‘They should sleep well tonight after all this fresh air,’ said Erin, as they gathered up their belongings. ‘Storm looks like he’s about to zonk out right now.’
They rounded the children up and tramped their way back up to the road, then ambled along, no one in any rush to get back.
‘The kids have had a great afternoon,’ said Kerry. ‘And so have I.’
‘Me too,’ said Erin. They exchanged a smile.
A car pulled up alongside them. ‘Ah, would you look at you two playing happy families!’ came the unmistakable voice. Kerry knew who it was before he even looked round.
‘Hello, Roisin,’ he said, and then muttered to Erin. ‘Keep walking.’
Roisin cruised alongside the kerb. ‘Been out to the beach, have you?’
‘Clearly,’ said Erin, as she held up the bag with the bucket and spades poking out.
Roisin pulled a face. ‘Only asking. You’re a bit tetchy, aren’t you, Erin. I noticed your man’s not about. Gone off back to London, has he?’
‘Did you want anything in particular?’ said Erin.
‘What do you think?’ said Roisin. ‘I’ll give you a call.’
With that Roisin sped off down Beach Road and out of sight.
‘What was all that about?’ said Kerry.
‘You don’t want to know.’
‘As it happens, I do.’
‘Let’s not spoil the afternoon,’ said Erin.
By the time they reached Fiona’s house, Erin seemed to have relaxed.
‘There you go, lovely lady,’ said Kerry. ‘Delivered safely to your door.’
‘Thank you for this afternoon,’ said Erin. ‘I really enjoyed it.’
‘We’ll have to do it again sometime.’ Kerry couldn’t deny the disappointment that was creeping up on him. The afternoon had come to an end far too quickly. ‘Do you fancy a drink this evening at The Smugglers?’
‘Oh, I… I…’ She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, not meeting his eyes.
‘It’s okay. Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked,’ said Kerry quickly, wishing he could kick himself right there and then for pushing his luck.
‘It’s not that,’ said Erin quickly. ‘I’m going up to the hospital to see my dad. I promised Mum.’
‘Okay. Well, give my regards to your mum,’ said Kerry. ‘I’ll catch you later. Come on, Storm. Let’s get you home.’ He paused. ‘So would you have said yes? To the drink, if you weren’t busy?’
Erin walked over to him and, rather unexpectedly, rose on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. ‘Well, that would be telling,’ she said. ‘You’ll have to ask me again another time.’
This time it was her turn to wink and walk away without turning.
Kerry knew he was going to have a hard time getting rid of the grin that had spread across his face.
Chapter 17
Breeze’s naming ceremony couldn’t come around quick enough for Kerry. He had made a point of not going over to the café. He felt Erin needed some space and he wasn’t quite sure what the situation was with Ed. As Joe had pointed out to him, he would find out soon enough. He didn’t want to add to the pressure she was already under, what with her dad and having to work at the café. He wanted to be there for her when it got too much, as he was sure it would sooner or later. He wanted her to run to him, not from him.
Now everyone was standing in Joe and Bex’s back garden next to the olive tree they had planted for Storm’s naming ceremony three years earlier. The proud parents had just pledged themselves to bringing up Breeze in a safe and happy family, where the natural beauties and all living forms of the world would be respected. Where love would always be in their hearts, warmth in their souls and protection in their arms.
Joe stepped forward and, with the help of Kerry, they manoeuvred a new olive tree into place and shovelled in the earth around the roots. Once they had trampled the soil back down, Bex tied a pink ribbon around the trunk and hung a wooden heart with the name ‘Breeze’ painted on it. This matched the blue ribbon and now rather weather-beaten heart with the name ‘Storm’ tied around the other tree.
‘For my beautiful Breeze,’ smiled Bex, stroking the bark before kissing her daughter on the head.
‘Beautiful Breeze,’ echoed the Wright family, which was then repeated somewhat randomly by the other guests.
Kerry glanced around and caught Ed rolling his eyes towards another couple standing with Erin who Kerry didn’t recognise. Erin looked lovely as the sun bounced off her red hair. She had it tied up in some sort of bun at the nape of her neck. A few strands of curls hung loosely around the side of her face. She was wearing a pale-pink floating dress, which reached just below her knees, with a cream-coloured wrap across her shoulders. Her casual look was at odds with the rather starchy look of Ed and his companions. They looked like they were attending a sailing regatta with their navy blazers and cream chinos, while the woman was done up like a dog’s dinner. Skip whimpered beside him, as if agreeing with his master’s thoughts. Kerry bent down and ruffled the dog’s head.