Mitch marks the milestone as usual and roots around the brambles as I readjust the dog bed under my arm. He starts barking at another couple who have two lively Labradors in tow.
‘Shh, boy! Come on. We need to catch the next bus or we’ll be here until tomorrow.’
Mitch scampers off back the way we’ve come, barking madly.
‘Mitch!’
He streaks right past the Labradors.
‘Mitch! Come back!’
I drop the dog bed by the milestone and run after him, the pack banging on my back, and then I see him.
Cal running towards me, Mitch dancing round him, barking wildly.
I turn around, running away from them both towards the milestone, to the road and to freedom. Freedom from having to witness Cal loving Isla.
‘Demi! Wait!’
His voice is louder.
I turn round. ‘Mitch!’
Cal stops. Mitch stops too, the traitor.
‘Come on, you stupid stupid dog!’
I walk off, glancing behind, tears of frustration in my eyes.
‘Demi, come back.’
Mitch stands in the middle of the path, getting further away by the second so I stop too.
I feel rather than hear them catching me up. I become aware of the skylarks singing and the coconut scent of the gorse and the waves pounding the base of the cliff.
Mitch trots up, squeezes past me and sits at my feet.
‘Do you want to tell me what all this is about?’ Cal says gently.
‘You know what it’s about. I’m leaving.’
‘What? You’re taking Eva’s job?’
‘You told me to take it. You said I’d be mad not to go.’
He can’t argue with that and my faint hope that he’d come to make me stay, disappears again.
‘But … but … you might have told me first, not just stormed off like this!’ He’s angry and I don’t blame him.
‘I know I should have worked my notice. I ought to have given you time to find someone to replace me.’
He gasps. ‘How could I ever find someone to replace you?’
‘There are loads of people who could do my job. Hundreds.’
‘Not someone as bloody rude and awkward and argumentative as you. Not someone who’ll put up with my moods and my frankly lunatic schemes. Not someone with a dog who can charm the pants off hardened businesspeople. I need you, Demi, and no one else will do.’
‘Eva’s business needs me more. She told me.’
‘She could never need you in the way I do.’
He reaches for me and no matter how much I try to damp it down, my heart starts beating harder and my hopes soar.
‘I heard Isla tell you how much she needed you and I know you went to see her this morning. I saw you go out.’
He throws up his hands in frustration. ‘Is that what’s upset you? You’re right. I have been to see her but my visit was partly business. She told me that she wants to use Kilhallon as a location for some of the scenes in the new costume drama she’s shooting.’
‘Oh, right. That’s nice …’
‘Nice? It’ll be fantastic PR and very good income to tide us over the early days. There’s more too. Some actor friends of hers want to hold their hand-fasting ceremony at Kilhallon.’
‘Hand fasting? Who?’
‘It’s top secret for now but it’s …’ He names them and my gob is well and truly smacked.
‘Those two are engaged? You are kidding!’
‘Nope. They’re going to rent the entire site for a weekend next spring but they’re happy for us to announce it well before then. They wanted something completely wild and natural and they’re going to donate the rights from the gossip magazine coverage to an eco-charity. You can imagine what the publicity will do for Kilhallon’s street cred.’
‘It will be incredible. We can get bookings from that for years to come.’
He smiles. ‘I’ll need someone to manage the catering, of course, and look after the celebs.’
‘Wow. I’d love to … I can’t wait to meet them …’ He grins at me.
Realising what I said, I’m furious with myself. ‘But I’m not staying.’ And if his visit to Isla was ‘partly business’, I need to know what the other part was too.
‘Of course not. You’ve had this amazing job offer that’s way too good to turn down. And you can be a celeb if you go to Brighton.’
‘Yes.’
‘Even if I tried to persuade you to stay which, of course, would be wholly selfish of me and even if I was selfish enough to try to persuade you that Kilhallon was a better prospect than Spero’s. If I did that unforgiveable thing of destroying this opportunity, the way I’ve messed up other people’s lives, you still wouldn’t stay, would you?’
