Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection

‘If you’re sure?’

‘Yes.’ There would be time later to talk about Mabel. ‘I’m sure.’

As they drew up outside the restaurant, Kathy gave a gasp of delight. ‘Oh, but it’s so pretty!’ In mock-Tudor style, with oak beams and lovely old lanterns at the porch, it was like something out of a fairytale.

Inside was breathtaking: rose-chintz curtains at the lead-lighted windows; thick burgundy carpets on the floor; pink tablecloths on the intimate round tables, and a vase holding a single red rose in the centre. There were old-fashioned lanterns hanging from the ceiling and walls, and soft music playing in the background. ‘Oh, Tom, it’s just lovely!’ Kathy was thrilled.

That evening was the best of her life. They ate and drank and toasted the future, and when the meal was finished they danced until the early hours.

At two o’clock in the morning, Kathy and Tom finally left to climb into their waiting taxi, and the waiters breathed a sigh of relief.

The journey back to West Bay was a quiet one.

Leaning back with Tom’s strong arms around her, Kathy thought she would never be happier. At the back of her mind, Mabel’s predicament threatened to throw a shadow over her joy, but she refused to let it. Mabel would be all right, that’s what they had told her, and this was her special night – hers and Tom’s. ‘I love you.’ Shy of the taxi-driver, she whispered in Tom’s ear. ‘I’m going to love you for ever.’

Her face uplifted, she observed his strong, chiselled features and that soft, full mouth. Intrigued, she traced her finger along it. ‘Kiss me.’

Smiling, he bent his head to hers, his dark eyes searching Kathy’s. In that precious moment, his love for her was like a raging storm inside him.

When he bent to kiss her, she felt her heart soar. The kiss went on and on, hearts merging, their love like a shield around them; as though nothing could ever come between them. It was a magical experience.

In the mirror, the taxi-driver saw their love and it made him think about his own youth, and the many loves he had found and lost. ‘Cherish what you’ve got,’ he murmured quietly. ‘Don’t ever let anything spoil it.’

He had never married. Long ago, through his own stupidity, he had lost the only woman he had ever really loved. Even now, after all this time, that loss was a heavy cross to carry.

When they arrived at Barden House, Tom walked Kathy to her front door. Neither of them said a word. Instead they held each other, and kissed again … and again, holding onto each other a moment longer before Tom walked away.

At the gate he turned to gaze on her one more time before climbing into the taxi.

Kathy watched the car drive away. She saw him looking out of the window at her, and knew exactly what he was feeling. ‘I love you too,’ she said.

She watched until the taxi had gone out of sight, then she went inside, ran straight upstairs and undressed for bed.

Lying in her bed, she thought of Tom; her love for him was like an unbearable ache inside her. ‘Please, God, don’t let me lose him, not now,’ she whispered.

She said a prayer for Mabel, and in minutes she was fast asleep; a contented sleep that augured well for the future.

The following morning, bright and early, she went to see Mabel. ‘She’s had a good night,’ the nurse told her. ‘You can help feed her if you like.’

Kathy said she would like that. When the broth arrived, she actually persuaded Mabel to take a sip or two – but that was all, before Mabel pushed it away. ‘Never mind.’ The nurse had seen it all before. ‘We’ll try again later.’

Though Mabel could not hold a conversation, Kathy kept her interested by telling her all about her night out with Tom, and how he was going away on Tuesday and she didn’t know how long he would be gone.

Mabel listened awhile, then she slept awhile, then she squeezed Kathy’s hand and looked sad when Kathy said she had to leave, but, ‘I’ll be back to see you soon as I can,’ she promised, and Mabel’s eyes lit up.

She gave her a kiss and a hug; even before she got across the room, Mabel was sound asleep again.

On the way home, Kathy sat on the bus thinking about everything. It was good talking to Mabel. She was like a mother to her. Sadly, neither she nor Mabel had another woman to confide in. But they had formed a bond now, and Kathy knew without a shadow of doubt that the friendship she and old Mabel had found would remain strong throughout their lives. It was a warm, comforting thought.

On arriving in West Bay, she didn’t go straight home. Instead, with everything churning in her troubled mind, she felt the need to walk the clifftop, much as Tom did whenever he was troubled.

The wind in her face was uniquely refreshing, and the salty tang of the sea air was cool and invigorating on her skin.

More content now, she sat for a time on the edge of the cliff. ‘It’s like sitting on the edge of the world!’ she whispered. ‘I can see why you love to walk these beaches,’ she murmured, with Tom in mind. ‘They have a way of calming the soul.’

From here she could see the harbour. The many boats within it were jangling together, heaving up and down with the waves. Tom wasn’t there. ‘I expect he’s got more important things on his mind for the minute.’

After a while, when the wind picked up strength, and when her toes and nose grew cold, she started back. ‘Best get some milk,’ she muttered, coming into the harbour. ‘I used the last of it on that stray cat this morning.’ The cat was a skinny little grey. For some reason it had taken root in her shed and, though she had tried to entice it inside, it refused. Sometimes it went away, and after a few days it was back again.

It was a bit strange. Who did it belong to? And why was it hanging around the house? And, if it really was lost, why did it go away at intervals and come back again, as if it had a plan? Kathy had given up wondering. All she could do was feed it when it came back, and forget about it when it went away. Like her own life, she had little control over it.

Amy Tatler, the little shopkeeper, smiled to see Kathy come through the door. ‘Don’t tell me,’ she said. ‘You’re out of milk because you’ve been feeding that cat again!’

Kathy laughed. ‘Is there anything you don’t know?’ Like Jasper, she had grown fond of Amy.

‘Ah! There’s one thing I know that you don’t,’ came the crafty reply.

Kathy was intrigued. ‘Oh, and what’s that then?’

‘You’ve got a visitor!’

Taken aback, Kathy asked, ‘What visitor?’

‘A woman.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Because I told her where to find you.’ She was enjoying herself. ‘“Go to Barden House across the way,” I said. “I saw young Kathy go out earlier, but I dare say she’ll be back any minute.”’

Kathy was racking her brains as to who it might be. ‘And she’s there now?’

‘Well, she headed off in that direction. I watched her through the window. Whether she’s still there or not, I can’t say.’

‘You said it was a woman?’ Kathy was hesitant to go and see, because the thought that it might be her mother had just flashed across her mind. ‘What was she like?’

The old shopkeeper gave it a bit of thought. ‘She was youngish … bold as brass.’

Thrilled, Kathy gave a whoop: it had to be Maggie. ‘Was she small and dark, with a way of making you smile almost before she spoke?’

The older woman shook her head. ‘Nothing like that. As a matter of fact, if you don’t mind me saying, she was a sour-looking creature, who forgot to say thank you. What’s more, she took a newspaper without paying.’

Kathy was shocked. ‘Did she say who she was?’

‘No. She didn’t say anything much, except that she was looking for a Miss Kathy Wilson, and would I point her in the right direction.’

‘All right, thank you. I suppose I’d best go and see.’ First though, there was a debt to settle. ‘How much was the newspaper?’

‘Threepence, but it isn’t your responsibility. I’ve no doubt, from the size of the suitcase she was carrying, she intends staying a while. I can ask her for the money next time she comes in.’ Though kind-hearted and amiable, Amy was particular about good manners. ‘I shall give her a piece of my mind into the bargain an’ all!’