The clouds dispersed by around mid morning and the breeze died down making it perfect barbeque weather for the afternoon. Mary had planned an impressive spread of homemade burgers, sausages, chicken kebabs and accompanying salads. Tom had taken up his place at the gas barbeque – for he was of the opinion that manning it was a job for the man of the house. Mary was only too pleased to leave him to it as it kept him from being under her feet!
Charlotte was playing swing ball with the children - James balanced on her hip, while Tom and Mary were occupied with getting the food ready, so she didn't see Sidney, Babington or Crowe come into the garden at first. Sidney glanced in her direction and the butterflies started in his stomach. Babington and Crowe had teased him ceaselessly this morning about his surfing lesson with Charlotte and it had properly wound him up to the extent he was feeling particularly irritated. The butterflies in his stomach somehow made him even more tense and annoyed because he wished he wasn't so attracted to her for he knew it would only end badly. It always did.
Tom looked up from the barbeque. "Sidney! John. Matthew." He said, coming up and shaking their hands. "How was your surf this morning?"
"Colder than I remembered! But we caught some decent waves." Crowe said.
"I'll think you'll find the waves in Sanditon are some of the finest in the country." Tom said.
"Tom... you do not need to sell the delights of Sanditon to Babington and Crowe. We all know that the surf is good here." Sidney said curtly.
"Yes... Of course." Tom said, unsure why Sidney was being so abrupt. "What did you think of what we've done with the bar?" Tom asked, eager for their thoughts on his project.
"Well it certainly has a good atmosphere. It was really buzzing last night." Babington replied.
"Just you see the crowd it pulls tonight when Charlotte's performing." Tom said enthusiastically.
"Is she popular then?" Babington asked, now intrigued.
"The last time she played, it was standing room only. If she carries on drawing in the crowds, I may start charging entry fees." Tom said excitedly.
Tom hadn't told Sidney this yet, it didn't surprise him that Charlotte would draw in the crowds. Finding decent live music in Sanditon was hard to come by because the largest entertainment venue was outside the town. As he had predicted, having her perform here was a real money making opportunity. Sidney glanced over to Charlotte as they were talking about her, and found her looking at him which her big doe like eyes. She smiled shyly which made the butterflies in his stomach accelerate. The sides of his mouth twitched in acknowledgement of her, then he returned his focus to Tom as he tried to supress whatever he was feeling right now.
Charlotte had looked in Sidney's direction when she had heard Tom call his name and had felt her stomach flip. Now he was here, she found that her eyes kept seeking him out. Charlotte had spent most of the morning thinking about her surfing lesson with him, and not simply because it was fun, but because she had enjoyed being in his company. Charlotte had always thought Sidney was handsome, but now she was getting to know him better, she had to admit to herself that she was finding herself getting more and more attracted to him.
"Uncle Sidney!" Henry called. Charlotte watched Henry run over to him. Sidney lifted him up in his arms and immediately softened.
"Henry – do you remember my friends John and Matthew?" Sidney asked.
Henry shook his head. "Harsh." Crowe said grinning.
"Come and play with us." Henry said.
Sidney looked at his nephew and smiled. He couldn't deny him anything. He sighed. "Come on then, what are we doing?"
YOU ARE READING
Sanditon Melodies
FanfictionSidney's train to Sanditon is delayed, and when it finally arrives, he is annoyed to find his reserved seat occupied. Who is this girl that has stolen his seat? And what is it about her that he finds so intriguing? Can he open himself up to the poss...
