The Seafront Tea Rooms Read Online Free PDF

gloomily. At least she’d remembered to put a jacket in her hand luggage.
    Later, in the taxi rank outside the airport, she switched on her mobile phone again. Missed call: MUM . She pressed the button to return it.
    ‘Charlie!’
    ‘Hello, Mum. Just got back. You called, has anything happened?’
    ‘Yes. Wonderful news: Pippa’s had a healthy baby girl.’
    ‘That’s great,’ Charlie said, relieved. ‘Have they picked a name yet?’
    ‘Gracie.’
    A kind, friendly face came into Charlie’s mind and she smiled. ‘Granny’s name.’
    ‘Yes. It was a lovely thought. They’re all doing fine. Jacob and Flo are enjoying meeting their new sister, she says. Your dad and I are going up this weekend.’
    ‘That’s good. How is Dad?’
    ‘Oh, you know your father…’ She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘Never easy.’
    ‘I’m sure he’ll be cheered up by seeing the baby.’
    ‘Exactly.’
    Charlie, now at the front of the queue, manouevred her luggage trolley into position as a black cab drew up.
    ‘Listen, I can’t chat,’ Charlie said. ‘I’m still at the airport.’
    ‘OK. But, Charlie —’
    ‘Mmm-hmm,’ she said, cradling the phone between shoulder and ear as she loaded her bags into the taxi.
    ‘I know you and your sister don’t always see eye to eye, but you will visit her sooner this time, won’t you?’
    Charlie thought of her work schedule – packed solid until January. Then came a flashback of how she and Pippa had argued last time she’d gone to stay in Scarborough. She chewed her lip. Somehow she’d have to find a way to fit in the visit. And this time she’d be more patient.
    ‘Of course, Mum. I’ll book a train up tonight.’

4
     
    Friday 15 August
    Jake leaned in towards Kat and kissed her gently on the cheek, in the hallway of what had once been his flat. The bristle of his stubble against her skin, the smell of his shampoo – it was the tiny things that brought memories back.
    ‘Bit out of the blue I know, but a friend was driving down from Edinburgh and asked if I wanted a lift…’
    ‘It’s OK,’ she said, with a smile. ‘I’m used to surprises.’ They walked up the stairs together.
    ‘Those are new.’ He pointed at the black-and-white photos Kat had taken of the seafront ice-cream shops and put in handmade driftwood frames. ‘Nice.’
    ‘Thanks. Leo found some of the wood for them. A few things have changed since last time.’
    ‘Two months is way too long.’ He shook his head. ‘I’ve missed Leo loads and he must’ve grown up so much. Where is he?’ He peered down the corridor towards Leo’s room. ‘Can I say hello? I got him something.’ He held up a plastic bag with a wrapped box inside.
    ‘Sorry, he’s in bed.’
    Jake hit his palm gently against his forehead. ‘Oh yeah. Of course.’
    ‘Come through. I’ll put the kettle on.’
    Jake sat down on the sofa, running one hand distractedly over the corduroy material on the arm. ‘So, how’ve you been?’
    ‘Good,’ Kat said, stepping into the kitchen and getting a mug out of the cupboard, flicking the kettle on. ‘Busy.’ She made Jake’s tea on auto-pilot: milky with two spoonfuls of white sugar.
    Back in the living room she put Jake’s drink down in front of him and joined him on the sofa. ‘Leo talks about you all the time, you know.’
    ‘Really? He does?’ Jake glowed. He took a sip of tea, not waiting for it to cool. ‘Look, I’m sorry I couldn’t send any money over this month…’ He ran a hand through his hair and looked down at his feet. ‘I’m doing everything I can, but I’m starting from scratch in Edinburgh and there’s a ton of other painting-and-decorating companies. I’m slowly picking up jobs by word of mouth, but —’
    ‘I understand,’ Kat said. ‘I’m not going to lie, though – it’s hard covering the bills when I’m not working either.’
    ‘You haven’t found anything?’
    ‘Not yet. I’ve been interviewing.’
    ‘You’ll get something.