The Cornish Cream Tea Bus

by Cressida McLaughlin

  ‘You already sell cream teas?’

  ‘Yes, Charlie.’

  ‘You’re not trying to get rid of me, and you didn’t call me a scatterbrain?’

  He levelled her with a look, and Charlie dropped her gaze to a snoozing Marmite, who was taking full advantage of the sofa now he’d stopped assaulting it.

  ‘They were so convincing,’ Charlie said. ‘They didn’t know I was listening, and they came out with all this stuff, so I—’

  ‘What is it your uncle Hal said? Forget the mistake, remember the lesson?’

  Charlie nodded.

  ‘The lesson here is never to listen to other people’s conversations and take them to heart. That goes for Rose and Frank as much as you. Now, are we done? Because I’ve got much more important things to be doing with my time.’

  Charlie nodded, feeling suitably chastised. She should have asked him, rather than going in, all guns blazing. She stood and went to pick up Marmite, but Daniel put his hand on her arm. His skin was warm and dry, and Charlie’s breath faltered.

  ‘Leave him,’ he said softly.

  ‘I thought you had other things to do,’ Charlie whispered.

  ‘I do. They involve you, the hot tub, and the Porthgolow sunset. Come on.’

  Charlie held up the black swimming costume. It was simple, not too low or high cut, too frumpy or too exposing. When she had tried to complain, to tell Daniel she couldn’t possibly go to the hot tub with him, he had dismissed all her excuses and led her to the spa shop, told her to pick out a costume and showed her where the changing rooms were. Charlie should have said no. She should have thought of some pressing reason why she couldn’t stay, but then the thought of those bubbles soothing her event-weary limbs, and the promise of the sunset over the sea, made her hesitate. She didn’t want to settle for too long on how important Daniel’s presence was in the whole equation.

  She changed into the swimming costume, put on the robe and slippers that he had given her, and stepped into the corridor. Daniel was nowhere to be found, but a woman with blonde hair and a nametag that read ‘Cherry’ over a dark green tunic caught her eye.

  ‘Daniel asked me to take you to the hot tub. He said he’ll join you as soon as he can.’

  Charlie nodded, and let Cherry lead her along silent corridors and out into the scented garden – past three of the wooden pods that Marmite had taken a misplaced interest to at the St Agnes Head Festival – and down to the hot tub. It was already bubbling and the water looked clear and inviting, the sea beyond contrastingly still. The sun was starting its descent, the horizon a hazy pink after the heat of the day.

  Thanking Cherry, Charlie slipped off her robe and slippers. She climbed into the bubbles, sinking down until only her neck and head were above the luxuriously hot water. The cliff-top breeze whispered around her, and the sight of Cornwall’s rugged landscape and the endless ocean beyond was breathtaking. She could see why people paid a lot of money to come here. For this experience alone, the hot bubbles, the fresh air and the unbeatable view, it would be worth it.

  She leaned her arms on the side of the tub and looked out to sea, laughing at the turn the evening had taken. An hour ago, she’d been hot and flustered and mad as hell with Daniel, and yet, here she was. Putting up little resistance to his suggestion after he’d smoothly addressed all her concerns. Had she been too easy to accept his explanations? She remembered all the times Stuart had dismissed her worries, including the first inklings she’d had that he had been cheating on her. He’d placated her, and at the same time made her sound foolish and neurotic.

  She wasn’t in a relationship with Daniel – she barely knew him – but that didn’t stop the familiar twist of anxiety. She thought of Oliver, his disappointment when she’d turned down his offer of a cocktail to come storming up here.

  This was a mistake.

  She pushed herself up on her arms, wondering if she could make it inside before Daniel appeared.

  She heard a crunch of gravel and turned.

  The answer was a resounding no.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Daniel had two glasses of what looked suspiciously like champagne. He held one out for Charlie, and she reached forward to take it, then sank back into the water.

  ‘Cheers.’ He sat on the wooden bench that ran around the outside of the hot tub.

  ‘Cheers.’ Charlie clinked glasses with him. ‘You’re not coming in?’

