Meet Me at Pebble Beach_ Part Three – Sink or Swim (Meet Me at Pebble Beach #3) - Bella Osborne Page 0,3

being miserable. Why wasn’t it one of them with a tumour and not Charlie? She felt awful for thinking it but she couldn’t help it. What was happening to Charlie seemed so unfair. She really liked him. Who was she kidding? Her feelings were already further up the scale than ‘like’. If she was honest, some of her sadness was at what she was potentially losing. She’d seen something special in Charlie from the start and their relationship had built so quickly. What if he was The One?

She plodded on, her mind elsewhere, until she reached the market. The smell and sounds of the place always took her mind off things, but today would be a big test. Stallholders were laughing and joking with each other as they packed up for the day. She walked past the bins and today’s unwanted fruit and veg – onions, cabbages and nectarines were the unpopular choices this time. She kicked at a cabbage to release her frustration but missed and almost fell on her backside. She was angry at everything and everyone, but mainly at the unfairness of life and the indifference with which tragedy struck.

Regan stopped near the cash machine and kicked at the wall. The pain shot up her toe and she hopped away swearing under her breath. A loud woof caught her off guard. Elvis bounded over and hastily sat in front of her looking up expectantly. Despite everything, it made her smile.

‘Sorry, Elvis. I’ve no milk on me today.’ She petted his head. Kevin sauntered over. ‘Good news, Kevin. There’ll be coffee again next week. I’ve got a job at the coffee shop.’

Kevin beamed a smile. ‘Thank you.’ He made it sound like she’d got the job just to get him free coffee. ‘You okay?’ he tipped his head at the wall she’d been assaulting.

‘Yeah, fine. Letting out my frustration.’

He bobbed his head in understanding. ‘There’s a band playing on the pier tonight. And it’s low tide.’ He was looking at Regan as if this should mean something. ‘Me and Elvis sit under the pier and listen for free. The band’s pretty good. You can join us if you like. It might cheer you up.’

‘Oh, Kevin. You’re the sweetest person.’ He went all shy and gave Elvis a sturdy pat on his side. Elvis didn’t seem to notice; he was still staring at Regan. Emotion spiked through her. Whilst she really wanted to hate the world and everyone in it right now, how could she? ‘Thanks. I’d love to join you.’

Regan had been surprised to see that her bank balance was a lot higher than it had been. All she could think was that BHB Healthcare must have owed her some money because nobody else paid in to her account. She decided she’d treat herself and Kevin to a fish and chip tea later, and so Elvis didn’t feel left out she bought some dry dog food when she bought a pack of beers.

Back in the studio, she tried her hardest to push the Charlie conundrum to the back of her mind – it was simply too hard to deal with right now. She washed and changed and put on a splash of make-up – she’d not been out in ages. She bundled up a large plastic sheet for them to sit on that she’d found amongst some spare easels, rolled up the throws and grabbed her carrier bag of beer and dog food. She opened the studio door cautiously, as she always did, to check the coast was clear. To her surprise, leaning in the doorway was Charlie.

They both stared wide-eyed at each other. ‘You weren’t answering your phone—’

‘Dropped it down the toilet,’ she said, and he raised an eyebrow. ‘I really did. It’s drying out in some rice now. Penny said it might work.’

Charlie looked relieved. ‘Not ignoring me then?’

‘No. Of course not.’ Just looking at him made her sad. ‘I wouldn’t do that.’

There was a difficult silence that stretched between them. Regan feared this would be the first of many times she wouldn’t know exactly what to say. Charlie frowned at the tarpaulin under her arm.

‘You going camping?’

‘No. Much better.’ She stuck her neck out further: there was nobody about. ‘Come on. We’re going to have a fun evening, I promise.’ She locked up the studio, linked arms with Charlie and they set off for the pier.

Chapter Twelve

Kevin’s face when she presented him with his fish and chips was a sight she’d never forget. He rubbed