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Beau screams for a high-five, holding her tiny palm out to Cameron. He eyes me briefly, but not long enough to see my breath catch. He pats Beau’s hand, grinning. It lights up his whole face and my daughter’s too. “Thanks!” My little girl giggles, kicking her legs and reaching for another. “High, go high!” she squeals, her hair swishing as the wind catches it and Cam pushes her higher.
Cameron is broad and athletic. His top is tight and shows off ample muscles as he pushes all three swings, his legs toned. His wife looks buff too, so they are probably health nuts and always at the gym. Working out together. I want to be angry at him for moving on with his life, but I have too. And more importantly, I shouldn’t be thinking any of this, or wishing Marcus resembled a Viking and not the buttoned-up conservative guy he is. He must feel the underlying tension as he suggests we move to the slide. “Remember, we are going home for ice cream.” He moves to help Beau out of the swing.
“Can I have ice cream?” Grace twists to Cameron.
He frowns at her. “Better wait for your dad to get back.” He’s not her dad?! Cam catches me eyeing him. My confusion must be written all over my face. I dip my head and move away with Beau, hearing his wife tell Grace her dad will be back soon. I'm guessing she and her ex split, and Cameron has taken on her little girl. It makes my gut clench.
“I’ll race you to the slide,” I tell Beau, allowing her a head start before I run after her. I catch her just short of the slide and she begs me to go down it with her. We reach the top of the grassy mound, and I take my spot on the slide. Her little frame nestles in my lap and we’re whizzing down to the bottom, laughing. I catch Cameron smirking at me and blush, dusting myself off whilst Beau heads to the grassed area. Why did he have to be here?
Beau runs back over, handing me the flowers. “These are for you!” She grins.
“Thank you, pickle. Let's get home and we can put them in water,” I say, taking her hand. When I look up, Cam is leaning on the swing frame, watching me cautiously. “Say bye to your friend,” I tell her, embarrassed he is staring at me.
Beau races off and hugs Grace. It’s so cute that I stop and watch. They are chatting quietly, so I barely hear much until she says, “Come to my mummy’s new shop!”
No, surely, he wouldn’t come, right?
Beau holds her hand out for another high-five and Cam drops down and lifts his hand out for her to pat. “Bye, Beau.” He reaches to tuck a strand of her hair away and his eyes meet mine over her little head. “See you soon.” I turn away, too disturbed by the emotions I am feeling. We leave quickly after that, Beau chatting away rapidly as Marcus, and I answer her each time she throws a question at us.
As soon as we make our way up to the house, Beau pushes inside, diverting to the kitchen. “Ice cream and unicorn sprinkles!” I make up three bowls of ice cream and Beau sets about decorating them with sprinkles and wafers. We roll out a blanket, drag the pillows to the floor and watch a movie. It’s a perfect way to end the weekend and forget about a certain man.
By the timeI reach the shop, it’s nearly nine a.m. I left Beau and Marcus making Playdough castles. My first interview for a shop assistant is at ten, so I get stuck in and file bits away, tidy up and place the fake plants Beau and I chose around the shop. Books line the shelved walls between each window looking onto the village green, to the far end of the room is a snug with sofas, armchairs and coffee tables, all situated to allow groups to come in and relax. The place smells of new paper and polish. I’ve finally mastered the coffee machine and worked out the main database after having uploaded inventory incorrectly twice. I'm ready to open the doors and let people in.
By the third appointment, I'm ready to sob, since only one of the applicants seems appropriate for the role and that's only because I compared her to the first two people who were horrendous. I stand tiredly, worrying I will not find anyone. I have a small window for lunch and Marcus brings Beau in so we can spend it together. They've made us a small picnic, which we eat on one of the coffee tables in the snug. She is enlightening me on her morning, making a unicorn den, when the door opens, and a young woman walks in. “Hi, sorry to interrupt, but someone mentioned you were hiring?” she asks, blushing.
Covering my mouth, I nod. “Yes, I am,” I say around my small bite, swallowing it quickly.
“I can come back later?” She grimaces, then she spots Beau leaning past Marcus and waves at her. “Hello, Beau.”
“No, now is fine.” I smile and see Beau watching her. I’ve not seen the woman before, so I have no idea how they know each other.
“I’ll take Beau to the park for a bit.” Marcus smiles. “Come on, little one, let's go find some more flowers for your mum.” Beau snags up her cookie and leaves, giving the woman a little wave on the way out.
“I'm an assistant at the summer club,” she tells me. “I met Beau last week. She’s a lovely girl.”
“Thanks, she seemed to enjoy her first few sessions,” I reply, picking up my pad and pen.
“Yes, she was so quiet at first, but after a few books and snacks, she loved it. I'm Emily.” She sticks her hand out and I silently beg that she will fit the role. After a short interview, hearing she is an avid reader and a quick walkthrough of the business and coffee machine, I hire her on the spot. I also learn that when the summer club closes, she may work full time. I didn’t think I’d be able to get someone full time at such short notice and decide to offer the part time position to Keeley, theyounger girl from earlier. “Beau will begin school the week after next. I can hopefully train Keeley up, and then you can start when summer club ends if that’s okay with you?” I say, looking up from where I had jotted a quick timetable out.
“That sounds amazing, thank you.”
“No, thank you. I was ready to make a sacrifice to the gods.” I roll my eyes, and she laughs.
“Once Beau is at school, I can do longer hours, and occasionally, I will bring her to the shop with me after school. I think the first two weeks will give me a good indication of what we are to expect.” For all I know, the village could show little interest and my dream will be washed away.
“Well, I can help in any way you need. I'm sure Keeley and I will get along well too. I'm pretty sociable.” After giving me her personal details, I find she is only a few years younger than me.
We chat longer, with Emily telling me she only moved to Richmond about two months ago. She’s new and due to her role at the summer club, and she hasn’t made many friends as most parents like to keep it professional. “I can imagine Claire wants that too, so I can see how that’s been hard. Well, hopefully, being here will change that for you.” I smile, following her to the entrance.
“Yes, thanks again. I'm really looking forward to it.”
“Me too, thanks for stopping by.” I'm thrilled she dropped in. Everything finally seems to come together. Emily leaves, and I call Keeley back, feeling lighter than I have all week. By the time I step out of the shop, it’s mid-afternoon. A few people are milling about, others are on the green. I see one woman, Mandy, who I recall meeting her at the fete. She is scowling across the grass, and my eyes follow until they land on Cam and his wife kissing. My chest aches, my eyes returning to Mandy stomping off, and when I look back, Cameron's eyes are hot on mine. I twist away, my heart beating frantically, and rush to my car.
After all, no one likes to see an ex with their new partner, right?
Chapter Four
Cameron
