Summer at Conwenna Cove

by Darcie Boleyn

  ‘Ah, hello, Nate. I’m very well, thank you. How are you?’

  The man smiled and nodded. ‘I’m good too, thank you. Busy preparing for the buzz in two weeks’ time, but it’s good for business, so can’t complain.’

  ‘This is my niece, Eve.’

  Nate held out a hand and shook Eve’s firmly. ‘Pleasure to meet you, and welcome to Conwenna Cafe! Not the most original name for a cafe in Conwenna Cove, but hey, it fits, right? Between you and me, it’s my aunt and uncle’s fault.’ He grinned, and Eve smiled back; his enthusiasm was infectious, and she couldn’t help noticing that he had the most piercing blue eyes.

  ‘It’s lovely in here and I love the name,’ she replied. ‘I also really like that painting you have … of the greyhound.’ She gestured at the far wall.

  ‘Ah, yes! From our local talent.’

  ‘Local?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, of course! Mary’s tenant is quite the artist!’ Nate twirled his pen around above the notepad as if imitating painting. ‘You can purchase his works at the local gallery, or even commission one if you’re feeling that way inclined.’

  Eve swallowed hard. So Jack painted more than just the scenes she’d seen in the shed, and he was modest about it too. Yet what she’d seen there had made her heart ache and she wanted to speak to him about it and soon. Of course, he might not open up to her, he might just tell her to get stuffed, but she had to at least try.

  ‘Anyway, lovely ladies, what can I get you?’ Nate waved his hand at the chiller cabinet in front of the counter. ‘We have a delicious lemon tart on special today, made with the finest local ingredients, or some good old-fashioned scones that I can serve with blackcurrant jam and clotted cream.’

  Eve knew she wouldn’t be able to resist the scones.

  ‘Eve? Tea and scones?’ Mary asked as if reading her mind.

  ‘Please. Earl Grey tea if you have it.’

  ‘Of course! For both of you?’

  ‘Yes please.’ Mary nodded.

  Nate disappeared to sort their order and Mary settled back in her seat.

  ‘He seems nice,’ Eve said.

  ‘Quite a dish, too!’ Mary winked. ‘He’s about your age and, I think, quite single.’

  ‘Aunt Mary!’ Eve shot her aunt a warning glance.

  Mary held up her hands in a show of surrender. ‘What? Just letting you know what talent we have around here.’ But her mischievous grin said otherwise. ‘No, on a more serious note, Nate is a lovely young man. He’s very friendly and kind. He’s been in Conwenna for about five years and he helps his aunt and uncle out with the cafe. You remember Kevin and June Bryson?’

  ‘The names do sound familiar.’

  ‘Well they’ve been here for donkey’s years but bought Conwenna Cafe about ten years ago. June worked locally as a secretary and Kevin used to commute for work, something to do with insurance, but they gave up their jobs when they bought the cafe and I don’t think they’ve ever looked back.’

  Eve nodded to show she was listening, but she was starting to notice a familiar theme here: that of leaving a city job to live and work in Conwenna Cove. She had to admit that it was tempting.

  ‘What about Nate? Why did he come here?’

  ‘To be with his family. His father passed away tragically young, and Nate packed in his job, sold his flat and came to Conwenna. Plus, of course, he’s a surfer.’

  ‘So he makes the most of living in Cornwall?’

  ‘Indeed he does. Anyway, how are you feeling now, Eve?’

  ‘Relaxed.’

  ‘Your face looks better but … I don’t know … you’re still worrying about things, aren’t you?’

  Eve sighed. ‘I can’t help it. I have so much responsibility back in Bristol. I can’t just switch off, even though I’m trying. I know I should be there, doing, rather than here … not doing.’

  ‘All in good time.’ Aunt Mary’s voice was firm. ‘If you go back too soon, you’ll do more damage than good. Listen to your aunt!’

  Eve smiled. ‘Thank you.’ It was soothing to have someone tell her what to do instead of her having to make all the big decisions herself. When she was around Mary, she didn’t exactly feel like a child, but she did feel supported, as though the older woman had her back. It was a good feeling. She spent so much time trying to be strong that it was a relief to let go for a change.

