Chapter Three
The One With the Family Affair
Kate suspected she was the only one who heard Ryther’s words, because the lady busied herself reaching up to straighten Rick’s tie and asking him when he’d last had a haircut.
Brushing her hands aside, he walked over to the window to stare out over the grounds.
‘Would you care for some coffee, Leigh?’ Ryther gestured at the pot on the table and Kate met Jean’s enquiring glance.
‘No, thanks.’ Leigh spoke in her charming tone, looking from Ryther to Rick and back. ‘I’m here to sort out whatever mess you’re all in over this birthday bash. Why aren’t you holding it in London, Ryther? Why this god-awful little backwater?’
The expression filling Rick’s handsome features as he swung around was sufficiently dark for Kate to feel she’d got off lightly the other day.
‘As you’re currently detaching yourself from the family, I don’t see what it’s got to do with you.’ His complexion paled. ‘Where the hell is Theo?’
Leigh rolled her eyes so hard, Kate thought she might dislodge her false lashes. ‘With his new nanny, of course.’ She took Kate’s vacated seat and waved a hand at the two gentlemen, who had remained standing. ‘Do sit down, the pair of you. You’re both far too tall to be allowed.’
‘We’ll leave you to have a discussion,’ Kate interjected, rescuing her jacket before Leigh could lean against it. ‘If you let Jean know when you want me…’ Her eyes flicked to Rick’s for some reason, only to find his keen gaze already on her. ‘I – er, she’ll let me know.’
‘Bloody hell,’ Kate muttered to Jean as they walked as fast as decorum allowed down the hallway to reception. ‘And I thought my ex had a dysfunctional family!’
Jean resumed her position behind the reception desk. ‘We see all sorts, to be honest.’ Her brow furrowed. ‘I don’t know them personally. I’ve seen the elderly chap around now and again, but he doesn’t live in the cove.’
‘He’s a darling,’ Kate said, adding wryly, ‘not so sure about the other two.’
The phone on the desk rang and Jean made to pick it up. ‘From all I’ve heard, Leigh Devonshire’s been leaving and coming back again ever since they returned to Polkerran from abroad. The rumours are, they’re in the middle of divorcing. I’m pretty sure she’s currently living in London with their little boy.’
As Jean spoke into the receiver, Kate put on her jacket and headed for her office, unsure why the news unsettled her.
It was late by the time Kate left the hotel, and she called Mollie as she walked down the hill into the village. There was a bitter wind blowing up from the harbour, bringing with it fishy smells and the chill of a winter that was not yet done with them.
Much to her surprise, her daughter answered, and in good spirits. Ending the call, Kate walked along the harbour, head down against the nippy breeze as it swept across the water. Mollie had said she was looking forward to coming down to Cornwall, but Kate still couldn’t shake the feeling she’d made a decision to suit her own needs more than her daughter’s.
Crossing the bridge, she wrinkled her nose in delight at the delicious aroma of curry drifting from an open window of the Lugger, trying to embrace Anna’s advice. This was a trial. Mollie needed to escape her old school and Kate wanted a reboot, somewhere that didn’t remind her of the past. It had to be a step in the right direction for them both… didn’t it?
‘Hey, you’re late!’ Anna greeted Kate with a warm smile as she entered the kitchen. ‘Dinner will be on the table in ten.’
‘You’re a darling.’ Kate dropped her things on a chair and walked over to inspect the pans on the stove. ‘Today’s been a bit of a grind, to be honest.’
‘Go and get changed, and I’ll open some wine.’
Kate didn’t need telling twice. To be honest, it was nice to feel cared for.
She hurriedly donned something more casual, mulling on Ryther and his family as she removed her make-up. She hadn’t been called back, and Jean had confirmed they’d departed – Leigh first, alone, then the two men together – not long after Kate gave them some space.
Curious, she would have liked to ask Anna about them, but if they were potential clients, it didn’t seem right to do so.
By the time she joined Anna and her husband, Oliver, at the table in the window bay, she was ready for a drink.
‘What time do your parents arrive?’
