‘Fair enough.’ Ashley nodded. ‘Guess we’ll have to wait and see. Will’s a good guy, it would be nice if he decided to stick around.’
Robin didn’t voice how much she agreed with him.
They said their goodbyes, and Darren thrust a piece of slightly crumpled paper and a biro into Robin’s hand. ‘Sign here, please, love, to say it’s all been done proper and correct. I’ve confirmed that the stage was passed back to us in good condition.’ He pointed at his own scribbled name.
‘Thank you.’ Robin put the paper on the low wall and signed a scratchy signature. She was relieved the stage was gone, the last remnants of the event removed so the promenade, and Skull Island crazy golf, could get back to normal. It should also have meant she was free to go and see Will, but now she’d have to wait until Tim had left. She couldn’t say everything she needed to in front of him.
She’d taken two steps across the road when the front door of Tabitha’s house opened and Tim came out. She gave a sigh of relief, which was quickly overtaken by anxiety when Will followed him. He was wearing his usual dark jeans and Wrangler boots, and a green T-shirt with a silhouette of the New York skyline on the front. Robin snuck back on to the opposite pavement and watched them walk to the Audi. Will climbed into the passenger seat without noticing her, but Tim glanced towards the sea, and their eyes met. The smirk he gave her was devoid of warmth, his eyes glittering with triumph.
He pulled away from the kerb, and it was then that Will’s head turned in her direction. She saw his expression for only a moment, but he didn’t look happy.
‘What has that bastard done?’ Molly was pacing, wearing away the floorboards in Sea Shanty.
‘I don’t know, but I can take a pretty good guess. He’s told Will something about me, something unkind or made up – or both – and tried to persuade him to sell. I had thought that, after last night, we’d be able to move on from this strange nostalgic dance and be friends.’
‘How long did you go out with Tim for?’ Molly’s blue eyes sparkled with anger, but Robin knew it wasn’t aimed at her. ‘Have you still not realised that Tim is only out for himself, that all he cares about is getting what he wants?’
‘I thought that—’
‘You put faith in him. You’re getting soppy in your old age. So you saw them go off together, in Tim’s car?’
Robin sank on to one of the sofas and her kitten, Eclipse, climbed on to her lap. ‘He looked so righteous, as if now that I won’t have him, he can go after the things that matter to me. He’s going after Will, and he’s doing that by swooping in on Tabitha’s house.’
Molly crouched in front of her, her short blond hair moving in the breeze drifting through the open window. ‘Yes, but Will has to agree to it. He has to formally accept Tim’s offer, and I don’t think he’s ready to do that. I saw you sitting next to each other on the sea wall on Thursday, and I heard what he said at the end of the concert last night. Tim will need some pretty strong leverage to get Will to make a decision right now. He’s not even finished going through Tabitha’s belongings.’
‘But what if he’s been inventing stories about me to try and turn Will against me? I told Tim that I wouldn’t try again with him because of Will – though of course that’s not the only reason – but he knows how strong my feelings are.’
Molly shrugged. ‘So add it to the list of things to talk to Will about. He’s seen for himself that Tim can be ruthless. He’s not stupid, and he’ll have to listen to your side of the story.’
‘And if he’s already decided to sell the house?’
Molly held her gaze. ‘Then it was never meant to be. But I don’t think it will come to that.’
‘You and Will are together?’
They both turned to find Lorna standing in the doorway, her bag and guitar case over her shoulders. Her eyes were glistening.
Robin stood and went to hug her. ‘No, we’re not. It’s complicated. What’s wrong?’
Lorna sniffed and wiped her cheek. ‘I’m gutted to be leaving, that’s all. My taxi should be here any minute.’
‘I could have driven you to the station,’ Robin said.
‘You’ve done more than enough for me – I don’t know if you’ll ever realise how much. Thank you for being so amazing.’
Robin laughed. ‘You were the amazing one. Did you hear yourself up there last night?’
Lorna did a little shimmy, and her face broke out into a huge grin. ‘It was the most fun I’ve ever had. I’ve caught the performing bug – I’m going to be unbearable when I get home.’
‘You deserve to go so far,’ Molly said, waiting her turn and then pulling the younger woman into an embrace.
‘Thank you,’ Lorna said. ‘It doesn’t matter how far I go, a little piece of me will always be here, on that stage, looking out at the crowd with the moon shining down on us. I’ve got about twenty glow sticks in my bag – I hope that’s OK?’
‘Of course it is! Better that than they end up in the bin.’
‘Will seemed to be quite fond of them,’ she said, giving Robin a careful look.
Robin smiled, replaying Will’s introduction in her head. ‘Yes. I didn’t know about that little quirk.’
‘He’d be lucky to have you,’ Lorna said. ‘I wish I could stay longer – I’d move down here in a heartbeat and have that view every day of my life. Luton feels like it’s in a dark hole compared to the light and air you get here. But I – I’d like to be friends. To catch up, to go back to the Artichoke.’ She smiled nervously.
‘We are friends,’ Robin said. ‘And you’re welcome here any time. I’ve loved having you.’ She hugged her again and carried her guitar out to the taxi.
‘Thank you, Robin. Thank you for helping me get my life back on track. I’ll never forget it. Email me: I want to hear all your news.’
Lorna waved out of the open taxi window, then the car disappeared into the distance and Robin was left standing on the doorstep with Molly and Eclipse.
‘Starcross empty again now?’ Molly asked. ‘I wonder who’ll be next.’
‘Me, too,’ Robin said. She chewed her lip, glanced at next door and then rolled her eyes. She couldn’t sit here waiting for Will to come back; she’d drive herself mad.
Her friend seemed to sense her restlessness.
‘Come on. I’ll help you with the changeovers, and then you can get out of here for a bit before your new guests arrive. You’ve been working non-stop on this place and the open mic night – don’t think I can’t see those dark circles under your eyes! If you won’t book in for a facial, then this’ll have to do. We’ll get it done in record time, and you can supply the wine and the takeaway when I come over later. Deal?’ She held out her hand.
Robin smiled, wondering what she’d do without Molly to talk sense to her. ‘Deal,’ she agreed.
The water was calm and smooth, even on Campion Bay’s wild beach, as if it was a shimmering, turquoise lake instead of a vast sea. Robin walked with her bare feet pressing into the soft sand, warmed by the early June sun overhead. Everything was bright, sparkling, alive. She was alone on the beach save for a couple of seagulls and a rogue pigeon waddling alongside them, looking for all the world like it belonged.
Molly had been true to her word and had helped get the guesthouse ready for the new arrivals. Robin had discovered a recipe for lavender cookies after being inspired by Mrs Harris’s amazing ensemble that morning, and planned on baking a