Chapter Fifteen
The One Where Sweet Dreams are Made of This
It probably wasn’t the best time to ask Dev if there was something wrong with his phone.
Kate nodded. ‘Of course.’ Then added, ‘Where’s Theo?’
‘Busy rock pooling with Grandy.’
‘Do you mind if I tuck in while it’s hot?’ Kate indicated the packet. If she didn’t eat soon, her stomach would provide further embarrassment.
‘Not at all but watch the seagulls. They are pretty evil.’
‘So I’ve heard. Want one?’ Kate offered the open packet to him, and Dev selected a chip. They both munched in silent contemplation of the harbour for a moment. A rather chubby gull had landed on the wall and gave them both the side-eye.
‘Come on, you can’t eat here. It’ll end in carnage.’ Dev led Kate across the street and down the side of the Three Fishes into a small beer garden she didn’t know existed.
It had several wooden benches typical of pubs, mostly occupied, but Dev found a spare one at the back.
‘This is safer,’ he pronounced.
‘Are we allowed to eat here? I didn’t think they did food.’
‘They don’t.’ He indicated a notice on the wall.
Safe haven for take-aways
House rule – buy a drink!
Kate laughed. ‘Fair enough. What can I get you?’
‘I’ll go.’
Left alone, Kate studied a second notice, proclaiming ‘Free WiFi’. Someone had crossed out ‘free’ and added ‘crap’. Amused, her gaze drifted over the clever wire mesh creating a protective ‘roof’ over the garden, attached to sturdy wooden stakes. Open-air dining without the hazards. Perfect.
When Dev returned with a couple of bottles of beers and a glass for Kate’s, she pointed to the open packet on the table.
‘My eyes are bigger than my stomach. Feel free to finish them if you wish.’
She didn’t like to push Dev on what he wanted to talk about, but assumed it was fayre related, and because she was enjoying the company – something she’d analyse later – she was in no hurry.
Dev did as he was bid, and Kate tried not to recall the grasp of his firm hands around her waist when he’d caught her from falling, but as she was fixated on them as he screwed up the wrapper and rolled it into a ball before disposing of it in a covered bin, it was a challenge.
‘Look,’ Dev began, shifting in his seat. ‘I wanted to speak about Theo.’
Kate’s heart softened at the anxiety filling his features. ‘He seems so happy he can stay longer.’
‘Yes. Thankfully, something came up in London more important to Leigh than her son… sorry.’ He drew in a short breath. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’
Unsure how to respond, Kate was saved the trouble as he continued.
‘Theo’s coming to stay again in May – he gets a fortnight for half term, but Leigh’s off on another business trip – and he’s so full of the lighthouse tour you… I mean…’ He broke off, running a hand through his hair.
‘My recent promise, you mean? When is he here? I had an email from tourist info the other day about an open day at the one near Trebutwith.’
She pulled out her phone to check the date. It was a match with the little boy’s visit.
‘Are you okay with me taking him?’
Dev stilled, and she was surprised by the vulnerability shrouding his frame.
‘Is it okay if I come too? It’s just… I don’t get to see him as often as I’d like.’
Kate felt dreadful, and instinctively placed a reassuring hand on Dev’s arm. ‘I’m sorry! Presumptuous of me. I assumed it wasn’t your thing. Or you hated heights.’ She couldn’t help but smile at Dev’s reaction as he vehemently shook his head.
The movement reminded her she was holding onto his arm, however, and she whipped her hand away.
‘Not at all.’
‘Good. Then it’s a date.’ The words were out before Kate could stop them, and the tell-tale colour filled her cheeks. ‘No. Well, it’s a date. The open day date, I mean.’
Unsurprisingly, Dev had no response to this, and as soon as they’d finished their drinks, they parted ways, but Kate’s thoughtful gaze remained on his broad shoulders as he walked back along the front.
What was it about that man that turned her into an imbecilic, waffling mess?
The second half of the Easter holidays sped by once Mollie returned. Having her parents to stay made things easier on Kate, as she was extremely busy at the hotel, and it meant Mollie had lots of days out. Evenings were fun, sitting around the kitchen island – or, on the couple of days when warm weather blessed the cove, sitting out under blankets on the terrace with the fire pit burning – and regaling each other with the day’s antics.
