The Girl Who Came Home to Cornwall

by Emma Burstall

  He stopped again when they reached the highest point of the promontory, so that she could admire the small, crescent-shaped cove, which was sheltered on all sides by tall rocks and pitted with caves. The thin ribbon of fine yellow sand running between each outcrop looked extremely inviting and what’s more, they would have the whole place to themselves.

  ‘It’s lovely!’ she cried, blinking in the bright sun.

  ‘Told you!’ he replied with a grin.

  It was quite steep on the other side, and Chabela dropped to her hands and feet and crawled sideways, like a crab, until the very last bit, by which time Simon, who was ahead of her, had reached solid ground again.

  Now, when he extended both hands, she took them and he held on firmly while she hopped safely onto the beach.

  Beneath her feet were numerous little shells, broken up and bleached almost white by the sun and tide. At the very edge of the water, bits of driftwood wrapped in stringy seaweed bobbed lazily on the foamy surf.

  ‘Shall we sit down?’ said Simon, nodding towards the boulders on the other side.

  She followed him across the cove – it was only a few paces – to the flatter rocks and they settled down, leaning their backs against the warm granite.

  For a few minutes they didn’t speak but closed their eyes, enjoying the sensation of the warm sun on their faces and the gentle breeze fanning their cheeks.

  As Chabela breathed in and out slowly, it occurred to her that right now, she felt totally content and at ease. Perhaps it was the friendly endorphins whooshing around her body, or maybe the soporific sunshine. In any case, she didn’t feel at all awkward in Simon’s company and he seemed equally comfortable with her. There was no sign of his nervous twitch, and his breathing was as steady and relaxed as her own.

  Her knees were drawn up to her waist and her hands placed, palms down, on either side of her body. After a while, she stretched out her legs to loosen the muscles and became aware of his thigh and calf, alongside. He was very close, but he didn’t try to move and nor did she. The fingertips of her left hand and his right were almost touching, too.

  She wanted to open her eyes to see what he was doing and also, truth be told, to have a sneak peek at his body, which was surprisingly buff. But she didn’t dare. She had a feeling that he was looking at her, though she couldn’t be sure, and she didn’t want him to catch her at it, too.

  The tips of her fingers seemed to tingle, giving off electric flashes, and she hoped that it wasn’t too obvious. There again, she sensed that his skin was also sparking, but she might have been imagining it, of course.

  She couldn’t quite believe that the feelings she was having for him were real, yet at the same time they seemed quite natural, as if she’d known all along that she thought this way about him. But then she checked herself, doubting her gut. Simon had never shown any interest in her, other than as a friend, and besides, she wasn’t looking for romance; she wasn’t over Alfonso.

  His image swam before her and immediately her eyes fluttered open and the sparks in her fingertips died, just as if someone had flicked an off switch.

  Simon shivered, as if he’d felt it, too, and pulled up his legs, as if preparing to rise.

  She wanted to say sorry for having ruined something that might have been really special, but she’d have felt silly.

  ‘Chabela?’

  The sound of his voice startled her and she turned to look. He was sitting very upright now, facing her, and he had a strange expression, almost as if he were in pain.

  ‘What—’ she started to say, but before she could finish, his head moved really close, so that their brows were almost touching, and there seemed to be a question mark right in the centre of his round, black pupils.

  Instinctively, she raised her chin just a little and before she knew it, his mouth was on hers, his lips pressing gently against her own. He smelled of the ocean and tasted of salt and sea.

  At first the kiss was shy, tentative and slow, each drinking in the other in little sips, savouring the newness. Then, to her surprise, he nibbled her lower lip, pulling at it slightly. She bit back playfully and when he nudged her cheek, butting it softly with his nose, she opened her mouth wider and allowed his tongue to slip in.

  He made no attempt to touch her anywhere else; the only point of contact was the lips. Deeper and deeper went the kiss, until it became so intense that it was almost unbearable, and she longed for him to explore other parts of her, but he held back.

