Chapter Forty-Seven
‘Thanks, Ellie,’ said Tammy as the waitress unloaded two mugs of Bailey’s hot chocolate on to the table of the café terrace.
Tammy and Lola had pulled on hoodies after their afternoon beach yoga session and hunkered down at the café for a catch-up. It was a bright and breezy high summer day with big clouds scudding across the sky above the harbour. Seagulls squawked around a fishing boat as it pulled alongside the quay.
Even on a cool day, Cornwall was much milder than it had been in Scotland almost a fortnight previously.
‘I need this,’ Lola said, licking the cream from the top of the drink. ‘It’s bloody freezing here.’
Tammy rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ‘It must seem like it after two weeks in Crete. Shame you have to put up with scuzzy Porthmellow.’
‘I did not say it was “scuzzy” here. I haven’t used a word like that since I was a teenager. Only you have to admit, it is a bit cooler here. I put the heating on last night.’
‘You missed three days of torrential rain with everyone packing the shops and looking pissed off that their summer holiday had been ruined. Still, at least Davey was pleased to sell a ton of stuff in the gallery, and we’ll soon have the town to ourselves again without all the incomers.’
Lola spooned cream into her mouth before treating Tammy to a glare. ‘Do I detect a general air of world-weary cynicism there or have I missed something worse than the weather while I’ve been away?’
‘What would you have missed?’ Tammy asked, popping a spoonful of mini marshmallows into her mouth.
‘You haven’t mentioned one “incomer’s” name since we met up. I was waiting to hear the latest about Ruan but there’s not been a word about him. To be honest, I’m worried.’
Tammy gave a sigh. ‘OK, you might as well know we’re taking a break at the moment.’
‘Oh, Tammy, you’re impossible!’ Lola’s mug wobbled and cream dribbled on to the tabletop. The couple in matching fleeces at the next table glanced over with a frown.
‘Don’t make a thing of it. It’s been hard enough as it is.’
Even as she said the words, Tammy felt a chill come over her that had nothing to do with the summer cool spell.
Since she’d turned down Ruan’s offer and they’d got back to Cornwall, she’d hardly heard from him.
One WhatsApp and another in return, both about sharing the petrol costs for the journey.
He was clearly offended and hurt by her cool response and Tammy didn’t blame him or know what to say.
Her heart ached, but she simply didn’t know what move to make next – or didn’t have the courage. A summer of joy and pain, of secrets, deception and revelations had left her exhausted and paralysed.
‘Can I ask why?’ Lola said. ‘If you can’t talk to your best mate, then you’re a lost cause.’
‘It’s – hard to explain. You asked if you missed anything, and I suppose you did – if you count my dramas.’
‘Of course I count your dramas. Come on, tell me what’s happened.’
‘I – Stuff happened between us.’
‘Stuff other than him inheriting Rosewarne and Davey being diagnosed? Wow. No wonder you feel all over the place.’
‘We went to see my mum in Scotland – and she and I had a heart-to-heart which helped me feel better about what happened between her and my dad. And Ruan visited his uncle’s old flame.
Turns out she had a baby by him that she never told him about.
It helped him come to terms with inheriting the house. ’
‘Wow. What a family saga, but this all sounds positive – you were sorting out some issues. I don’t understand why this has caused a rift between you and Ruan?’
‘Because he now feels guilty about owning the house and wants to give part of it to me. I said no, because if I accept, I’d feel it wasn’t really mine and like I owed him something. It would mean commitment and I don’t know if I’m ready for that.’
‘He offered you the house ?’ Lola said.
‘Yeah. Don’t say I’m mad. It’s eaten me up to have to say no.’
Lola nodded. ‘OK … that makes sense. I’m still gutted you and he aren’t together, but it makes more sense that the old place is up for sale.’
Tammy’s pulse speeded up. ‘What old place?’
Lola frowned. ‘ The house. Ruan’s house.
Your old house, whatever. I drove past it yesterday evening.
Well, I was a passenger actually, because Erin from work wanted me to take a look at a pottery studio with her on our way home.
She’s thinking of buying it, though what the eff do I know about pots?
She wanted some moral support, I think, after her husband went off with that barman from the golf club.
That’d be a bloody big shock for anyone—’
‘Lola!’ Tammy said and then forced herself to keep her voice to a murmur. ‘I’m sorry about Erin’s husband, but please get to the point. What about Rosewarne being for sale?’
‘Shit …’ Lola muttered. ‘You really haven’t heard, have you?
I wish I was wrong, but I saw a “For Sale” board on the road at the top of the access lane.
Erin mentioned it too. I thought it might be for a different place, but I looked it up on the estate agent’s website and it’s on there.
Ruan must be selling up. Hun, I assumed you knew …
Tammy? Tammy? Say something, for God’s sake. ’