Summer at West Sands Guest House: A perfect feel good, uplifting romantic comedy. Maggie Conway

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      Instead Molly had turned to her brother Stuart. After leaving the family home in Glasgow, he had completed his PhD at Oxford University and had then taken a job lecturing history at Manchester University.

      Imparting the news of Colin’s affair had produced a few choice expletives from her usually softly spoken brother before he shared his own news which had unexpectedly provided her with a welcome reprieve from agonising about her future – for the next few weeks anyway.

      An old friend from his Oxford days had recently started work at St Andrews University, and had contacted Stuart regarding a job lecturing history and he had jumped at the chance. When they were younger, Molly and Stuart had spent a few holidays in St Andrews, mainly to accommodate their parents’ love of golf and Molly knew Stuart had always coveted a move to Scotland’s oldest university. He and his wife, Anna had decided to up sticks and move their family from Manchester to Scotland. Anna worked as a freelance software developer and after having a difficult year of her own, was happy to start afresh in the small Scottish town.

      His friend from Oxford, Ben Matthews, had recently settled in the town himself and as luck would have it, Ben’s wife ran a guest house which they could have until they found somewhere of their own to live.

      ‘Come and stay with us,’ he said simply.

      Memories of those idyllic holidays flickered happily through Molly’s mind. Carefree days before grown-up worries of relationships, careers and, in her case, divorces. Frankly, it sounded so perfect she could have wept but she sought reassurance she wouldn’t be in the way.

      ‘In the way? Are you kidding? We can always do with an extra pair of hands and the kids would love to see you. There’s loads of room and Mum and Dad will be coming for some of the time too.’

      Knowing her parents would be there had clinched it for Molly. Stuart and the family would provide a welcome distraction and ensure she wasn’t the sole focus of their attention and hopefully by the time she saw them, she’d be feeling stronger.

      Molly had hung up, relief filtering through her body. The next few weeks lay ahead enticingly empty, hopefully giving her the time and space she so badly needed to decide what came next. Or perhaps not to think at all. Simply to be herself again and not Colin’s wife – she needed to try and remember what that felt like.

      Now, as Molly continued to drive eastwards across the country, the rain eventually stopped and the clouds parted to make way for a pale blue sky. A good omen, she thought, feeling her shoulders loosen. She flicked on the radio, humming along to the music, feeling her spirits lift at the thought of the guest house by the sea filled with noise and family.

      Soon she was passing through little fishing villages, navigating her way through narrow, windy roads and looking out onto sandy beaches and picturesque harbours. Approaching St Andrews, Molly slowed down, recognising the skyline of the grand, stately university buildings and other familiar landmarks of the town.

      Molly had been delighted when Stuart had told her the guest house was at West Sands beach. Slowing down as she drew closer to the house, Molly let out a little gasp. A rather grand-looking Victorian house, it sat opposite a sweep of white sand with the sea stretching into the distance. Dark green ivy tumbled down the soft redbrick walls and the windows glittered in the afternoon sunshine. Terracotta pots brimming with small creamy flowers stood either side of the glossy blue front door.

      The wheels crunched on the gravel driveway as Molly brought the car to a halt and she smiled, seeing the small welcoming party that had formed at the door to meet her. She felt her heart squeeze with love for them. Stuart lifted a hand and waved to her, his other arm around his wife’s shoulders. Seeing Stuart and Anna standing there reminded Molly of her parents. Like them they looked so happy and made it look easy – they did marriage well in this family, all except her it seemed. If she didn’t love them so much it would be easy to feel envious. She was barely out of the car before they swooped down on her with hugs and kisses.

      ‘You’re here!’

      Wrapped in the warmth of Anna’s embrace, Molly’s suddenly shaky equilibrium was painfully tested but she swallowed down the tears that threatened, determined not to lose it now. Luckily the moment passed as her brother pulled her in for a gruff-like brotherly hug.

      ‘Good to see you, little sis.’ Molly grinned up at him, so happy to see her brother. At thirty-five, he was six years older than Molly. Growing up there had never been any rivalry between the siblings even though Stuart had given Molly enough reason for there to be one, at least academically. Instead she was proud of her brother’s straight A record and subsequent offers from the country’s top universities.

      Tall, dark and totally oblivious to the effect his looks had on women, Molly had assumed the role of protector, vetting who was suitable. Operating on the premise that no one was good enough for her brother, Molly had been prepared not to like Anna, the first girl Stuart had ever brought home. But any fears Molly had were quashed within seconds of meeting her and she had pretty much charmed the whole family.

      Not only had she been good for her brother – she had lovingly pulled him back from a life of crumpled corduroy and tweed jackets – she had become a good friend to Molly, too.

      Molly turned to her eleven-year-old niece Lily. Wearing jeans and a sparkly T-shirt and sharing her father’s reserved nature, she had held back slightly. She gave her aunt a shy look and Molly enveloped her in a hug. Luke, on the other hand, had no such reservations and stood beside Molly grinning up at her.

      ‘Look at you! You’ve grown!’ Molly exclaimed, ruffling his blond hair. Luke held himself tall, beaming a cheeky grin. ‘I’m five now,’ he announced proudly.

      Stuart opened the boot and lifted her bag out. ‘Brought your golf clubs, I see?’ he chuckled.

      ‘How could I not when I knew I was coming here. Thought I might see if you had time for a game.’

      ‘What and be humiliated? Not likely.’

      Molly laughed, shaking her head. ‘I’ll be totally useless now anyway, I haven’t played for so long.’

      It had always been a bit of a family joke that Molly was the son their father had always wanted. With his aversion to the great outdoors, Stuart preferred spending his time with his head in a book while Molly would be out tramping the golf course with their father.

      Luke suddenly grabbed Molly by the hands, pulling her towards the house excitedly.

      ‘Give Aunt Molly a chance,’ Anna chastised him good-naturedly.

      And in that moment, as Molly was swept into the house, she couldn’t think of a single place she’d rather be.

      ****

      ‘That was delicious,’ Molly said gratefully, feeling nicely full from the paella Anna had made. The crisp Sauvignon Blanc had also gone down a treat. Sitting at the large oak table in the dining room, Molly felt herself start to relax as she caught up with Stuart and Anna.

      It had turned into a beautiful evening and the adults smiled, hearing the shrieks of delight floating through the French doors from the garden where Lily and Luke were playing.

      ‘You certainly know the right presents to bring your niece and nephew,’ Anna commented sagely.

      ‘Couldn’t really go wrong with water guns, could I?’ Molly grinned.

      Stuart СКАЧАТЬ