A Fresh Start In Holly Blue Bay Read online

  A Fresh Start In Holly Blue Bay

  A Holly Blue Bay Romance

  (Book 1)

  By

  Cathy Blossom

  Copyright 2018 by Cathy Blossom

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  www.cathyblossom.com

  Proofreading done by Paula Proofreader

  Front cover by Victorine Lieske

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, electronically or mechanically without permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  A note from the author

  Other books by Cathy Blossom

  Chapter 1

  DAISY

  DAISY SURVEYED THE room. Was she making a huge mistake by coming here? She’d left everything behind to start this new venture. There was no going back now. It was sink or swim. She gulped. She’d never been a strong swimmer.

  She lifted her chin, forced a smile on her face and pressed record on her phone. In a bright and breezy voice, she said, “Hi, guys! Here I am, still in one piece. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know about this crazy adventure of mine. I wasn’t sure I was going to see it through, but here I am! I’ve left the bright lights of London behind along with my beautiful apartment.” Daisy’s smile slipped a little. “Not only that, but I’ve left all my friends behind too. All my loving, supportive friends who told me I was crazy to do this. Yes, Tilly, I’m talking to you!” Daisy waved at the screen cheerfully.

  Her eyes began to sting, and she knew tears were imminent. She paused the recording and took a few moments to collect herself. She had made the right decision, hadn’t she? She was living life to the full. Taking chances and meeting adventure head-on. There were some other inspiring quotes she’d committed to memory, but it wasn’t easy to recall them when she felt sick to her stomach with nerves. She hadn’t made the right decision at all. She’d been reckless and foolish. But the followers of her blog didn’t want to know that. She’d reread their encouraging comments as she’d embarked on this madcap adventure, and she owed it to them to give it her best shot.

  The smile on her face was a tad more genuine as she continued recording. “Look at my new office space. Isn’t it marvellous? Look at the view from the window.” She switched the recording from her face to the window. “You can see the sea. Look how blue it is. I hope the recording is picking up on that. I don’t know if you can hear the waves, but I can.”

  Daisy’s smile increased as the calming sound of the waves came to her, washing some of her doubts away.

  She aimed the phone at the street outside the window. “I’ll give you a full tour of the town later, but this is the main street. I can’t wait to explore all the shops and get to know the locals. Let me show you this gorgeous building I’ve rented. It’s over two hundred years old. The ground floor is where I’ll be working, so I’ll give you the full view of it now.”

  Daisy slowly panned the room with its pastel-coloured walls which were charmingly wonky. The wooden floorboards squeaked in many places, but Daisy didn’t mind as the squeaks almost sounded like the chirruping of birds.

  She aimed her phone at the wooden entrance door which she’d left open to allow the gentle summer breeze to waft in. A man was standing there. Daisy yelped and stumbled backwards. The man just stood there silently watching her.

  Daisy quickly stopped recording and pointed her phone at the man. “Who are you? How long have you been standing there?” She swiftly looked him over. He was wearing jeans and a faded denim shirt. Despite his stony expression, Daisy could see how handsome he was. She tilted her head. Very handsome, in fact. And not much older than her by the look of him.

  She broke into a grin as realisation dawned on her. “Ha! I know what’s going on. Tilly must have hired you.”

  “Tilly?” the man asked. He frowned which only made him look more handsome. “I don’t know anyone called Tilly.”

  Daisy gave him a knowing look. “Course you don’t. I’ll play along. It’s all part of the act. Is the tool belt part of your act too? Have you got a can of whipped cream in there?”

  The man’s forehead creased even more. “Whipped cream?”

  “Yeah.” Daisy put one hand on her hip and waved her phone at the box he was carrying. “And what’s in your toolbox? Or is it actually a music player which you’ve disguised to look like a toolbox? What tunes have you got lined up for your performance? I hope it’s not rap music. I’m not a fan of that.”

  “Performance? Rap music?”

