Page 56 of The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop
‘Tonight was brilliant. Really fun, and busy, and profitable.’
Ollie’s grin was unabashed. ‘I know! I’m so bloody happy.’
‘And there’s so much to look forward to,’ Thea continued. ‘On a night like this, not too far from now, when the view is even twinklier, we’ll have Sophia Forsythe-Hartley in this building, reading to a packed-out audience from her new book.’
Ollie nodded, and they both stared out of the window at night-time Port Karadow shimmering with life, the soft, firefly glows of the boats in the harbour contrasting with the brighter street lamps and lit windows. Ollie offered up a silent thanks that things were on track again, that she was being productive for Thea and the bookshop: that she was back.
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘Do you want to come over tomorrow?’ That was what Ollie had blurted to Max as he was walking out of the door after the quiz, after she’d told him he wasn’t allowed to stay and help clear up, because he was a paying customer.
His eyes had widened, perhaps because it wasn’t something they’d planned. Not a yoga session or a legend hunt to hide behind, just her asking, straight out, for his company. But then he’d nodded, smiled gently, and asked her what time to come.
Now she was waiting for him, Henry lying on her feet and a cup of calming camomile tea clasped in her hands. She had done some breathing exercises, cherry-picked the most relaxing yoga poses from their class on Sunday – which didnotinclude the crow – and now she was sitting here, hoping he’d turn up soon, because nerves were bubbling inside her gut like porridge in a saucepan.
When the knock on the door finally came, it startled her so much she almost spilled her tea.
She opened it and found Max on the other side, his smile wide, his curls windblown.
‘Did you walk here?’ she asked.
‘It seemed a shame not to.’ He stepped inside when she moved back to let him in. ‘There are some really interesting walks round here; lots of trails to follow.’
‘I feel like I’ve only found about two per cent of them,’ Ollie admitted. ‘What do you want to drink? Tea, coffee, beer? Or I could open some wine?’
‘A beer would be great, thanks.’
‘Come in, take off your coat, make yourself at home.’
He followed her into the living space, and Henry came bounding up to meet him, ready for another round of Max’s affection. Ollie got beers out of the fridge and popped the tops.
‘Liam’s done an amazing job converting this place – I meant to say the other day.’
‘Did you see it before it was renovated?’
‘Once, but a long time ago. He used to have the odd garden party in the grounds, the kitchen garden out the back. He kept this place as storage, from what I can remember. Old lawn mowers, tents, that sort of thing.’
‘Then “amazing” doesn’t begin to cover it,’ Ollie said, laughing.
She put the beers on the coffee table, then returned to the kitchen and shook some sweet chilli crisps into a bowl. She settled on the sofa next to Max, turning towards him. She was wearing jogging bottoms and a hoodie. It was her weekend uniform and she’d put it on automatically, even though she’d invited him here.
‘Cheers.’ She held out her bottle.
‘Cheers.’ Max clinked his against it. ‘Does Liam look after Henry while you’re at work? He seems docile now, but I expect he can be a handful.’
‘Liam and Marion tag team,’ Ollie said. ‘He told me that Marion’s been taking Henry on walks to tire him out. Sometimes I wonder why she’s here: it doesn’t seem like Liam needs all that much help, and if she can fit in long walks with my dog, then she’s clearly not rushed off her feet.’
‘Her husband, Adam, commutes into London during the week,’ Max said. ‘So I think it’s probably about company, for both of them. Liam must be lonely, rubbing along in that big old house by himself. It was good to see him at the quiz last night – I wasn’t sure he’d come, but I think they did it for you. They’re both glad you’re here.’
Ollie’s throat thickened at the suggestion that Liam and Marion had come to the quiz for her. They both knew about the disaster with Marcus Belrose, and she was touched by their show of support. Instead of saying as much, she deflected. ‘For typing purposes and deliveries to interfere with. Perhaps they’re having a clandestine affair?’ She waggled her eyebrows and sipped her beer. ‘No, forget I said that. Just because they spend time together, it doesn’t mean it isn’t platonic.’
‘I expect you’re not the first person to speculate about it, though.’
‘Youdon’t think they’re having an affair, do you?’
Max held his hands up. ‘I have no opinions on the matter. Except that Marion talked about Adam a lot last night: she seems devoted to him. And Liam’s quite a bit older than her.’
Ollie nodded. ‘Well, then. It just proves that men and women can be friends. There doesn’t have to be anything romantic, or physical, involved.’
