laugh. She was touched by Jason’s attempts to keep her there.
‘Hiya, what’s going on?’ asked Tamsyn, and both Jason and Daisy turned to look at her in her bohemian outfit.
‘Daisy’s leaving,’ said Jason.
‘No. You can’t go. You promised,’ said Tamsyn, clutching at Daisy’s arm.
‘No, I didn’t,’ said Daisy, to both of them. She did put herself first, that was true, but she didn’t break promises and she’d never intentionally upset Tamsyn.
‘Well, no but it’s the same,’ pleaded Tamsyn. ‘Please stay.’ Tamsyn gazed at her doe eyed. Daisy looked from her to Jason who had an equally sorrowful look on his face. For the first time in a long while she felt people wanted her around and it was an unusual sensation and sadly something she wasn’t used to. She could usually announce her departure and people would send her off with nothing more than the occasional card and a wave. This was an altogether new experience. She took a deep breath and the scent of the sea struck her. Not in a bad way – it seemed to conjure up memories of happier times and she tried to blink them away.
‘If not for us, stay for Coral,’ said Jason. ‘She misses Reg terribly and I know she’s loving having you here.’
Tamsyn gesticulated enthusiastically. ‘Her ankle’s not getting any better. What if she had another fall? You’d never forgive yourself,’ said Tamsyn dramatically. Daisy started to think. She hated being put on the spot, but it felt like she needed to stop threatening to leave and make a commitment either way. Stay or go, but which would it be?
‘Everyone is actually on your side, Daisy. We were insensitive back there and I for one promise not to discuss it again.’ Jason sounded sincere.
‘Let her go. I’m going to be late for work!’ shouted Max out of the car window.
‘Who’s being selfish now?’ called back Daisy already starting to feel better. Jason was right, Aunt Coral had only ever been supportive and with her ankle still causing her problems it wasn’t fair to jump ship. And however much she didn’t want to think about it the money was also a big pull. Right now she had the grand sum of one pound, sixty-eight pence on her. She was impulsive but she wasn’t completely stupid and she knew if she left now, by the end of tomorrow she would be regretting throwing away her inheritance. It was decision time. But could she stay put – in Ottercombe Bay of all places – for a whole year? There was only one way to find out. There was also the added advantage of annoying the hell out of Max if she were to stick around and that seemed to tip the scales.
She took a deep breath. ‘Okay, I’ll stay,’ said Daisy. Tamsyn cheered and clapped. ‘Just for the year.’ Even saying it had her breaking out in a cold sweat but she knew in her heart, despite all her efforts to avoid it, this was what she must do. ‘Now, go and get grumpy arse to work,’ she said smiling and waving sarcastically at Max who was turning an interesting shade of red, like a cross beetroot.
Jason gave her an impromptu peck on the cheek. ‘You won’t regret it,’ he called as he jogged back to the car. Max was waving his arms about wildly as he was driven away. Daisy waved back and flashed him a cheesy grin, knowing it would make him all the more irate.
Tamsyn linked her arm in hers. ‘Jason’s right. You won’t regret it. I’ll make sure you don’t.’
Now Daisy had it firmly in her mind that she was staying in Ottercombe Bay, it no longer felt like a prison sentence; it was more like a challenge with a pot of gold at the end and she was already mapping out how she was going to spend her prize. If she could focus on the money and the fact that she was following Great Uncle Reg’s wishes she might just make it through but she needed to have a plan otherwise the next fifty weeks were really going to drag.
She was sitting one evening with a highlighter pen and the local paper. Having read the headline story about the crime wave of shed fires and vandalism to a tree, she was feeling Ottercombe Bay may be the safe haven she needed for a while. She needed to ignore Max Davey, he was an unfortunate irritation she would have to put up with, a bit like thrush – though less colourful and possibly more irritating.
She sat back and studied what she had highlighted. There were three jobs she had experience for – they weren’t mind blowing but they would be something to fill the hours and enable her to contribute to the housekeeping. Despite Aunt Coral’s kind offer, she wasn’t a charity case – she always paid her way.
‘I think I’m going to venture back to work tomorrow. The pharmacy is struggling without me,’ said Aunt Coral, lifting up her ankle and placing it carefully back down.
‘Hmm?’ said Daisy idly. ‘If you’re sure.’
‘What have you got there?’ asked Aunt Coral, putting on her reading glasses. Daisy handed her the paper and guided her through the highlighted adverts.
‘I’m looking at jobs. There’s one at the charity shop; not a volunteer role but minimum wage.’ She pulled a face. ‘Or a server at the Fish and Chip van on the seafront and this one …’ she tapped the page for emphasis, ‘… receptionist at Stabb and Lakey.’
‘Ooh the law firm?’
‘Yep, I really want that one and it’s good money.’
Aunt Coral read the advert carefully. ‘I’m pleased you’re staying.’ She reached out and squeezed Daisy’s hand.
‘I’ll apply for the charity shop one too, as a backup,’ she said.
The charity shop job had already gone by the time Daisy enquired and she didn’t fancy working in a chip van because she would always have a faint aroma of grease about her. Everything was riding on the receptionist’s job. Daisy liked a challenge and she knew she could do the job – she just had to convince them of it and, with the aid of her well-crafted CV, she had already cleared the first hurdle and secured an interview. Thanks to a small loan from Aunt Coral she looked the part with a new cream skirt, navy top and smart navy shoes. Her hair was neatly plaited against her head and her make-up was subtle.
She shooed Bug off the sofa and sat down to watch the clock. Bug gave her a disapproving look, farted and left the room. She waved a hand to clear the air. That creature is rotten inside and out, she thought. She fidgeted about on the sofa for a bit but she couldn’t settle. She decided instead of squirming for the next hour she might as well walk into town and get a coffee.
The walk was pleasant, the sea breeze calming her senses as the July sun gently caressed her skin with its warmth. She was definitely a warm weather person; she liked the heat far better than the cold, which was another reason why South America appealed to her. The thought of being able to travel but not have to constantly work was what would keep her going this year. She walked along daydreaming about the solitude of the Atacama Desert in Bolivia and the wonder of the Inca legacy at Machu Picchu and soon found herself in the centre of town not far from the Stabb and Lakey office.
It was quite busy in the cramped coffee shop as it was coming up to lunchtime. She ordered herself a double espresso, something she’d got a liking for in Italy. She took the overfilled cup, watching it closely because it was balanced precariously on a mismatched saucer. She turned just as a man barged past her to be served next.
‘Oi!’
