Martha monitored Alistair’s movements using a dog tracker she had placed under his car seat, after his recent disappearance during their baby Nala’s illness. She saw Alistair park at Bangate Cove and then outside the temporarily closed Harbor Lights restaurant near Folkestone for several hours, matching his stated plan to work at a brasserie in the area. With Google Maps showing him heading home on schedule, Martha felt reassured that his account aligned with reality.

When Alistair arrived home relaxed and upbeat, he reported a successful day. Martha, recalling her ultimatum to leave if he deviated from his stated plans, felt relief that he had been truthful. She handed Nala to Alistair and reflected on the strain caused by canceled orders, lost clients, and bad reviews for Martha’s Garden after Alistair’s prior absence.

Alistair then revealed “big news”: he wanted to quit his job and redirect their focus toward Martha’s Garden by launching a new site. He described a derelict beach café near Folkestone—empty for twelve years but positioned for council-backed regeneration with luxury housing and shops—and showed photos in a phone folder titled “Martha’s Garden on the Beach.”

Alistair’s vision included repainting the site, opening a flower shop and café, adding a branded retail area, and converting nearby beach huts into guest rooms called “Martha’s Bedrooms,” connected by a lit boardwalk. Martha, imagining pastries, tea service, seaside plantings, and proper staffing, became excited and emotionally invested in the concept.

When Martha raised concerns about money, Alistair said he could cover roughly half the costs, with council subsidies for renovations, and proposed she borrow £100,000–£150,000 against her house. Martha balked, recalling she had already leveraged her home eight years prior and feared returning to higher debt.

Alistair pressed the urgency—citing their ages, his unhappiness at work, and the need for a fresh start—arguing the risk was necessary. Encouraged by his contrition and the compelling plan, Martha overcame her hesitation and agreed to pursue the venture.