  ‘We’ve got a late check-in due to arrive in ten minutes’ time, and Lauren’s about to go home. I’ll join you once they’re settled in.’

  ‘Why?’ She took a sip of the champagne. It was delicious: fruity but crisp, not too sweet.

  ‘Why, what?’

  ‘Why are we doing this? Do you feel bad about what you sort-of said in the pub?’

  He grinned. It was dangerous and sexy, and did strange things to Charlie’s insides that had nothing to do with anxiety. ‘You think this is an apology because someone else misinterpreted my words and you got unintentionally offended? No. This is because I told you to come up to the hotel and try out the hot tub – and once you were here it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.’

  ‘An opportunity for what?’

  ‘To get you exactly where I want you.’

  She swallowed. Even if she’d wanted to reply, it seemed her mouth had stopped working.

  ‘I’ve tasted your scones and cakes,’ Daniel continued. ‘I thought it was about time you sampled the hotel. And this is the best bit.’ He gestured towards the view and Charlie turned, spellbound by it all over again.

  ‘It’s stunning,’ she said.

  ‘And good for relaxing when you’ve had a busy day, or you’re stressed out.’

  ‘I’m less stressed than I was,’ she admitted. ‘But you can understand why I was so angry.’

  ‘If I’d said those things, then your anger would have been entirely justified.’ He glanced at his watch and stood up. ‘I’ll be back soon. Don’t go anywhere.’ He went inside, his shoes crunching on the gravel.

  Charlie could hear the low murmur of people enjoying the outdoor pool, but the hot tub was on a higher part of the grounds, and not visible from there. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, letting the bubbles soothe away any last tension.

  Ten minutes ago, she had definitely been leaving. Now, she didn’t think anything could persuade her to go. A small voice inside her head told her it was because Daniel was coming back. The logical part of her brain reasoned that it was because she would be a fool to pass up something so luxurious, especially after such a busy day.

  ‘I shouldn’t really be doing this.’ Daniel’s voice was low, conspiratorial. Charlie opened her eyes, biting back a gasp when she saw that he was wearing one of the hotel’s fluffy robes and holding the bottle of champagne.

  ‘Why not?’ Charlie asked him. ‘You were the one who invited me here.’ Her pulse quickened as he undid the cord of his dressing gown. She turned away, but she had seen the definition of his collarbone, strong shoulders, dark chest hair. She felt the water shift as he joined her, then reached over the side to grab his glass.

  ‘It’s unprofessional,’ Daniel told her.

  ‘Why? Fraternizing with the guests?’

  ‘Making use of my own facilities.’

  ‘But haven’t you booked the hot tub out for me? What if I had invited you in as my guest? Nobody else will turn up, and even if they do – so what?’

  ‘All excellent points. I can see you’re going to be a bad influence on me.’

  Charlie clinked her glass against his for a second time. ‘Pretty sure it’s the other way around,’ she murmured.

  The air seemed to bubble between them; everything, on this beautiful evening, was bubbling, especially Charlie’s nerves. What was she really doing here? She tried not to think about the answer as Daniel moved round, until he was facing the sea.

  ‘Tell me more about Jasper,’ she said. ‘Where does he go when you’re at work?’ It was the first thi
ng she could think of that might put them on safe ground. It all felt a bit dangerous, and not because the hot tub was closer to the cliff edge than she would have liked.

  ‘My neighbour, Lily, looks after him. She’s got two Labradors, and they have a great time together, apparently.’

  ‘Oh.’ Charlie resisted the urge to ask more about Lily, specifically her age, and how attractive she was. Did Daniel repay her kindness with evenings like this, in the hot tub? She listened to him, laughing as he told her how badly behaved his dog had been as a puppy, and how, initially, Jasper had sent his organized life spinning into chaos.

  ‘So you’re a workaholic?’ she asked.

  ‘I’m proud of this place. I had a strong idea about how I wanted it to turn out, and I made it happen. Just like you and the food markets.’

  ‘Today’s was even better than the first,’ she said, smiling. Now she was away from the beach and her anger had been quashed, she could appreciate how well it had gone, how something that had started as a spark of an idea could become an established event in Porthgolow. It was already getting recognition further afield. ‘Even if it didn’t end with fireworks this time round.’