With Oliver embroiled in some sort of dilemma over acquiring more local properties – and once again neglecting his writing – Anna had channelled her efforts into securing takers for the last two spaces for food and drink suppliers, and at last, Kate felt the fayre had a chance of success – if they could only find a venue large enough to replace the village hall.
They were soon back into the routine of work and school, and when Kate arrived at Westerleigh to collect Mollie one afternoon, she found her sitting beside Mrs Lovelace, nursing a mug of tea, Anna and Gemma standing at the head of the table, a laden chopping board in front of them.
‘Come and join us,’ Anna welcomed her, and Kate dropped her bag and coat on a chair and came to stand beside them.
‘What are you making?’
‘I’m showing Gemma how to put together a cucumber salad to go with grilled fish.’
Kate eyed the ingredients with interest. ‘Looks delicious. Do you enjoy preparing meals?’
Gemma laughed. ‘It’s not my forte, but Anna’s determined to bring me up to scratch.’
‘She’s better than she thinks she is,’ Anna added, popping chunks of peeled cucumber and red onion into a chopper.
‘What herb is that?’ Kate pointed to the delicate leaves on the chopping board. ‘I don’t recognise it.’
‘I asked that!’ Mollie sent her mum a smug look. ‘Chervil.’
‘Oh, I loved they, back in the day,’ chimed in Mrs Lovelace, beaming at Kate.
Anna exchanged a puzzled look with Kate.
‘Who are you talking about, Auntie Dee?’ Gemma looked up from squeezing a fresh lemon into a small jug.
‘They dancing ice people,’ Mrs Lovelace stated, which left none of them any the wiser. ‘You know, won a medal for that bolero dance.’ She pronounced it as though it was a shrug rather than a piece of music. ‘That was the name, Chervil and something.’
‘Ah.’ Gemma smiled fondly at her great aunt. ‘You mean Torvil , Auntie Dee.’
Mrs Lovelace appeared confused. ‘What’s a torvil?’
‘Nothing for you to worry about, Mrs Lovelace. Can I top up your tea?’
The elderly lady handed her cup to Anna with a warm smile, then picked up a shortbread from the plate in the centre of the table. ‘Can I take some of this for Cleggie? She misses your baking.’
‘How’s she getting along, Mrs Lovelace?’ Kate asked.
‘Fair to middlin’, as they says.’ She dipped her shortbread into her tea, then frowned as a piece broke off and sank. ‘Says she’s getting one of they nobility scooters.’
Mollie giggled, but Kate silenced her with a shake of the head.
‘I’ll put together a selection for you to take, Mrs L,’ Anna said, as Gemma tipped the cucumber and onion into a bowl. ‘Good. Now sprinkle the chervil on, drizzle the lemon juice and oil and add a dash of salt and pepper, give it a mix, and you’re done!’
As Anna went to make more tea, Kate slid into the seat beside Mollie.
‘How was today?’
Mollie shrugged. ‘Okay. Old Hoppy, the media teacher, threw a hissy fit when no one had finished their projects on the power of movie posters ’cos we got distracted watching YouTube videos. Our house won again at netball and lunch was some sort of breaded thing. Blegh.’ She stuck her tongue out. ‘So I’m staaarving.’
Conscious she’d be having a word with her daughter later about incomplete homework, Kate spared a passing thought for Old Hoppy – Miss Hopkins was only in her thirties.
Then, she eyed the crumb-scattered plate in front of her daughter. ‘Starving even after all those biscuits?’
Mrs Lovelace chuckled, patting Mollie on the arm. ‘Young maid’s been tucking in.’ She leaned forward and selected a brownie from the plate and took a bite, encouraging Mollie to do the same, and Kate shook her head at her daughter’s impish smile as she did so, returning to the kitchen island.
‘How come Mrs Lovelace is here? I thought she called in the mornings with the other crew?’
‘Jean wanted to go up country for a few days now the Easter madness has calmed down, but she worries about not being around for her mum, so Gemma offered to stay in the cove and keep an eye on her.’
Kate’s eyes sparkled, wondering if Greg was the northern attraction, but said nothing. Jean seemed to want to keep things low key, after all.
