrilled that she’s got you home for Christmas I think she’d forgive you pretty much everything. They’ve been worried about you being out of touch.’

There was only the gentlest hint of reproach in Rick’s tone but it was enough to make Ed feel like a complete heel again. ‘I know I should’ve sorted out my phone when I lost it, but it just felt like such a hassle and I honestly didn’t think anyone would notice.’ Ed sighed and shook his head. ‘Truth be told, I didn’t give it any real consideration. I was so busy with work that I got caught up in the moment and didn’t think it through properly.’

‘Well, you’re home safe and sound and that’s all that really matters,’ Rick said, ever generous and willing to forgive. ‘Anyway, I’m glad I ran into you, because I wanted to talk to you about the Christmas Fayre.’

‘You want me to give you a hand with setting up?’ Ed replied, eager to change the subject.

‘Well, yeah, that would be great if you have time, but what I really wanted to ask is if you’ll sign up for the splash-for-cash fundraiser.’

‘Ask me, he says, as if I have a choice in the matter,’ Ed replied with a roll of his eyes.

Rick grinned. ‘You know me too well. We’re raising money for the lifesaving club. You know how hard the volunteers work all summer.’

‘I know, I know!’ Ed protested, holding his hands up. ‘Enough of the hard sell, just tell me what you want me to do and when.’

‘Good man!’ Rick clapped him on the shoulder. ‘It’s really easy. Three o’clock, on the beach. Everyone who has signed up just has to run into the sea and take a dip.’

‘Run into the sea? It’s going to be bloody freezing!’

‘That’s the point. And you already agreed to do it, so no backing out now.’

Ed sighed. ‘I should’ve got the details from you first, before I said yes. I hope you’ve at least roped Liam and Harry in already?’

‘Of course I have, and Dad’s doing it too. In his full harbour master’s uniform.’

‘Well, it’ll be worth it just to see that. What about the rest of it? I’ll be happy to help where I can.’

‘Fab. I’ll send you a text when I’ve sorted out the details. Have you replaced your phone yet?’

Ed shook his head. ‘No, I was planning to go into Port Petroc but then last night happened and it’s thrown my plans off track.’

‘I’m heading over there now if you want a lift?’ Rick offered. ‘Freya’s got her heart set on one particular toy and Anya’s been tearing her hair out trying to track one down. The toy shop there finally got some stock back in and we’ve got one on reserve so I said I’d run over there and collect it.’

‘Sounds stressful.’

Rick shook his head. ‘You have no idea. I’ve got a list of stuff to sort out for the fayre, but Anya and Chloe have set aside today to make more stock for the stall they’re going to run.’ He shrugged and smiled. ‘I didn’t sign up to be Freya’s dad only when it’s convenient for me, so I’ve juggled a few things around.’