An endless cornish summe.., p.21
An Endless Cornish Summer, page 21
‘Because of what?’ Joey said.
‘Nothing. Forget it. Believe me if you want or don’t.’ He almost said my conscience is clear … but the words stuck in his throat. His conscience was clear with Rose, just about, but as for Lauren? He remembered another summer evening, another moment alone with a woman who Joey was close to. Much closer than Rose.
Finn had played a part in destroying their relationship. However much he’d tried not to shatter it, simply by staying in Falford when he could have left, he’d played his part.
He’d put his work, his own passion for the yard, the life he had and even the boat before Joey.
Joey downed the rest of his pint. ‘I’m going to bed. Busy day tomorrow,’ he said, then moments later he ducked under the door lintel and into the night.
Not wanting to draw attention to their row, Finn stayed in his seat, sipping his pint and pretending to look at his phone.
Finn didn’t need to wait long to test his reaction to seeing Rose again. She was in the general stores the following morning, queueing up at the post office counter. He’d gone in to get fresh supplies of coffee and chocolate to keep spirits up at the yard. With the arrival of the yawl, everyone was going to have to put in overtime. He tried to wait patiently in line, joining in the banter about the regatta, and who might win various competitions.
Rose was served before him and left the shop with a brief ‘hi’, but when he walked out, she was still outside.
‘Hello,’ he said, surprised.
‘Hi. Stocking up on supplies?’ She nodded at the bag in his arms.
‘Yeah. We’ve a new restoration project come in. I need to keep morale up.’
‘Those will help … I’ve just posted a birthday card to Maddie. She’s coming to stay with me this weekend for a belated celebration.’
‘Sounds good. What will she make of Falford?’ He didn’t know why he’d asked it, but he had a compulsion to make the conversation last. Despite his determination not to cross the line with her again, he was more attracted to her than ever. She was a magnet, drawing him in the moment he was close.
‘I don’t know,’ she started, but Kev approached them as he left the store before she could finish.
‘Hi, Rose. Hello, mate,’ he said to Finn before focusing on Rose, and who wouldn’t? ‘I hear you’re judging the sandcastle contest?’
‘Afraid so. Oriel told the committee I’d do it.’
Kev gave a sharp intake of breath. ‘They probably wanted a neutral. Hope you’ve got a thick skin. That contest ended in fisticuffs a few years back. The Patels, McKinnons and Bannons all thought their creation was best. Bannon Senior swiped at McKinnon with a plastic spade and the Patels threatened to sue. The RNLI crew had to separate them.’
‘Oh my God. Not really?’
Kev grinned. ‘Don’t worry. I think drink had been consumed. They’ve moved the contest back to the morning now before anyone can get lairy. I’m sure you’ll be fine. See ya,’ he said, then walked off, humming.
‘I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew.’ Rose had gone pale.
‘Ignore Kev. He’s prone to exaggerate.’ Finn smiled at her. ‘Pick the one you like and leave. After all, you won’t have to be here forever.’
She met his eye and he almost – almost – added: ‘I wish you’d stay longer.’ ‘No. Of course not … but I am here until September and I’d rather not cause a diplomatic incident.’
‘You won’t. The regatta’s only a bit of fun,’ he said. ‘Apart from the sandcastle contest of course, which is deadly serious.’
‘Oh, stop making it worse!’ Rose dissolved into giggles.
What a joy to make her laugh again … Finn fought the urge to sweep her into his arms and kiss her outside the post office, but contented himself with a grin. ‘Are you doing anything else at the regatta besides judging the sandcastles?’
Colour rose in her cheeks. ‘I’m afraid Oriel’s asked me to be part of the water pageant.’
‘Really? That’ll be a laugh. What’s the theme of your boat?’
‘I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.’ She pushed a strand of her hair off her face. ‘I’m sworn to secrecy by Oriel and Naomi, but I wouldn’t get too excited, if I were you.’
It was way too late for that, thought Finn, fighting the impulse to tell her that he wished he hadn’t backed away from her and that he wished he’d taken that kiss much further and let her know exactly how he felt.
