Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café Read online

  Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café

  Jessica Redland

  To my older brother Mike and my younger brother Chris, with love always xx

  ‘With courage, nothing is impossible.’

  Sir William Hillary, 1823

  Founder of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Est. 1824.

  (Originally known as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck)

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Acknowledgments

  More from Jessica Redland

  About the Author

  Also by Jessica Redland

  About Boldwood Books

  1

  Hollie

  Bonfire Night, eight years ago

  ‘These are the last two crates,’ I said, reaching the bottom of the stairs at The Starfish Café. I weaved between the pine tables and placed them down at the far end of the room beside several other crates of Christmas decorations.

  Angie looked up from unpacking the seven-foot artificial Christmas tree. ‘How is it Bonfire Night already? I swear the summer tourists only went home yesterday.’

  ‘I hear you! Am I best not to mention that tomorrow is exactly seven weeks till Christmas Day?’

  ‘Argh, don’t! I haven’t even thought about presents yet.’ She ran her hands through her greying bob and shuddered, but I knew she was only joking. Angie loved the countdown to Christmas as much as Mum and I did.

  ‘Hot chocolate time!’ Mum announced, coming towards us with a tray of three mugs. I smiled at the squirty cream topping, peppered with mini-marshmallows and chocolate buttons. Extremely indulgent but absolutely delicious.

  ‘Cheers!’ she said, handing us each a mug. ‘Let the full-on festive fabulousness commence!’

  We clinked our drinks together, laughing, and I experienced the same warm and fuzzy sensation I had at this moment every year as the countdown to Christmas commenced. Fifty days to go!

  Christmas had always been a huge thing in our family and it was double celebration time for me as I was born on Christmas Eve, resulting in the uber-Christmassy name Hollie Gabrielle and the pet name ‘Angel’.

  Mum loved her traditions and putting the tree up at The Starfish Café on Bonfire Night was one of them, started twenty-one years ago when the café opened.

  Mum’s parents had owned the land at Starfish Point – a five-acre site a couple of miles south of the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay – since the 1950s, bought when my granddad saw the potential for catching crabs and lobsters along the coastline. The sand and shingle beach was home to a small colony of seals, making it a popular destination for visitors, so, throughout the summer season, my Granny ran a café called Norma’s Nook from a prefabricated unit.

  Mum worked in Norma’s Nook straight after catering college and took over as the new owner a few years later when Granny retired. For the next decade, she ran it just as Granny had but it was time for major changes: new name, larger premises, and a plan to open all year round.

  An eternal optimist, Mum was never afraid to take risks and refused to listen to the critics who said there was no way she’d have enough business to survive through the winter. She adored Kevin Costner and put her own spin on a quote from his film, Field of Dreams. ‘If I build it, they will come,’ became her mantra. So she built it and they did come. Although I think her amazing skills in the kitchen and her bubbly personality had a lot to do with that.

  The first ever Christmas that the new and improved café was open, Mum went for ‘full-on festive fabulousness’, putting the tree up on Bonfire Night and decking out the café with shiny garlands and lights everywhere, convinced it would help build the winter trade. Those who visited occasionally when going for a walk started coming more regularly, drawn by the Christmassy ambience and Mum’s amazing comfort food.

  After a successful first winter opening, a tradition was born with Bonfire Night set in stone as the night each year to put up the decorations. At first it was only Mum and Angie but, after I started a summer job when I was twelve, the decorating team became a trio and, now aged twenty-six, this was my fifteenth year.

  ‘Tree first?’ Mum asked, a little pointlessly. It was always the tree first.

  I opened out the base unit and began teasing out the branches on the bottom section while Mum and Angie each took another level.

  ‘Lovely clear night,’ I said, glancing towards the terrace. ‘Perfect for the fireworks.’

  The annual display started at 7 p.m. over South Bay and the view from the café was fantastic, so every year friends and family would join us for drinks and a buffet while enjoying the fireworks.

  ‘It’s quite mild tonight,’ Mum said. ‘Should be able to go out onto the terrace.’

  Angie shook her head. ‘I’ll stay in here, hiding in the storeroom with a napkin stuffed in each ear.’ Poor Angie hated the loud bangs.

  ‘We’ll send out a search party when they’re finished,’ Mum said with a giggle.

  ‘Thanks, Heather.’