  ‘Here you are!’ Nate said as he placed two teapots and cups on saucers in front of them. The cups were white with tiny blue sailing boats painted around the rim. ‘I’ll be back with the scones. They’re fresh out of the oven.’

  Eve poured milk into the cups then picked up each teapot and gently swirled it to give the tea bags a chance to steep. She lifted the lid of one to check the colour, then poured tea into each cup. She raised hers and stared down into the steaming liquid before taking a tentative sip.

  ‘It’s good to have you here, Eve. I’ve missed you a lot.’

  ‘I’ve missed you too. And I’m …’ She swallowed hard. ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t come earlier.’

  ‘I didn’t expect you to. You had your own busy life, and as long as you were happy, then I could sleep at night. When I realized things were going wrong for you, then I worried.’

  ‘Oh Aunt Mary.’ Eve reached over the table with her free hand and took her aunt’s hand. ‘I’ve been a bad niece and I don’t deserve you.’

  ‘Nonsense!’ Mary shook her head. ‘I should have come to you when things were rough. After you lost … suffered the …’ Her eyes glistened and she waved a hand in front of her face. ‘I just didn’t know if you’d want me there. It had been so long since I’d seen you.’

  ‘My graduation.’ Eve pressed her lips together. ‘Did I make you feel unwelcome?’

  Mary lifted her bag and pulled out a tissue, then wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

  ‘Aunt Mary? Please be honest.’

  The older woman fixed her eyes on her. ‘It wasn’t that you made me feel unwelcome, dear. Just more that … I didn’t think I’d fit in with your city lifestyle. I didn’t know if you’d want me there or if you’d be a bit … well, you know, embarrassed by me. A short old woman from Cornwall. There you were, all beautiful, polished and successful, and here I am … an ageing stereotype.’ She gave a small laugh, then blew her nose again and tucked the tissue into her sleeve.

  ‘I can’t believe you thought that.’ Eve’s heart was beating so hard she felt sure Mary could see it under her T-shirt. ‘You’re not a stereotype. When did I make you think that? I must have done something …’ She thought back to her graduation and before. Had she hurt her aunt at some point then?

  ‘It doesn’t matter, Eve. It’s all water under the bridge, dear. You’re here now.’

  ‘No, it does matter!’ Eve’s clipped tone caught Nate’s attention as he placed two plates on the table. Each held an enormous golden scone, a small pot of dark purple jam and one of thick yellow cream. The freshly baked aroma teased Eve’s nose and she realized that in spite of the tension, she was hungry. Really hungry.

  ‘Anything else?’ Nate asked, concern crossing his handsome features as he gazed at Mary. Eve felt like shrinking down in her chair. He must be thinking she’d upset her aunt and wondering if he should say something.

  ‘No, that’s wonderful, thanks,’ Mary replied. When he was out of earshot, she gestured at the scones. ‘Eat up! They’re still warm.’

  ‘Not until you tell me what I did. I can’t bear the thought that I hurt you.’

  ‘Oh Eve. All right, I’ll tell you, but you need to know that it no longer bothers me. I love you and have always been so proud of you.’

  Eve waited, her mouth dry and her palms clammy.

  ‘Okay … at your graduation, of course I was sad that you didn’t have your parents there like most of the others, but I was grateful that I got to see you receive your teaching certificate.’

  ‘I was glad to have you there.’

  ‘Yes, but …’

  ‘But
what?’

  ‘After the ceremony, I went to the ladies’, and when I emerged, I saw you with a group of friends. I came over but you didn’t see me approaching. I … uh … heard one of them asking what your plans were.’

  Eve’s cheeks filled with heat as the memory of the conversation returned. She was catapulted back to that August day in Bristol when the heat had been so intense and she’d been sweaty and uncomfortable in her cap and gown. When an acquaintance had asked if she’d go and live in Cornwall with Mary, her only local relative, she’d been keen to dismiss the idea. And that was what she’d done.

  ‘You said that you had plans, you had ambitions and that you wouldn’t become—’

  ‘A stuffy old woman who lived with her dogs and parrot and didn’t have any direction.’ Eve finished Mary’s sentence. ‘Oh my goodness, Aunt Mary, I am so sorry! That was so wrong of me. I was hot and tired and it had been a stressful year. What I said was unforgivable. I was a total idiot.’ She rubbed her eyes, furious with her former self for being so callous.