Then he remembered Joey’s angry words in the pub. It looked to him as if Joey felt more for Rose than perhaps she did for him. Otherwise why would Joey be so touchy? And why would Rose have made a move on him?
‘Better go,’ he said.
‘Oh. Yes. Me too.’
Finn watched her make her way down the cobbled lane, her dress blowing in the breeze off the estuary. Why did he have to fall for Joey’s girl again?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
On Saturday morning, Maddie swept into the flat on a waft of Chanel-scented air, bearing an ‘up-for-it’ attitude and several bags. She’d arrived ten minutes before, leaving her car in a reserved space on the village car park. Rose had lugged her suitcase while Maddie carried her overnight bag and a large suit carrier. She could hardly believe Maddie needed so much stuff for a four-day stay.
After dropping the bags on the floor to hug Rose, she waved her hands excitedly.
‘I’ve brought you a present!’ She thrust the bag into Rose’s hands. ‘Hope you like it. I got it from Seasalt during my lunch break. I thought you could keep it here as a treat then take it back when you come home.’
‘Oh, this is lovely. Very appropriate,’ Rose said, examining the pale blue duvet and pillowcase set, with its discreet pattern of sailing boats. ‘Oriel gave me a spare set of hers, but I don’t think she’ll mind.’ Rose smiled, thinking of the duvet cover printed with meerkats. Mind you, she had been looking forward to seeing Maddie’s face when she’d made up the sofa bed.
‘You’re welcome.’ Maddie hugged her again. ‘Now, let’s check out this famous view I’ve heard so much about.’
Rose let Maddie go to the window, and hung back, awaiting the verdict. Had she exaggerated how wonderful it was? Had her love of Falford been coloured by the people who lived here and the emotions associated with them?
Maddie’s silence gave no clue but then she turned around and let out a breath.
‘Wow. Just wow. This is … truly breathtaking. I can see exactly why you wanted to rent the place.’ Maddie turned away from the window, a look of wonder in her eyes. Rose puffed up with happiness. It took a lot to impress her friend who had travelled to many beautiful places in the world.
Maddie breathed in. ‘Smell that?’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Actually, what is that? There’s a bit of a pong.’
Rose laughed. ‘It’s seaweed and the mudflats. They can niff at low tide.’
‘Nowhere is perfect I suppose, but it is a stunning location. No wonder you’ve fallen in love with Falford.’
‘I had to take the flat once I saw the view. Mind you, you haven’t seen the bathroom yet.’
‘It could have an avocado suite with gold taps and I wouldn’t mind, with that view,’ Maddie declared. ‘Talking of which, I could do with a wee.’
Rose smiled to herself. ‘You must be psychic. It’s that blue door on the right.’
After Maddie had settled in, Rose made some tea and they both tucked into scones with jam and clotted cream from the Falford Stores. Maddie pulled her legs under her on the sofa and seemed very much at home.
‘Well, you haven’t exaggerated about how gorgeous Falford is,’ she said.
‘Do I ever?’
‘Not really. This place could be amazing, you know.’
‘I’ve already grown to love it. Even the avocado bathroom suite.’
‘Avocado. Hmm, that’s an interesting colour. Why did people think avocado was a great colour for a bathroom? Why not turnip or satsuma?’
After catching up with the gossip, Maddie’s latest case and Geraint’s job, the conversation turned close to home. Maddie was eager to grill Rose on ‘the locals’ and to meet them as soon as possible.
‘Before we meet anyone, you need to know that I haven’t told anyone here about the transplant. Apart from Oriel and her girlfriend Naomi, and they’re sworn to secrecy.’
‘Is it such a secret?’
‘No, it’s more that it’s so much simpler and it’s great to be able to make a fresh start. Everyone at home and work knows how ill I was and they try to be kind, but for a change, I’d really like people’s first question not to be: “Oh, you’re still alive, then?”’
Maddie laughed. ‘Oh, Rose, they don’t all do that!’
‘Some do – or some version of it like “How are you?” “Still doing OK?” “You look well. I can’t believe how lucky you were.”’ Rose thought of Oriel, asking if she might have a serial killer’s DNA in her. She smiled. At least it was original.
‘Asking how someone is, is a perfectly acceptable way to greet them,’ Maddie said.