  They smiled at each other affectionately and it gave me a warm glow. I loved their friendship. They’d met at primary school aged four and had remained the best of friends ever since. They studied catering together at college and, as soon as Mum took over running Norma’s Nook, she offered Angie a job. Three decades of working together could have damaged some friendships but I’d never seen even the slightest of niggles between them. They were so aligned that they often finished each other’s sentences. ‘Like the same person inhabiting two bodies,’ Dad would say.

  I considered myself lucky that I had the same sort of friendship with Katie, although we didn’t meet until we were fourteen. Her parents were going through a nasty divorce at the time and she didn’t have a great relationship with her older sister so I became her shoulder to cry on. Keen to avoi
d the tense atmosphere at home, she spent more time at our house – Sandy Croft – than hers.

  ‘What time does Craig think he’ll make it tonight?’ Angie asked, holding the stepladder for me as I added the angel to the top of the tree.

  I smiled at the thought of seeing him. ‘Hopefully by half seven. He’s gutted about missing the fireworks, but it was the only time the husband and wife were both free so he didn’t have much choice.’

  My boyfriend Craig was an independent financial adviser who often worked evenings to catch working clients. It meant we only got to see each other two or three times a week but that worked well for me. He was my first serious boyfriend and much as I loved our time together, I also valued the space after so many years being single and doing my own thing.

  For the next ninety minutes or so, the three of us sang along to Christmas songs while we transformed the café ready for the guests. They’d start arriving from half six, giving them time for a drink and a chat before the fireworks display.

  While Mum and Angie brought out the buffet food, I took the empty crates and spare decorations back up to the first-floor storeroom.

  Before returning downstairs, I looked out the window at the front of the café, overlooking the woods and car park, and smiled to myself. Such a stunning setting.

  The Starfish Café is a beautiful two-storey building clad in rich, warm European Redwood timber. Surrounded by pine trees, it feels very alpine. If it wasn’t for the North Sea below, visitors could be fooled into believing they were in a mountainous ski resort instead of North Yorkshire.

  Mum had carried the alpine feel inside the café with pine tables, wooden cladding and even a Swiss cuckoo clock on the wall. The décor was perhaps a little dated but I loved it. It was such a warm and friendly place to be. We had loads of regular customers who felt like family as well as walkers and holidaymakers.

  I paused halfway down the stairs to take in the scene below. Red and white lights twinkled on the tree and there were more fairy lights draped across the window ledges by the seating booths at the back of the café, overlooking the terrace. Miniature Christmas trees also stood on the window ledges and realistic-looking swags of holly and ivy with bright red berries were hooked across the top of the windows. It all looked so beautiful.

  Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ was playing and I laughed as Angie and Mum failed abysmally to hit the higher notes near the end.

  ‘Pick a note, any note!’ I joked, descending the stairs. ‘But not that one!’

  ‘Cheeky!’ Mum put her arm round Angie’s waist and they caterwauled all the way to the end of the track.

  Just as they finished, the door opened and Dad arrived with Willow, our pale golden retriever, who scampered over to say hello. She’d never been overly bothered by fireworks and the constant attention from the guests was the perfect distraction.

  ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’ Dad boomed before crossing the café to hug and kiss Mum. My brother Isaac and his girlfriend Bex were right behind him, arms round each other as usual. The pair of them were so cute and cuddly together. Katie and Kyle – Isaac’s best mate - were next, giggling as he produced a piece of fake mistletoe and was rewarded with a playful poke in the ribs.

  A warm and fuzzy feeling enveloped me once more as hugs were exchanged. This was it. This was the start of Christmas – family and friends, decorations, food and drink, warmth, laughter – and I loved every single second of it. Even the dodgy singing.

  2

  Hollie

  Within ten minutes, nearly all the guests had arrived and The Starfish Café was buzzing with chatter and the clink of glasses. Angie’s husband Martin was here and so was Katie’s boyfriend Trey along with family, friends and neighbours. Willow was in her element, getting fussed over with scratches behind the ears and belly rubs.

  ‘You’ve outdone yourselves this year,’ Isaac said as we stood together in front of the tree, sipping from bottles of lager. ‘There’s just one thing that spoils it.’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘That dodgy angel at the top of the tree.’

  ‘Oi!’ I gave him a playful shove. ‘She’s meant to look like me!’ It had been Mum’s mission in life to find a Christmas tree angel that looked like me. Last year she’d finally tracked one down in a Castle Street gift shop which she was convinced was my doppelganger, with her long, dark blonde hair, rosy cheeks and brown-green eyes.