‘They said lunch.’ Kate took a sip of wine. ‘Suppose that’s anywhere from twelve until two-ish.’
‘Not bad,’ Oliver intoned, drily. ‘Barely a week in Cornwall, and you’re using “ish”.’
Kate grinned. ‘Dad’s never been the best timekeeper.’
‘It’s a shame they couldn’t stay for a while.’
‘I think after a week of Mollie, they’ll be looking forward to some alone time. They’ve booked a few days in Falmouth before heading back to Bristol. Mum still thinks I’m a child, and the debacle of the divorce hasn’t helped any. Dad reckons she wants to stay nearby in case I need her.’
‘I think that’s really sweet.’ Anna handed Kate a plate of pasta bake. ‘Help yourself to the sides.’
Kate sent her a contrite look. Anna’s parents had died when she was a baby and she’d been raised by an unfeeling older cousin. Having parents who fussed would be a delight to her friend.
Oliver offered the garlic slices and Kate took one with a smile. ‘My favourite, thank you.’
Once the meal was over, Oliver left them alone at the table and went to sit in a wing-back armchair by the hearth, picking up a book as Anna’s cat, Heathcliff, curled at his side and Dougal settled at his feet.
Kate scooped up the last of her cheesecake, savouring the creamy mixture. ‘Delish. You’ll have to let me have the recipe.’
‘Gladly.’ Anna cast a quick look over towards her husband, who appeared deeply engrossed in his book, then leaned forward. ‘So, how’s the checklist going?’
‘I could ask you the same.’
Anna chuckled. Both being adept at forward planning, they were also dedicated list makers, as they’d often reflected when working together.
‘Well, I’ve finally got a home of my own.’ Once again Anna’s glance flicked across the room to Oliver, her features softening. ‘Found the love of my life.’
‘Got married,’ Kate added, raising an enquiring brow. ‘And?’
An impish smile formed. ‘All in good time.’
Kate attempted to quash her own bitterness. She’d never told Anna – or anyone – about Hugo’s great deception. Maybe she would. One day.
‘Hey?’ Anna reached over to touch Kate’s arm where it rested on the table. ‘You okay?’
‘Fine.’ Kate summoned a smile. ‘Sometimes the regret makes itself felt.’
Anna made a small sound. ‘It’s time you dug out the old you.’
‘I’m not sure where she’s gone. I doubt I could find her if I tried.’
‘Nonsense,’ Anna said briskly, picking up the cafetiere. ‘Top up?’
She wouldn’t sleep, but then it was a day off tomorrow. ‘Yes, please.’
‘Back to the list. You’ve ticked the first box, simply by breaking free.’
‘And look how long that took me!’
Anna grinned, holding up a hand and bending down her thumb before selecting the adjacent finger. ‘This is the second box, moving away from Harrogate.’
Kate inclined her head. ‘Continue.’
‘First day in new job – that’s three off the list. Do you know what this one is?’ She held onto the finger bearing her wedding ring.
‘Find somewhere to live?’ It was, to be fair, foremost in Kate’s thoughts.
‘Indeed.’ Anna held up the closed fist with only the little finger sticking up. ‘And what about this wee one?’ She wiggled it, and Kate chuckled despite herself.
‘I’m not sure I want to know.’
Anna laughed. ‘This, my old mate, is a new man.’
‘Woah!’ Kate held up a hand, conscious Oliver had glanced over before returning his attention to his book. She spoke quietly, but firmly. ‘I’ve already made one colossal mistake in my life where men are concerned.’
Anna drained her cup. ‘You’ve forgotten what it’s like to be attracted to someone. To feel attractive yourself. It’s time you dug out the fun and flirty Kate.’
Huffing out a breath, Kate shook her head. ‘She’s long gone. The only impending “f” in my life is the looming four-o.’
‘Is it… has what you’ve been through put you off altogether?’
Kate pursed her lips, then shook her head. ‘Not really. I mean, Hugo ruined my life for a while, but not for ever. I just can’t see myself falling in love again. If I ever was.’
