Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop (32 page)

She was at an upmarket gallery in Chelsea, New York, with Finn, at a mid-week private view. On the wall were framed prints and sophisticated guests were sipping cocktails and milling around discussing the artwork.

But this isn’t just any exhibition
, she thought proudly.
It’s mine
.

Each underwater photo told a story, unveiled a hidden corner of a world that, with an oxygen tank and goggles, she’d briefly been part of. Clownfish, manta rays and – the largest print of all – a close-up of a whale shark, brought a riot of colour to the sober white gallery walls.

‘Reckon you’ve got a buyer over there,’ Finn whispered in Imogen’s ear, pointing to a sharp-suited gentleman who was staring intently at the page of the catalogue where the prices were listed.

‘He looks interested, doesn’t he?’ she said hopefully. There were already a few red spots dotted around on some of her photos, and it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet.

For eight months she and Finn had been living on Koh Tao. For the first two weeks it had been a blur of sunshine and kisses, long swims in the sea and evenings in the beach bars. But then Imogen had started to focus on her photography again, diving most days and building up her collection.

Finn had been at a loose end for a while, and found it difficult to let go completely of running the surf school – he’d been checking in with Andy almost daily at one point. But eventually he’d relaxed, and found a job at a local smoothie bar, mixing fruit and coconut drinks for thirsty sunbathers. He and Imogen had worked through the day-to-day business of running a home together. To Finn’s initial surprise, even in a beach hut with a hammock there was still recycling to do and groceries to buy.

They hadn’t lived in each other’s pockets, they had found new friends and separate interests. But they both savoured the time alone together in the evening, enjoying a cool beer or fresh barbecued fish on their veranda.

After six months in Thailand, Imogen had finished compiling her photographs and had set up her website with Finn’s help. Then over the next few months had come the nerve-wracking task of approaching agents and gallery owners, pitching her work and hoping that someone would take an interest. Emails went unanswered and phone calls left her downhearted. Until Nikki arrived. A New York gallery owner,
dedicated to discovering new talent and with an equally keen passion for diving, she and Imogen had clicked the moment they’d met at Davy’s dive shop. Nine months had taken her and Finn a long way.

Imogen rang her sister the morning after the private view, as she and Finn finished up brunch at their apartment in Brooklyn. Nikki’s friends were away so she’d arranged for them to house-sit for the run of the exhibition, and the warehouse-style loft was the perfect base for them to explore the city.

‘Anna!’ Imogen said, as soon as her sister picked up. Finn smiled at her indulgently and took his mug of coffee over to the futon, knowing the conversation was likely to go on for a while. ‘You won’t
believe
how well it went last night.’

‘The exhibition? People liked the photos?’ Anna said. Her voice sounded close in spite of the ocean between them.

‘They went down a storm, Anna. Get this – I sold twelve of them. Nikki said it was one of the most successful private views she’s had.’

‘That’s terrific, Imo,’ Anna said. ‘I knew you had it in you. Maybe we should have a little exhibition here at Vivien’s? I mean, I know it’s hardly New York, but … ’

‘I’d love that,’ Imogen said, imagining some of the smaller prints up on the walls of the ice cream shop.

‘Now, sorry to sound like Mum – but when exactly are you and Finn coming back?’

‘Next week,’ Imogen said gleefully. ‘He and I have a flight
booked for Thursday. So we’ll be back in plenty of time to get the van fired up and ready for its summer festival tour.’

‘Next week?’ Anna squealed.

‘Yes. I can’t wait to see you. Oh, and talking of the van – Finn’s got this obsession with making smoothies now, so we’ll be able to expand our range a bit.’

Finn’s ears pricked up at the sound of his name, and he peered cheekily at Imogen over the edge of the sofa. They hadn’t really thought much beyond the summer – apart from one thing. Imogen would be moving in with Finn, and she had barely stopped smiling since they’d decided it.

‘Well, we’ll be here,’ Anna said, ‘waiting with open arms.’

‘I’ve missed you, sis,’ Imogen said. ‘Dad too, even Mum, would you believe it?’

‘We’ve all missed you too. Now make sure you don’t miss your flight, or I’ll have Mum and Dad’s broken hearts to deal with.’

