Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point, page 26
‘I think that would be a wonderful gesture.’ Nerissa watched her niece as she exchanged a laugh with the knitting ladies while swapping the large teapot on their table with a fresh one. She’d worked so hard to make a success of the café and Jake was doing a lot of freelance work for the local papers as well as a few features he’d sold on to the nationals through his old mentor, Mac. Even so, things were as tough for them as any other young couple in the current economic climate. ‘I can also understand why you feel reluctant, but I don’t think there’s any chance it will damage things between you and Jake if you make the offer.’
‘But what if he says no?’
Reaching out, Nerissa removed the crumpled napkin from Linda’s hand and gave her fingers a comforting squeeze. ‘Then accept his answer with good grace and tell him the only thing that matters to you is that he is happy.’
‘I just want things to be easier for them.’ Linda sighed. ‘I’ll bite the bullet and ask him later.’
‘What will you do with the rest of it?’ Nerissa hadn’t meant to blurt it out quite so directly, but she really wanted Linda to stay.
‘That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about.’ Linda leaned down to rummage in her bag, drawing out a thick brochure which she placed on the table between them. The front of the glossy booklet showed a gleaming white cruise ship sailing on an azure blue sea.
‘You want to go on a cruise?’ It wasn’t something that Nerissa had ever really thought about but as she began to leaf through the pages, past images of gorgeously dressed cabins and sumptuous plates of food she could certainly understand the appeal.
‘A world cruise,’ Linda said as she reached out and flipped the pages to one she’d folded the corner down on. ‘Ninety-nine nights, sets sail in the new year. The ship is reserved for adults only, and look at the lovely cabin with its own balcony. Imagine sitting out there with a glass of wine as the ship sails into San Francisco harbour, or past the opera house in Sydney.’ Linda’s voice had taken on a dreamy quality, telling Nerissa she was already picturing herself doing exactly that.
‘Have you booked it?’
Linda shook her head. ‘I spoke to an agent this morning and there’s a few cabins left.’
She sounded wistful, and though three months on a ship full of strangers seemed to Nerissa like a heck of an undertaking; Linda had certainly taken turning over a new leaf to heart. If she felt ready to tackle another new adventure, Nerissa would do what she could to support her.
Nerissa scanned the entertainment pages, thinking carefully about what to say. It certainly looked like they had plenty to keep guests occupied. ‘They have loads of dance classes,’ she said with a grin as she pointed to a picture of a smiling older woman being guided through some steps by a handsome dance instructor. ‘Who knows, you might get a Patrick Swayze lookalike!’ Linda had joined a local salsa group not long after she’d first arrived, and the regular classes had trimmed her figure as well as given her a fantastic boost in confidence.
‘More like Anton du-bloody-Beke, knowing my luck,’ Linda muttered, sending them both into a fit of giggles.
‘There’s guest lecturers, too. And cookery classes with celebrity chefs,’ Linda said, once they’d regained their breath. Taking the brochure from Nerissa she flipped through the next couple of pages until she found a photo of one of Britain’s most illustrious chefs. ‘And the travel agent told me they have a specific programme for single travellers with regular get togethers to help make a few friends. They said I’d be surprised how many people travel on their own, and that I shouldn’t worry about that side of things at all.’
Swallowing any remaining doubts, Nerissa grinned at the enthusiasm in Linda’s voice. It was clear she already had one foot in the cocktail lounge. ‘You sound really keen.’
‘I am,’ Linda admitted with a shy grin. ‘I really fancy escaping for a bit of sunshine.’
Nerissa cast a quick look at the sullen sky outside. She didn’t blame Linda for wanting to get away. The Point was wonderful in summer when it was all blue skies and barbecues in the garden, but the winters could be grim and unrelenting. The long-range forecast was promising this would be a memorable winter, for all the wrong reasons. Three months trapped in a cottage on her own, or out exploring what the world had to offer? It was a no-brainer. ‘So, what are you waiting for?’
Linda’s grin widened into a broad beaming smile. ‘You’re right! What am I waiting for?’
About the Author
Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.
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About Boldwood Books
Boldwood Books is a fiction publishing company seeking out the best stories from around the world.
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First published in Great Britain in 2021 by Boldwood Books Ltd.
Copyright © Sarah Bennett, 2021
Cover Design by The Brewster Project
Cover Photography: Shutterstock
The moral right of Sarah Bennett to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologise for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Paperback ISBN 978-1-83889-951-6
Large Print ISBN 978-1-83889-952-3
Hardback ISBN 978-1-80280-871-1
Ebook ISBN 978-1-83889-953-0
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Sarah Bennett, Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point
