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CHAPTER 19
On Saturday morning, Maya jolted awake, a little dazed by her surroundings. It took her a moment to recollect that she was in a charming room in a beautifully restored, picturesque farmhouse B&B, and not in her own bedroom. Amber clambering down from the top bunk of the pine bunkbed to use the bathroom had woken her. Lewis was now stretching and sighing but remained under the duvet.
“I’m hungry,” he said, mid-yawn.
Maya could easily eat breakfast, too.
Yesterday had proved to be a long day, what with hitting the road so early and the long drive down. She smiled as she recalled the fun they’d had yesterday. The Rosevear crazy golf tournament — which Lewis had easily won, much to his delight. There had been ice-creams, fish and chips for lunch on the golden, sandy beach while fighting off opportunist seagulls, and rock pooling, followed by a long coastal path walk. Then they’d watched the sun set over the ocean and had a late tea in a cliffside pub. It must have tired her out as much as it did the kids, because she felt as if she’d slept more deeply than she had for ages and was finding it hard to get up. Plus the bed was extremely comfy! It might be fun, but it was hard work holidaying with the kids on her own. This was the first break Maya had taken the kids away on since the divorce. She realised how much Kyle had made a difference when they’d been together — and even then, he hadn’t done a lot. But he had been the extra pair of hands, or eyes, depending on what was required in the parenting department.
Her choice of location for this Easter break could not be faulted. She smiled to herself, remembering her children’s delighted faces upon seeing the beach and its fierce waves, and then later when they’d checked into the cosy farmhouse B&B with its pretty gardens. Welldone, Maya! The pictures on the internet did not do the place justice. She really had picked the perfect beach holiday.
She quickly checked the time on her phone. It was half-past seven, and there was still no reply from Pierce. She’d sent him a quick message yesterday to say she’d arrived safely. Maybe he didn’t want to bother her when he knew she was away with her children. A glance out behind the curtains told her the sun was shining — and the chickens she’d spied yesterday were roaming the end of the garden. There were wisps of cloud, and the trees were moving with the breeze, so this might be an ideal day to let Amber and Lewis take surf lessons.
“Get yourselves dressed, while I use the bathroom.” Maya pulled back the duvet, energised by the sunshine and the call of a cooked breakfast. She quickly washed and dressed, pulling a brush through the children’s hair and then her own. She decided not to bother with any make-up. Who needed it in a place as relaxed as this? Besides, the sea air and good night’s sleep had done wonders for her complexion.
As they made their way downstairs, they could hear the mumble of conversation and laughter coming from the breakfast room. Maya led them in and headed for the table set for four. A family were already seated at a nearby table with two young girls. An older girl was fetching juice from a serving table. There was something familiar about her, and when she turned and squealed at the sight of Amber, they were stunned to see it was Chloe. Amber squealed excitedly too, hugging her friend.
“Here’s your breakfast, Chloe,” a man said, entering. Maya looked up to see it was Sam. He looked as shocked as she was. “Oh my God, hello… This is a surprise,” he said to Maya, stuttering. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, er, hello,” Maya replied, equally tongue-tied, the shock jangling her nerves. “We’re staying here. We arrived in Kittiwake Cove yesterday.” Her relaxing long weekend in Cornwall with the kids had just got complicated.
“Oh, so you must be the family staying here?” Sam said, frowning.
“Yes.” Maya shoved her hands into her pockets, realising she’d been wringing them. “And you must be the family visiting?” When she’d checked in yesterday, Rose, who owned the B&B — Trenouth Cottage — had mentioned she had some of her family staying.
“Yes, this is our parents’ B&B. That’s my sister Heather and her family over there,” Sam said, pointing.
Maya gave an uncomfortable wave. She knew Heather by sight, as she sometimes picked Chloe up from school. By now, Lewis and Amber, completely unperturbed, were helping themselves to juice, with Chloe assisting them, but Maya felt rooted to the spot. Everyone was saying hello in that awkward, polite way people did when they weren’t sure how to react.
Rose entered, carrying toast, oblivious to what she was walking into. “Good morning. Sit yourself down, and I’ll fetch your order in a second,” she said to Maya. “I hoped you slept well.”
“Yes, great, thanks,” Maya replied. She could now see the resemblance between Rose and Heather. They had the same brown eyes and dark hair, although Rose’s was greying. Unsure what to do next, Maya nervously edged towards the table Rose had indicated.
Sam chuckled. “Mum, we know Maya. Chloe and Amber go to the same school. They’re best friends.”
“Inseparable. An unknown force pushing them together, judging by the way things are going lately,” Maya said, lightly. Poor Lewis looked bored as the two girls chatted.
“Oh, how funny. What an amazing coincidence,” Rose said.
Sam placed Chloe’s breakfast on the table Maya had chosen. Lewis had already taken a seat. “Chloe, sit here with Lewis and Amber. Do you mind?” He turned to Maya.
She shrugged. “No, not at all.”
“Join me.” Sam pointed to his breakfast table. “What would you like, tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, please.”
Sam seemed to be taking meeting Maya in his stride. She needed to relax.
“I’m helping Mum. Be back in a minute. Take a seat.” His hand briefly rested on her upper arm.
“This is great,” Heather said, talking across the room to Maya. “And such luck! This is Tom, by the way, my husband.” Heather pointed using her fork, and Tom nodded, chewing his food. “These two are Chloe’s cousins, Scarlett and Daisy.” The two girls smiled shyly, the younger one with tomato ketchup smeared around her mouth.
“It’s such a small world. Years ago, we bumped into our old neighbours in Spain,” Tom said. “Do you remember?”
“Oh, yes,” Heather said, nodding.
Sam returned with a pot of coffee. “I’ve been ordered to sit down now.” He took his place opposite Maya, smiling at her. He turned her cup over and poured her coffee, then his own. His face was even more handsome now he was relaxed and had some colour in his cheeks. He had a lovely smile.
