Falling for Polkerran Point (The Little Cornish Cove #5)

Prologue

“Once Upon a Time in the West”

The little convoy of cars descended a steep, winding hill, lower and lower until glimpses of sparkling blue could be seen between the tall trees clinging to the steep cliffs, and then…

‘Ohhh,’ Elinor Arbon gasped, desperately trying to take in the stunning view of a quaint harbour filled with fishing boats and pleasure craft – the sun glistening on tall masts – and backed by pastel-coloured cottages jostling for space at the bottom of the hillside.

Once parked up, the group of friends spread out on a quest to find groceries, but Ellie – having never been to Cornwall before – lingered, instantly enchanted by the charm of Polkerran Point.

She leant against the harbour wall, warmth encasing her bare arms, enjoying the vibe as a busker played a medley of old, familiar songs to a small but enthusiastic audience.

Conscious of the heat burning through her top, Ellie dropped a pound coin into the young man’s cap and headed back along the cobbled street, keen to find the others, but suddenly she came face to face with a giant shellfish.

‘Greetings!’ the creature said, jovially. ‘Can I tempt you?’

Ellie blinked, amusement vying with a hint of trepidation.

To what, for heaven’s sake? You’re a giant prawn… or something!

The vision in fleshy pink stopped waving its tentacles. ‘God, I’m sorry!’ The voice was surprisingly attractive… for a crustacean. ‘I meant into there.’

A rubbery appendage indicated a sign: Polkerran Point Aquarium .

Suppressing the urge to giggle, Ellie eyed the bobbing antennae.

‘Not today, thanks. It’s too nice to be inside.’ Then she frowned. ‘Aren’t you boiling in there?’

‘You really don’t want to know.’

This time, Ellie did laugh at the resignation in the deep voice, totally at odds with the comical costume.

‘Well, I’ll let you get on. Bye.’

‘Oh. Okay. Bye.’

Ellie set off, unable to resist glancing back as the sea creature accosted a young family trying to edge by.

‘Greetings!’ it began again in the booming voice.

Then, suddenly a bike shot past and swerved onto the harbourfront, the rider scooping up the busker’s cap and pedalling wildly in his attempt to escape.

Until, that is, he was floored by something large and flesh-coloured.

‘Oh no!’ Ellie raced across the cobbles, just as the dazed youth tried to wriggle free of the bike, but then—

‘Aaaargh! Get away from me!’ Eyes wide, a look of horror on his face, the thief tried to shrink into the ground beneath him.

‘Oh for God’s sake.’ Releasing a tentacle from the boy’s arm, the man in the rubber suit flipped back the head of the costume. ‘Stop overreacting and give that back!’

Ellie retrieved the cap and scattered money, meeting the gaze of the crustacean – or rather, the extremely good-looking young man in the suit, despite his dark hair being plastered to his head and beads of sweat on his forehead.

‘Hey,’ he said, beaming. ‘It’s you.’

The distraction didn’t serve him well, however, as the would-be thief twisted free and snatched up his bike – which resulted in shellfish-man being knocked onto his back – and fled.

The busker joined them, profusely grateful as Ellie handed over the cap and its contents.

‘Cheers!’ he said with a toothy grin, before heading back to his guitar.

‘Help?’ called the man-come-creature. ‘Can you get me up? I can’t bend in this.’ He remained on his back, the bulbous costume hindering his ability to do anything but flail around with his tentacles.

‘Oh! Sorry!’ Giggling, Ellie bent down and, using all her strength, rolled him over towards the kerb.

‘Now stay still,’ she cautioned, ignoring the spluttering from the head of the costume as she tugged at the wide zipper on the back.

Lordy, I hope he’s got something on…

Once free, the young man huffed out a breath, then started to laugh.

‘Well, that definitely counts as the weirdest day yet in my new role.’

Gosh, he was attractive. His thick wavy hair was a rich, dark brown, as were his eyes, and his damp clothes clung to a toned body, already tanned a gorgeous golden colour.

‘I’m Will, by the way. And thank you.’

‘Ellie.’

‘I’d best get this back.’ He scooped up the suit. ‘Oh, hold on. Here. Look after Stewie for a minute.’

Ellie clasped one of Stewie’s floppy rubber appendages as Will shot over to the busker, digging in his pocket to hand over some coins.

‘We street people need to stick together,’ Will claimed on his return, relieving her of her burden.

‘Stewie?’ Ellie questioned, trying not to chuckle as the antennae slapped him in the face.

‘Yeah. Stewie the Shrimp.’ He winked at Ellie. ‘But you can call me Bouillabaisse.’

This time, Ellie did laugh.

‘Well, it was good to meet you, Ellie. I— er, I don’t suppose you’re here long? You local, or a tourist?’

‘Holidaying. On a post-graduation break with my mates, staying in a couple of vans up at Polwelyn?’