  Mary squeezed her hand. ‘I forgave you long ago. You were right really. I was lacking in drive and ambition. All I wanted was a quiet life.’

  Eve nodded. ‘Still, it was an awful thing to say. I was twenty-two and so young. But that doesn’t excuse it. I just thought I knew what I wanted and how I’d get it.’ Shame burned in her belly as she thought about how Aunt Mary must have felt hearing that after making the effort to travel to Bristol for her graduation. The poor woman. ‘And you never let on.’

  ‘You were young, Eve. And it’s in the past. But I didn’t ever want to be an embarrassment to you. I am who I am and I’m happy with that.’

  Eve chewed her lip. Mary did know who she was and what she wanted. But since her panic attack – no, since she’d lost the babies – Eve had begun to wonder if she herself knew who she was. Or what she wanted any more. Her life had once seemed so vibrant and fulfilled. But had it been fulfilment or had she just filled the hours to escape the reality that the career she’d sacrificed so much for was no longer what it had been? Without a family, without love, the shine had faded and now here she was in her early thirties, questioning everything.

  Perhaps this was her time to re-evaluate, to change direction. She was still young and she still had options.

  ‘Again, I am deeply sorry. It was a stupid, thoughtless comment and if I could go back in time, I would punch myself in the mouth for saying it. I have never been embarrassed by you, Aunt Mary. Never. You’re all I have!’ As the words tripped off her tongue, Eve was struck by their truth. The one person she had always been able to rely on had been wounded by her arrogant comment and she’d been unaware of it all these years because she’d failed to come back to Conwenna to visit.

  ‘Now, Eve, let’s put it behind us. You’ve enough to worry about and life goes on. Tuck in! You’ll soon feel better after one of Nate’s cream teas. Although I suspect that Kevin actually made the scones; he’s a dab hand with a bag of flour.’

  They ate in silence, slathering the fat fluffy scones with jam and cream and watching the world go by through the cafe window. The sun shone on their table and Eve was lulled by the tinkling of cutlery and the comfort of good food. She couldn’t quite push away the thought of how she’d hurt Mary, but she was glad that she knew the truth. At least now she could try to make up for the past. And that was what she intended to do.

  * * *

  Eve finished her cup of tea then dabbed at her lips with a napkin. ‘That was delicious.’

  Mary smiled. ‘It’s one of the reasons why I can’t lose weight. The food in here’s just too tempting.’

  ‘You’re gorgeous the way you are. And hopefully it will help me to gain a few pounds. I know I’m a bit scraggy at the moment.’

  ‘I’ll do my best to feed you up before you return to Bristol.’

  Eve reached into her bag for her purse, took out a note and placed it on the table.

  ‘I’ll get this, Eve.’

  ‘No, no!’ She raised a hand. ‘I won’t hear of it. You’ve been feeding me all week so it’s the least I can do.’

  ‘It’s a pleasure to have you home again.’

  Home? If only …

  Eve’s bag started vibrating. She rummaged inside it and found her mobile, then pulled it out and stared at the screen. ‘It’s Amanda, my deputy. I’d better take this.’

  Mary nodded, so Eve swiped the screen to answer the call. ‘Hello?’ She gestured at the window then pushed her chair back and went outside. The breeze caressed her warm cheeks as she moved away so that she wouldn’t be standing right in front of anyone as they ate their food.

  ‘Eve, sorry to bother you. Uh, did this morning go okay at the daycare centre?’ Amanda’s tone was cautious, as if she didn’t want to be disturbing Eve at all.

  ‘Yes, thank you. It was lovely. I was there for story time. A little girl took a shine to me and the staff were very welcoming. It was a bit strange being there when I should be in work, but you made me feel better when we spoke. Thank you for that.’

  ‘No problem at all, sweetheart. And how are you feeling now?’

  ‘I’m okay. Getting there!’ Eve bit her lip. Just having contact from her life in Bristol made her heart pound, even though it was her closest friend.

  ‘Good. Good.’ Amanda sounded distant, as if she was multitasking. ‘Look, I know you need a total break, but I was wondering … Well, actually that’s a lie. It’s not me, it’s the damned governors. They want to know when you might be back.’