May arrived and began to fly by, with Mollie enjoying the kayaking so much, she immediately asked if she could try the gig rowing taster session for juniors.
Walking to work most days was an absolute delight, as the village began to wake up for the season. More hanging baskets appeared on the lampposts that had sported strings of lights at New Year, and there was a vast bucket of flip flops outside the chandlery in place of the usual rack of wellies. Not that it didn’t rain, of course. This was Cornwall, after all. But the days were noticeably warmer, the nights lighter, and the hillsides had also awoken, with the trees coming into full leaf as the month progressed.
As the May half term approached, however, Kate could feel her anticipation rising over the lighthouse visit with Theo… and his father. She’d not seen much of Dev lately, though they’d discussed the quotes for the flyers over the phone and agreed there was no need for a formal programme, but there was another meeting due with the so-called team, and this time it was to be at Harbourwatch instead of Westerleigh.
Kate woke on the Friday morning of the meeting to a myriad of sensations, mostly brought on by a rather unsettling dream, the wisps of which hung tantalisingly at the edges of her mind as she opened her eyes.
She blinked rapidly, conscious how warm her skin was, and kicked off the duvet. Taking a slug of water, she fell back against the pillows, fanning herself with her hand, then dissolving into giggles.
‘You’re an idiot,’ Kate admonished. ‘Why on earth you’re acting like a swooning maiden in a Regency romance, I don’t know.’
As she showered and dressed, however, she wavered between relief the dream had splintered into nothing, like so many do, and regret she couldn’t recall more detail. From her tattered recollection, it had certainly been… interesting …
Skirting the harbour, Kate took in the pleasure craft bobbing up and down in the water of the bay as a furious amount of polishing, painting and general maintenance began. Sail lines rattled against the masts, the sea birds swooped and dived, their piercing calls echoing around the bay, and Kate relished the warm breeze encircling her bare legs. Hearing a tinkling bell, she looked over as Gemma emerged from Pen & Ink clutching a package.
‘Hi, Kate! No work today?’
‘Lieu day. We’ve got another meeting about the fayre. At Harbourwatch this time.’ Kate gestured along the lane that ran parallel with the bay. ‘I’m trying to tighten up the many loose ends, but the support team are a tad mercurial.’
‘I hope Auntie Dee is behaving herself.’
‘Bless her. She played a blinder typing up the draft flyer… well, aside from a few typos and listing Phee’s offering as a “fart trail”. I’m not convinced that was an accident.’
Gemma chuckled as they continued along the harbourfront.
‘Talking of which, we sent out a batch, which Old Patrick and his friends were tasked with putting through letterboxes, but beyond that, I don’t feel we’ll be much further on than last time. Still, at least it’s getting the date out there.’
‘I haven’t heard anyone talking about it.’ She grinned at Kate. ‘And they do like to talk, as you’ve probably noticed.’
Kate eyed her uncertainly. ‘That’s odd. I’ll have to ask around. I didn’t get one at The Lookout, but then it’s way off the beaten track and they know I don’t need one.’
‘Ask Aunty Dee and Aunty Jay when you get there. They’re in the thick of it down here in the cove. Maybe someone just got too lazy to go up any hills.’
Kate took her leave, walking briskly along the lane, her gaze on the water. As she neared Harbourwatch, however, her pace slowed. Was she anticipating Dev’s company a tad too much? Was this why he’d popped up in her dream and in such a way?
‘Idiot,’ she cautioned in an undertone as she passed a group walking their dogs. ‘It was simply a stupid dream. They happen. Park it.’
To take her mind off it, she did a mental run through of what she hoped to achieve from the meeting. Festival season was kicking off in several local towns, including the massively popular one in Fowey. It would be the perfect opportunity to promote the planned fayre later in the summer.
Ten minutes later, Kate walked through the tall, wrought-iron gates to Harbourwatch, her resolve to achieve somethin g today hot on her (relatively low-key) heels. Her gaze drifted beyond the tall trees bordering the driveway to the sandy tidal cove below. Two people were holding coffee mugs from the small cafe and watching some of the swimming ladies.
Determining to go for a walk in the afternoon, she scaled the steps to the front door, but before she could knock, it swung open.
‘Thank God you’re here.’