Anna leaned forward again. ‘I’m not suggesting you get serious. Just have some fun, date a little, no strings.’
‘I think I’ve forgotten how. Dating seems a looong time ago.’ Kate couldn’t help but laugh at the hopeful expression on her friend’s face. ‘I’m not even sure how people meet each other these days.’
‘We’ll google it.’
Kate smiled, her gaze roaming the homely room, with its charming lamps on side tables, stacks of books on the shelves lining the far wall and soft throws draped over the comfy sofa backs. The log burner cast warm, flickering light over the scene, and she sighed.
‘This is such a lovely home. I hope I find somewhere soon.’
Oliver looked up from his book again, peering over his glasses. ‘It’s a shame I don’t have one of mine available. You’d have been welcome to it.’
In addition to his scholarly profession, Oliver had set up a not-for-profit organisation committed to purchasing local properties and renting them out at affordable rents to locals.
‘I’d have felt a bit of a sham. It’s such a fantastic initiative.’
‘Hmm,’ Anna mused. ‘Except it’s growing a bit too fast. Now that Oliver’s been commissioned to write this new book, he needs to start researching, not chasing deals.’
Oliver pointed to his forehead. ‘Most of it’s in here already.’
Anna shook her head at him and turned back to Kate. ‘It’s compounded by a proposed injection of funds from my brother, Matt, and will get worse when Daniel goes abroad. You met him at the wedding.’
‘Lauren’s other half?’ Kate knew Lauren Kirkham well, from when she and Anna had shared a house in Harrogate. ‘He’s lovely.’
‘They both are, but I don’t see much of them now they’re in Yorkshire, or my gorgeous god-daughter, so – oh!’ Anna grabbed her phone. ‘Hold on, I might have an idea.’
She crossed to the kitchen to make a call, and Kate walked over to the window. There wasn’t much to see in the blackness, but the lights from the house spilled over the terrace and down onto the edges of the lawn and to the dark mass of sea beyond. To the right, the illuminations of Polkerran glimmered on the waters of the harbour and, opposite, in the gothic-looking house across the bay – where Kate had attended Anna’s recent wedding reception – lights could be seen emanating from several rooms.
The reminder of the occasion brought a realisation. Rick Devonshire had greeted their party briefly on arrival at his home – Harbourwatch – and that was why she’d found him familiar.
She drew in a contemplative breath. Their initial interactions hadn’t been promising, but Kate felt for him, rattling around in such a large property on his own. It must emphasise the loss of his son too. Sadness shrouded Kate for a moment as she contemplated how she would feel if Mollie had been all but lost to her in the divorce…
Hearing Anna’s approach, she turned around. She hoped Rick, whatever sort of man he was, didn’t mind being alone. Unless the glamorous wife was staying over. After all, Jean had said she made a habit of coming and going…
‘I think I’ve found you somewhere to live. When I saw Lauren at the wedding, she was waiting to hear whether she’d got the overseas posting she’s always longed for. She confirmed she had just the other day. They won’t be going to the US for a few months, but it’s unlikely they can get down to Cornwall from Yorkshire in the interim. Daniel wasn’t keen on leaving the house empty for so long and he’s just offered it to you and Mollie.’
‘Oh, wow. Is he – are they sure?’
‘You’d need to see it first, check if the house works for you, but I’ll be surprised if you don’t love it.’ Anna’s face shone with enthusiasm. ‘You’d be just up the hill as well.’
A momentary reflection on the few properties currently available was more than enough for Kate to almost snap the offer up, sight unseen.
‘We’ll go up there after breakfast. I’ve got a key, and you can see what you think. It might be a nice welcome gift for Mollie if you’ve found a home.’
A thrill of excitement rushed through Kate. She’d barely experienced life in Polkerran Point yet, but there was something inherently homely about this quaint fishing village, its cottages clinging like limpets to the steep, wooded hills around the bay and the stretch of rocks out to the lighthouse.
If only it could appeal to a thirteen-year-old girl – whose current life obsessions centred around TikTok videos, Duolingo and the musical Six – then maybe they would be happy here in Polkerran Point.