  Everything was concentrated in just that one place and the kiss seemed to say it all; nothing more was needed. So wrapped up were they in each other, they might have been the only people left on the planet.

  When they finally drew breath, Chabela looked at Simon again and could see that he was smiling. They were both still sitting up, resting against the granite, and without speaking, she laid her head on his warm chest and curled into his side, allowing him to wrap an arm around her.

  She was filled with a sense of wonder, remembering the shy, awkward man that she’d first met. She’d never have believed him capable of a kiss like that; truly, it had blown her away.

  ‘There’s something you should know,’ he said at last, pulling her in even closer, as if afraid that she might get up and leave.

  ‘Tell me,’ she replied. She didn’t think there was anything he could reveal that would put her off now, but she sensed that he wanted to speak.

  ‘I’m a bit, well, odd,’ he blurted, and she laughed, she couldn’t help it.

  ‘I know that. I like eccentricity, it’s more interesting.’

  He shuffled uncomfortably. ‘No, you don’t understand. I’ve never had a proper relationship. I mean, I’ve had a few girlfriends, not for a while, though, but I didn’t love any of them, not really. I’m not sure I’m capable of it.’

  ‘Why not?’ Chabela could tell that this was important. She straightened up and his arm dropped away. They were still touching, though, her knees pulled in and resting against his thigh. She didn’t want to lose all contact with him.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he said, staring into the distance, deliberately avoiding her gaze. ‘My father was a loner and he and my mother didn’t get on particularly well. They never did anything together, just the two of them; they led quite separate lives. I guess I don’t know what a normal relationship looks like.’

  Chabela frowned. ‘Are you saying you don’t want a relationship with me? If so, I need to know now, before…’ She bit her lip.

  ‘Before what?’ he asked urgently.

  ‘Before this goes any further.’

  He twisted around so that he was fully facing her again, his whole body tense and on alert.

  ‘Do you want this to go further?’ He sounded nervous and eager at the same time.

  It was a very direct question, but she didn’t mind. It was better to sort this now, rather than risk future hurt; she wasn’t sure that she could stand any more suffering.

  ‘Yes, but I’m afraid. How about you?’

  ‘Afraid of what?’

  ‘Rejection, sorrow, pain.’

  This made him wince. ‘Chabela, I’d never deliberately hurt you. Not in a million years. You see, despite what I just said about not loving anyone, I… I think I might be able to fall in love with you.’

  She started. She was so surprised that she thought she must have misheard. ‘What did you say?’

  He repeated the words and this time she knew that it was true.

  At that moment, she would have thrown her arms around his neck and snogged him senseless, but he stopped her in her tracks, raising a flattened palm.

  ‘I’m scared,’ he went on in deadly earnest. ‘I’m afraid I can’t give you what you need and deserve. Because I’ve never had a real relationship, because I’m weird…’

  His honesty and sincerity melted her heart.

  ‘I don’t care,’ she cried, meaning it. ‘I’m useless at relationships, too. We can learn together!’

  He smiled, reaching
out to take her face in his hands and staring into her eyes. The look was so intense, so full of longing, that it seemed to burn right through her.

  ‘I should tell you about Alfonso,’ she whispered reluctantly. His name seemed to sully the atmosphere and she could have sworn that the sky darkened briefly.

  ‘Go on then,’ said Simon. ‘I’m ready.’

  He held her tight while she rested her cheek on his chest. They remained like that for a long time while she explained the situation as well as she could. She didn’t put all the blame on Alfonso or try to exonerate herself, she just gave the facts and explained her feelings as clearly as possible.

  If Simon were shocked that she had been someone’s mistress, he didn’t show it. Nor did he suggest that she’d been a fool for believing all the promises of marriage.

  In the end, he said simply, ‘This doesn’t change anything, Chabela, but I’m glad I know. I’m sorry you’ve been unhappy.’

  Her cheek felt sticky and hot against his skin, but she didn’t want to move it. Instead, she snaked an arm around his waist and squeezed.

