One Summer in Cornwall

by Karen King

  ‘Neither can I. Now I’ve got to decide where I want to live and get myself a new home.’

  ‘Why don’t you move in with me and Lou while you sort yourself out?’ Mali suggested. ‘You don’t want to make a rushed decision, take your time.’

  ‘Thanks. I think I’m in shock. I don’t know what I want to do.’

  As she ended the call with Mali she realised that she felt lost, adrift. She’d started to feel at home down here, building up her photography business. And then there was Marcus. She was falling for him, she acknowledged.

  Then she realised that she hadn’t messaged him to let him know that they’d accepted the offer. She took out her phone and typed a message quickly. Perhaps they could meet later and talk about it.

  Marcus read Hattie’s text again.

  I’ve spoken to Dad and we’ve decided to accept the offer. I told Jonathan and he said the sale will only take about 6 weeks. Hattie x

  So that was it. The cottage was sold and in six weeks’ time Hattie would be gone. Out of his life forever. There was no mention of see you later. Or I’ll miss you. She had barely said goodbye to him earlier, too busy dialling to tell her dad that the cottage was sold, which had said volumes to him. And now rather than phone him and talk it over she had sent him a text ending with one single, solitary kiss.

  Well, that’s his fault, wasn’t it? He’d suggested a ‘no strings’ summer romance. He’d always known that Hattie wasn’t here to stay. They hadn’t made each other any promises. She wasn’t to know that he had fallen for her.

  So, where did they go from here? Continue with their romance until the house was sold and Hattie finally rode off into the sunset on her motorbike?

  He shook his head. He couldn’t do that. They should never have made love but he knew he wouldn’t be repeating it, not now he knew the effect Hattie had on him. He wasn’t going there again. Hattie was leaving and he wasn’t going to get his heart broken a second time.

  Except the feelings he’d had for Kaylee were nothing compared to the fire Hattie lit up in him. He had to protect himself and keep away from her as much as possible. It was the only way he would cope with her moving away.

  He thought carefully about how to respond to her message, then finally typed out a reply:

  I’m pleased for you. You must have a lot to do with the sale going through so quickly. Let me know if I can help. Marcus x

  He read it over, it was light and friendly, like her text. He wanted to put ‘please don’t go. I’ll miss you. I love you’. But he didn’t. Obviously, his feelings for her were deeper than hers for him, otherwise she would be upset about going, trying to find a way to stay. He knew that she had no choice but to sell the cottage but she could rent a place in Port Medden. If she loved him as he loved her she would talk to him, discuss options with him.

  I love her!

  The words had popped into his mind without him thinking about them, but he knew they were true. I love Hattie.

  And she obviously didn’t love him. Well, he would cope with it, and there was no way Hattie would find out how he felt. He didn’t want sympathy, apologies or guilt. He read his message again and pressed send.

  So that was it, no ‘see you later’ or ‘shall I pop around to chat?’, no ‘I’ll miss you’ or ‘I didn’t expect it to be that quick’. Just ‘let me know if I can help’.

  Hattie’s heart ached as she reread Marcus’s text. She had been so stupid to get so close to him. She’d known from the start that she was just another holiday romance They had both agreed ‘no strings attached’. Only she’d gone and fallen for him, hadn’t she?

  Well, he hasn’t fallen for you.

  That’s why he hadn’t asked to come round to talk to her, or offered to pop in after work tonight. She was moving on, the summer romance was over.

  They had been so close and now it was like there was a chasm between them.

  You had sex, once, that’s all.

  It had felt more than ‘just sex’. Afterwards, he had held her in his arms, stroked the back of her hair as she had lain listening to his heart thudding in his chest. And he had kissed her before he left, a proper kiss, gazing into her eyes as if she was the only woman in the world who mattered to him.

  She hadn’t imagined it all, surely

  He’s probably like that with all the women, she told herself. She’d thought he was a womaniser when she’d first met him. That’s how it is with surfers and artists; they’re like magnets for a lot of women, aren’t they? She was just another in a string of women falling for Marcus. Like Estelle. He flirted with everyone. Even Mali.

