Confetti at the Cornish Café

by Phillipa Ashley

  ‘Wow, you’ve done well. Dad said you’d done two tours of Afghanistan over the past few years. That must have been tough.’

  ‘It wasn’t a walk in the park but my mates helped me through.’

  I know he’s downplaying how horrible it must have been … and dangerous. I suppress a shudder. ‘I wish I’d known exactly where you were. I’d have called you and written to you.’

  ‘No, you don’t. Dad worried about me enough, I didn’t need you fretting about me day and night. It’s history now and I’m going into a training role soon so I’ll at least be in the same country for the foreseeable future.’ He pauses. ‘I’m sorry I pissed off to the army and abandoned you and Dad. It was a cowardly thing to do but I couldn’t handle Mum going and I definitely couldn’t handle the way Dad reacted. I know you were cut up by it and you needed me, but I left you. I’m sorry.’

  ‘It’s water under the bridge now. We all did what we had to to survive.’

  He smiles at me. ‘Mum used to say that.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Water under the bridge. You said it the exact same way.’

  ‘I didn’t realise.’

  ‘Shh. Don’t go slushy on me. You’ve been busy too. Look at this place. It’s pretty cool. Rachel said you built and got it off the ground yourself.’

  I laugh. ‘Not with my bare hands. Cal put up the money but he let me have free rein with designing and running it.’

  ‘It’s great. Don’t you think this …’ he says, taking in the room with a glance ‘… is weird? The Joneses coming together as a family again after everything that happened to us?’

  ‘It’s very weird.’

  He puts his arm around me and gives me a brief hug, then he’s back in Kyle mode. ‘Right, I’m starving. D’you think anyone will mind if I have another beer and second helpings of the food? They don’t feed me properly in the army.’

  ‘That’s not true. I heard you get fed all day long. But yes, help yourself.’

  I take a deep breath, happy to have cleared the air a little with Kyle. Cal opens a beer for him and they start talking. Auntie Serena is saying goodbye to my dad at the door after showing her face, so we can all relax now. I sip my wine, and the tension slowly ebbs from my body. I got through today and there’s hope ahead. Clouds are clearing over the sea and spring is definitely on its way.

  ‘The view from here’s amazing. I’ve a better chance to appreciate it today. My mind was on other things when we were here for Christmas dinner.’ Rachel smiles.

  ‘It was cosy in here at Christmas but I think Demelza’s is at its best on a bright day like this,’ I say, moving over to the window with her. A few friends and family are enjoying the view too and some have ventured outside though they’re wrapped up well against the wind. The swell is up and the Atlantic topped with white caps but the sun is out and the promise of spring is in the air. ‘The location is our biggest selling point, even if we’re a little out of the way, people will make the effort to come here for the view. The customers love it, even in a storm. Especially in a storm.’ I wince. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean that storms are a selling point.’

  She laughs. ‘We both know they’re a hazard of living down here. You know that we moved into Porthleven temporarily after we left Kilhallon? Some days the waves were as high as the clock tower. The locals had to time getting in and out of the inn at the edge of the harbour in between the massive breakers. It’s a wonder some didn’t get swept away and most of them were drenched anyway.’

  I shiver. ‘How’s the work going on your place?’

  ‘Coming on thanks to Gary’s mates and help from Cal. We can’t decorate properly downstairs until the plaster’s dried out a bit more, but upstairs is fine and we’re mostly living up there. It’s our own home again and that’s what matters. Not that I wasn’t grateful to come here and for my cousin’s flat, but you know what it’s like … nowhere’s as good as your own place. I wouldn’t like to be homeless for long.’ She giggles and slaps her forehead with her palm. ‘Now I’ve put my foot in it.’

  It’s almost funny, the way we’re dancing round each other, trying not to say the wrong thing. Now that I’ve got to know Rachel better, seeing her with Dad is becoming more normal and easier to handle. Looking back to when she first came on the scene in Dad’s life, she was never particularly horrible to me, but we both used to rub each other up the wrong way. It can’t have been easy for her to have a teenager in the house who hated her guts and thought she’d tried to take her mum’s place.