He looks at me, and I can’t look away. ‘No.’
‘Because?’
‘Because you went to see Isla at Bosinney after we had sex and lied about it to me. Because, after we’d spent the night together in your room, I could hear you and Isla talking in the kitchen.’
His brow creases. ‘You heard our conversation from upstairs?’
‘I have very good hearing,’ I say, too embarrassed to admit I crept downstairs to eavesdrop on them.
‘You must have.’ The way his eyes crinkle at the corners lets me know he’s teasing me just a little but I don’t care how sexy and kind he’s being, I still want to hear the truth.
‘You were afraid to tell Isla about us after we slept together,’ I go on, because there’s no point in holding back now. ‘I heard you lie to her about me being in your bedroom and you lied to me about taking her home and you want me to go to Brighton because it’s easier for you if I leave.’
He groans. ‘I’m not proud of lying about sleeping with you but considering the circumstances and the state Isla was in, I decided it wasn’t the best time to announce it. The only reason I wanted you to leave Kilhallon was because it would be easier for you, not me. It wouldn’t be easy for me to let you go. It would be agony, if you must know!’
‘I can’t stay here, knowing that. I heard her tell you she’d made a mistake.’
He shakes his head sadly. ‘We all make mistakes, bloody great big ones, but that can’t be changed. I can’t just unlove someone I’ve been so close to all my life but that doesn’t mean I’m in love with her or because she might suddenly become available, I’d go running.’
‘I’d understand if you did get back together. I do understand. I’d hate it but I’d accept it. That’s why I’m leaving.’
He groans. ‘Why the hell didn’t you tell me you’d hate to leave? We’re both stubborn, proud, stupid idiots, too afraid of admitting what we really want. Because what we really want rarely makes any kind of logical sense, it’s a gut instinct and it may all go wrong. I’ve taken so many risks in my life, and some have got me into trouble, some have lost me everything but I – you – we’re not the kind of people to live by rules and do the sensible thing. Are we?’
‘No,’ I say croakily.
He holds me. ‘I have my pride. I’m not going to beg. But you know now. Read my lips. Even if Isla was leaving Luke, and she isn’t, we’re not getting back together. There was a time and a place when I wanted her more than anything in the world but that time is behind me.’
Do you know, I almost believe him? I want to believe him so much.
‘Is it?’ I can hardly hear the words myself.
‘Too many things have happened and too many people have come into both our lives since. Too much has changed for her – and me.’ He touches my cheek and I’m ashamed to say it’s wet. ‘Like you and Mitch.’
‘Mitch?’
‘Yes. You must know I’ve fallen for him.’
‘No way. He wouldn’t fall for you. He’s a one person dog.’
‘He’s made an exception for me.’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘Just a feeling. The way he looks at me, the way he sniffs my crotch. A man ca
n tell. You said it yourself, I’m hot.’
I start laughing and immediately hate myself for wavering. There’s still too much I don’t know about Cal; so much I want to believe in but can’t quite bring myself to.
‘So why did you go and see Isla this morning?’
‘She asked to see me. She wanted to tell me about the actors and the shoot and to tell me she and Luke are going to try to make a fresh start in London, away from Bosinney, and Mawgan and her tribe.’
‘I didn’t realise.’
‘It’s for the best. Uncle Rory is selling the business and, more importantly, I can’t imagine Kilhallon without you. I might fall apart again if you leave now. If that’s selfish, then so be it, but please don’t leave me.’
Mitch barks, nudges my jeans. I glance down, almost dizzy with the U-turn of emotions from misery to happiness. Cal pushes my hair away from my neck and kisses me. Mitch yips.
‘Mitch. Can you please be quiet? This is important.’ Embarrassed by my tears, I turn away to my backpack. ‘I’ll get him a chew.’
‘Demi.’ Cal grabs my arm. ‘I wanted to show you something. I had it made ages ago and I was going to show you the other morning but then you told me about the job offer and I didn’t dare.’