  And she had gone and fallen for his charm. Stupid her. Well, if he wanted to forget what had happened between them then that was fine by her. She would pack up the cottage and make herself a bright new Marcus-free life.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Marcus was surprised to get a call from Lady Thomwell the next morning.

  ‘Afternoon, Marcus,’ she said when he answered. ‘I wondered if I could have a word?’

  Surely she didn’t want him to do another painting. ‘Sure. What about?’

  ‘A friend of mine is holding an art exhibition in London for up-and-coming artists, and I’d like you to exhibit one – or more – of your paintings. There’s a substantial cash prize for the most distinguished piece of work, and smaller amounts for second and third place.’

  ‘How substantial?’ Marcus asked.

  ‘Five thousand pounds,’ she replied. ‘Are you interested?

  He thought about it, his mind running through the paintings he’d done. There was nothing very recent, most of his work just lately had been commissioned. There was the painting of the sunset over the sea he’d done last autumn . . .

  ‘I’ll have to check if I’ve got anything suitable. Most of my recent work has been sold,’ he said. ‘I’m guessing there isn’t time for me to paint anything new?’

  ‘The exhibition is in just under three weeks. Does that give you enough time?’ Lady Felicity asked. ‘I’m going to London for the exhibition and staying with a friend for the week. So I can take the painting down for you and bring it back. Do think seriously about entering, you’re very talented and this will be good exposure for you.’

  ‘I’ll see what I can do,’ he said. ‘Thank you for telling me about it.’

  After the phone call was finished he went up to the attic to look at the collection of paintings he had there. The sunset one was good, but not his best. He really wanted to do something new. Something different, something so vibrant that it would almost seem alive.

  Then an idea struck him. Buddy. With his bright-green plumage, yellow nape and red-and-yellow tail feathers, the parrot would make an ideal subject for a painting that would really stand out. He wanted to bring out his cheeky personality too. Then he remembered the photo Hattie had taken of Buddy pinching a piece of toast from his plate. She’d sent the photo to him. He took his phone out of his pocket and selected the photo gallery. There it was. Buddy perched on the table, head bent towards the plate, a piece of toast in his beak. He zoomed in on the parrot, cutting out the background detail. That would make a great painting. And give him something to remember Buddy by when Hattie had gone. If he made a start straight away, he should be able to finish it in time. He sent a text to Lady Thomwell confirming that he would enter the competition. If he worked flat out he could do it, and it would take his mind off Hattie leaving.

  The next couple of weeks passed quickly for Hattie. Too quickly. The survey had been done on the cottage, Hattie had cleared out most of the clutter, and time was ticking by. Mali had found a couple of houses to rent within ten minutes from her and Lou so Hattie was going up to see them this weekend. Although Mali had told her that she was welcome to Lou’s bedroom as long as she needed it, as Lou could move in with her, Hattie thought it was best for her to have her own home, so wanted to rent for six months. Then she could take her time looking around for a house, make sure she got the right one.
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  Hattie had hardly seen Marcus. He seemed to be avoiding her as much as she was avoiding him. She knew he was working on a new painting, and that the hotel was so busy now that he occasionally did an extra shift, but their closeness had gone. There had been a distance between them since she’d accepted the offer on the cottage. She guessed it was because now Marcus knew she was going he didn’t see any point in continuing to see her. Maybe he had already moved onto someone new. A summer romance, they’d both agreed, but now it wasn’t even a friendship. And she missed him.

  She grabbed her bag and went out the back where her bike was parked, then stopped for a minute to take in the colourful pots, the white table and chairs. She loved this place. And she loved Marcus. Her heart wrenched at the thought of leaving them both.

  Oh, stop being maudlin, she told herself. You’ll be fine once you’ve gone. When you have a brand-new home, new opportunities.

  She opened the gate and pushed the bike out, then bolted it behind her. As she got astride the bike, she saw Marcus pull up in his camper van. She paused, waiting for him to get out, thinking it would be rude to just ride off without saying hello.

  He nodded at her. ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘Okay. The survey is done, everything’s underway. I’m going up to Bristol tomorrow for the weekend to look at a couple of houses to rent.’

