AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Thanks,’ Holly said. ‘How did it go?’
‘Great. They already have a delivery scheme which covers Somerset. He’s going to bring his van to the first market and decide if he’ll make it a regular thing.’
Holly felt her stomach rumble as the pastry was placed on the table, not realising how hungry she was until she saw it there ready to be devoured. Trixy jumped onto Mitch’s lap.
‘Hello, girl. I love you too,’ he said as she tried to lick his face.
‘Can I have a bottle of water, please?’ Holly asked the waitress then pulled out Trixy’s bowl.
‘What? She’s on mineral water now?’ Mitch chuckled and scratched Trixy’s head. ‘You are the most spoiled dog in Booth history.’
Having filled Trixy’s bowl and given her a dog biscuit, Holly enjoyed her own treat, eating slowly as she savoured the flaky pastry with bitter chocolate filling. ‘Thanks for asking me to come along. I feel calm for the first time in months. It’s great to get away and view life from a distance.’
‘I knew you were upset about the grave. I thought we could clear the air. I tried to mention it beforehand but –’
Holly’s chest tightened momentarily. ‘I don’t want to talk about that now, Mitch. I did. But with Val so sick, and being here now, away from the stress, I feel it’s just small stuff. It doesn’t matter what happened in the past. Let’s just have a nice day, eh?’ She took a sip of her coffee. ‘Without all the …’
‘Crap?’
‘Precisely.’ Holly smiled at him and he smiled back.
When they finished their drinks, Mitch left cash under the condiments, waving at the waitress as they departed.
It wasa short drive to Croyde Bay. Holly stared out of the truck window as they drove through the little village with shops advertising ice cream, fudge and pasties.
‘We used to come down to Devon after visiting Sid and see Rita, the sheep farmer. She’s an old family friend,’ Mitch said.
‘I remember the sand dunes and surf school.’ Holly brought a picture to her mind of summers with her parents on the beach and felt a fleeting moment of sadness.
‘Are you okay with us popping in to see Rita? Or would you rather not?’
‘That’s fine with me.’
‘She’s very friendly. I’m sure you’ll love her.’ Mitch drove the truck through black iron gates into the sweeping drive of a large house. He parked up and a lady in her mid-fifties walked out.
‘Mitch,’ she said and gave him a huge hug. ‘Great to see you.’
Mitch turned to Holly. ‘This is Rita. My mum’s best friend.’ Then he turned to Rita. ‘This is Holly my er …’
‘Neighbour,’ Holly said stretching out her hand and gave a small smile to Mitch.
Rita shook Holly’s hand then pulled her in for a hug. ‘And you brought your dog?’ Rita smiled at Mitch.
‘Actually, she’s more like Holly’s dog now. Trixy prefers her to me.’
Rita laughed and bent down to ruffle Trixy’s coat. ‘Well come in and have tea.’
Rita poured the tea out, as they sat at her large kitchen table. ‘Can you surf, Holly?’
‘Yes, but I’ve not done so for years.’
‘Let’s do that today,’ Mitch said.
Holly laughed. ‘I don’t have anything with me.’
Rita smiled. ‘My Izzy’s in Borneo. She’s plenty of spare swim costumes and a wetsuit.’ Rita turned to Mitch. ‘And you can hire one, love.’ Rita stood up. ‘I’ll look after that ball of fluff while you go. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, I’m afraid.’
Holly opened her mouth.