  ‘My point exactly,’ Isaac deadpanned.

  ‘Don’t be so mean!’ I shoved him again, but I knew he didn’t mean it. My brother was eighteen months older than me and we were really close and always had been. I knew I was lucky to have that sort of relationship because neither Katie nor Craig got on with their siblings. Craig and his younger sister Avery had this weird competitive rivalry thing going, and Katie’s older sister Serena was a spiteful bully who seemed to delight in causing conflict between Katie and her mum.

  ‘I’ll tell Mum on you,’ I added.

  ‘Ooh, I’m scared!’

  ‘I hope you’re not picking on your sister,’ Bex said, joining us and trying to give Isaac a stern look; impossible when her eyes sparkled with love for him.

  ‘As if I’d ever do that.’ Isaac wrapped his arms round Bex and gave her a gentle kiss. At 6’ 3” – an inch taller than Dad – he towered above her and they looked so cute when they were side by side. Bex had a choppy blonde bob, curvy figure, beautiful grey eyes and a girl-next-door innocence about her. My athletically built brother was also blond with piercing blue eyes. Katie said the pair of them would have stunning children and I had to agree. As well as looking great, they really were the most adorable couple together, always hugging each other, always laughing.

  Kyle appeared by my side, whipped out his fake mistletoe and puckered his lips.

  ‘In your dreams!’ I said, laughing. ‘But you can have a hug because I haven’t seen you for weeks and I’ve missed you.’

  ‘Hollie hugs are the best.’

  I squealed as he grabbed me in a bear hug, lifted me off my feet and spun me round. ‘Put me down, you daft muppet!’

  I adored Kyle. We’d always got on well. He could act the fool sometimes but he was thoughtful, caring and a great friend to my brother. I wouldn’t change him for the world. Bex would, though. She was pleasant enough towards him, but I sensed she tolerated rather than liked him, which was a shame when he was such an important person in Isaac’s life.

  The clinking of a knife against a glass drew our attention and we turned to where Mum was standing on the stairs.

  ‘Thank you for joining us again for our annual Bonfire Night soiree,’ Mum said, a big beam on her face as she scanned her eyes across the group. ‘The fireworks will start shortly and I wanted to say a few words before they do. I know Craig isn’t here yet and I’m really sorry to give the news without part of the family here, Hollie, but I can’t keep it secret any longer. I had an appointment with my oncologist yesterday and I’m delighted to say…’

  I grabbed Kyle’s arm, my heart thumping.

  ‘…I’m cancer-free! I’ve won the second and hopefully the last battle. So I’m going to be able to…’

  But she didn’t get to finish whatever she wanted to say because we all swamped her with hugs and kisses. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I flung my arms round my Mum.

  ‘Best news ever!’ I whispered.

  Fireworks exploded outside and the café was lit by the colourful sparks. It felt as though the whole town was celebrating Mum’s fabulous news, and quite rightly so.

  ‘How amazing is your mum’s news?’ Katie asked, plonking herself down opposite me in one of the booths after the fireworks finished, her eyes glistening with tears.

  ‘It’s the greatest. I’m so relieved. It’s like Christmas has come early.’

  ‘She’s such an inspiration.’

  I glanced over at Mum, who was laughing with Angie. ‘She is. Every single day.’

  Katie reached across the table and squeezed my hand as we both blinke
d back tears. I wasn’t surprised she was as emotional as me. Mum and Dad had welcomed her into our home like one of the family and she’d found the love and warmth at Sandy Croft that she’d never had in her own home. I hated how her mum and sister frequently ganged up on her. She’d learned that it was pointless trying to defend herself and it was easier to walk away to a place where people cared.

  I’d loved having her round so much and, for her, the added bonus had been the chance to see my brother Isaac, on whom she had an enormous crush. We used to lie in bed and fantasise about them getting married and Katie becoming my sister-in-law. Isaac’s best mate Kyle was also a frequent visitor and Katie was convinced that Kyle and I would fall madly in love and we’d marry too. The four of us would go on holiday together, live on the same street, and our children would be best friends. It sounded lovely but it was never going to happen. I liked Kyle but only as a friend and, unfortunately for Katie, Isaac made it clear that he viewed her like another sister.