Page 24 of The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday
Chapter Eight
They stopped outside Sunfish Cottage. The sun had lowered, slipping towards the sea as if it couldn’t wait to take a dip in the blue water, and Thea catalogued her feelings. She was hot, sweaty and still a bit frazzled, but Ben’s cap had taken care of her head and face, and she’d put plasters over yesterday’s blisters and worn two pairs of socks, which had helped. The main difference, though, was her mood. Yesterday she’d felt defeated, today it was more like exhilaration.
‘Thank you again,’ she said, knowing the words would soon lose their meaning. She didn’t know how Ben felt, his face so often impassive, his hazel eyes direct and calm, revealing little. ‘I’ve had a great time this afternoon – today, in fact. The whole day.’
‘It’s been good,’ he replied, his shoulder resting against the wall of the cottage. ‘Much better than tackling the tiling in the bathroom, which is next on my list. I’ll try to keep the banging down, though.’
‘Thanks,’ Thea said. ‘But also, don’t worry. You can’t help making noise. I mean, sorry, I—’
‘No apologies. What have you done wrong?’
‘I—’ she floundered.
‘Exactly. So, catch you later, then?’
‘Of course. It’s not like there’s miles between us, is it?’
‘Not very far at all,’ he agreed.
She turned away at the same time as he did, then glanced back to see Scooter hurry past him and stand in front of his door. She was unlocking Sunfish Cottage when she heard Ben call her name.
‘Yup?’ she called back.
‘On Friday afternoon, there’s a barbecue cook-off on the beach. It’s the first time they’re running it, part of the town’s events programme, but …’
‘You’re taking part?’
He nodded.
‘It sounds fun,’ she said. ‘And it’s much more my thing than diving head first off cliffs. I’d love to come and cheer you on.’
‘If you’ve got other plans—’
‘I haven’t,’ she said. ‘Not at all. Summer fairs are on the bucket list, and I’ve decided a cook-off competition counts.’
‘There’ll be food stalls, music, possibly. It should be a good afternoon.’
‘I’m in.’
‘Great.’ His mouth kicked up. ‘See you, then.’
Thea went inside and flopped onto the sofa, untying her boots and peeling off her socks, enjoying the endorphins coursing through her. Why did it feel like she’d achieved somuch today, when yesterday had felt like a failure? Was it that she’d shared the experience, felt like she was living her best holiday life, rather than floundering alone? She didn’t have the energy to examine her feelings too closely, so she went to have a shower instead.
As the cerulean sky turned to evening turquoise, and shadows shifted across the living room, Thea’s focus on her book was interrupted by creeping thoughts of tomorrow. She was going to see a building that could, in the not too distant future, become the bookshop she’d dreamed of owning. She had spent hours – thousands of them, probably – imagining every square foot: the layout of the shelves, the different sections, the book-related gifts she would sell. Ideally there would be a café area, or at the very least a hot drinks machine and a squashy, inviting sofa for people who wanted to linger, to read the prologue of a book before they committed to buying it.
When the only limit was her imagination, it was the best bookshop in the world. It had been Alex who had honed her ideas, brought reality into it as he helped her with her business plan, and she was so grateful for his advice. She had a chunk of savings to get her started, and once she had the perfect property, she was going to apply for a business loan. Alex’s expertise was in operations, but his parents were both accountants, and he had more business sense than anyone else she knew.
When she’d reached the denouement of her book, she realised she wasn’t concentrating properly, and decided to save the conclusion for when her mind was quieter. She picked up her mobile instead.
Alex answered after four rings. ‘Rushwood,’ he said. ‘What Cornish delights have you been indulging in today?’
‘It’s tomorrow, Alex,’ she said, ignoring his question. ‘My meeting with the landlord.’ She could almost hear him dialling up his concentration.
‘I know, and you’re going to be great. Remember that it’s the first visit to the first property. Of course it’s significant, but if this place isn’t right, then somewhere else will be. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You’re a businesswoman looking for a location for her bookshop, and you’ve done the background research, the planning. Focus, be calm, take the time you need. Don’t let them railroad you into a decision. No rushing, Rushwood.’
Thea took a deep breath. ‘You’re right. It’s just that it means everything to me, and to them I’m just one possible tenant.’
‘That’s good, though. You’re not doing them a favour by taking it. It has to be right, that’s the main thing. Ask all your questions. You’ve got your list?’
