Tea By The Sea More of our absorbing serial

PART 3: Beth is coping with staff shortages, an uncertain romantic attraction and her friend’s moody teenager…

Beth parked outside Anna’s house in Swanage, her mind churning. Things must have got really bad for Fleur to have gone AWOL and not be answering her mother’s calls.

She’d been such a sweet child – really close to her mother and her honorary Auntie Beth. She had great memories of the three of them snuggling up to watch Mamma Mia! with pizza and popcorn on Anna’s big squashy sofa.

Beth reminded herself Fleur was still a child – thirteen was no age. She hurried up the path and Anna met her at the front door. She had her coat on and her face was anxious.

“Thanks so much for coming. She’s never done anything like this before. I thought we were just talking, but she’s so oversensitive these days. She’s been gone forty-five minutes and. I…”

She broke off as Beth hugged her. “Let’s put the kettle on and make a plan. We need a list of all the places where she might go.”

Top of the list was the house of Fleur’s best friend, Naomi, so while Beth made tea Anna phoned her mother. “I see, right. Thanks. Yes, I’ll try them.” She shook her head. “They haven’t seen her since Friday after school. But I’ve got some other possibles.”

Over the next twenty minutes she tried them all, but came up blank.

“I can’t just sit here. I need to go and look for her. Do you think I should phone the police?”

“That probably is the next step. But before that, what exactly did she say? Were you talking about her schoolwork?”

“Yes. She was very defensive. She said the coursework is harder this term and her teachers were overreacting.” “Do you think that’s true?”

“Maybe, but Mrs Hillman’s usually so sensible. I don’t think she’d have said anything to me if she wasn’t worried.” “What else did Fleur say?”

“The usual. That I should get off her case, leave her alone. Her parting shot was that she was off to get some peace.” “Could she have gone for a walk?” “Maybe.” Anna straightened her shoulders. “What would I do if I wanted some peace?” She answered her own question. “I’d head for the hills. Fleur might have done that. She was wearing her new trainers.”

“I’ll stay here in case she comes back. Where’s Guy?”

“He’s playing golf at Wareham. There’s no signal. His phone went straight to voicemail. He’ll call back when he gets the message, but they didn’t tee off until four.” Anna rubbed her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t mind staying here?”

“Of course I don’t.” Beth made shooing motions with her hands. “Go. Don’t forget your mobile.”

The front door slammed and Beth sat in the warmth of her friend’s messy kitchen, taking in the bits of their family life. Fleur’s Follow Your Dreams lunchbox on the drainer, a family picture on the fridge of Anna, Fleur and Guy skiing in January. Guy wasn’t her dad but they got on well.

Anna had said Guy wasn’t the issue, but Beth did wonder. They’d only married the previous year. Fleur’s dad had moved on completely – not only had he married someone else, but they had a new baby too.

Her phone pinged with a text. She snatched it up, expecting Anna, but it was from Elsie. She might be a traditional gran as far as baking went, but she was a dab hand on her mobile too. Hope all is OK. Keep me updated. Beth texted back straightaway. Of course I will. Enjoy Book Club. t was another hour before there was any news and then two things happened at once.

Beth’s phone pinged with a text and she heard a key in the front door. She jumped up and hurried into the hall, where she found Anna and a very subdued teenager.

“She was on the cliff path. She’s safe. And Guy’s on his way back.”

Fleur was blinking away tears. Beth touched her arm lightly.

“I’m so glad you’re OK, sweetheart. I’ll get going. Give you some space.” “You don’t have to go,” Anna said. “I know, honey, but you can call me any time. That goes for you too, Fleur.”

Anna mouthed a thank you over her daughter’s shoulder as Beth gathered up her belongings.

As Beth drove home, she pictured the little family sitting around in the kitchen and hoped they could get to the bottom of things. This looked more serious than teenage hormones.

It wasn’t until she was getting ready for bed that she remembered the text from earlier. It was from Simon Clarke.

I enjoyed our lunch. Hope you did too, was all it said.

Beth decided she’d respond tomorrow. It was too late in the day to answer it now.

Monday morning began with a bang. Suzy, her waitress, phoned in sick and Ben, her waiter, gave in his notice.

“I can do the next fortnight.” His face was apologetic. “But I’m going to tour France with my mates after that.” “That’s fine, Ben, you did warn me.” He looked relieved.

Elsie arrived half an hour after Beth phoned and asked for help.

“I know you don’t usually come on a Monday but thank you,” Beth said, giving her gran a grateful hug as she donned an apron.

“It’s absolutely fine, darling. What else would I be doing?”

