21. Lena
21
LENA
T he next three weeks passed in a flurry of writing, walking and spending precious time with Thomas. They were, she guessed, dating now, although they hadn’t officially said as much. It was clear to them both that they wanted to spend time together, but they were trying not to overdo it, and so they had a few days a week where they didn’t see each other unless it was in passing in the village or at the beach. She had stayed at Thomas’ cottage again and he’d stayed at her rental cottage, bringing Fifi with him, but nothing had happened between them other than some kissing and cuddling. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to rip his clothes off, because she really did, but she was happy to wait because they were both vulnerable and needed to be certain that this was the real deal before taking things to the next level.
Lena had brought her laptop up to The Garden Café today, meaning to get some writing done. She set herself up in the garden at one of the picnic tables beneath the shade of a large parasol. After ordering some lunch and a drink, she’d managed to get some words down. The fragrant air was inspirational, along with the riot of colour in borders and pots, from the varying purples of the lavender to the bright red of the giant poppies and the yellows and oranges of the geraniums.
She’d walked around the garden before settling at the picnic table, and had been tempted by one of the hammocks attached to the larger trees in the gardens, but she knew that if she sat in one of them she’d fall asleep. It was just inevitable, and she had a daily word target to complete before she snoozed anywhere.
‘Here you go,’ Ellie said, dragging her from her thoughts.
‘Wow! That looks incredible.’
Ellie set a tray down on the table. ‘You said you wanted me to surprise you and so you have fish tacos with lemon aioli and homegrown tomato salsa, sweet potato chips and a glass of strawberry and lime spritz. Dessert is blackcurrant cheesecake with clotted cream.’
‘I’m drooling!’ Lena licked her lips. ‘Thank you so much.’
‘It’s a pleasure. I love testing out my recipes on you.’
Ellie sat down on the bench and fanned her face with a napkin. ‘It’s warm today.’
‘Warm if you’re busy. It’s lovely sitting out here in the shade. Can you get a drink then come and sit with me?’
‘I’d love to but we’re really busy because a coach trip came into the village, and they were directed up here. I don’t want to leave Gran and Thora for long.’
‘That’s understandable. You do need a break though.’
Ellie leant her arms on the table. ‘So… while I’m here, quickly tell me the latest.’
Lena had confided in Ellie, who had become a good friend, that she was seeing Thomas and that she had feelings for him. Ellie had been delighted and so had Pearl when Ellie told her with Lena’s permission. To be fair, she hadn’t minded Pearl knowing but didn’t want it to get around the village just yet because she was worried Thomas would find it stressful. They could tell people when they were ready to be open about their relationship.
‘There’s nothing new to tell about me and Thomas, really.’
‘Oh… Fair enough.’ Ellie nodded. ‘Any other news, then?’
‘Yes, actually. I quit my job in London yesterday and said I won’t be back at the end of my sabbatical. After that, I phoned my flatmates and gave them notice to end my rental. They were relieved because the woman who’s had my room while I’ve been away is a friend of their. She wants to stay on there and so there’s no issue for me. I’ve effectively replaced my tenancy and there will be no penalty, which means I’ll get my deposit back.’
‘That’s brilliant! But where will you live in Porthpenny? With Thomas?’ Ellie waggled her eyebrows.
‘No. Not yet at least. It’s far too soon for that.’
‘Is it? If you know, you know, surely?’
‘Hmmm.’ Lena sighed. ‘I think we need to carry on as we are for now. And I don’t want to put too much pressure on either of us, so I contacted the letting agency of the cottage I’m renting and asked if I could extend the lease. They said it would have been an issue but the man who’d wanted to rent it for the autumn and winter had just pulled out. Apparently, he has to go on a business trip to Dubai so they were happy I asked.’
‘It’s all working out then.’
‘It seems that way.’ Lena smiled. ‘Sorry, do you mind if I…’ She pointed at her plate. ‘It’s just these tacos smell so good.’
‘Of course not. You enjoy them!’
‘Thanks. There’s just one more thing I need to do now.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Find out if Harvey the pug is still available for adoption.’
‘Wonderful!’ Ellie clapped her hands. ‘I’m so excited that you’ll be staying in the village.’
‘Me too. And hopefully, things with Thomas will work out long term and then I’ll stay permanently. I love it here and don’t want to leave.’
‘I don’t want you to leave.’ Ellie came around the picnic bench and gave her a hug.
Lena felt very lucky to have made a good friend in Ellie and to have secured the cottage for longer. She hoped her luck would hold out now with Harvey and Thomas.