‘But not a fun topic of conversation for a whole evening. I don’t want to be treated as a freak show. Coming here is a chance to start again. I’m just Rose, the archaeologist. The woman who lives above the pisky shop. Rose, the emmet.’
Maddie screwed up her nose. ‘The what?’
‘“Emmet”. It means tourist. It’s from the Old English word for ant.’
Maddie laughed. ‘I guess I’m an emmet too.’
‘Don’t forget you’re also a criminal lawyer.’
‘Oh God. You haven’t told them …’
Rose laughed at Maddie’s horrified expression. ‘Why not? They’re lovely, honestly, but I can’t save you from an interrogation. It’ll make a change.’
‘Is there anyone interesting down here?’
‘Hmm. No one in particular.’
‘Now, you hesitated that bit too long. That means there must be. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to meet this “no one in particular”.’
‘Maybe.’ Rose hid a smile, not sure whether she wanted her mate to meet the Morvahs or not.
She decided to introduce Maddie to Falford life by taking a stroll past the pub and gallery to the end of the headland where the ferry took passengers across to the other side of the estuary. The tide had come in and on this warm July evening, the water was busy with craft floating, rowing or puttering by.
Maddie was in French indigo jeans, a white jersey T-shirt and Jigsaw pointed loafers, and had draped a tailored blazer around her shoulders. It was her casual look, because she had to wear sombre suits all day in her job. Then again, thought Rose, a defendant might be a bit alarmed to be represented by someone wearing Doc Martens and a maxi dress. She just hoped Maddie had brought a pair of trainers and by the look of her perfectly coiffed bob, a pair of hair straighteners.
For the first time, Rose felt that she looked more at home in Falford than the person next to her. Not that she minded how Maddie was dressed, only that she was here and appeared more than ready to launch into local life. Maddie looked a little tired from her long journey down, but still didn’t have a hair out of place.
They might have chosen very different paths in life, but they’d developed a strong bond, made stronger by recent experience. They’d both been to state schools, they’d worked hard and been lucky to have supportive teachers and friends. Maddie’s dad was still working as an engineer for a water company and her mum as a speech therapist. They had ordinary backgrounds, but Rose was well aware that she and Maddie were more fortunate than many people.
They stopped by a bench on a favourite viewpoint above the passenger ferry jetty. Raindrops still sparkled on the leaves after an earlier shower, and honeysuckle scent filled the air.
Maddie leaned on the back of the bench and sniffed. ‘This is beautiful. The estuary is much bigger than I expected, and so green and wooded. I can well imagine smugglers and pirates hiding here.’
‘The whole river is littered with tiny coves and beaches. You can only get into some of them with a kayak or paddleboard.’
Maddie’s eyes lit up. ‘I have always wanted to try paddleboarding. Someone at work invited me to have a trial session on a reservoir but I didn’t fancy gliding serenely along to the sound of the M25 rumbling past.’
‘I’ve wanted to try it,’ Rose admitted. ‘But it would be so much more fun with you. Oh and by the way, I ought to tell you that I’ve taken up sailing.’
Maddie’s gasp of amazement could surely be heard all over Falford. ‘You? Sailing?’
Rose grinned. ‘Yes, and I know the people at the hire centre so if you want to have a go, let’s not wait. Let’s go down to the hire centre first thing and book a session.’
Rose spent the next twenty minutes talking about her sailing lessons and how she’d gone from nothing to being able to take her small training dinghy up and down the estuary under the supervision of the safety boat. She decided not to mention Joey or Finn or her adventure on board Siren, no matter how tempting. Maddie would most definitely have asked a thousand questions and Rose couldn’t face explaining feelings she wasn’t sure about herself.
Luckily, there were many other exciting new topics to stick to, with Falford being all new to Maddie.
‘I hope you don’t mind but I do need to work while you’re here and I promised to meet Oriel and Naomi to talk about our plans for the regatta. You can come if you want to – I know they’re dying to meet you.’
‘I’d love to and at least you don’t have to make a costume. I’ve got it all sorted and I’ll bring it when I come back for the regatta. My client says she’s pulling out all the stops to get a good one.’
