Smile Again (A Heart-warming Short Story Collection)
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About this ebook
Smile Again is a collection of 12 heart-warming stories of romance, family and friendship, guaranteed to make you smile no matter your mood.In Memories of Kessingland Beach, Sarah finally finds the courage to forgive herself and make peace with her Dad while in The Way to Mia's Heart, it takes a nudge from a friend to make Mia realise the chef at her favourite restaurant might be her Mr Right. Granny Square Afghans brings a new friendship which leads Debbie to confront her fear of water and in Janet's Dilemma, will Janet find the resolve to tell her husband what's bothering her?Put your feet up and enjoy these as well as 8 other stories in Smile Again.
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Smile Again (A Heart-warming Short Story Collection) - Eunice Nascimento
SMILE AGAIN
A collection of short stories
Eunice Nascimento
Smile Again
A collection Of Short Stories
Copyright 2018 Eunice Nascimento. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the prior written permission of the author. Address all enquiries to: Eunice Nascimento, eunice.mus75@gmail.com
To my readers.
Because you deserve to be happy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEMORIES OF KESSINGLAND BEACH
THE WAY TO MIA’S HEART
THE STRAY LETTER
JANET’S DILEMA
LIVING IN HOPE
THIRD TIME LUCKY
A SECOND CHANCE
COOKIES AND WALKS
THE PROM
TRUST IN ME
GRANNY SQUARE AFGHANS
LUCY’S ICE-SKATING PARTY
SEE BENEATH SERIES
SEE BENEATH YOUR BEAUTIFUL
SEE BENEATH YOUR PERFECT
CHAPTER 1, SEE BENEATH YOUR BEAUTIFUL
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MEMORIES OF KESSINGLAND BEACH
The April wind rustled my hair, sweeping fringe strands into my eyes as I stood on a sandy stretch of Kessingland beach. I pushed the hair away and stared at the vastness that was the sea, feeling as I always did when I was here - I was facing an entity larger than myself.
The sky was a clear blue and although the waves rippled a little the sea was peaceful. Dad would have loved it. But then he would have loved standing here no matter the weather or the mood of the sea. He had loved this beach and the sea, in all its guises.
Lately, he was on my mind a lot. And so were the stories he used to tell me and my brother Matt about growing up on this peaceful village on the East coast. His voice would be full of excitement as he talked of sitting on the sea wall with his mates and the rare occasions he spotted marine turtles and basking sharks.
My own memories of playing on this beach were just as happy. In his early twenties Dad left the area and settled in East London with Mum, a born and bred city girl, but he brought us here during the holidays.
The earliest visit I remember was as clear in my mind as a midsummer sky. It was during a hot sweltering summer when the beach was teeming with holidaymakers. I was about six, going through my orange phase – everything from my swimming costume to my sunhat, even my spade and bucket were orange – when I first walked on this beach with Dad, Mum and Matt. I fell in love with it.
After making a sandcastle fit for a king Matt had plastered on his irresistible smile and looked up at Dad. Can we please make you a lying statue?
Dad had laughed. You mean bury me in sand, don’t you?
Mum had looked alarmed at the idea. She enjoyed looking at the sea and sitting in the sun but she wasn’t crazy about getting sand on herself. She was sitting in an old fitted sheet which she’d laid out with our cool box and bags on the corners. She’d then pulled the corners up and made a sand free area for herself.
Why don’t you make another sandcastle?
She’d asked.
We’ve done that Mummy.
Matt had answered with a long suffering sigh. Look!
He pointed to a family a few feet away from us You lie on the floor and we cover you with sand. You’ll look just like a statue and Mummy, you can take a picture. It’ll be fun.
Can we do it daddy?
I’d asked excitedly, adding my voice to Matt’s.
Dad had winked at Mum, at least he’d tried to but it came out all wrong. He’d never learned to wink properly but for some reason his silly winks always made Mum smile.
Okay,
Mum said, But don’t let any sand get in Daddy’s eyes or hair.
Matt and I had so much fun with Dad mock screaming, pretending the sand was tickling him. Mum had eventually joined in our laughter, her keen eye coaxing the camera to capture one of the best pictures of Matt, myself and Dad.
***
Eight months ago, Dad suffered a fatal heart attack. I shouldn’t have been surprised when I found out he’d made plans to rest here but I was. I supposed he’d wanted to be near his family in London. But standing here made me realise there was no better place for him. For Dad, neither the peaceful churchyard at St Edmund’s Church down the road or the City of London Cemetery stood up to the beauty of the sea. Kessingland beach with its changing coastline and precious childhood memories was where dad was happy, I was sure.
A warm body rubbed against my leg.
Are you tired?
I asked Lady, my dog, as I crouched in front of her.
She licked my face and cocked her head, her black eyes seeming to ask a question.
I smiled and scratched her ears. I’m fine Lady. I was thinking about how happy dad is here.
Lady gave me a playful shove then run off, surprisingly agile considering she had only three legs.
I shook my head. I was like a mother hen with Lady, always worrying she was tiring herself out. But she was just the same with me. Whenever she thought I needed moral support she sidled up to me. That’s how we met, Lady and me.
I was sitting at the park, thinking about what Paul, my ex-husband, had said one morning when I felt something nudge me. I looked up and found a ragged black and white collie looking at me. If she could have talked I’m sure she would have asked what was wrong.
I looked around but there was no one following her. So I talked to her. I told her things I hadn’t spoken to anyone about and she just stared at me with her soulful black eyes as if she understood me. When I stood up to go Lady followed me home. She looked haggard and dirty but there was a dignity in her that I found admirable. I registered her with the dog warden and when an owner hadn’t turned up after seven days I was allowed to keep her. Impressed by her dignity