Sea Glass (WAYHAUGHT)

Silver Star Hat

"Is that why you've been quiet ever since Fowey?" Waverly said.

"Partly." Nicole let go of her arm. "I'm being a grump, okay."

Yes, you are. Although, you're a really cute grumpy pants. "It's okay."

"I don't want to meet my dad, okay."

"Okay."

"Not if this place is going under."

"Fine."

"He doesn't need me in his life."

"You don't know that."

"Why else would he want to know me?"

Waverly took a step back. Looking into those beautiful brown eyes, her own teared up. "Because you're you. Because you said the same to me one time. I'm enough, and so are you. Not because of this place, or any place. You. Just you."

Nicole huffed. "I know. It's just..." She reached for Waverly's hand, taking it between hers. "You're right, I'm being a drama queen. I just wanted him to be proud of me, for what I've done here."

Waverly pulled her nearer. "I know how much this place means to you. And, if I had the money I would give it to you without a moment's hesitation."

"Thank you."

"I mean it. The giving you the money. I mean, I don't actually have the money, but that's how much I believe in you, Nicole Haught. Nicole knife-wielder Haught."

"Welder?"

Waverly giggled. "You heard me."

"I did, Waverly Tinkers Earp."

"Tinkles," she corrected.

"You most certainly do."

"Even without this place, I'd still-"

A fizz rippled through Waverly's body as their lips met, followed by a fresh wave of panic. She'd almost blurted out that word, that life changing word, had Nicole's soft mouth not found hers. Heartrate raised, legs wobbling, she could feel herself slipping into old habits, a desperate need for space to stop herself saying that big word too soon, and with meaning.

...

True to her word, Charlotte and friend returned shortly after ten. Waverly let them in, the restaurant now clear of other diners. Nicole and Robin joined them at one of the larger tables, Charlotte complimenting Nicole for a second time on the meal.

"This place needs to be on the map," Charlotte announced, her companion nodding. "I'm surprised not to have heard of it on the grapevine."

Nicole's serious face appeared. "We had a whole marketing campaign planned. The pandemic forced us to shelve it."

"Yes, of course," Charlotte replied. "Same with my family. I heard Rick Stein's restaurants were in trouble. A place like this survives on emmets."

Waverly and Robin glanced at each other. "Where are you from?" Waverly enquired, picking up the faintest hint of a West Country accent as Charlotte said the last word.

"Mowzle originally," Charlotte replied. "Family moved to St. Ives when I was a teenager to run restaurants. Only way to make money these days, what with tourism taking over."

"Tell me about it," Waverly said. "Can't move for them."

"Can't live without them," Charlotte countered. She turned to face Nicole. "What do you think, being an outsider?"

It was on the tip of Waverly's tongue to correct Charlotte, Nicole replying before she could speak. "As an outsider, I have the advantage of perspective. I can make this place into what I want, not what's allowed by community vote."