  ‘It’s way better for us all that I have my own home now.’ Heat rises up my neck at the memory of things I said about Rachel to my dad. ‘And I love working here and having my own business. I’ve earned a small sum from the publishers for my cookbook and I’m investing that in the cafe.’

  ‘Your dad told me about your book. That’s a great achievement.’

  ‘I haven’t finished writing it yet. Although I come up with a lot of the recipes, Eva Spero and her team develop them further and refine them. I don’t have time to write every word. The publisher is going to arrange the photography.’

  ‘You should still be proud of what you’ve done, as your dad says. To be honest, I’ll have to go back to work sooner or later. We need the money, especially now we have Freya and the insurance didn’t cover all the damage. There have been other costs that we’ve just had to cover, but I’m not complaining.’

  ‘Will you go back to your old job at Trevarrian Estate?’

  Rachel pulls a face. ‘I don’t think so. I enjoyed working there but I’ve discussed things with your dad and decided that having Freya could be a new start for us all. I don’t mind working hard but I’d like more flexibility so that Gary and I can share the childcare, with my parents’ help. Besides, I already felt I was ready to do more than work in the admin office. I’d been doing it a long time.’

  I have to admit, the idea of my dad sharing the childcare for a newborn is more than I can process.

  ‘What will you do?’

  She looks slightly embarrassed. ‘I was thinking of offering my services as a virtual PA to companies. Lots of small businesses can’t afford to hire a full-time staff and I have so much experience running the office at the estate. Trevarrian may look like a grand stately home and the owners are charming but they’re also totally scatty and eccentric. I ended up doing everything from making sure the roof didn’t fall down to organising clay-pigeon shooting and corporate dinners.’

  ‘Sounds like you were very busy.’

  ‘I worked very long hours and the pay wasn’t great, though Lord Trevarrian was fun to work for. With a few decent clients, I think I can earn almost as much and spend more time with Freya.’ She holds up crossed fingers. ‘Trevarrian might let me do some freelance work too but I need other customers. Who knows, it might be a disaster but after seeing how you and Cal have turned Kilhallon around, I feel inspired.’

  ‘Me? An inspiration?’

  ‘Yeah. You made me think I should go for what I want.’

  Rachel hugs me briefly but warmly and my throat goes scratchy.

  There’s a wail from Freya’s Moses basket. Freya is very red in the face and clenching her fists. She’s also doing what Nana Demelza would have called ‘chuntering’. Her face has gone very red and I think she’s about to wake up – and make a lot of noise.

  Rachel winces. ‘Oh dear. I think she’s filling her nappy.’

  I glance down at my savoury scone topped with local ham and piccalilli and find my appetite has gone.

  ‘I’ll have to change her. Can I use your customer loo?’

  ‘Course you can. In fact, I’ll help you.’

  Rachel wrinkles her nose. ‘Are you sure you want to do that? Freya’s dirty nappy in a confined space isn’t the most pleasant prospect.’

  ‘I’ll put a peg on my nose and, after all, she is my sister so I’d better get used to helping out when I can.’

  ‘On your head be it,’ Rachel replies with a lau
gh. ‘Although I hope it won’t come to that.’

  ‘It’s fine,’ I say, already closing my nostrils. With an idea forming in my mind, I follow Rachel into the toilets, carrying Freya’s changing bag.

  While I help Rachel, I chat a bit more about the idea for her business.

  ‘Did you say you were in charge of the events at Trevarrian?’

  ‘A few, yes. Lots of corporate shindigs with clay-pigeon shooting, four-wheel-drive “safaris” round the estates, plus a lot of company dinners and the odd charity ball.’

  ‘Um … have you ever organised a wedding?’

  Rachel hands me a scented nappy sack. ‘Not officially.’ She smiles. ‘Trevarrian had only just got into the wedding industry when I left but I liaised with the professional wedding planner a couple of times. Why?’

  I drop the nappy into our bin.

  ‘I was just wondering if they were difficult to arrange, that’s all.’