“Reading a classic book, maybe?” Beth hedged.

Elsie waved a dismissive hand. “The Great Gatsby. It’s a short one. And I’ve read it before.”

It was busy for a Monday. The sunshine brought people out.

After the lunchtime rush Beth gave Anna a quick call from the back room.

“I’m really nervous being back here. I feel as though I’ve been summoned to see the Head”

“Fleur and I had a good chat last night,” Anna told her. “Fleur insists there’s nothing wrong, but I’ve got an appointment to see Mrs Hillman on Thursday after school. To get her thoughts on it.”

“Two heads are better than one,” Beth agreed.

“I don’t suppose you’re free on Thursday, are you? Guy’s at a meeting and I could really use some moral support.”

“Of course I am.”

On Thursday evening Beth and Anna walked along the narrow corridors of Park Hill School.

“It brings back memories of our schooldays, doesn’t it?” Beth said as she breathed in the smells of polished floors and classrooms.

“I know, and I’m really nervous. I feel as though I’ve been summoned to see the Head.”

“I seem to remember you were the good girl. I was the one who got into all the scrapes.”

Their laughter broke the tension, and actually Mrs Hillman was lovely.

“I’ve let pastoral care know, but this is purely an informal chat,” she said, shaking both their hands and offering them a seat. “Most things can be resolved by talking.”

Anna told her about the row.

“I know teenagers are renowned for storming off, but it’s not like her.”

“And she says nothing is bothering her?” the teacher asked.

“She says she’s tired, but I think she’s sleeping OK. Maybe a visit to the doctor would be wise – just to check.”

“It can’t hurt. And if it’s any consolation…” Mrs Hillman’s eyes softened. “She won’t be a teenager for ever. I can say that with some authority, having had four of them.”

By the time they finished talking Beth was pleased to see Anna looked happier.

They were coming out of Mrs Hillman’s office when Beth spotted a familiar figure heading towards them.

It was Simon Clarke. She’d forgotten he worked at Park Hill. He looked almost as startled as she was.

“Simon…”

“Beth?”

There was a moment’s pause and then Anna tapped her arm.

“I’ll see you outside. I’m just going to pay a visit.” She was gone before Beth could gather her thoughts.

Simon spoke first.

“I really enjoyed Sunday.”

“I did too. I didn’t reply to your text because it’s been one of those weeks.”

“You weren’t under any obligation.” He smiled. “But if you’d ever like a repeat performance…”

The question hung in the air.

She found herself smiling back. “Only if it’s my treat?”

“I might agree to going Dutch.”

And that was how they ended up going out for the second time.

This time Beth felt less nervous as she walked through the doors of Pinocchio’s on Saturday evening. It wasn’t a date – they were just friends enjoying each other’s company. Pinocchio’s was a contemporary Italian with wooden floors and glass tables with loads of room between them, but somehow they still managed to make the atmosphere intimate. Maybe it was the low lighting or the delicious smells of garlic and rosemary.

Tonight the place was full of couples. But after the first few minutes she stopped noticing anyone else.

Simon was the complete focus of her attention. He wore smart chinos and a short-sleeved shirt. He’d obviously made an effort because he was newly shaven and she spotted a tiny cut on his jaw.

She’d made an effort too. She was wearing a cream print summer dress patterned with dozens of tiny roses.

“You look stunning,” he said, as the waiter showed them to a table.

“I spend most of my time outside work in jeans and trainers,” she told him, blushing. “I don’t get out much – unless it’s for a hike.” “I’m with you there. Hiking’s the antidote to homework.”

“I thought it was the kids who got the homework,” she quipped, pleased they were back on the same effortless wavelength as before.

She’d never met a man she felt so easy around, and yet also found attractive. It was a heady mix.

They shared a giant pizza with side salads dotted with olives and fragrant basil. Beth was too full for dessert, but she didn’t want the evening to end.

“We could have a break,” Simon suggested, “And decide in a while.”

The waiter nodded and glided away. Simon steepled his hands.

“So…” he began, sounding curiously shy. “I’m assuming you aren’t married because you don’t wear a ring. But is there anyone special?”

“Not at the moment.” She took a deep breath. “I had my heart broken. Don’t we all?” She didn’t want to lose the lightness of the evening. “It was a couple of years ago. Around the same time I bought Tea By The Sea, so that took my mind off

it. Lately I’ve been too busy to date.” She twisted the green napkin in her fingers. She wished she hadn’t started this, but he was nodding.

“How about you?” she parried. He didn’t wear a ring either but she supposed you could never assume.

