The Old Lighthouse in Sunny Shore Bay (Sunny Shore Bay Book 8): Escape to the British seaside with this hilarious, feel-good romance by Imogen Payne

Author:Imogen Payne [Payne, Imogen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

I’m slowly getting used to my new routine at Mia’s. Each morning, I wake with my little girl in my arms and together, we get ready for the day ahead. If it’s a school day - like today - I serve Penny a hearty breakfast of porridge and fruit before we say goodbye to Mia and Hettie and walk the short distance to the primary school. It’s not all that different to my old routine back at our family home, and yet at the same time, it’s a whole world away.

Back from dropping off Penny, I decide to fix myself a little something to nibble on. Humming a tuneless ditty, I switch on the kettle and skip around the kitchen while Hettie zig-zags through my legs. Listlessly, I pour cereal into a speckled bowl as I gaze out of the bay window. I wonder if Noah has made any more headway in uncovering Henry’s story. It must be frustrating for him, having such interesting ancestry but there’s a huge chunk of the story missing, which is a big problem since he’s writing a book about it all. I wish I could help him somehow.

‘Whoa, whoa!’ Mia’s cry shatters my daydream. ‘You’re getting cereal everywhere!’

I glance down to find cornflakes scattered all over the table like a pattern on the cloth. ‘Whoops, sorry.’ With an apologetic shrug, I scoop them into my bowl, though it’s now far too full.

‘Are you okay?’ Mia peers at me. ‘You look sort of flushed and glassy-eyed. I hope you’re not coming down with something.’

I touch my cheek and surprise, surprise, it’s burning hot. I’m coming down with something, alright, but it’s not a fever …

‘I’m fine!’ I flick my wrist nonchalantly, hoping my awkward performance will be enough to convince her. ‘Although, maybe I ought to get some fresh air. I’ll see you later, okay?’

The sun beats down on the back of my neck as I amble aimlessly through town, and I’m beginning to wish I’d bothered to slap on some sunscreen. Summer is most definitely on its way, and if things with Jerry hadn’t gone south, we’d probably be planning a holiday right about now.

Our holidays were always incredible, at least, the locations were. Jerry would only book hotels that boasted the works - an on-site spa and pool, saunas, gym facilities and a five-star restaurant too. We’d travel to all these wonderful places, soaking up so many rich cultures, and yet, we’d still be unhappy. Deep down, behind the false smiles and sun-baked tans, we were constantly disagreeing about something. It was exhausting being around him, and I have to assume he felt the same way about me too. I can only hope that when Penny looks back on her childhood trips, she remembers the amazing experiences, and not Mummy and Daddy sniping at each other.

Window shopping sounded fun in my head, but after a few minutes of yearning over things I can’t afford, I realise it’s not for me. I plant myself down on a bench, my head in my hands.

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