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‘Especiallynot at a dog’s, althoughIcan’t decide if the whole thing is incredibly touching, an insult topeoplewho have died, or downright peculiar.’
Miaturned toDaisyhorrified as a thought occurred. ‘They’renot going to bury the ashes in the graveyard, are they?’
Daisywrinkled her nose. ‘Nottoo sure it’s allowed.Butanyway,Gretel’sremains are to be interred in the garden atAggieandAustin’shouse.Youcoming?’
‘Ohmy eggs, you betIam.Wouldn’tmiss it for the world.’
‘I’vehad to do more flowers for the house too.Itwas a bit hairy, we’d got low on stock and it was all so last-minute.Ihad to call in a favour fromJakob.’
Mianudged her hard in the side. ‘Jakob, eh?Sixfeet three of blond manliness from theNetherlands.’
‘Heisgorgeous.’
‘He’slush!Thinkhe might like you too.’
‘Andhe lives inEurope.Don’tget any ideas.’
‘We’reinEurope.’
‘Mmm,’Daisysaid. ‘Thatmight be a moot point these days.’
‘Moot?’Mia’stop lip curled in confusion. ‘Don’tget you.Ilove his accent, all those soft “s” sounds.’
‘Thenyou go for him.He’sall yours.Butyou’ve got your cap set at someone else, haven’t you?’Daisywatched with amusement asMia’sface crimsoned.
‘Wishyou’d talkEnglishsometimes.Yousound more and more like my gran every day.’
‘Afterfour hours’ sleep, trust me,Ifeel like your gran.’
Miapoked her in the ribs again. ‘Didthe handsomeJakobkeep you up all night?’
‘Iwas working,Mia!’Thegirl didn’t answer.Daisycould see she was distracted asBenandHonorled in a group of staff from the primary school. ‘Speakingof good-looking men, there’s one now,’ she teased.Mia’sface turned even redder. ‘Haveto sayBenTownhamis extremely gorgeous.Remindsme of that actor fromFiftyShades.JamieDornan, is it?’
Miaducked her head and scuffed her feet on the wooden floor.
Daisygrinned, considered teasing her some more, then left her in peace and watched as more people streamed into the church.Jagowalked in withTomCatesbyfrom the animal sanctuary.Theywere followed byTom’ssister,Ellie, and their mother.Ellielooked pin sharp as usual in a tight-fitting navy suit.Daisy’sWiscomberelatives shambled past, making a racket and she wiggled her fingers in greeting to her aunt and uncle.Wheneveryone was seated, a sombreAustinled inAggiedressed in top-to-toe black.
‘Thinkthe veil is a bit over the top,’Miawhispered.
‘Ssh, the service is about to start.’
‘Good, it’s freezing in here.’Miasnuggled closer. ‘Howcan it be so cold when it’s boilingoutside?’
AustinandAggie’shouse was situated in the perfect spot.Setabove and slightly back from the harbour, it commanded enviable and uninterrupted sea views.Today, the weather was glorious; a breeze softened the hot sunshine and fluffy white clouds danced in a sky so deeply blue it was indistinguishable from where it met the sea.
Daisycollected a glass of champagne and went to lean against the ornamental wall at the southernmost edge of the garden.Therewas a yacht race on and triangular specks of white sails bobbed and swerved as they raced out to the marker buoys before turning for the home run back to the harbour.Thelifeboat, a bright-orange blob, hovered on duty and she wondered who was crewing today.Allcrew were local and most well-known and appreciated in the town.Ifyou lived by or with the sea, theRNLIwas part of the scenery.
Soundsof laughter and music drifted up from the beach.LullburyBaywas in high tourist season and the town was crammed with holidaymakers.Daisyloved the bustle it brought.Shewatched as a family played a game of shuttlecock and the father face-planted in the sand, to shrieks of laughter from his children.Schoolwas out and theBritishholiday season was in full swing.Liftingher face to the sun, she closed her eyes and took in a great gulp of ozone, heavy with salt and seaweed, suntan lotion and vinegary chips.Therewas nowhere else like it in the summer.
Anotherscent, more subtle, drifted into her nostrils, lemony with notes of sandalwood.Shebecame aware of someone standing next to her.Openingher eyes, to her surprise she saw who it was.
‘Rick!’
‘Hi,Daisy.’
Hesmiled and her heart flipped.Hewas wearing tortoiseshell-framed sunglasses so she couldn’t see the expression in his eyes.Scrabblingabout in her handbag, she put her own on, needingsome protection – and not only from the sun.Suntannedand in a crisp navy linen shirt, he was irresistible.Butresist him she must. ‘Whatare you doing here?Ididn’t know you knewAggie.’
‘Idon’t.I’vebumped intoAustinandGretela few times when out walking in the early mornings and he invited me along.’
