told her. ‘It would be good to confirm things so I can add them to the posters. I’ve already got a list from your mum, and I’ve had an idea about something else we can do.’
‘Go on,’ said Sam, leaning over the bar.
Now I finally had his full attention I found I didn’t want it. I avoided his hypnotic gaze and focused on Hope.
‘Well,’ I said, thinking about my walks and how some of them had changed my perception of Wynmouth a little, ‘the beach is beautiful, but there’s always rubbish that washes up with the tide and there’s some rope and an old metal drum wedged next to one of the groynes, which seems to be a permanent fixture, so I was wondering if we could have a beach clean ahead of the party.’
It had been on the tip of my tongue to say that the beach used to be pristine, but fortunately I bit the comment back.
‘We have talked about this before,’ Hope said enthusiastically, ‘but nothing’s ever come of it. This could be the perfect opportunity to launch something regular, a monthly meet perhaps. There are specific organizations which can help with it, aren’t there?’
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I had a quick look on your mum’s laptop because there are certain things we would have to consider, such as public liability insurance and safeguarding issues.’
‘It’s not just rocking up with a bucket and picking stuff up then,’ Sam frowned.
‘No,’ I said, ‘not if you want to do it properly and certainly not if you want to make it a regular event in the Wynmouth calendar. Ideally, you’ll need someone prepared to commit to co-ordinating and running it.’
‘I’d be up for doing that,’ Hope said keenly. ‘I’ll make a start on it today.’
‘Are you sure?’ asked Sam. ‘It sounds like a lot of work, and what with your own venture to set up, it’s important to stay focused, Hope.’
‘But this is important too,’ she said, sounding like she really meant business and quite a lot like her mum. ‘The beach is Wynmouth’s biggest attraction, and if it’s contaminated and covered in debris, it won’t be pulling the visitors in for much longer, will it? We need to do something positive to protect it.’
‘That’s true,’ I agreed. ‘Lots of locals, including you, Sam, have told me they love the village because it isn’t like the other resorts. It isn’t fit to burst with amusement arcades and rowdy entertainment.’ A sudden vision of the Elton and Kiki duet Joe and I had treated the karaoke crowd to popped into my head. ‘So, as Hope says,’ I carried on, ‘it’s vital that you protect what Wynmouth is famous for; the beautiful beach and those rockpools. They’re your bread and butter and they need looking after.’
In that moment I decided that as soon as I had finalized the poster design I was going to head off and explore the pools. I had been waiting for the perfect time and this was it. I had made a major life choice that morning and the pools could be my reward for finally getting on with things. I only hoped I wouldn’t find anything to tarnish my memories there. It would be too much to bear if they were polluted too and I didn’t just mean metaphorically.
‘All right,’ said Sam, holding up his hands, ‘I was only worried about Hope increasing her workload, there’s no need to come over all eco-warrior on me.’
‘I didn’t,’ I pouted, but then we began to laugh. ‘Well, I suppose I did a bit, but it is important.’
Hope had already got the details of one of the charities up on her phone and I knew the venture was in the best hands to make it a success.
‘So,’ Sam asked, ‘what else?’
With Sam having to juggle customers, it was late morning by the time we had worked our way through everything. I knew there would be more additions to make, but at least we could now start officially spreading the news and making the party the best Wynmouth beach had ever seen.
‘I still fancy that walk along the beach,’ said Hope, giving me a nudge. ‘Are you up for it?’
‘All right, but I can’t be too long. I’m hoping to get this poster finished today and then copied at the post office tomorrow.’
‘You can print the first one out here if you like,’ Sam offered.
‘That would save me having to go back to the café with Sophie’s laptop.’
It was kind of her