“I got married when I was twentysix,” he said and she felt a little dart of shock. It was the last thing she’d been expecting. She bit her lip and glanced at the table.

“I’m widowed,” he added seeing her confusion and when she looked back into his eyes they were shadowed.

“Olivia died three years ago. Sudden Adult Death Syndrome they called it. I’d never even heard of it. But apparently it’s one of those things like cot death with more than one cause.

“She was so fit. We had no idea there was anything wrong. We were at a family wedding when she collapsed.”

“Oh my goodness. That’s terrible.

You must have been devastated.”

“We were.”

She remembered his curt attitude on the day they’d met. She’d put that down to him being frustrated that his car had broken down. Family weddings were always stressful, but in his case they must also bring back terrible memories. No wonder the poor guy had seemed somewhat brusque.

On impulse she reached across and touched his hand.

“My experiences are nothing to what you’ve been through. Andrew and I weren’t married. I’d just hoped…”

“There isn’t a scoreboard for relationship pain,” Simon said in a voice so gentle it made her swallow. “Endings are devastating; then you slowly adjust and accept, and eventually when the time is right you move on.”

Before she could reply, the waiter reappeared.

The distraction was a relief. They ordered espressos. They both loved the hot, bitter concoctions that could power you through the longest night.

The conversation moved away from the past. Simon told her he had a really busy fortnight head as they headed towards the end of term and she told him about Ben handing in his notice.

“I really need someone full-time. So I know what you mean about busy. I won’t have time to blink.”

Beth felt as though in some strange way they were giving each other a getout clause. They could be friends. It didn’t have to be more.

Half an hour later they were outside in the balmy July night. “I’ve really enjoyed your company,” he said, as they stood on the pavement. “Me too.”

The sound of seagulls echoed above their heads and the buzz of tourist traffic threaded around them. Beth could smell diesel fumes and fish and chips.

She only lived a block away from Pinocchio’s. Simon had offered to pick her up en route but she’d turned him down and walked here.

“Can I drop you back?” he asked now. “I’m only parked in Beech Road.”

“It would take the same time to get to your car as it would for me to get home.” “Maybe I could walk you…?”

“It’s in the opposite direction. I’m perfectly safe, you know. The town’s buzzing with people.”

“OK. That’s true, I guess.” He looked a little crestfallen.

“Good luck with it all,” she told him, feeling strangely wistful too, as she left him standing there.

For goodness sake, Beth, he wanted to see you again,” Anna scolded when they caught up the following morning. Anna had popped by and they were going on the hike they’d missed the previous Sunday.

“He didn’t, or he would have asked. He said he was really busy up to the summer recess. Besides, he’d just told me all about his late wife.”

“He was confiding in you.”

“Only because I’d just confided in him,” Beth returned.

“What are you like?” Anna banged her forehead with the palm of her hand.

“You like each other, don’t you?”

“Well, yes, but he also said we only move on when the time is right. Anyway, Mrs Matchmaker, be realistic. I didn’t even know the guy existed two weeks ago. How’s Fleur? Did you get an appointment with her GP?”

“It’s next week. But she does seem better. She’s seeing her father today. They’re planning a summer holiday. She, her dad, stepmum and new baby brother are off to a campsite in the New Forest.” “That sounds good.”

“Fingers crossed it works out.” Anna frowned. “My ex hasn’t been very reliable lately where Fleur’s concerned.”

By mid morning they were up on Ballard Down, striding through the gorse-scented air with the panoramic views of the sea and coastal countryside spread out before them.

Neither of them had enough puff to speak but Beth was thinking about what Anna had said earlier. Had she read the situation wrong last night? Had Simon wanted to see her again?

He was in her thoughts a lot, considering they’d only just met.

Her phone pinged and fleetingly she thought she’d summoned him up, but to her surprise the text was from Fleur.

Please don’ t tell Mum I’ m messaging you but I need to talk to someone. Can I phone you later? Please say yes.

Startled, Beth glanced at Anna who was slightly ahead of her and hadn’t heard the text. It was too breezy up here.

She and Fleur had always been close and she had said she could talk to her any time, hadn’t she? Even so, the idea of keeping it from her mother felt wrong.

She slipped the phone back into her pocket. She would work out what she was going to do about that later.

NEXT WEEK: Can Beth help Fleur? Will she call Simon? Will Beth finally find her own happiness or is she too busy helping others? Find out in the delicious final part of our Tea By The Sea serial next week! Don’t miss our final tasty treat!

“Endings are devastating, then you slowly adjust and accept…”