  ‘Oh.’ Eve began to pace back and forth. ‘I’ve tried to make a decision about that, and although I’m feeling a bit better, I still don’t think I’m ready. I’ve had two more … for want of a better word … funny turns since I arrived and I want to be strong enough to cope with it all again.’

  ‘Of course you do, Eve. I feel like such a shit for ringing you. If it was up to me I’d tell you to take a year on full pay, but unfortunately it’s not my decision. If you’re going to be away long-term, then we need to put something in place, you know, have a bit of a reshuffle, and although I said they should give you a few weeks, they’re conscious of having to answer to parents and the community and so on.’

  ‘I know that, Amanda, and I also know that they’re quite within their rights to want to know how the land lies. Look, I’m going to ring the doctor on Monday, then I can let you know more. Does that sound okay?’

  ‘I guess I can fob them off until then. But it sounds like you’re thinking you won’t be back next week?’

  Eve took a deep, shaky breath and peered through the window into the cafe. Aunt Mary was tidying their plates and wiping the table with a napkin. Typical: she couldn’t even leave the cleaning alone when she was eating out. It was so good to be with her again and Eve realized that she wanted to spend more time with her. Apart from the fact that she knew, especially after speaking to Amanda, that she wasn’t quite ready to go back to Bristol yet, she had to make things up to Mary. She wanted to. Mary was an important person to her, someone she loved, and Eve regretted hurting her all those years ago. If she left now, she knew she’d regret it.

  ‘No. I’m thinking it could be another two weeks at least. Probably after half-term if I’m honest.’ Her voice sounded stronger than she felt.

  ‘That’s absolutely fine, Eve. You take the time and get yourself back to one hundred per cent. The governors can like it or lump it. Besides, they’ve got me and Donovan to hold the fort.’ She snorted.

  ‘And how is Donovan?’ Eve’s stomach churned at the thought of the beady-eyed assistant head teacher with his hyena-like grin, lurking like a bad smell ready to tear the meat from her bones if he got the chance.

  ‘Oh, you know … being an arse-wipe as usual!’

  ‘Oh dear.’

  ‘You know how he is, Eve. He sticks his head so far up the butt of anyone with an iota of power that he can see through their eyes. Thankfully Sandra seems to have no time for him. Whether it’s her pregna
ncy or what, I’m not sure, but she sees him for what he is. It’s not that he’s a total waste of space; just that he can’t seem to accept that he can climb the ladder gradually and based on his own merit rather than jumping up a few rungs by being a complete sycophant.’

  ‘I know what you mean. He’s reasonably bright and capable but it’s hard to see that when he’s being so darned annoying.’

  ‘Anyway, forget him. I’ll whip him into shape if necessary. How is Conwenna Cove?’

  ‘In all honesty, it’s delightful. The weather has been beautiful and I’m just enjoying the pace of life here. It’s so different to what I’m used to, but that’s a good thing. I needed to slow down. The problem is that I have more thinking time, which is tough, but I suppose I buried everything for too long and then look at what happened.’

  ‘Exactly! You need to go through it all and process it. I’ve been worried about you for months and had a bad feeling that something like this might happen. Well you take care, and once you’ve spoken to your GP, text me. I don’t expect to hear from you apart from that, unless it’s to tell me that there are lots of really hot fishermen asking for your hand in marriage.’

  Eve giggled. ‘Not likely. The most dashing one I’ve seen is past sixty and has eyes only for my aunt.’

  ‘Oh never mind! I’m sure you might come across a surfer or two.’

  ‘Actually I’ve just been served by one in the local cafe.’

  ‘You are living it up. Well get his number and take a selfie with him, then send it to me.’

  ‘I’m not doing that!’ Eve chuckled.

  ‘Spoilsport! But I bet there are loads of gorgeous Cornish men just clamouring for your attention.’

  ‘Not what I need right now, Amanda.’ Eve’s thoughts drifted to Jack’s gentle brown eyes and soft pink lips. Lips made for kissing. Then she shivered as she remembered him pushing her away. There’d be no more of that. Besides, he’d been furious with her the last time she’d seen him, so she needed to try to find a way to apologize to him for prying. She just hoped he’d let her.