  ‘Like I say, I’ve never been solely responsible but from what I could tell from working with the planner and my contact with the brides and their mothers, they can be very scary. Just as scary, if not more so, than a corporate or business event because you’re dealing with non-professional people and there is so much emotion involved. The wedding planner told me that you’re responsible for delivering someone’s dreams or what they think is their dream. It’s bloody hard work but can be very rewarding. If you get it right. Woe betide you if you don’t but you have to make sure you do get it right and be prepared for anything.’

  ‘Um. You think a lot can go wrong?’

  Rachel cuddles Freya who gnaws at her tiny fist.

  ‘If you ask me, a wedding works on sod’s law. Whatever can go wrong will.’

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  So. Everyone’s gone – almost. My family, Freya, friends and all the christening guests, even Polly’s gone up to one of the cottages to sort out a heating problem for one of the guests.

  Cal clears away the rubbish while Robyn and I clingfilm any spare food for later and empty the dishwasher.

  ‘That went well,’ Robyn says with a grin. ‘I mean, it really went well.’

  ‘Way better than I’d expected. I was so worried about it and I don’t know why really. Thanks for helping today,’ I say.

  ‘It’s fine. I enjoyed it, though that crow-like woman kept giving me funny looks. I can’t think why.’

  ‘Nor me,’ I say, smiling at Robyn’s Goth clothes, purple hair and studded nose and imagining Serena’s horror.

  ‘Imagine what she’d do if she knew I lived with a girl.’

  ‘Probably have a heart attack. Maybe you should have told her.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Robyn leans against the worktop, toeing the floor with her boot. ‘She’d definitely pass out if she knew my latest news.

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Andi and I have got engaged. We’re getting married.’

  ‘Wow? Really? That’s amazing. Congratulations … can I tell Cal?’

  ‘Of course. I didn’t mention it earlier because I didn’t want to steal your thunder, or Freya’s, and also it’s a secret.’

  ‘You mean Mawgan doesn’t know?’

  Cal joins us. ‘Mawgan doesn’t know what?’

  ‘Andi and Robyn are getting married.’

  Cal grins. ‘Wow. Big step. When?’

  ‘I don’t know. Early next year maybe when we’ve finished our uni courses. We’ve no money and we live in one of Mawgan’s houses though we do pay some rent. But we thought: why wait? We love each other.’

  ‘Does your dad know yet?’ Cal asks. ‘Are you worried about what he’ll say? I’m sure he’ll be pleased for you.’

  ‘It’s not my dad’s reaction that worries me, it’s Mawgan’s, and Andi’s father. They barely tolerate us living together.’

  Cal hugs her. ‘I’m sorry they still feel like that. Did your visit to your mum change anything?’

  ‘We haven’t really had a proper talk about it. I feel sorry for Mawgan in one way. She’s never had a relationship that’s lasted more than a couple of months. Mrs Cade’s happy with her partner in Australia now and although Mawgan was on best behaviour over Christmas, I could tell she didn’t like seeing them together. She just can’t seem to stand seeing anyone happy. Andi worries about Mawgan, even though she also hates her sometimes. Mawgan secretly loves her mother but she was so upset and angry when Mrs Cade went to live in Oz. I was amazed when she decided to fly out with us.’

  ‘We wondered how you all got on together. There wasn’t a fight, then?’

  ‘No. Mawgan booked into a posh hotel nearby while we stayed with Mrs Cade and her partner. Mawgan travelled business class, of course, so we didn’t have to put up with her en route.’

  I roll my eyes and Andi blows out a breath. ‘Phew, imagine being stuck with her for twenty-six hours? Anyway, it was OK and Mrs Cade was thrilled to have us there, after all this time. But Andi says Mawgan’s been acting strangely since we all got back to Cornwall. Even her dad has started seeing a new woman, who’s far too nice for him, and seems to be making him slightly more human too. It looks serious to me and I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr Cade’s girlfriend moves in at some point, so Mawgan won’t be First Lady in the house any more. Basically, she’s on her own and everyone around her is being happy.’

  ‘She’s only herself to blame.’ Cal says the thing I’m thinking.

  Robyn shrugs. ‘Yeah, I know, but I think if we announce our engagement now, Mawgan might flip.’

  ‘You can’t hide your happiness away for the sake of someone else,’ I say.

