If I’d known that one of Alfie’s quick jobs involved dropping some off apple cider jam at the vets’, I might have said no. Charlie, apparently, wanted a few jars to give ‘her friend’ for her birthday – what twenty-something gives jam as a gift?
I don’t like Charlie, she seems phoney to me. Not just because she seemed kind of bitchy when I met her, and it’s not even because Channy told me Charlie has been trying to get her claws into Alfie since he moved back to town all rich and good-looking. It’s mostly because I am sure she’s spreading rumours about me. I mean, what are the chances that a rumour should start doing the rounds that Frankie’s dad was in prison, just hours after she speculated as much? If she’s been working Alfie for so long, she probably sees me as some kind of threat. She’d hate me even more if she knew that Alfie and I had kissed…she has nothing to worry about now though, does she?
‘I passed your cottage early this morning, Lily,’ Charlie said to me as the three of us made small talk.
‘Oh,’ I replied, not all that interested in getting into conversation.
‘Yes, it was the strangest thing. My eye was caught by the orange van parked outside. When I looked closely, I realised there was a strange man urinating outside it.’
I’ll kill him.
‘That’s Frankie’s dad,’ Alfie chimed in.
‘Oh, wow,’ Charlie replied.
‘Oh, that Nathan,’ I said with a faux laugh. ‘He doesn’t realise he’s not in the jungle any more. He’s been abroad, doing his bit to change the world. Building houses in third world countries, improving the environment – for the animals and to prevent climate change. Not in prison, like the rumours suggest.’
I don’t know why I make excuses for him and tell these exaggerated stories to make him sound like such a hero. Truthfully, I have no idea where he’s been. I thought I knew in recent years, based on his postcards, but after realising they didn’t always come from the place where he was, I don’t really know where he’s been or what he’s been doing. I suppose I’m embarrassed and think that if I make Nathan sound like a warrior for peace and happiness it will reflect more kindly on me.
‘So what are you two getting up to today?’ she asked.
‘I’m taking Lilly all around Marram Bay, showing her the sights,’ Alfie told her.
‘Sounds like a cute little date,’ she replied. Alfie just laughed this off, much to my delight and her annoyance.
Alfie said that today was going to be all about showing me the cool and quirky things that make Marram Bay such a unique tourist hot spot – after all, the UK is rich in cute coastal towns, so something has to make it special.
The first thing he showed me was an alternative route to the seafront, rather than heading down Main Street or the adjacent road. Instead, if you travel along the road a little, you’ll find a small yet beautiful park. Sure, it was pretty, with its stunning flowerbeds and cute little kids play area, but as we got closer I realised it sat at the top of a manmade, zigzagged cobbled road that led down the steep hill to the seafront. Alfie explained to me that it used to be a steep hill that cars couldn’t drive down, so they made this bizarre yet beautiful road to make it easier to drive down. As you drive (or walk down the steps running alongside it) down the windy road, each stretch that connects the six hairpin turns is lined with big, beautiful flowerbeds, overflowing with greenery and brightly coloured flowers. I imagine the beauty is to offset the 5 mph speed limit, but with so much to look at, and the sea straight ahead, there’s a lot to take in. Rows of buildings encase the road, with little shops, a tearoom and holiday homes. It doesn’t feel like something that belongs in this country, it’s like something you would see on holiday. I can see exactly why people in the UK would opt for a staycation here.
At the bottom, between the road and the seafront, is a large grassy area. Alfie explained to me that every November, they have the Winter Wonderland Festival – yet another thing that attracts tourists. They have stalls, rides and games, a bit like a funfair. Alfie tells me that the best thing about it is usually the street food – he even suggested we might have a stand for the deli there. I’m sure the locals would love that. He also told me about this cute little shop, just outside of town, that sells Christmas things, except it’s open all year round. Frankie loves Christmas, so I can’t wait to take him there.
After that we walked to, what Alfie calls, the very touristy seafront bit. Over there we found the Treasure Island arcade. I was just expecting your usual tacky seaside arcade, with coin pushers and slot machines – which they do have, but Alfie explained to me in the front it’s an arcade for kids, but in the back it’s a speakeasy where parents can go and get a drink, or people can just go for a night out. I did wonder why there was a doorman outside – I just figured it was a really rough arcade.
Now, we’re over on Hope Island, in a restaurant called Yorkshi – a place that specialises in Yorkshire sushi, whatever that is. When Alfie told me where we were going I must’ve looked very worried – conjuring up images of weird seafood dishes in my head – but he assured me that it was really just classic Yorkshire dishes presented in a sushi-style. You know it’s a fancy place because they offer a tasting menu, rather than a real menu, bring out cute little dish after cute little dish. I take a few pictures on my phone to preserve the clever beauty of each dish, which makes Alfie laugh.
First up we had Yorkshire pudding Inari – little Yorkshire pudding pockets filled with roast beef and gravy. We also had fish and chip Nigiri, full English rolls and Wensleydale and smoked salmon rolls.
Dessert has just been placed in front of us: a selection of sweet treats all made up with fruit to look like the real thing. I pick up a cone shaped rice pudding and strawberry jam one and pop it in my mouth.
‘Oh my God, this place is amazing,’ I say, which I realise is an unladylike thing to do, given that I haven’t swallowed it yet, but I can’t hide how much I’m enjoying it.
Alfie laughs.
‘I’m glad you like it. I’ve been meaning to bring you here for the past week, it’s hard not to love it. I nearly brought you here on Monday, but decided to do the picnic instead.’
Conversation grinds to a halt, I imagine because Alfie is thinking what I’m thinking – that the picnic was amazing, and there was something between us, and now it’s ruined.
‘Are you warming to Marram Bay?’ he asks eventually.
‘I am,’ I admit. ‘It really is beautiful and quirky – everything I hoped it would be. But the people…’
‘People change, Blossom,’ he points out. ‘I was thinking, maybe be on the lookout for little ways to help people, show them what a good person you are, and that you have their backs. The people will see that you love it here, and that you’re making an effort, and they will embrace you eventually, I promise, OK?’
‘OK,’ I reply, but there’s only one person in this town that I want to embrace me and he’s sitting at this table.