Page 82 of A Secret Cornish Wish
‘I’m not sure it ever will be unless Claire admits it to herself.’
‘That’s very wise.’
‘Not my wisdom,’ I say. ‘Mack’s. He said we can’t help Claire until she wants to be helped. We just have to wait until she’s ready.’
‘And he’s right.’ Suzy looks over at Mack again. ‘As well as being a smart guy, Mack’s pretty easy on the eye, isn’t he?’
I look at Suzy; her eyes are shining mischievously.
‘If you think he’s so hot, you go talk to him.’ I know exactly what she’s hinting at. ‘But I warn you, he’s married.’
‘Sadly, I can’t. I’m also spoken for.’
‘Since when?’ I ask in surprise. ‘That’s news to me.’
‘Since about a month ago,’ she says, the joy of new love radiating from her every pore. ‘It’s early days yet, but he seems like a keeper.’
‘You kept that quiet last night,’ I say, pleased for her. I knew how difficult Suzy found it to hold down a relationship and a high-powered job.
‘I don’t want to jinx it this time, that’s why. Harry works in a similar job to me, but for the other side.’ She grimaces. ‘So although we have some very heated discussions about politics, we really do understand each other.’
‘I’m so pleased for you, Suz.’ I give her a hug. ‘You deserve it.’
‘Now, what about you?’ Suzy asks earnestly. ‘Or are you still holding a candle for our Rob?’
‘Of course not. Rob and I were a long time ago now. A very long time ago. He’ll always be special to me. But there’s nothing like that between us.’
Not now, anyway. We had our moment in Glasgow. It was lovely at the time, but that felt like a lifetime ago now, and things changed. Rob and I would always be good friends. But that’s all. Nothing more.
‘You sure?’ Suzy raises her eyebrows. ‘Does he think that?’
‘Why, what have you heard?’
‘Nothing, I just get the feeling he might not be as over you as you are pretending to be him.’
‘I’m not pretending . . . why would I be?’
Suzy shrugs. ‘You tell me? If you’re so over Rob, why haven’t you met anyone else yet?’
‘Why do I need to meet anyone? I’m perfectly happy as I am, thanks. I don’t need a man to complete my life.’
‘Now, I’d be impressed by that statement if I thought you were telling the truth. Something’s going on with you, Frankie. I just haven’t figured out what yet.’
‘Oh, who’s that?’ I ask, quickly changing the subject as a small boy runs across the café towards Doris and Walter, David’s parents.
‘I think that might be Fisher, Hetty and David’s son.’
We stare at the small dark-haired boy, who can’t be more than four years old. Understandably, he hadn’t been in the church for the funeral.
‘Claire was telling me that Walter and Doris are going to bring him up here in St Felix,’ Suzy says. ‘Poor little soul losing both his parents so suddenly like that.’
Doris picks up the little boy and holds him close to her, while Walter strokes his hair.
‘Perhaps it’s some comfort to them that they still have Fisher,’ I say quietly, still watching them. ‘Mandy’s parents must feel something similar too. At least little Fisher will grow up in St Felix near both sets of grandparents.’
‘How are we all getting on?’ Rob asks, coming over to us. ‘A guy over there just told me they’re opening up the bar in a few minutes for anyone who wants an alcoholic drink.’
He looks hopefully at us.
