Page 122 of A Secret Cornish Wish
‘But why?’ I ask, not as surprised by this as I once would have been. Even after buying the pub, Rob still has a very healthy bank account – which he had no qualms at all about admitting to me one day – and it would seem that money can buy you almost anything in life. Including, on this occasion, a reservation on a bench with a view.
‘I told you – I don’t want us to be disturbed. Come on.’
We climb the final part of the hill and sit down on the bench.
‘Remember when this was just rock,’ Rob says, taking off his shades and looking at the little bench. ‘It’s much better now, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. I’m surprised the council forked out for it, though. They’ve been pretty strapped for cash since the pandemic.’
‘Would it shock you to know I paid for it?’ Rob says.
I look at him for a moment. ‘No, actually it wouldn’t. It’s lovely of you, of course, and much more comfortable to sit here now. But why?’
‘This place is special to me – it always has been since we came here on our first date all those years ago.’
I nod, but hurriedly gaze out at the sea wondering again what Rob has brought me here for. He’s behaving a bit oddly, and I wonder again why it’s so important that we’re not disturbed?Suddenly a horriblefeeling begins to form in the pit of my stomach. Rob isn’t going to tell me he has feelings for me again, is he? Or worse . . .
I turn my head slowly, fearing I might find Rob down on one knee, but he is just sitting like I am, looking out at the view.
‘Do you feel the same about it, Frankie?’ he asks, still gazing outwards.
‘Yes,’ I reply, a sense of relief seeping slowly through me. Of course Rob wasn’t going to propose – why would he, when we’re just friends? ‘This place has always held a special place in my heart, and not only because we had our first date here. I remember a time that Rosie and I sat here together before Eddie’s fortieth birthday, actually his wedding as it turned out. I realised for the first time that day how much Rosie loved St Felix too. We actually sat and wished we could come back and live here. It seemed like such a remote pipe dream that day, but somehow it did actually happen.’
‘Do you miss her?’
‘Of course. Every day. But she’s happy, and that is all you ever want for your children – for them to be happy.’
‘I wish I’d had a child,’ Rob says. ‘I’ve left it a bit late now, though.’
‘Are you sure you haven’t got one tucked away somewhere?’ I grin. ‘All the girlfriends you’ve had over the years.’
But Rob doesn’t see the funny side, as he usually does to a joke made about his many exes.
‘Perhaps I have, but what’s the point if you never know them?’
‘It’s not too late, you know? I mean it is for me, of course, but for a man approaching his fifties it’s nothing these days. You’re still considered a viable baby-making machine, whereas I’m just old and menopausal!’
Again, to my surprise Rob is silent. Usually I’d have expected a witty retort from him. That’s the type of relationship we have these days – we can laugh and joke with each other, each of us knowing it’s always meant in a friendly, light-hearted way.
I look across at him. ‘All right, what’s wrong? And before you say nothing, don’t bother, I know you too well.’
Rob turns towards me now and even under the peak of his cap I can see he’s ashen-faced. ‘It’s the cancer, Frankie,’ he says in a low voice. ‘It’s back.’
Thirty-Four
‘How bad?’ I ask quietly, when I’ve got over the shock of Rob’s statement. By the look on his face, I am in no doubt his reply is not going to be positive.
‘Bad. And it’s spread this time apparently. I found out last week when I was over in New York. I’d had some symptoms, so I went back to see my oncologist and they did some tests. It’s not looking good.’
‘But there must be something they can do? Some treatment. Can’t they do what they did before?’
Rob shakes his head. ‘Too late for that. It’s progressed too far. It’s more a matter of when, rather than if this time.’
I shake my head in disbelief. ‘No, that can’t be right. You should get a second opinion – you of all people can afford that, can’t you? Find a different specialist. One who will help you!’
Rob takes hold of my hands and turns me towards him.
‘Don’t you think I’ve thought of that? Problem is they will all say the same. My guy is the top in his field. If he says there’s nothing they can do, then . . . ’ Rob hesitates, and he swallows hard. ‘Then there’s nothing they can do.’ He looks at me, his eyes swimming with tears. ‘I wanted you to be the first to know,’ he says, trying to keep it together. ‘In fact, I want you to be the only one who knows here in St Felix.’