After she’d eaten her lunch, she got her phone out and rang the rescue sanctuary. She spoke to Leanne and asked about Harvey. It turned out he was still available and was currently at the sanctuary with his fosterer, so Leanne invited her to spend some time with him.
Lena packed up her things, took the tray back inside then walked back to her cottage to collect her car. She didn’t use the blue Ford Fiesta often in Cornwall, preferring to walk when she could, but the sanctuary was a bit far to walk if she wanted to get there in time to see Harvey.
She pulled into the carpark and got out of her car then went to the reception area. Inside, she gave her name and soon, Leanne appeared from a back room.
‘Hello there, Lena. Are you looking forward to meeting Harvey again?’
‘Very much.’ She gave a nod. ‘I’m in a position now to apply to adopt him.’
‘Wonderful. Did you bring your documents?’
‘I did.’ Lena handed over a folder containing her ID, permission from the landlord via the letting agency to have a pet in the cottage, and a reference she’d got her old boss to email.
‘Fabulous. Well, come on through with me and I’ll take you to him. His fosterer has left him here for the afternoon so you can spend some time with him.’
In the courtyard behind the reception area, Harvey was playing with a ball that he was chasing around with Fifi. They looked funny together with Fifi being so big and Harvey so small, but it looked like they got on well. Thomas was standing near them and when he spotted her, his face lit up.
‘I’ll leave you in Thomas’ capable hands,’ Leanne said, and Lena felt heat rush into her cheeks. If only she knew…
‘So you’re going to adopt this handsome little chap then?’ he asked.
‘If he’ll have me.’
‘He’d be a fool not to want you.’
Lena felt her blush deepen. ‘You say such kind things.’
When Fifi paused in her game and saw Lena, she ran over to her and jumped up. Lena staggered but caught her balance just in time.
‘Fifi! Down.’ Thomas pointed at the ground and Fifi gave Lena’s cheek a sneaky lick then dropped her front feet to the ground again.
‘She’s just excited to see me,’ Lena said, stroking the dog’s silky head.
‘I’m trying to discourage jumping up though because she’s so big she could knock a child or someone smaller than you over.’
‘Are you saying I’m too sturdy to knock over?’ she asked with mock outrage in her tone.
‘Sexy not sturdy with those killer curves,’ he said quietly, his eyes filled with something that made her stomach flutter.
‘Oh… OK then. I’ll take that.’
‘But regarding Fifi, she does need to learn. Some people don’t like dogs jumping up at them.’
‘No, that makes sense.’ Lena looked over at Harvey longingly.
Thomas placed a hand in the small of her back. ‘Come and see him.’
‘I’m nervous.’
‘Why?’
‘In case he doesn’t like me.’
‘Of course he’s going to like you.’ Thomas led her over to Harvey and she crouched down and called him. He looked up and tilted his head then bounded towards her. She rubbed his furry head and stroked his soft ears. ‘Harvey, how would you like Lena to be your new mummy?’
‘He doesn’t understand that, surely?’ Lena watched Harvey’s face. He came closer and placed a small paw on her knee.
‘I think that was a yes.’ Thomas nodded. ‘Harvey likes you too.’
She spent the next hour with Harvey while Thomas got on with his work. Fifi followed Thomas like his shadow, clearly unwilling to let him out of her sight. Lena played ball with Harvey then put on his harness and lead and took him for a walk around the grounds. He was easy to walk and kept looking up at her as if checking if she was happy with his behaviour. The thought of waking up to his cute little face every morning filled her heart with joy.
When they returned to the courtyard, she said, ‘Harvey, would you like to come and live with me?’
He stopped walking and peered up at her, his face seeming to break into a grin.
‘That’s settled then. I’ll let Leanne know.’
Harvey’s fosterer was waiting in reception, so she took him from Lena and said she’d see her soon. Lena watched with a lump in her throat as they walked away.
‘It’s only temporary,’ Thomas said as he joined her, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.
‘I know. I just feel like he should be with me now.’
‘He will be very soon. Come and fill in the paperwork with Leanne.’
He took her to the office then kissed her cheek before leaving her there. She completed the application, and Leanne asked when she wanted to collect Harvey and she said as soon as possible.
They arranged for her to get Harvey in three days’ time, and she couldn’t wait, but first she needed to buy everything he would require to settle into his new home with her.
Since she’d arrived in Cornwall just over two months ago, a lot had changed in her life, and she was happier than she’d ever been.