  ‘I’m sure your Uncle Hal would be proud of you.’ Daniel turned to face her. ‘You miss him a lot, don’t you?’

  ‘All the time,’ she said quietly.

  ‘But you have Gertie. She’s a beautiful bus – now – very popular, great food. There’s something simple and romantic about serving cakes on a bus.’

  ‘Simple and romantic,’ she echoed. ‘Can I quote you on that? I could pop a decal on the side, get posters and banners printed. Successful local hotelier urges you to come aboard the romantic Cornish Cream Tea Bus.’

  ‘And,’ he continued, ignoring her, ‘I reckon you could do worse than ending up here, with this view, to get you back on track after your uncle’s death. Porthgolow is soothing to the soul.’

  ‘Even if it starts out twisted?’ Charlie grinned, then felt instantly guilty. ‘Sorry. God, I don’t really think that you have a twisted soul.’

  Daniel’s eyes crinkled at the edges. ‘What do you think of me?’

  Charlie groaned. ‘Why would you ask that? How is anyone meant to answer that question honestly?’ He didn’t reply. She waited while he poured the remainder of the champagne into their glasses before continuing. ‘I don’t think you take anything seriously, other than this hotel, which is your pride and joy. I always feel wrong-footed when I’m around you. Are you helping me, or making fun of me? And if you are helping me, then why? Is it because you see me as a kindred spirit, someone else in the village who isn’t particularly popular? Do you want to be some sort of a team?’

  Daniel moved closer. It was only a few inches, but Charlie noticed. ‘I think we could be a very good team, if we put our minds to it.’

  Charlie inhaled. She could feel the champagne fizzing inside her, lightening her mind, making her stomach dance. Daniel had such strong shoulders, a firm, angular jaw line. Everything about him was solid and real and, at that moment, far too close. She slid further round the hot tub.

  ‘You want us to help each other out?’ she asked, hoping she sounded calmer than she felt.

  ‘I’m not making fun of you, Charlie. I’m trying to get to know you. To understand why you’ve whirled into this village that – I presume – you’ve never been to before, and have adopted it as if it’s a stray puppy. You don’t owe Porthgolow anything.’

  Charlie pursed her lips, thinking seriously about his question. ‘Juliette fell in love with this place as soon as she arrived, and when I got here I could see its charms. And Hal spent his life making other people happy: that was the reason for his tours, for Gertie, for everything he did. I want to keep his legacy alive, and show that, even though he’s gone, Gertie can carry on, with me. And once she was up and running I just thought …’

  Daniel moved closer, reaching up to stroke her damp hair. ‘What did you think?’

  ‘I thought that – that holding an event would be a challenge. An adventure.’ Her words were rough. She wondered if she was even saying them out loud. ‘And I realized I could bring some life back to Porthgolow at the same time.’

  His face was inches from hers. He leaned in and, so softly, brushed his lips against hers. Electricity rushed through her. Every part of her responded to his touch and, for a moment, she was kissing him back. Her heart pounded louder than the jets of the Jacuzzi. How could his kiss be tender and commanding, all at once? It felt right. Wonderful. Perfect, but … she pulled away from him.

  Daniel’s eyes were searching. ‘Charlie, do you want to—?’

  ‘That shouldn’t have happened. Should that have happened?’

  She pictured Oliver with his blond hair and The Marauding Mojito T-shirt, Stuart knowing exactly what to say and soothing away her worries. Daniel was so sure of himself. What if he had said those things in the pub, bad-mouthed her to the other villagers? Accepting Stuart’s lies was what had led to her heartbreak in the first place. She didn’t know Daniel, but she had let him get close to her; she had encouraged him. And it had felt so good.

  ‘Why shouldn’t it have happened?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m sorry, Daniel. I should go.’ She clambered out of the hot tub, scrabbled for her robe and pulled it over her wet skin. ‘Marmite’s still in your office – he’s probably going frantic.’

