The Forgiving Sand by Theresa Le Flem

Author:Theresa Le Flem [Theresa Le Flem]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780719816635
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2014-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

The days were growing colder and Christmas was approaching when Teagan told herself she must see the doctor. Connor was away at sea once more. With a thrill she counted the days again; there was no denying it now, she was at least a month and a half overdue. Other signs had begun to stir in her body too. Hastily she screwed the lid on the jar of Marmite her brother had left open and pushed it into the back of the cupboard, suppressing a feeling of nausea.

Later that day, walking home from the surgery, she could hardly contain her feelings as they fluctuated between excitement and fear. What if she miscarried? What if Connor said it was too soon? What if? What if? It was a heady feeling, like bubbly champagne rushing to her head, but she couldn’t tell anyone until Connor was home. How could she share the news when even he didn’t know? Oh, if only he would come home! Walking in a kind of dream, she found herself on the beach at Crystal Barr. The Sea Café – or what used to be the café – stood before her. If Christina was there, she wouldn’t stop long for fear of revealing her secret which she felt sure was written all over her face! Her news was hers and hers alone.

‘Can I help you?’ A voice came from behind her. She spun round to see René coming towards her. ‘We’re opening on Saturday,’ he added, as though she had enquired.

‘Oh, no,’ stumbled Teagan. ‘It’s all right. I was just looking for my friend, Christina; I thought she might be here, that’s all.’

‘You and me both,’ he replied. ‘She pleases herself, that girl, but you never know – she might be inside, waging war against the enemy.’

‘The enemy?’ she asked, confused.

‘Some people won’t accept change, even for the better, if you know what I mean?’ he mumbled as he opened the door. Inclining his head by way of invitation, he said: ‘Step inside. Oh, surprise, surprise. No-one’s here! They’ve demanded this damned meeting so you’d think they’d be here on time. Democracy! I’m all for democracy, I wouldn’t mind it if it didn’t waste so much bloody time.’

Teagan waited there reluctantly, watching the workmen whom René had ignored. She watched him waddle through to the back room, peering short-sightedly about as though Christina might be hiding behind a door. The two men continued working; they appeared to be stocking the shelves with alcohol, making quite a noise and apparently oblivious of her presence. ‘I’d better go,’ she said, as soon as he came into view again. The smell of paint was making her feel sick. ‘I’ll call back another day. Thanks anyway.’ She couldn’t wait to get out of the door.

‘Please yourself. I bet they’ll roll in any minute.’ As he spoke there was a scuffle and voices. Christina appeared, followed by her mother. Josie’s shrill voice rang out: ‘Haven’t they got any lights in here?’

‘Oh, we have a committee at last!’ said René.

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