Ottercombe Bay: Raising The Bar by Bella Osborne - EXTRACT

Ottercombe Bay: Raising the Bar by Bella Osborne

Series: Ottercombe Bay #3

Release Date: 5th April 2018
Publisher: Avon

Genres: Romantic Comedy / Women's Fiction

 

Escape to the Devon coast, with Part Three of a brand-new four-part serial from the author of Willow Cottage. 

 

Daisy Wickens has returned to Ottercombe Bay, the picturesque Devon town where her mother died when she was a girl. She plans to leave as soon as her great uncle’s funeral is over, but Great Uncle Reg had other ideas. He’s left Daisy a significant inheritance – an old building in a state of disrepair, which could offer exciting possibilities, but to get it she must stay in Ottercombe Bay for twelve whole months.

With the help of a cast of quirky locals, a few gin cocktails and a black pug with plenty of attitude, Daisy might just turn this into something special. But can she ever hope to be happy among the ghosts of her past?

EXTRACT

Daisy was tired when she got in on Christmas Eve and presented Aunt Coral with her poinsettia. She figured it was safest to hand it over now, she didn’t have a good track record with plants. Aunt Coral gave an odd grimace of a smile. ‘It’s lovely, thank you,’ she said, taking it to the kitchen. Daisy followed and watched her remove it from the decorative wrapping, give it some water and place it on the windowsill next to two other identical plants.

    ‘Oh,’ said Daisy.

    Aunt Coral was quick to reassure her. ‘It’s fine, I really like them. They must be the trendy gift this year: I had one from Mrs Brightling for taking her shopping and one from work. Once they’ve soaked up some water I’ll spread them about the house. Now, would you like a glass of sherry?’

    Daisy tore her eyes away from the trio of red plants and wished she hadn’t been such a cheapskate. ‘Yeah, go on then.’

    Aunt Coral handed her a glass. ‘Come and look at this,’ Coral said, excitedly. Daisy followed her into the living room, trying to take a sip as she went, which didn’t work. It became obvious what Daisy had been brought to look at. Where there had once been a small dark sofa and a chair there was now a huge pale cream sofa and two matching chairs and with the giant Christmas tree there wasn’t a lot of room for much else. The sofas reminded Daisy of giant mutant marshmallows.

    ‘What do you think?’ prompted Aunt Coral tilting her head at the mountainous furniture.

    Daisy bent forward and Aunt Coral whisked her sherry glass away, the proximity of it to the masses of pale fabric was likely putting her on edge. Daisy sat down and felt as if she was being swallowed by the sofa. At first it was alarming but she quickly relaxed into it. ‘Wow, this is seriously comfy.’

    ‘I know,’ said Aunt Coral grinning. ‘I’ve wanted them for ages and now I can afford it. We just need to keep them this colour.’

    Daisy gave a doubtful nod. With Bug in the house they didn’t stand a chance.