  She realised that it was a relief to have revealed her story at last, warts and all. The shame and misery that she’d carried around for so long felt less intense, now that Simon seemed to accept her for what she was without criticism. It was wonderfully freeing.

  ‘He must be quite something, Alfonso, to have kept you waiting all this time,’ Simon said then.

  Chabela thought about this for a moment.

  ‘He’s very clever, he’s got an amazing mind,’ she agreed. ‘And I certainly found him attractive. A lot of women do.’

  ‘The only thing that puzzles me is why you hung around so long?’

  Simon sounded genuinely perplexed; she didn’t blame him. She didn’t understand it herself.

  ‘I was obsessed, I suppose. No one else seemed to match up to him.’

  There was a pause, as if Simon needed time to absorb the information.

  ‘And are you still obsessed?’ The question seemed to hang in the air between them, heavy with significance.

  ‘I don’t think so, I don’t know.’ She was determined to be as truthful with him as he had been with her. ‘Some days I think I’m over him, and others, well, I realise he’s still on my mind. I don’t want it to be like this. We’re finished. There’s no going back. It’s just, well, sometimes I can’t seem to get him out of my head.’

  She feared Simon’s response, but she needn’t have worried.

  ‘Thanks. I think I can live with that for now.’ He left it there.

  They must have been in the same position for ages, though she had no idea of the time. At last, conscious of having abandoned her job, she said that she’d better get back.

  ‘I hope the others are managing. It’s really bad of me to have been away so long.’

  As they set off again over the rocks, she mentioned that she might return to Mexico in October with Liz and Rosie and maybe Rafael, too.

  ‘Just for a week or two, if Liz decides to come. I’d like to stay in Tremarnock until Christmas, if I can. I don’t feel ready to go back to work yet and have to face Alfonso.’

  By now, they’d reached the other side of the promontory and Simon plunged into the sea, followed by Chabela. It felt extremely cold after being in the hot sun and they swam fast at first to get used to the temperature.

  Presently, they stopped for a rest, floating on their backs and gazing up at the sky. The sun was just beginning to dip, changing slowly in colour from bright yellow to a more orangey hue. As they got closer to the beach, they could hear the distant shouts of people, which was strange after the quietness of the cove.

  ‘Why don’t you come, too – to Mexico, I mean?’ Chabela said tentatively. ‘Only if you’d like to, of course.’

  She’d been mulling it over ever since she’d told him that she was going. She didn’t think it would seem too forward, given that she knew he loved the country, but still, it had taken a while to pluck up the courage to ask. She explained that it would be a bit of a squash in her flat, but she could just about accommodate everyone. They’d probably spend most of their time in Mexico City but might visit Hidalgo as well.

  ‘It’d be interesting for Liz to see the place where the Cornish miners settled, and I could look up the Penhallows, too.’

  He waited a moment before replying; he must have been mulling, also.

  ‘I think I’d like that,’ he replied at last. ‘Thank you. I’ve never been on holiday with a woman before. I guess it’s about time I did.’

  He was joking, but she could tell that the prospect unnerved him somewhat.

  ‘If you change your mind—’

  ‘I won’t,’ he said firmly, and the subject was closed.

  Their towels were still on the beach where they left them, and Simon pulled his shorts and T-shirt over his wet trunks and replaced his glasses. When they finally arrived back at the café, Chabela was convinced that the others were looking at her slightly oddly.

  ‘I’m sorry we’ve been so long,’ she said, conscious of her wet, tangled hair and slightly flushed cheeks. They must wonder what on earth she’d been up to.

  Simon looked a little sheepish, too, shuffling awkwardly from foot to foot and clearing his throat rather too often.

  Luckily, there was no queue now and only a few of the outside tables were occupied with people finishing their drinks and snacks. Most looked almost ready to pack up and leave; it must have been gone six p.m. and the sun was less intense, although the air was still warm.

  ‘I’d better get changed,’ Chabela said, relieved that there was only an hour to go before she could legitimately lock up.