  ‘True, but we need time to enjoy it first and make some plans, then we’ll sound out Andi’s dad and tell my mum and, maybe, my dad. Why does it have to be so difficult? We’re not hurting anyone else; we only want to be happy.’

  ‘I don’t know. Life and love’s complicated …’ I slide a glance at Cal. ‘What else can I say?’

  ‘Nothing. It’s been great to share the news with someone. I knew I could trust you both to keep the secret. Thanks.’ Robyn grins. ‘It’s getting late. I ought to get Ruby from your stable, Cal. I don’t ride her enough these days so today was the ideal opportunity. I should get home because Andi’s coming to Dad’s to pick me up and take me back to the flat.’

  ‘Shall I ride back to your dad’s with you? It’s getting dark and Dexter needs some exercise too. I can’t persuade Demi to learn to ride him, no matter how hard I try.’

  I put out my tongue and they both laugh. They know I don’t like horses and I’m still scared of Dexter, no matter how much Cal insists his horse is ‘quiet as a mouse’. I’d rather ride a mouse, that’s for sure.

  With final hugs and thanks to Robyn for her help, I lock up the cafe while they ride off together. In our darkest days and when I was new to Kilhallon, Robyn was always kind and friendly to me, and Cal loves her dearly. Mawgan has already tried to stop her sister being happy once and I’m glad I played a small part in getting her to at least tolerate her sister’s relationship with a Penwith. I can’t believe Mawgan would make real trouble now. Then again, who knows? If she’s bitter and twisted – and also lonely and hurt by everyone around her being happy – she could do anything. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

  CHAPTER NINE

  It’s Monday, the afternoon after the christening, and I’m sitting in the tiny kitchen of my dad and Rachel’s cottage, cuddling Freya. A bottle steriliser and baby paraphernalia take up most of the space on the work surfaces but the newly fitted kitchen units, tiles and cooker gleam. Only the bare plaster walls would tell you that the whole ground floor of the cottage has had to be completely refurbished. Through the kitchen window, the waves lap gently against the slipway opposite. It’s almost impossible to believe that the water came so far over the harbour and into the house itself.

  Rachel places a cold glass of juice and a plate of biscuits within my reach. ‘There you go. Sorry, they’re not homemade, like yours.’

  I laugh. ‘They look delicious,
anyway. I’ll have one when I’ve finished holding Freya. The cottage is looking good. I love the new units.’

  Rachel sips her juice and looks around with pride. ‘Yes, it’s such a relief to be back to some kind of normal.’

  Freya gurgles and I laugh. ‘Thanks for finding time to see me today.’

  ‘No problem and it’s lovely to see you again so soon, though I’m gagging to know what this “mystery proposition” is. Ever since you texted me this morning, I’ve thought about nothing else. I hope things are OK?’

  ‘They’re fine. I just wanted to see you in person. Yesterday when you told me you wanted to start your own business, I had an idea and I wasn’t sure whether to mention it. Not because I don’t think you can do it, but because I don’t want you to feel under pressure.’

  She puts down her mug and frowns. ‘Under pressure about what?’

  ‘About what I’m going to say, because I know you have so much on your plate and it may be too soon or you might feel obliged and I’m babbling on, aren’t I?’

  Rachel groans. ‘Demi, please, just come out with it before I explode with tension.’

  ‘OK. I just wondered if you, er, would like to organise Lily Craig and Ben Trevone’s wedding. They’re holding it at Kilhallon, although that’s top secret for now.’

  Slowly, Rachel lowers her glass. Her eyes widen. ‘You’re having Lily Craig and Ben Trevone at Kilhallon? Oh my God.’

  ‘Yes. I’m finding it hard to believe, myself. Cal’s producer friend, Isla, set it up.’

  ‘Wow, that’s fantastic but me? Organise a wedding for two film stars?’

  ‘Well, I could ask Freya instead if you like.’ On cue, Freya snuffles and lets out a tiny cry. ‘I think she’d do it, wouldn’t you?’

  Freya sighs happily but Rachel is still gobsmacked. Eventually she manages to reply to me. ‘Does Cal know you’ve asked me to do it?’

  ‘Um. Not yet, but I know he’ll be over the moon to have some professional help.’