The Winterbeach Deception

Nestled into a small cove, the village of Winterbeach had almost been forgotten by the outside world. As Naomi drove through the village, memories of childhood holidays by the sea came flooding back. Just past Cookes General Stores, a grand title for a tiny shop that sold almost nothing, Naomi turned down a dirt track towards the beach. Right at the end, almost on the beach itself, there was a small cottage. This had been the family holiday home for generations and since the death of her parents, it had belonged to Naomi.
    Sadly with pressures of work, she’d barely been to the cottage for more than an occasional weekend. But all that changed six months ago when Naomi decided to sell everything she possessed, leave her job and move into the cottage permanently. Pulling up outside the cottage, Naomi got out and took a deep breath. The smells and sounds of the sea flooded Naomi’s senses, she felt exhilarated and alive for the first time in years.
    Turning to the cottage, Naomi unlocked the door and stepped inside. Instantly the childhood memories returned, hot sunny days, the laughter of the children from the village, Naomi had no shortage of friends to play with. Looking around, she thought about replacing the old faded furniture, but that would ruin the memories, and right now, it was the memories she wanted.
    Naomi went out to the car, she opened the boot and looked at the few suitcases, not much to show for worldly possessions.
    “Need a hand?”
    Turning round, Naomi saw Marty walking towards her. Known professionally as Martin Ellinwood, Marty was a Gulf War vet, he’d lost a leg when he stood on a land mine. He knew he should have lost his life, but always felt blessed that he’d survived. After returning to England, Marty had gone back to his first love, painting, and opened a successful gallery in London. That was where Naomi had met him when she bought one of his paintings. They had remained good friends, and a few years ago, Marty had left London and moved to the nearby town of Bymarsh, a very popular location for tourists.
    “Marty!”
    Naomi embraced him.
    “Thanks Marty, if you can manage one suitcase, I’ll take the other”
    “Is that all you’ve bought with you?”
    “Yes, I told you I wanted a fresh start”
    Picking up one of the suitcases, Marty followed Naomi inside the cottage.
    “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
    Marty nodded as he went through to the sitting room and sat down on the sofa, he’d been keeping an eye on the cottage for Naomi, and he’d quite often just sat there quietly, finding inspiration for his next painting.
    Naomi made two cups of coffee, and took them through to the sitting room. Placing them on the table, she sat down in one of the big old armchairs and sighed softly.
    “How’s business Marty?”
    “Quite good, I still get some commissions from contacts in London. And the small paintings of local views are proving to be popular. I’ve been working on an idea for a new series of paintings, based around the myth and folklore of the area. I would like you to be involved”
    “Anything I can do to help, research, holding your brushes…” Naomi laughed softly.
    “It is a bit more than that, I wanted to ask if you’d be my model…but we can discuss it further when you’ve had time to settle in”
    “Well I’m already intrigued, so I’ll make settling in a priority”
    “Are you hungry? There’s a new Italian pizzeria opened in Bymarsh…”
    “Even if I wasn’t hungry, that is an offer I can’t turn down, give me a minute to change”
    Grabbing a suitcase, Naomi headed upstairs. She changed into a long flowing black gypsy style skirt, a camisole top and a lace cardigan. Untying her long auburn wavy hair, Naomi decided to leave it loose. She slipped on a pair of flat sandals, then headed back downstairs.
    Marty looked round as Naomi walked into the sitting room.
    “Stop right there…I feel an inspiration for a painting…you look beautiful Naomi”
    Smiling at Marty, Naomi curtsied.
    “Thank you, no more business suits for me, footloose and carefree now!”
    Picking up a small handbag, Naomi opened the door.
    “Am I going on my own?”
    Marty laughed, and followed Naomi outside.
    “We’ll take my car as I’ve left it in the middle of the dirt track”
    Marty slowly reversed his car out on to the main road, then drove towards Bymarsh.