Page 48 of A Secret Cornish Wish
As I begin to climb the path, my heart sinks as I see a couple sitting high up on the side of the cliff-face in the spot I cherish so much.
But as I get nearer, they rise, and begin to climb back down the hill together hand in hand, helping each other as they descend the rocky ground.
I pause and wait for them to reach the much easier and smoother route of the little tarmac path I’ve just come along. While I’m doing so, I pull my shirt from around my waist and pop it over my T-shirt. Although it’s not cold, I can already feel the wind blowing in off the sea, and I know it will only get stronger as I get further around the side of the hill. The couple smile as they pass me, and I’m just about to continue my climb when I notice someone else hurrying to take their place.
No!I groan internally, watching them. I only wanted to sit up there for a while and breathe in the air to clear my head.
But then I notice the figure climbing towards my favourite spot is a familiar one. I squint behind my sunglasses to try to see more clearly.
Yes, if I’m not mistaken, that’s Rob clambering up the grass towards the little viewing area.
I stand for a moment wondering what to do. If I go up there now, will he think I’m following him?
No, don’t be daft, I tell myself.Why would he think that?
But do I really want to sit up there with Rob, making polite conversation? After all, this was the place we came to on our first date.
While I’m thinking about this, Rob sits down. Now that his back isn’t to me, he’s spotted me just as easily as I saw him.
He waves, and the choice is made for me.
‘Hey,’ I say as I catch up with him. ‘Fancy seeing you here.’
‘You still remember, then?’ he says, and I wonder if he’s referring to our date. ‘I mean, you still come up here when you’re home?’
‘It’s one of my favourite spots in St Felix.’ I sit down next to him on the little ledge. ‘But I fear a few more people are finding it now.’
‘Sorry,’ Rob says. ‘Do you want some peace? Shall I go?’
‘No, I don’t mean you,’ I reply hurriedly. ‘I mean, there’s quite often someone up here now – especially in the peak summer months.’
‘Ah, right. Yeah, I think it’s since they tarmacked the path around the hill; it makes it easier to get up here. The more people that come, the more people who notice our little spot.’
I notice he says ‘our little spot’, and again I wonder if he’s referring to the fact we came here on our date, or simply – and more likely – that we both enjoy sitting here.
‘The tarmac does make it easier to get up here, but the climb around the edge is still challenging – as long as they don’t put a path around there, we’ll be fine.’
‘How’s your head after last night?’ Rob asks.
‘Not too bad, thanks. What about you?’
Rob shrugs. ‘I’ve had heavier nights.’
‘Me too. University teaches you many things – and how to handle large amounts of alcohol is one of them!’
‘Absolutely. How’s your course going?’
‘Good, thanks. I have my final exhibition and degree show at the end of next year. What I’ll do after that, I don’t know.’
‘Me neither. It’s been a great course, but what it will lead to I’m not sure.’
‘You’ve enjoyed it, though?’
‘Oh, yes. Actually, the thing I’ve enjoyed the most has been the social side of uni – I recently joined the Footlights and I’ve really enjoyed being a part of that.’
‘What’s the Footlights?’
‘It’s like an amateur dramatics society – they mainly do comedy sketches and stuff like that.’
