Winter Storms Read Online Free Page B

be together then, you were angry and he was guilt stricken, a toxic mix. Ali doesn’t think he ever got over it and while I don’t know why he’s returned, I’m convinced that he’s still in love with you.”
    Carly sat bolt upright. “Don’t be ridiculous, he’s engaged. If he was still in love with me, why is he getting married?”
    “He’s single. The engagement’s been called off, she walked out on him.”
    “Then I expect he’s here to recover from a broken heart.” She remembered the magazine spread of Daniel and his glamorous TV presenter fiancée, smiling and showing off a large diamond ring.
    “Yup, that’s what Ali said too, but she wasn’t convinced it was Imogen he needs to get over.”
    “Let’s leave this, I’m not sure I can deal with any more Daniel Edwards conversations today.” She stood up. “Time for a drink, I’ll be nicer company after a glass of wine.”
    “You’re fine, don’t be so hard on yourself, you’ve coped really well.”
    “I don’t think I have, actually, and I doubt Duncan would agree with you.”
    “Who cares about him? Duncan hasn’t lived here long enough to see a drowning on the beach like we all have, else there’d be no complaints about fundraising. Haven Bay is a wonderful place for a holiday, but it can be dangerous.” Linda looked at her watch. “I’ve got an hour before I have to get back to Jack, Mum’s babysitting.”
    Carly grabbed her cane and stood up. She needed to stop obsessing about Daniel’s return, it was nothing to do with her, not anymore, and everyone had problems; look at Linda, pregnant as a teenager and now a single mother, she wasn’t the only one whose life hadn’t turned out the way she’d hoped.

CHAPTER THREE
    Carly dropped into a chair in the sailing club bar and stuffed her shopping bags under the seat; after the stressful fundraising meeting yesterday, she needed some retail therapy to unwind. Haven Bay now boasted several smart cafés and restaurants, but when she was weary it was always here she retreated to. It had been her second home since she won the Children’s Sailing Scholarship at the age of ten, which she’d only entered to get away from home for a few hours. Later, she found out her tenacity and determination had appealed to the head coach, Shane, along with the delight in her eyes, he said, when she took the dinghy around the harbour. Daniel had been watching from the jetty that day, a year old then her, his place on the team was already assured and he clapped as she brought the boat into the jetty, brown hair falling over his grey eyes.
    Waiting to be served, she scanned the old-fashioned panelled walls until her gaze fell on the three framed certificates announcing
Sailor of the Year (Under 16)
, with her name typed beneath. Tacked beside them were faded photos of her, smiling, her dark brown hair soaked and cheeks glowing.
    Sighing, she looked away, glancing at the larger display belonging to Daniel fastened to the wall opposite. Unlike her pictures, his story didn’t come to an abrupt end, instead the portraits became larger and more professional, accompanied by articles cut from major newspapers. She stared at one of him receiving his second medal, his head down and expression hidden; she always hoped he was smiling under his tumbled hair. The next picture of him, taken by his winning boat, showed him with a creased brow and set mouth, how could he look so sad with the gold clutched in his fingers?
    Tearing her gaze away, she picked up the menu.
    “What can I get you?” Linda stood by her table, grinning, pad in hand.
    “Are you working here?” Carly said.
    “Yes, I need extra hours to pay for childcare.”
    “Don’t do that, bring Jack down to the shop after school, he can entertain himself while I serve, he’s getting good with the pricing gun.”
    “I know, I spent ages combing bits of sticker out of his hair the last time you babysat. Anyway, what are you having?”
    “Tea, please and