  ‘Charlie!’ Daniel stood and hopped out of the hot tub in a single, impressive move. Charlie tried not to look at him standing there dripping, the water, turned golden by the sun, running in rivulets down his toned chest, his arms, his legs. His sodden navy trunks hugged his thighs, and his hair was plastered to his forehead. He looked even more delicious than her chocolate-chip scones. Hal’s voice slipped into her head: Spontaneous moments are always better than planned ones. It was one of his life lessons that wasn’t, at this point, remotely helpful.

  ‘Thank you so much for this, Daniel,’ she said. ‘I really do appreciate it. And I feel so much more relaxed.’ Or she had, until he’d kissed her.

  ‘You’re welcome.’ The stiffness in his voice told her he’d switched to professional mode. Whatever there had been between them a few moments ago, she’d successfully killed it. ‘I’ll get Marmite for you.’

  ‘Thank you, that’s very kind.’

  ‘We aim to please.’ He pulled on his robe and tied it tightly around his waist.

  She followed him inside, the sun setting at their backs.

  ‘What did you want to talk to me about?’

  Reenie passed Charlie a steaming cup of tea and sat alongside her on the edge of her concrete garden outside her yellow house. Charlie couldn’t get over the view, the way the sunlight sprinkled the waves with shimmering pink. In another half an hour, the sea would look like it was on fire. She had thought the end of the jetty was good, but this was something else.

  ‘I couldn’t fail to notice your success yesterday,’ Reenie continued, when Charlie didn’t reply.

  ‘It didn’t disturb you, did it?’

  ‘Not at all, girl. It’s good to see there’s still some life in the old village. Now, tell me what this is about. I can’t believe you came here to resume your role as my waste-disposal operative. I have hardly anything to give you – it’s not been that long since you took my last load of recycling.’

  ‘No, it’s not that. It’s …’ What was it, exactly? The evening after her dip in the hot tub, Charlie’s head was so full and, with Juliette and Lawrence having a meal out in Truro, she could only think of one place to come. ‘How well do you know Daniel?’ she asked.

  There was a moment of silence. Then an ‘ah’. Then a chuckle.

  ‘What?’ Charlie said. ‘What does that mean?’

  Reenie smirked. ‘You want to know more about our resident hotshot hotelier? You’ve fallen for his charms already, then.’

  ‘He kissed me, actually.’

  ‘Good Lord, girl. Things are moving faster than I anticipated.’


  Charlie stared at her. ‘What do you mean? You knew this would happen?’

  ‘Daniel needs someone who can match him for tenacity and stubbornness and, even though he’s got a ruthless streak and you’re as kind as they come, I thought you might create a few fireworks that had nothing to do with the solstice.’

  Charlie shook her head. How could this woman live so far on the edge of society and know so much? She hadn’t once seen her anywhere else in the village. ‘I thought he’d been talking about me behind my back, so I went up to Crystal Waters to confront him, and we ended up in the hot tub.’ She was trying not to think about it, but her brain seemed intent on doing nothing else. Just the memory of their kiss set her pulse racing.

  ‘This is a turn-up for the books,’ Reenie said. ‘The Daniel I know would never have let his standards slip.’

  Charlie gasped. ‘You think he’s letting his standards slip by spending time with me?’

  ‘Of course not, ridiculous woman. I was talking about him using his own Jacuzzi while the hotel is open. You’re messing with his mind if he’s encouraging that sort of behaviour.’ She laughed, a loud, brazen cackle that was swallowed by the wind.

  ‘Oh, right. So—’

  ‘What are you planning next? He could do with being taken down a peg or two.’ She peered at Charlie over the top of her mug.

  Charlie sighed. She had no idea why this woman, whom she had only met once before, had been her choice of confidante. Maybe it was precisely because she didn’t know her that she felt able to offer up her innermost thoughts, like to a priest in a confessional.

  ‘I don’t want to topple him,’ she said. ‘I want to stop thinking about him. I came to Porthgolow to get away from everything, and I’ve got Gertie to focus on. Making a success of her and the food market. Most of the villagers are on side now, and I was thinking about doing some cream tea tours; you know, more in the spirit of my uncle Hal, who ran tours in the Cotswolds. Of course, Gertie wasn’t a café then so it’s more complicated, but—’