  ‘Me too,’ said Simon, but he seemed reluctant to head off.

  ‘Well, goodbye then.’ Chabela was conscious that the others were still watching and didn’t want to give anything away.

  He bent down and fiddled with his flip-flop, before standing up and deliberately catching her eye.

  ‘I enjoyed our swim, thank you. It was a most interesting cove. We should go there again soon.’

  Rafael stared at them both and Martha looked confused. Chabela bit her cheek and tried not to laugh.

  ‘As soon as you like,’ she added cheekily.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  To Liz’s delight, Robert managed to persuade Rosie to go on the Mexican trip with her mother and before long, it was all fixed. They were to fly from Bristol to Mexico City, leaving on Friday night at the beginning of the October half-term and returning just over a week later. Tony and Felipe were happy to pay for Rafael, so he was to go, too, along with Simon and Chabela, of course.

  Many of the villagers were quite relieved when August came to an end and the place calmed down, not least of all, Liz. As far as she could tell, the last of the seagull chicks had finally flown the nest and the parents must have moved on. She was no longer being woken every morning by drumming feet, which was a blessed relief, and she’d been in touch with the British Pest Control Association about installing deterrent measures, so that the birds wouldn’t return next year.

  The streets were much quieter, too, but partly thanks to the good weather, a new, smaller crowd, of those without school-age children, arrived in early September and the beaches remained busy.

  For this reason, Robert decided to keep the Secret Shack open, which was good news for Chabela. By now, the university students had returned to their studies, and often it was just her and Loveday manning the place during the week, with Rosie and Rafael helping out at weekends.

  The autumn term is a demanding time for most teachers, and Simon was no exception. Chabela saw next to nothing of him between Monday and Friday, but he’d often visit the café on Saturday or Sunday and they’d go for a dip during one of her breaks.

  When the temperature started to drop towards the end of September, he persuaded her to buy a wetsuit from Rick’s shop. This made getting in the cold water much less of an ordeal and to her amazement, she developed q
uite a passion for wild swimming.

  Simon refused to wear a suit himself, insisting that he liked plunging into freezing temperatures and it was beneficial to his health. In certain ways, she found this even more eccentric than his other habits, but he certainly seemed very fit, so maybe there was something in it.

  Often, the pair would go back to Kittiwake for supper afterwards, or they’d eat out at the Lobster Pot or the Hole in the Wall. Dining at A Winkle in Time would have felt too much like a busman’s holiday for Chabela, with Robert there, so they avoided it.

  Villagers began to spot them out and about and of course, word spread. Rick must have heard the gossip, or even spied Chabela and Simon together, because he finally gave up on her and went back to online dating, much to her relief.

  The more she saw of Simon, the more she liked him. They seemed to have a lot in common and she ceased to notice his involuntary spasms, which were becoming less pronounced anyway. He still wore a lot of brown, but he’d relaxed his diet and would now happily scoff scones and cream with her on a regular basis or drink too much wine. She even got him into her home-made churros, dipped in melted chocolate. He complained that he was putting on weight, but she couldn’t see any evidence of it.

  She adored hanging out with him in Kittiwake, watching the sun go down over the cliffs, listening to music and helping him cook tasty meals using some of the herbs and vegetables from his garden.

  They’d kiss and cuddle, but he was the perfect gentleman and never tried to push for anything more. Indeed, she began rather to wish that he would, but was afraid of making a move herself for fear of frightening him off. In any case, Alfonso would keep popping unbidden into her head at odd moments, so it wouldn’t have felt quite right.

  Then, one evening after supper, they were side by side on the sofa listening to music when lust grabbed them with both hands, gave them a shake and it just sort of happened. It wasn’t how Chabela would have planned it, or Simon, probably, but somehow it felt just right. No fuss or embarrassment, no awkward asking each other if they liked it this way or that, just messy and glorious, leaving behind a sense of deep satisfaction and fulfilment. Perfect.