A Pretty Beach Wish by Polly Babbington (funny books to read txt) 📕

bit; it wasn’t every weekend that her and Luke went to a fancy restaurant. In fact, she couldn’t even remember the last time they had been out at all - it had been that long. She was so pleased now that she’d made the effort to book the Pavillion and couldn’t wait to see the look on Luke’s face when she surprised him with the funicular railway ride. And the other little surprise that she’d planned at the end of that.

As she walked along, Luke texted to say that he was running a bit late, and instead of meeting her in the laneway he would meet her over near Daisy’s and the fisherman’s huts. She texted back okay and strolled through Pretty Beach on the lovely sunny late afternoon. She rummaged around in the bottom of her bag for her sunglasses case, popped her sunglasses on the top of her head, and couldn’t wait to meet up with Luke for the leisurely meal. They’d both been busy with work and she’d heard amazing things about Pretty Beach Pavillion since the new Italian owners had taken it on a few years before. Milly at work had been there a few months before on a date, and Sallie had been there to try out some of the recipes for the Pavillion to cater a wedding at the Orangery. They’d both come back with glowing reviews.

Juliette walked along the laneway, stopped, and chatted to Felicity from White Cottage Flowers, who was outside her shop putting away a huge display of hydrangeas. She made her way to the end of the laneway and strolled slowly along the gravelly road by the fisherman’s huts. A few minutes later, she saw Luke standing next to one of the old fishing boats in a navy-blue linen shirt and chino shorts, his hair still wet from his post-swimming shower.

‘Hey. Wow, you look stunning. I love that dress on you,’ Luke said as he kissed Juliette and she put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. The Luke smell. Making her go weak at the knees. She wanted to keep that smell forever.

‘What beautiful weather for it,’ Juliette said dreamily as she inhaled.

‘Beautiful weather for what? Are you smelling me again?’

Juliette didn’t answer, lost in a world of her own, Luke, and the upcoming railway surprise she had booked for them. She leant her head on his shoulder and smiled to herself.

‘Earth to Juliette. Are you okay?’ Luke said frowning as he held Juliette back at arm’s length and looked at her directly in the eyes.

‘Sorry,’ Juliette said, shaking her head to bring herself back to the present and giggling, ‘Yes, I’m fine, just a busy day with the Lellery thing. I was a bit distracted with all that. There is so much to get right with it all. One tiny window and a whole lot of work.’

‘Okay, that’s good then. You just seem a bit out of it,’ Luke replied as they started to head over towards the Pavillion.

The sunshine filtered down on them as they walked across the gravel area lined with boats, and then walked down the small path to Pretty Beach Pavillion. They approached the white heritage building in a similar style to the Pretty Beach lighthouse, and the door was opened by a man in a smart blue shirt and huge smile. Floor to ceiling windows looked out over the stunning water views of Pretty Beach, and an all-white decor and huge black basket pendant lights gave the whole place an elegant, coastal feel.

The man showed them to their table, and then a waiter dressed in a long apron and white shirt approached their table, and handed them two menus as Juliette and Luke sat looking out at the stunning late afternoon view.

‘How about we treat ourselves to a bottle of champagne?’ Luke asked Juliette, as the waiter handed them the menus.

‘Oh no, not if we’re having one later, I’ll stick with raspberry sparkling water, please.’

‘Sorry, have you forgotten to tell me we’re going somewhere later? What champagne are we having later?’ Luke queried with a puzzled look on his face.

Juliette realised her mistake straight away, nearly ruining the surprise. ‘Silly me, I was thinking about that bottle of pink champagne we’ve had in the fridge for ages. I thought it would be such a lovely evening we could maybe sit out there later tonight. Finally open the thing.’

Luke frowned back at her and nodded and then looked up to the waiter. ‘No champagne for us then, thanks. A beer for me and sparkling raspberry water please.’

A good few hours later, having polished off filetto di salmone and affogato cake Luke and Juliette were full and happy. Luke leant forward across the table. ‘How about a Limoncello to finish us off?’

Juliette took her phone out and gasped when she saw the time. The surprise trip on the railway was rapidly approaching and they still had to pay for the meal and make their way all the way back through the boats and get to the railway. She’d lost all track of time as they’d sat there enjoying the stunning panorama laid out in front of them and the amazing food. She fussed around putting her sunglasses away and taking her jacket off the back of the chair.

‘Actually, shall we go Luke? I think I’ve had enough. I’m really full and really tired,’ Juliette replied, putting on her jacket over her white dress.

‘Really? I thought we’d be here for a bit longer. Enjoy a drink with the view. Really make the most of it. It’s such an amazing outlook.’

Juliette started to feel flustered. ‘No, no, let’s go Luke. I mean we’ve seen the view now, what more is there to look at?’

Luke looked at Juliette perplexed. ‘Right. Okay. You’re acting really strange, Juliette. Did the raspberry water go to your head?’ Luke asked, laughing and pushing his chair back from the table.

‘No, I’m fine. I’ll pop to the loo - you pay and then