Page 126 of A Secret Cornish Wish
‘Maybe a couple of times . . . ’ I say, smiling coyly. ‘And if we hadn’t been in my shop today, it might have happened again. It got pretty steamy for a while.’
‘Enough!’ Claire holds up her hands in mock horror but is smiling at the same time. ‘What is it the young folks say? YGTF?’
‘What does that mean?’
‘You’ve gone too far? Isn’t that right?’
‘No!’ I laugh. ‘You mean TMI. Too much information. Oh dear, we are getting old, Claire.’
‘I am. It sounds like you’ve still got some fire in you, though. I say good on you. If you and Mack have got another chance after all this time, then go for it. Is he going to move here then if he’s buying the pub? Or is it in name only and he’s going to remain in New York?’
‘He’s talking about moving.’
‘Great! So what’s the problem, then?’
‘Rob is,’ I reply, knowing I have to tell her. ‘Rob is the problem.’
Thirty-Six
‘How’s it going then?’ Rob asks as we walk along together one morning up to our special viewing area. ‘With Mack, I mean, before you start talking about your work.’
I stare at Rob for a moment.
‘I know all about the two of you,’ he says, not sounding in the least angry. ‘I’ve known for some time.’
Mack has been back and forth over the last month between New York and St Felix – two bigger contrasts you couldn’t get.
He now officially owns the Merry Mermaid, even though it’s completely hush hush and everyone else thinks nothing has changed and Rob is still the owner.
We also resurrected our relationship on a more permanent basis, so even though Mack isn’t here all the time, our separations only make our reunions all the sweeter.
‘That makes two of you who knew before me then,’ I say, trying to keep it light. We are about to have a conversation I’ve been dreading since Mack returned to St Felix.
‘Who’s the other one? Wait, don’t tell me – Claire. You tell her everything. I also know you told her about me.’
‘I had to. I couldn’t lie to her any longer. It was killing me.’
‘It’s fine. I forgive you. We don’t want two of us going at the same time now, do we?’
‘Oh, Rob,’ I say, clamping my hand over my mouth. ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t think.’
‘Not a problem. I’ve made my peace with it now.’
‘Have you – really?’
Rob nods. ‘It comes to us all eventually. Perhaps this is a little bit earlier than I’d expected, but when it happens, I’m ready. That’s why I wanted to talk to you, to let you know I’m happy for you and Mack.’
We seat ourselves on the little bench and I turn to him to see if he means it.
‘Are you? Honestly?’
Rob nods. ‘Mack is a good man – one of the best. If I can’t be with you for much longer, then I’m pleased he will be.’
‘Don’t say that. You don’t know how long you’ve got left – it could be ages yet.’
‘Or it could be any day.’
‘Really, so soon? But you seem so well.’