  ‘So, you’re moving back up near Mali then?’

  ‘Yep.’

  He thrust his hands in his pockets, his eyes not quite meeting hers. ‘Well, I’m glad it’s all worked out for you. Really, I am.’ He shuffled his feet. ‘We ought to get together, have a drink or something before you leave.’

  ‘I’d like that.’ The words sounded croaky even to her ears. ‘I was going to call around actually. I wondered if you would mind checking on Buddy when I’m gone? I’ll be back Sunday evening, so it’s only two nights but I’ll worry about him.’

  ‘Of course.’ He sighed. ‘Look, I don’t want things to be awkward between us, especially as we’re still neighbours for the time being. Can we forget that we . . . er—’

  ‘Had sex,’ she finished for him.

  Something flashed over his face but it was gone before she could catch it.

  ‘Can we forget it happened and just carry on as friends? Meet for a drink, make the most of the couple of weeks we have left?’ he said.

  ‘I’d like that,’ she agreed, her heart thumping. She’d missed him.

  ‘How about tonight, before you go? I’ve got a Thursday evening off for once. Then you can give me the keys so I can check on Buddy too?’

  ‘That’ll be great. We could go to the Old Sea Dog? Shall I give you a knock about eight?’

  ‘Perfect. See you later.’

  Marcus watched Hattie ride off, her words repeating in his mind. ‘Had sex,’ she had said bluntly, which is obviously all it had been to her. She hadn’t experienced the heart-thumping he had, his touch on her skin hadn’t been as electrifying as hers had been on his, their kisses hadn’t melted her heart like they had his. He had done it again, something he had sworn never to do; he had fallen for a summer visitor. Only this time, the love he felt was far deeper and stronger than it had been for Kaylee. This time he felt like his heart was being ripped out and he would never recover.

  Why had he suggested that they be friends again, and still see each other, when it hurt so much, and when all he wanted to do was shut himself away?

  Because it hurt even more not seeing her. And that would be how it was permanently soon enough. Hattie would ride off on that motorbike of hers and be gone out of his life forever. So, he wanted to make the most of the time they had left together, seize every moment, even if it meant he had to hide his feelings, never kiss or touch her. He wanted to burn every memory he could into his mind so that he could replay them over and over again when she had gone, taking the sunshine in his life with her.

  He pushed open his gate and walked inside. Hattie had well and truly captured his heart and there was nothing he could do about it.

  That evening, as they sat in the Old Sea Dog having a drink and both looking a bit awkward, he told Hattie about Lady Thomwell’s phone call in an attempt at light conversation. ‘I’ve been painting Buddy but I’m struggling to get across his cheeky character so it’ll be good to spend some time with him this weekend. I was thinking of asking you if I could pop around and see him anyway.’

  ‘How marvellous! I can’t wait to see it.’ She was almost clapping in delight. ‘You can pop around any time, bring your paints and stuff with you and work in the kitchen if you want. Or take Buddy around to yours in the travel cage and paint him in your attic.’

  ‘That would probably be the best idea as the light is so good there. I was wondering if you’d mind me taking him this weekend? I’ll keep him well away from Mr Tibbs. Lady Thomwell is coming to collect the painting on Monday.’

  ‘Of course.’ She was smiling now. ‘I’ll be leaving about four tomorrow, to try and avoid the Friday traffic. So come around any time before then.’

  The awkwardness was gone now and they both chatted away easily, then walked home together arm in arm.

  ‘Want to come in for a coffee?’ Hattie asked when they reached the row of three cottages.

  He’d have loved to, thought Marcus, but he didn’t trust himself not to kiss her and then that might lead to them ending up in bed again. It might be just sex to Hattie, but it meant more than that to him.

  ‘I’d better not, I’ve got an early start in the morning. I’ll collect Buddy tomorrow about five thirty.’ He leant forward and kissed her on the cheek ‘Night, Hattie.’

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  ‘Hattie!’ Lou ran to the door in delight as Mali let Hattie in.

  ‘Hello, Looby-Lou, how are you?’ Hattie knelt down and gave the girl a hug.