‘See you in a week. Bye.’ Imogen put down the phone.

She walked back across the sunlit loft apartment and dived into Finn’s open arms. ‘We’re going home,’ she said with a smile.

July, the following year: Vivien’s Heavenly Ice Cream Shop, Hove

Anna hung up the shop phone, and returned to the counter.

‘Your sister?’ Matteo asked.

‘Yes,’ she said, unable to keep the smile from her face. ‘Guess what? She’s coming back next week.’

‘That’s fantastic,’ he said, giving her a hug. ‘I’ll get to meet the famous Imogen at last.’

‘Oh, yes,’ Anna said, laughing. ‘Prepare yourself.’

He smiled. ‘That’s what your mum said too. Now I’m starting to get nervous.’

‘You’ll get on really well,’ Anna reassured him. ‘She’s going to love meeting you.’

‘And did you tell her?’ Matteo asked, his arms slipping around Anna’s waist and coming to rest on her baby bump. Five months in, it was starting to show a little even under her apron.

‘Not yet,’ Anna said. ‘It’ll be a surprise.’

Matteo kissed her neck gently, then turned her round to face him. ‘I thought you hated surprises,
Signora
. What’s changed?’

‘Maybe I’ve had a few good ones lately,’ Anna said with a shrug. ‘That changed my mind.’

Matteo leaned in to kiss her gently on the lips. After a busy lunchtime, she was grateful that the shop was empty. She kissed him again and her hand drifted on to his bum.

‘I think this is getting a little unprofessional,’ Matteo joked.

‘That’s what I like best about it. And we’re the bosses, remember?’

It was difficult now to remember a time when she and Matteo hadn’t run the shop together. In nine months they’d become a really strong team – devising the menu together, creating the ice creams and serving a loyal base of customers. In spring, a flurry of mentions in food blogs had brought a stream of new visitors, and they’d worked flat out for most of June.

When Imogen got back though, she’d find a shop that looked much the same as the one she’d left. There were just a few minor changes. A photo of their grandma, framed by Evie, was on the wall behind the counter – Vivien had her place, keeping an eye on things. On the opposite wall were photos of the shop through the ages, and the older customers loved looking over them, sharing their own memories of the seafront at that time.

Anna’s parents came down from time to time to visit,
staying with Martin at his flourishing B&B when he had a room available, or with Anna, Matteo and Hepburn in their spare room. Matteo had just finished painting the nursery a pale yellow. It was easier for Anna that the room looked different – she didn’t imagine Alfie in there each time she passed but she still missed him. She probably always would.

The main change was Matteo. He’d brought a sunshine into Anna’s life she’d never known before.

‘Are you sure you’re still happy to be here?’ Anna said, looking at him. ‘Promise me you’re not longing to get back to Italy?’

‘Anna, I thought we’d talked about this,’ he said, shaking his head and laughing. ‘Italy may have a lot of beautiful things, but there’s one thing I’ll never find there, and that’s the crazy Englishwoman I fell in love with. And the family we’re going to have.’ He stroked a loose strand of her hair back behind her ear.

‘Well, good. I’m glad.’

‘But I do have one condition,’ Matteo said.

‘Oh yes?’ Anna furrowed her brow with suspicion.

‘When the baby is bigger,’ he said, ‘we have to go there and educate her, or him, in the ways of gelato. I’m not having them think that a Cornetto from the corner shop is proper Italian ice cream. We need to show our child the real Italian ways.’

‘Now that,’ Anna said, recalling the delicious flavours that had started her journey in ice cream making, ‘I’m more than happy to agree to.’

Hi,

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Imogen and Anna’s adventures in ice cream. If the story’s set your tastebuds tingling, here are five exclusive recipes for you to try out for yourselves!

Love, Abby x

p.s. Mine’s a scoop of the Salted Caramel – thanks.

The perfect place to start, and a great base for the tasty Supermix over the page.

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

Combine sugar and eggs and beat with a whisk until mixture is frothy. Add salt and mix.

In a saucepan, heat the milk until it starts to simmer, then remove from heat. Slowly add milk to egg mixture, and whisk until all of the milk has been added.

Pour the egg-milk mixture back into the pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.