Page 15 of Wishes & Waves at the Cornish Bakery
‘Ah, mine too.’ Isaac picked up his mug and took a sip.
‘Really?’
Nodding, Isaac continued. ‘So, I’m assuming what you do know about him is from your aunt? Did she meet him?’
‘Yes, and yes. They... I mean, my aunt and my mum spent the summer down here in the bay, and my mum met my dad. My aunt loved this place, and apparently so did my parents. From what she said, they’d planned on moving here but then, of course, my dad passed away and so my mum moved back home.’
Leaning forward in his chair, Isaac placed an elbow on the table before resting his chin in his hand, his eyes trained on her, taking in her every word.
‘All I know is he was in the bay when they met. I don’t know if he lived here or if he was just staying.’
‘But you know he was staying at the cottage?’
‘No.’ Tilly looked down into her mug as she revealed just how tenuous her facts were. ‘I have a photo of them both in the cottage garden. That was what I was doing there, at your dad’s. I was trying to work out if the picture had been taken inside or outside the garden. I figured if they’d been standing inside the garden, it might suggest he was living there. Or at the very least, that he knew the people who were. I was also hoping to talk to whoever was living there to ask if they’d known him, but from what you say, he doesn’t.’
‘He wouldn’t, but the farmer may. Is it possible your dad worked on the farm? The cottages are, or were before they became dilapidated, tied to farm jobs, so it’s a possibility.’
Tilly nodded. ‘I did wonder that, and that was my next port of call, going to the farmhouse. I just wasn’t sure how to get there without going across your dad’s land again.’
Isaac chuckled. ‘Well, it’s not technically my dad’s land. It’s owned by the farm, but I don’t blame you.’
‘Sorry, I...’ She spread her hands out on the tabletop, realising how he could easily have misinterpreted her comment.
‘No, I’m sorry my dad chased you away.’ He shook his head. ‘Have you got the photo?’
‘Yes, yes, I do.’ Pushing her chair back, Tilly walked behind the counter and retrieved her handbag before sitting back down again. After pulling out the paper wallet, she slipped out the photo of her parents in the cottage garden and pushed it across the table towards him.
Isaac carefully picked it up, holding it by the corners. ‘They make a lovely couple.’
Tilly nodded. ‘They do, don’t they?’
Looking from the photo to Tilly and back again, Isaac smiled. ‘You’ve got your mum’s hair and your dad’s eyes.’
Automatically touching her face, Tilly grinned. ‘You think?’
‘Yes, I do.’ Isaac met her gaze, their eyes locking.
Reaching out, Tilly went to take the photo back, wanting to show him something, but the moment her skin brushed his, she froze, not wanting to move another muscle, not wanting to break the spell. She could feel the electricity between them, could feel the connection, and it felt right. Shaking herself, she cleared her throat and felt his hand shift beneath hers, giving her the photograph. Holding it between them, she looked down, tearing her eyes from his, and blinked, the photograph coming back into focus. ‘This...this is the cottage. The magnolia tree.’
‘Right.’ He nodded as he dragged his hand across his face. ‘Do you think your aunt took the picture, or do you think it was someone else?’
‘It wasn’t my aunt. Well, she doesn’t remember taking it, anyway.’ She glanced up at him. The moment – whatever it hadbeen – was gone now, and they were back on the case of solving her dad’s mystery.
‘Then there might still be someone local who does remember him. Remember them both even.’
‘Yep.’
‘I have some jobs tomorrow evening, but I’m free during the day, so maybe we could meet on your lunch break and go and speak to the farmer?’ He shifted on his chair.
Tilly grinned. That would be perfect. Not only would it be a relief to have someone help her and would mean she wouldn’t have to speak to the farmer on her own, but he had local knowledge too. He must know a lot of people. Plus, it meant she could spend some more time with him. ‘I’m actually off tomorrow, so I can meet whenever is best for you.’
‘Perfect. We can spend the day researching then.’ Isaac’s eyes lit up.
‘Okay, that sounds great.’ Tilly smiled as a fluttering sensation began in her stomach. She’d spend the whole day with Isaac tomorrow and might even get closer to finding some answers about where she came from. As she opened her mouth to speak again, the front door to the bakery was thrown open and little Hudson, Wendy’s son, ran in ahead of Ian.
Jumping up, Isaac ran to hold the door open as Ian bumped a pushchair up the short step into the bakery.
‘Evening.’ Ian brought the pushchair to a stop as Elsie joined them, carrying a huge nappy bag over her shoulder.
