Book Club Reads: 3-Book Collection: Yesterday’s Sun, The Sea Sisters, Someone to Watch Over Me. Amanda Brooke

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      a note of recognition in her voice.

      Holly’s heart sank as she nodded politely in agreement. ‘She didn’t leave anything for me, did she?’ she asked hopefully.

      ‘Sorry, but Auntie Joss did leave you a message. She said to say sorry she wouldn’t get a chance to see Tim, but she’ll catch up with you when she gets back.’

      ‘Ah, so you must be Patti,’ Holly replied, ignoring the mistake in Tom’s name. ‘How’s it going at university?’

      ‘Long story, but I’ve kind of thrown in the towel. I’m due back for my final year but I’m not sure it’s the way I want to go. I’m trying to convince my mum I could just work here and take up writing in my spare time, make my way as a writer on my own instead of slaving away to get some piece of paper that won’t guarantee me a job anyway.’

      ‘You shouldn’t give up,’ interrupted Tom.

      ‘Sorry, this is my husband Tim, I mean Tom,’ grinned Holly. Tom gave her a warning glare and Patti’s cheeks flushed pink.

      ‘I’m a journalist and it’s a tough world out there. A degree might just get you in the door, even if it doesn’t guarantee the job. You’ll regret it if you give up now, especially when you’re so close to finishing. I promise, if you get that piece of paper and you’re looking for a job, I can help out with some contacts.’

      Patti was almost awestruck by Tom’s credentials and she hung on every word with enthusiasm. When she returned to the counter to get their order, Holly watched her out of the corner of her eye. Mother and daughter were deep in conversation. ‘Aren’t you the helpful one?’ Holly said to Tom.

      ‘I like to help along fledgling careers where I can,’ Tom said proudly.

      ‘I hope you don’t go around offering your services to all the pretty girls you see on your travels.’

      ‘I only have eyes for you,’ Tom said, and his intent stare sought solace from Holly.

      ‘I know, I’m only teasing. I trust you with my heart and my soul, no matter how far away they send you.’ She reached over and pulled at a tiny lock of hair at the base of his neck. ‘And no matter how polished and appealing they try to make you.’

      Tom took hold of Holly’s outstretched hand in his. ‘Does it sound too wimpy to say I miss my curls?’

      ‘I miss your curls too,’ soothed Holly. ‘But you have to get the viewing public swooning over you if you’re going to become an anchorman.’ She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. ‘I did mean the female viewing public, by the way.’

      Tom tried to smile but his lips couldn’t quite complete the manoeuvre. ‘I was happy in my comfort zone, I am happy in my comfort zone,’ he tried to explain. ‘This new persona the studio is trying to create just feels …’ He seemed to be lost for words for once.

      ‘Uncomfortable?’ offered Holly.

      ‘God, it’s like squeezing into a suit that doesn’t quite fit.’

      ‘Too tight around the shoulders?’

      ‘Too tight in the crotch,’ replied Tom, just as Patti returned with their cream teas. If she heard his last comment, she didn’t let on.

      ‘These are on the house,’ she told them. ‘Mum insists.’

      ‘You’re going back to university?’ Holly asked excitedly, knowing how pleased Jocelyn and Lisa would be by the news.

      ‘Hmm, I’m not quite ready to decide just yet, but I have agreed to sit down and talk it through properly with Mum. And if I do give it another try, I’ll be back looking for those contacts,’ she told Tom.

      ‘My word is my bond,’ he agreed.

      As Patti left, Tom sighed. ‘Oh, to be that young and hopeful.’

      ‘So, back to you. When do I get to see your new image in action?’ Holly asked. Tom’s reports on the Canadian oil sands were currently being edited and hadn’t been aired yet.

      ‘Next week; the day before I leave, as a matter of fact.’

      ‘I’d better spread the word. Your mum and dad are dying to see you too. Now eat up, we’ve still got to call in at the surgery, remember.’

      ‘Yes, Mum,’ Tom replied, before stuffing half a cream scone in his mouth.

      It didn’t seem to Holly that she had to wait long to see Tom’s reports as the days slipped by at an alarming rate. On the night that Tom’s first report was being aired, they cuddled up on the sofa, ready to watch the broadcast with a bottle of wine and popcorn. Holly was relieved that Tom was still home. The summer nights were drawing in as August moved closer to September and whilst Holly sat in the relative safety of her living room she knew the full moon was casting its borrowed light across the surface of the moondial. Tonight its lure was no match for the safety of Tom’s arms, her Tom, the man whose heart hadn’t been broken by the loss of his wife.

      It was a strange experience, sitting on the sofa, watching the new improved Tom in professional reporting mode on screen while her real-life Tom gave a commentary on what had been happening behind the scenes. Stranger still because the image on screen didn’t match the man sitting next to her, who, despite his lack of hair, was still the old, dishevelled Tom she knew and loved. She wasn’t sure she liked the polished, pristine version on screen. He was too slick for her liking. He was interviewing an oil company spokesperson and he sounded different, harsher.

      ‘So what do you think?’ Tom asked tentatively as soon as the programme had finished.

      ‘You looked …’ Holly started, but then couldn’t think of the right words. ‘You looked very professional.’

      ‘You didn’t like it, did you?’ Tom asked. There was a note of disappointment in his voice that made Holly’s heart ache.

      ‘It’s different,’ she tried to explain. ‘It’s just not quite you.’

      Tom sighed. ‘I know, you’re right. I’m trying my hardest to adapt. Everyone in the studio has been singing my praises, but it still doesn’t quite feel right. It’s strange how people react differently to you just because you’re wearing a suit and you have that slick look. The career politicians and the experienced press officers I’ve been interviewing still look down their noses at me, but some of the people on the sidelines, I think I kind of intimidated them.’

      ‘So is that what the studio really want from you? For you to go around intimidating people?’ asked Holly. She kept her tone light, but she really didn’t like the idea that Tom was being forced to move away from the approachable reporter he used to be.

      ‘I’m not in the anchorman job yet. Maybe when I am, I can relax the style a little. At least they’re not insisting I wear a suit when I’m in Haiti.’

      ‘I’m going to miss you,’ moaned Holly.

      ‘I haven’t gone yet and I will be back. All this pain will be worth it when we think about what it will mean for us next year. Next year I could have a little baby who’ll СКАЧАТЬ