  ‘I’m good. Especially now you’re coming to live near us. You’ve got my bed this weekend,’ she added. ‘I’m sleeping with Mummy.’

  Hattie smiled. ‘Thank you, Lou, that’s very kind of you.’

  ‘You can take some of my fluffy toys in bed with you, if you want. All except Bumble, he’s coming in Mummy’s bed with me.’ She grabbed Hattie’s hand. ‘Do you want to see the bedroom.’

  ‘Let’s show Hattie later, Lou. I bet she could do with a drink and something to eat, she’s had a long journey,’ Mali said gently.

  Lou looked so disappointed that Hattie said, ‘It’s okay, we can go and check out the room then I can have a drink.’

  ‘Coffee, lemonade or wine?’ Mali asked.

  ‘Coffee please, but wine later would be lovely,’ Hattie told her.

  Lou proudly showed her the single bed with the light-blue and yellow stars duvet cover and matching curtains beside it, as well as the row of cuddly toys that sat along the bottom of the bed. ‘You can choose any one you like.’

  ‘It’s a lovely room, Lou. Thank you for letting me stay in it,’ Hattie told her.

  ‘That’s okay, I like snuggling in with Mummy sometimes. Not all the time, though, cos she snores and pinches all the duvet.’

  ‘Cheeky madam,’ Mali shouted from the kitchen, where she’d obviously heard every word.

  Hattie felt her spirits lift. A weekend with Mali and Lou was exactly what she needed right now.

  Later, when Lou was finally worn out and fast asleep in bed, Mali poured them both a glass of wine and sat down on the sofa beside Hattie. She kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs underneath her. ‘Now, tell me all the goss. How are things with you and Marcus?’

  ‘Friendly. We don’t see much of each other, really. We’re both busy.’

  Mali picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. ‘That’s surprised me. I thought he fancied you and you are definitely into him.’

  ‘I am not!’

  Mali studied her over the rim of her wine glass. ‘So, that’s it, friends? Not even a kiss?’

  Hattie chewed her lip while she tried to think about how to phrase her answer.


  Mali narrowed her eyes and stared at her. ‘Hattie . . .’

  ‘Well, okay we did . . . er . . . get a bit close, but it was only the once and it meant nothing.’ Liar.

  Mali put her wine down on the coffee table and turned to face Hattie. ‘How close?’

  So Hattie confessed.

  ‘And it was that bad neither of you wanted a repeat performance?’

  ‘It wasn’t bad, it was good.’ Make that earth-shatteringly good. ‘Then I got the call to say we had a buyer for the house and Marcus backed right off. I guess he thinks it’s a waste of time getting involved with each other as I’ll be leaving soon.’

  ‘And what do you think?’

  Hattie hesitated, then decided to be truthful. Mali was her best friend. ‘I think I’ve fallen for him, but I know that there’s no future in it so it’s best if we keep a distance from each other. I’ll be gone in a few weeks.’

  ‘Are you sure that he doesn’t feel the same way?’ Mali asked.

  ‘Positive. He suggested that we forget all about that one incident and just be friends until I go. So, we went out for a drink last night, chatted, then he walked me home and kissed me on the cheek.’ She picked up her glass of wine. ‘And earlier tonight he came around to collect Buddy because he’s looking after him while I’m away, and didn’t even bother giving me a peck on the cheek, just got Buddy into the travel cage, said he hoped I enjoyed my weekend and that one of the houses was suitable, then went.’ She’d been so disappointed, that when he’d left, she’d almost burst into tears and had had to give herself a stern talking to.

  ‘Bummer! Well, you’ll soon forget about him when you’re back in the swing of things here. We’ve got three fab houses to see, one is only around the corner, which I think would be perfect, but obvs you have to choose what’s best for you.’

  Hattie took a long sip of her wine, and as she felt the liquid slide down her throat, she felt herself relax. Mali was right, she would be fine once she was in her own little house in Bristol.

  They spent the evening chatting away. Mali wanted to know all about Nick and was surprised when Hattie told her about her dad’s offer to go and stay with them once the house was sold.