  Daisy gave him a closer look. He was a bit slow on the uptake. Or was it all part of his act still?

  She said, “Can I record you? My followers would love to see this. I bet Tilly would love it too seeing as she probably organised this.” She pressed record and aimed the phone at him. “Off you go then. Start stripping.”

  “I beg your pardon!” the man thundered.

  Oh, he was playing the part of an angry stripogram now. Daisy smiled. He was very good at it. His eyes were blazing with anger, and the muscles in his neck were standing out. She’d have to give him a tip when he’d finished.

  Daisy asked, “Would you mind being quick? I’ve got a lot to do today.” She held her phone steady as she continued recording.

  In an icy tone, the man said, “Who exactly do you think I am?”

  Daisy blinked. He was taking this angry act too far now. She gave him a look as if it were obvious. “You’re a stripogram. Tilly, my friend, must have organised this. She knew how nervous I was about moving here. She must have hired you to cheer me up.” Her voice wavered. The look the man was giving her wasn’t making her feel cheerful at all.

  The man placed his toolbox on the floor. Now Daisy could see it better, she knew it was a toolbox and nothing else. She shifted to her other foot as the man continued to glower at her.

  He said, “You think I’m a stripogram?”

  Daisy gave him an uncertain nod.

  “And why would you think that?”

  Daisy swallowed. “Because you’re good-looking, and you’re wearing tatty work clothes which are obviously a costume. And you’ve got a tool belt. No one wears a tool belt nowadays.”

  “I do. It’s where I keep my tools.” He tugged at his shirt. “And these clothes are what I wear when I’m working. Sensible clothes; comfy clothes. Are you still recording me?”

  “Erm, yes.” Daisy ended the recording and lowered the phone.

  The man hadn’t finished embarrassing her yet. He took a step forward. “You really think your friend would hire a stripogram for you?”

  Daisy looked at the floor. “Tilly’s a bit crazy sometimes.”

  “And you think she’d hire a stripogram just for you? So he could perform a private dance with no one else around? And you were going to stand there and let a stranger strip in front of you?”

  Daisy’s cheeks felt very warm now. She muttered, “I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like such a good idea now.” She jumped as she heard a deep chuckle coming from the man. She
looked back at him and saw him grinning at her.

  He moved closer and held his hand out. “I’m afraid to say I’m not a stripper of any sort unless you count stripping wallpaper. I’m Jacob Smythe. I’m the local handyman.”

  Daisy put her hand in his, fully aware of how pink her cheeks must be. She flashed him a small smile. “I’m so sorry about mistaking you for...” She trailed off, unable to say “stripogram” again. She quickly shook Jacob’s hand and then pulled her hand free.

  Jacob said, “You must be Daisy Clarke.”

  “I am.”

  He looked around the room. “I’ve been hired by your landlord to do any work that’s needed. In your working space here, and your living area upstairs. Have you had time to look around the place yet? It could do with a lick of paint. I don’t know what business you’re running, but if you need shelves putting up, just let me know and I’ll sort them out.” There was a hint of mischief in his blue eyes as he added, “I’ll let you know from the outset, Daisy Clarke, that I’ll be keeping my clothes on while I work.”

  Just when she thought she couldn’t blush anymore, Daisy’s cheeks heated up to boiling point. She quickly walked over to the window and away from Jacob’s gaze. “I haven’t had a thorough look around yet. Upstairs looks okay, but I might need some work doing in here. Could I make you a list?” She kept her eyes focused on the view outside and willed her cheeks to cool down.

  “Of course. Here’s my card.”

  He walked over to her and handed her a business card. Daisy caught an aroma of wood and paint coming from him. It was a pleasant scent which made her feel too warm again. What was wrong with her? Must be the sea air or something.

  Daisy took the card without looking at Jacob. “Thanks.” Her attention was suddenly drawn to a movement outside. A hairy dog with thick, grey fur was looking at her from the open passenger window of a white van parked outside. Daisy laughed. “Look at that lovely dog. He looks like an old man sitting there. He even looks as if he’s smiling at me.” She raised her hand in a wave.