‘Show me what?’
‘You’ll have to come back to Kilhallon to see it.’
He opens his hand, his palm waiting for mine. I only have to take it. My fingertips connect with his, because I have to trust someone sometime. I have to take a risk, we both do, no matter how crazy or mad or stupid. With my rucksack over his shoulder, he leads the way past the engine house, and the restored cottages. Mitch gallops through the heather and brambles. We stop by the side of the building that will be the cafe. It has walls and a roof now, and windows covered in blue plastic protectors. It’s waiting for someone to give it life.
‘Shut your eyes and no peeping.’ Cal insists.
With my hands over my eyes, I hardly dare to breathe but I can hear the waves crashing against the cliffs and the gulls crying and I feel my heart thumping hard.
‘OK. You can open them now.’
Cal whips a tarpaulin off a sign that was propped up against the wall of the cafe. It’s blue and white and it carries the logo of the tin mine and the dog. And in big, bold, bright letters it reads, simply:
Demelza’s.
‘Remember I once told you that all the best ideas about Kilhallon were yours?’ he says, softly. ‘That was a lie because everything that’s good about Kilhallon comes from you. It’s taken me this long to finally admit it … and I have the right to admit it and no right to keep you here. But even if you leave, the sign stays. The name stays. You’ve made your mark on this place and on me.’
His voice drifts away and there’s doubt in his eyes. He isn’t sure what I’ll do, he really does need my approval. ‘I know we discussed names for this cafe. Many names but I’ve come to realise that there can only be one.’
If I could speak, I might, but I can’t because my throat has developed a mysterious lump.
‘Well, aren’t you going to say something?’
‘It’s … it’s perfect.’
‘The sign may be, the name is, but I can’t promise that our lives will be. The next few months will be tough, the next few years even harder, but if you can take that and stick with me, I’ll be more than happy.’
Mitch sniffs at the sign and for a moment, I think he might, then my shoulders slump as he skitters off in search of more interesting places to pee.
Cal bursts out laughing and so do I. He pulls me into his arms.
‘So will you?’ he whispers. ‘Be sticking around?’
I put my arms around his back and hold him like I might never let him go. He’s right. This isn’t perfect but it’s a start. A very good start.
‘You know, I think I just might consider it.’
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Before I wrote my first novel in 2005, I had no idea how much of a team effort it takes to get the raw manuscript of a story to a bookshop shelf or e-reader. Now, I do! So, first of all, I want to thank my amazing editor at Avon Maze, Natasha Harding, who has been so insightful and sensitive in all her editorial suggestions from the moment she rang to say she loved Summer at the Cornish Cafe. A huge thanks to the lovely Eloise Wood too, who has steered this book through to publication, and to Joanne Gledhill, my keen-eyed copyeditor. I’ve felt in safe hands with the editorial team from the get go and any author will tell you how precious that is.
The Avon social media and marketing guys are officially awesome. Thanks to their fun and creative ideas, I’ve had to visit Cornwall to eat pasties and surf all in the name of work.
Even before Natasha saw the book, my agent, Broo Doherty, encouraged and supported me in writing it. We’ve been partners in this business for eleven years now, though it may seem like 111 to Broo at times, and I owe her a huge amount. You’ll notice I include her in the same line as my husband, John, and my daughter, Charlotte, and my parents, as sometimes they have to put up with the same levels of writerly angst from me. I hope they also enjoy the very happy times this book has delivered – especially the ‘research’ trips to gorgeous Cornwall!
Thanks also go to Nell Dixon, Elizabeth Hanbury, Wendy Dixon, Janice Hume, Anne Cooper, Kim Nash and all my ‘superstars’ for their suggestions, the laughs, the coffee and cakes. Also to Lynsey of Debenhams Cafe, Lichfield, and Marie from Mim’s Cafe, Bridgtown, for their cafe advice, and to the Budget Food Mummy blog for her recipes.
