Sea Of Dreams by Susan Sallis

Author:Susan Sallis [Sallis, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Transworld
Published: 2011-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

NINE

TED DID NOT tell Ivy about Stanley’s deadline but all the next morning he could almost hear the hard voice: ‘If you’re not home by tomorrow afternoon, I’m coming for you.’

Mark and Holly brought the children down at ten thirty, washed and fed and ready for anything.

‘Why is it called Boxing Day, Daddy?’ Gemma asked, hanging Regina over one shoulder like Holly did when she was winding Giles. She thumped the doll’s back. ‘Come on, Regina. Bring it up now.’ Adam made a loud burping noise and after an astonished moment everyone collapsed with laughter.

Ted said, ‘I don’t really know, Gemma, but what about asking the boys if they’ll let you have the boxes from their cars? Then I think, with a bit of this and a bit of that, you might make them into a very nice cot for Regina.’

‘And it would be really and truly a boxy day!’ Gemma laughed again with delight and the children gathered around the table while Ivy made the inevitable tea. Mark looked meaningfully at Ted and wandered into the living room.

‘Reg told us … Ivy had already given Holly most of the picture. You don’t mind too much, Ted? Us knowing, I mean.’

Ted said frankly, ‘I’m relieved. I didn’t like being Stanley Edwards.’

‘No. I shouldn’t think Stanley Edwards likes it much.’ Mark went to the window and peered along the beach. ‘Reg says that he has threatened to come here if you don’t go home. Is that right?’

‘Yes. But I haven’t said anything to Ivy. We’re so happy, Mark. I don’t want to spoil anything.’

Mark turned from the window, smiling, guessing at what must have happened between these two isolated people last night. ‘Funny you should say that. Holly said almost those same words to me.’ Not that he and Holly had been able to do more than kiss. Yet her kiss had been infinitely tender and she had looked at Giles asleep in their bed, made a face and whispered, ‘We don’t need anything else, do we, my love? It’s so perfect, Mark. So wonderful. I’m frightened that something will happen to spoil it.’ He had reassured her and they had held hands across Giles’s curled form all night long.

Ted was suddenly embarrassed. ‘It was good of you to take the children like that. It made … a difference.’

‘Would you like us to have them this afternoon? I don’t think he’ll turn up here but just in case?’

‘Thanks, Mark. I suggested to Ivy that we take the children to Cheddar today. Let them run wild.’

Mark nodded. ‘Know what you mean. Well, listen. When you get back, come to us for a bit of high tea. Just beans on toast or something.’

‘It would be nice.’ Ted looked doubtful. ‘What about Holly and May? They did such a lot yesterday.’

‘Holly is going to take it easy today. Arthur and May are taking Reg to the Lantern for a couple of hours and she’s going to lie down. Feels a bit queasy actually.’ Mark grinned.

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