‘Nice,’ he said, those rich brown eyes holding Ellie’s green gaze. ‘Very nice.’

And with that, he was gone, disappearing inside the aquarium with Stewie. Her heart almost singing, Ellie turned her steps back towards her friend, Bella’s, car to await the others. Perhaps tomorrow she’d visit the aquarium properly? After all, it did seem to have the most intriguing of species.

A week went by, the weather fluctuating between scorching sunshine and tempestuous summer storms. Ellie’s hopes of bumping into Will again brought a frisson of excitement every time someone suggested popping down into the cove, as the locals called Polkerran Point, but luck wasn’t playing ball.

Just as she was beginning to give up hope, a voice hailed her as she emerged from the ice cream shop, followed by Bella, and Ellie’s cousin, Nicki.

‘Ellie! Wait!’ Will dashed across the street to join them. ‘I’m so glad to bump into you. I’ve been wanting to buy you a drink as thanks for rescuing me the other day.’

Bella’s eyes took a long, slow journey up and down his frame as introductions were made, then her friend smirked, relieving Ellie of her ice cream cone.

‘And we’re leaving. Bye, Will, nice to meet you. Enjoy your drink!’ And hooking an arm through Nicki’s, Bella dragged Ellie’s spluttering cousin away.

Ellie couldn’t stop smiling at this chance encounter. ‘I guess we’re getting a drink then?’

They settled on a bench outside The Three Fishes, each clutching a bottle of chilled cider.

‘Cheers.’

They clinked bottles and once Ellie had elaborated on how long she was staying, it was Will’s turn.

‘I’m at an old family friend’s place.’ Will gestured back towards the centre of the village, where the castellated rooftops of a large, stone property could be seen towering behind the church. ‘Alex – his family own it – isn’t normally down here, but he’s on garden leave between jobs.’

‘How come you have so much time free?’

‘Ah, I’m an actor. At least, I am when I’ve got work. When I don’t, I take anything going. As you saw the other day. Thankfully, me and Stewie only join forces twice a week.’

Ellie found Will’s life fascinating and the opposite of her own mundane one, and she hung on his every word as he outlined the roles he’d secured since leaving drama school.

His confidence, and his total belief that success was just around the corner, was intoxicating, and Ellie – swept away by the charming, boyish smile, the dark eyes alight with enthusiasm – was quickly in danger of being smitten.

‘You have to grab life’s opportunities, not let things stand in your way. The only person who can make things happen in your life, Ellie, is you. Success isn’t going to find me, I have to chase it, and I’m twenty-six already. But what about you? What’s next?’

Ellie leaned back against the bench, its scratchy warmth grazing the back of her legs.

‘I did a BA in History with my friend, Bella, at Manchester. She’s going on to do her teaching qualifications, but I discovered a love of art history so I’m doing a masters.

I think I’d like to get involved in restoration or conservation. ’

‘Sounds far more soul-enriching than my ambitions,’ Will said, his eyes scanning the jostle of boats bobbing in the harbour. ‘Where are you going?’

Ellie blushed. ‘Oxford.’

‘Wow!’ Will spun in his seat. ‘That’s fantastic. Well done!’

‘I didn’t expect it. I mean…’

‘Own it, Ellie! Be proud.’

She drew in a short breath. ‘Yes. At least, my parents are, and I feel I’ve repaid them a little for all their support so far. I’m just a bit nervous. I won’t know anyone.’

‘You’ll love it, I’m sure.’ Will drained his bottle, then almost choked as he caught sight of his watch. ‘Damn. Sorry. Got to dash. Due on shift at The Lugger ten minutes ago.’

And then he was gone, and Ellie walked over to the wall bordering the water, eyes fastened on his back as he strode towards the bridge.

Once he was out of sight, she called Bella, who came to collect her, but as soon as they reached the campsite, Nicki came flying out of the caravan.

‘I’ve snagged us an invite to a party!’

Still thinking about Will, Ellie blinked. ‘Party? Where?’

‘At that manor house in Polkerran. I met this gorgeous man called Alex the other day, and he just phoned. Said we could all go along. Tonight. Come on girls, time to get your glad rags on.’

A taxi dropped Ellie and Nicki at the manor house, and they paused on the threshold to a huge room to appreciate the aura of glamour and money that exuded from the sophisticated gathering.

‘I’m not sure we’ve dressed correctly,’ she hissed in Nicki’s ear, conscious of her Primark dress and wedges. ‘And where’s Bella?’

‘She was having her hair plaited by one of the girls in the next van. She’ll be here. Bella never misses a party. Oh, there he is!’

Nicki waved enthusiastically across the room as a sun-kissed, god-like man spotted them, and Ellie trawled behind her cousin, feeling horribly self-conscious.

Then, a hand landed on her bare arm. ‘Thank God you’re here.’