  Jacob said, “That’s my dog, Malcolm.”

  Daisy turned her head and stared at Jacob. “Your dog is called Malcolm?”

  “Yes. It suits him.”

  They both looked at Malcolm who was still looking their way. He raised his shaggy paw.

  A snort of laughter came from Daisy. “Did he just wave at us?”

  “He did. He does that a lot, but only at people he likes.” Daisy picked up on the warmth in Jacob’s voice as he spoke about his dog. Jacob continued, “Don’t ask me what breed he is. No one knows, not even the vet. Malcolm is a little bit of everything.”

  “I’ve always wanted a dog,” Daisy said wistfully. “Can I say hello to Malcolm?”

  “I can bring him in here if you like? He often comes into buildings with me, but only after I’ve checked with the owner. Not everyone likes dogs.”

  Daisy gave Jacob a serious look. “Not everyone likes chocolate either. There are some strange people in this world.”

  Jacob returned her serious look. “Indeed there are. Only this morning, I was mistaken for a stripper. I’ll bring Malcolm in then, shall I?” There was amusement in his eyes again.

  Daisy found herself smiling. “Yes, please.”

  She stayed at the window and watched Jacob get Malcolm from the van. The dog took his time getting out as if it were too much trouble for him. Then he padded at Jacob’s side as they came into the building.

  Daisy rushed over to Malcolm and knelt at his side. She gently moved her hand over his grey-furred head. “Hello, Malcolm. I’m Daisy. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My, you’re a handsome dog.” She smiled at the happy expression on Malcolm’s face. She wasn’t sure if dogs could have expressions, but it looked to her like Malcolm was smiling.

  Malcolm nuzzled his head next to Daisy’s, and she heard his tail thumping on the floor.

  Jacob let out a hearty laugh. “Malcolm likes you. I’ve never seen him act like this with a stranger before.”

  “I hope I won’t be a stranger for long.” Daisy put her arms around Malcolm and gave him a hug. The last of her doubts about moving here vanished. “Malcolm, would you like some water? Something to eat? How about a walk?” She looked up at Jacob. “Can I take him for a walk on the beach, please? Or is that too cheeky of me? You can come too.”

  Jacob gave her a long look before saying, “I’d like that.”

  Daisy stood up straight. “Great! Let’s go right now.”

  A mature woman suddenly entered the building. “Ms Clarke?” She was wearing a business suit and a solemn expression. Daisy recognised her immediately.

  “Yes, I’m Daisy.” She moved over to the woman who was her landlord and the mayor of this small, seaside town. Daisy held her hand out. “It’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Mrs Wainwright.”

  Mrs Wainwright’s hand was cool as she briefly shook Daisy’s hand. “Call me Roberta, please. We’ll be spending a lot of time together, and there’s no need to be so formal.” She gave Daisy a swift smile. “After all those emails we’ve exchanged, I’m glad we can finally meet in the flesh. I can’t tell you how excited I am about our project.”

  “Me too,” Daisy replied truthfully.

  Malcolm let out a happy bark as if he agreed.

  Roberta’s eyes widened. “Malcolm? I didn’t notice you there.” Her eyes widened even more when she saw Jacob. “What are you doing here?”

  Daisy blurted out, “He’s not stripping! No, there’ll be no stripping going on in here.”

  Roberta gave Daisy an astonished look and then turned her attention back to Jacob. “Are you here to do work on this property?”

  “I am.”

  “Has Ms Clarke given you a list of her requirements?”

  “Not yet.”

  Daisy frowned at the cold exchange. What was going on here?

  Roberta continued, “Has Ms Clarke explained what her business is?”

  “No.”

  Daisy saw a flash of something in Roberta’s eyes which almost looked like gloating. Roberta said, “Ms Clarke is here to drag our town into the twenty-first century. She’s going to put Holly Blue Bay on the map.”