‘Oh goodie,’ Rose said. ‘I can’t wait.’
The next day, Rose and Maddie presented themselves at the sailing centre where an instructor kitted them out in shortie wetsuits and buoyancy aids and gave them a basic intro to paddleboarding. It was nothing like sailing, that was for sure, and Rose’s experience counted for zero.
She fell off once, but the water was only waist deep. Even though it was July, the shock of being dumped suddenly into cold water made her shriek before she dissolved into laughter.
Maddie stayed upright, and quickly got the hang of it, wanting to paddle off to the far end of the creek that led on to the main inlet. Rose wasn’t so sure, having seen for herself how conditions could change very quickly out of the shelter of the creek. She managed to persuade Maddie to confine herself to pootling around in the creek, exploring little beaches and tranquil offshoots where thatched cottages were tucked away.
After an hour of paddling, they decided to return to the centre, having allowed plenty of time. However, Maddie soon realised that the wind and tide weren’t helping.
‘I’m paddling like mad, but we don’t seem to be making much progress!’ she complained to Rose.
‘The tide’s against us, I think. We’ll just have to paddle harder.’
‘I’m knackered. I’ll have arms like Nicola Adams at this rate.’
‘You should be so lucky,’ Rose called back. Her own arms and shoulders were burning, and they weren’t even in sight of the sailing centre yet. ‘We’ve no choice but to carry on.’
‘It looks so gentle from land,’ Maddie said, sweeping her paddle into the water.
‘You wanted to explore the end of the creek.’
‘Why didn’t you talk me out of it? I wish we’d brought some G&Ts with us.’
Amused, Rose decided to save all her energy for paddling rather than replying.
They soldiered on and were making some progress. The centre came into view, but it looked a long way off, and there were swirls and currents all around, as the tide flowed out and they battled against it.
‘Remind. Me. Never. To. Do. This. Again,’ Maddie said between huffs, then: ‘Whoa!’ She toppled, in almost-comic slow-motion before falling sideways off the board with a splash.
‘Maddie!’ Rose tried to paddle over, but at the same time that took her back towards the mouth of the estuary. Worse still, Maddie had parted company with the board and was trying to swim after it. However, it was floating slowly but very surely towards the mouth of the creek.
‘Oh bugger,’ she said and swam towards Rose. She trod water. ‘I think you’d better give me a tow to the shore. I hope the hire centre won’t be too angry at me for losing their board.’
Thanks to her regular visits to the local lido, Maddie was a decent swimmer, yet Rose was glad when she reached the board. Even though she was soaked, she giggled. ‘This hasn’t ended how I expected.’
Rose laughed too but was slightly worried Maddie might try to do a Titanic and climb on the board and they’d both end up in the drink.
‘I’ll be glad to get out of the water,’ Maddie said as Rose started to paddle for the bank. ‘It’s bloody cold in here.’
‘Hey there!’
The board wobbled and Rose almost fell off again. She was filled with a mixture of relief and dismay at the sight of Joey motoring towards them in the RIB from his yacht.
Maddie had no such qualms about being rescued. ‘Hurrah!’ Maddie called from the rear of the board. ‘The cavalry are here!’
‘Need a hand?’ Joey called.
‘Um …’ Rose started.
‘Yes, wouldn’t mind!’ Maddie shouted.
‘Hang on,’ Joey said.
The RIB was suddenly much closer, much to Rose’s alarm. She was worried the wake might capsize her but then it slowed. Joey took Maddie’s hand and helped her into the boat.
‘Thank you. My board’s probably halfway to France by now,’ she wailed.
‘Don’t worry about the board. You’re OK, which is all that matters.’
Maddie threw a dazzling smile at Joey. ‘Oh, yes, I think I’m going to be fine.’
Rose held on to the RIB, keeping herself alongside it.
Joey smiled. ‘You look cold. Do you want a lift to the hire centre?’
‘Would you mind?’ Maddie said sweetly.
There was no way Rose wanted that kind of humiliation, but she had to admit she didn’t relish the prospect of battling the tide now they were cold and tired. ‘Maybe to somewhere nearby? Though I’d rather not go back without the board.’