I’d like to mention the Cornish actor Rory Wilton (of Poldark and Doc Martin fame among others) for letting me use his name *only* for Uncle Rory and being a source of fun and actorly gossip on Twitter. I also owe my author friend, Bernardine Kennedy, and her daughter Kate, a doggy cake for letting me put their adorable Pug, Betty, in this book.
Finally, I send a huge hug and much love to Rowena Kincaid of the BBC TV documentary series Before I Kick the Bucket for reminding me through her courage and humour to get on with loving, living and doing what makes us happy – including writing Summer at the Cornish Cafe.
Demi’s Recipe Notebook
I thought it would be fun to include some of the recipes which Demi, Sheila, Cal and even Polly might serve up at Kilhallon Farm and Demelza’s. They’re simple recipes that I hope you can try at home, and on a budget (just like Demi). One or two are from our own family recipes and some come from the fantastic Cornish food blogger Budget Food Mummy.
Cheese and Bacon ‘Cornish’ Pasty
(Recipe and introduction reproduced by kind permission of the Budget Food Mummy blog https://budgetfoodmummy.wordpress.com)
OK, so it’s not officially a Cornish pasty because it doesn’t have beef in it but it’s a pasty made in Cornwall by a Cornish person, so that will do! Pasties were a staple diet for tin miners. Eating pasties is as normal to me as eating a sandwich so I eat a lot of them. However, I don’t eat beef so this recipe is a great alternative. I don’t actually make them that often but since I live in the town which was once famous for tin mining, I thought I should include the recipe. No pressure.
Makes 6 medium pasties.
For the pastry:
450g strong white flour (large pinch of salt optional)
100g butter
100g lard
175ml water
1. Put the flour and salt (if used) into a bowl. Cut off a quarter of the lard and rub into the flour. Grate or slice the rest of the lard and butter into the mixture and stir with a knife. Pour all the water in and stir until absorbed. Knead a little and leave for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before using.
2. Flour your work surface. Split the pastry dough into six equal balls. Gently roll them out into a circle about the size of a side plate/small plate.
For the filling:
200g cheddar cheese, grated
4 medium potatoes, cut into small cubes
1 small turnip, cut into small cubes
1
onion, finely sliced
10 rashers of bacon, cut into squares
salt and pepper
1. Place a mix of potato and turnip in a line on the centre of the pastry. Place the bacon, onion, cheese and salt and pepper on top. Be careful not to over fill the pasty or else it will all come out.
2. Fold the pastry over, making a semi-circle. Pinch the end and roll and pinch all the way round the edge until you get to the other end. If you can’t get the hang of crimping (it takes practice) you can always use a fork to press the edges together.
3. With a fork, poke some holes in the top to let air escape. Brush the top with either milk, egg or even water. Cook at 200C for 30–35 minutes.
4. Recipe for a veggie alternative filling can be found on the Budget Food Mummy blog.
Fish and Cornish Seaweed Pie
(Recipe and introduction reproduced by kind permission of the Budget Food Mummy blog https://budgetfoodmummy.wordpress.com)
Sea salad seaweed is very nutritious and it’s optional to use the seaweed but I do recommend it!
Ingredients:
350g mixed fish (I used smoked haddock, cod and salmon)
2 leeks, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
zest of half a lemon
2 large potatoes, cubed
25g unsalted butter
25g plain flour
600ml milk
1 tbsp tarragon
1 tbsp sea salad seaweed
1. Preheat oven to 200C. Cook the potatoes in a pan of water until soft. Drain and return to pan. Add the seaweed and thoroughly mash together. Set to one side.
2. For the sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes. Take off the heat, gradually whisk in the milk and add the tarragon. Return back to the heat and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally.
3. Place the fish, leek, carrot and zest in an ovenproof dish. Pour over the sauce and top with the mashed potato. Cook in a preheated oven for 30–35 minutes.
Summer at the Cornish Cafe Page 29