  Jacob replied coldly, “It’s already on the map.”

  “But people don’t know it is,” Roberta snapped. “We get tourists, but not enough of them. And it’s alright for you, Jacob, you’ve got work to keep you busy all year. But other people who live and work here don’t. Ms Clarke and I are going to change that. We have plans to bring more tourists into our town. Ms Clarke knows everything there is to know about marketing. She’s an expert in her field.”

  Daisy interjected, “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  Roberta ignored her. “Ms Clarke has already started her online campaign. The outside world is becoming aware of our little town as we speak. Things are going to change for us around here.”

  Jacob said, “There’s nothing wrong with how things are now. Nothing needs to change.”

  Roberta gave him a slow smile which Daisy didn’t like. Roberta spoke slowly, “Things are going to change. For the better, whether you like it or not. And Ms Clarke is going to be the one who changes it.”

  Jacob turned his head and looked Daisy straight in the eyes. She was shocked at the fury in them. “Is this true?” he asked.

  Daisy could only nod in reply.

  Jacob turned on his heel and stormed towards the door. He grabbed his toolbox and declared, “I won’t be doing any work on this property! Get someone else to do it!”

  Daisy watched helplessly as Jacob jumped into his van and sped away. She’d made an enemy of him, and she didn’t know why.

  Chapter 2

  JACOB

  JACOB MUTTERED TO HIMSELF as he drove away, “There’s nothing wrong with this town. Why can’t people leave things as they are?” His thoughts turned dark as Roberta Wainwright’s face came to his mind. That woman thought she owned Holly Blue Bay! It wasn’t enough that she was the mayor of the
town for the tenth year running. Oh no, she had to be on every committee going. She had to involve herself in everyone’s lives. She had to know everyone’s business. And the weak-willed residents of this town let her. Well, not him. Roberta had tried to boss him around, but he’d stood up to her. He recalled that time she’d told him he had to paint his name and telephone number on his van, and he’d told her in no uncertain terms that he’d do no such thing. The people of this town knew his name and number. Why did he have to paint it on his van?

  Jacob drove along the seafront, oblivious to people who waved to him. He was too angry thinking about Roberta Wainwright to notice them. She’d retired from her job on the council last year, so why couldn’t she retire from sticking her nose in everyone’s business? Didn’t she want to have a rest? Get away from it all?

  His dad had been at school with Roberta and said she was a bossyboots even then. Jacob smiled as he recalled some of the run-ins Dad had experienced with Roberta. Dad always gave as good as he got from Roberta, although he had relented on some subjects when he’d seen Roberta was right. Jacob felt some of his anger dispersing. Roberta did work hard for the town; he’d give her that. And since her husband had passed away a few years ago, she threw herself into her work even more. Perhaps she was lonely and needed to work. Jacob pressed his lips together. He’d never thought as Roberta as the lonely type. She never gave that impression, she was always too busy.

  Jacob sighed as he headed away from the seafront and past the ice cream parlour. Roberta always made sure the residents contacted him when they needed work done. And she always gave him the contracts for work which she needed undertaken on the many rental properties she owned. She was never late with settling his bills either. Not like some. But there again, not everyone had money available all year round. Jacob was well aware of how the tourist trade fluctuated. But was that a bad thing? It had been like this for years. Everyone knew how it worked. They should be prepared for an income slump in winter.

  As he drove up the hill which led away from the sea, his thoughts went to Roberta’s latest tenant. He’d never met a Daisy before. The cheerful name suited her. He was glad of the business cards Roberta insisted on him having. Now Daisy knew how to contact him. He smiled as he remembered her horrified expression over the whole stripogram mix-up. She looked pretty when she blushed. She looked pretty when she didn’t blush too. He reluctantly admitted she was an attractive woman, and he’d enjoyed their short time together. Malcolm had liked her too.