Chapter 19
Silver Meadows, Unicorn Creek, St Aidan, Cornwall
Routemasters and awkward fastenings
Tuesday
‘I’m here outside whenever you’re ready.’
It’s a good half hour later when I hear Lando’s voice coming through the peach-coloured canvas, and I’d be closer to joining him if I’d spent less time wandering around my tipi with my jaw on the floor examining the decor.
This tent is better furnished than our house, with brands so posh that we don’t even get the fake versions. Every upmarket box is ticked from the White Company bed linen to the Jo Malone candles and the Hypnos mattress.
I pull back the door flap.
It’s the first time I’ve seen Lando since we called on him. When he doesn’t immediately talk about the brownies, I look down at my drifty tulle skirt and satin sash and start with an apology.
‘I feel slightly underdressed; I had no idea camping on the beach would be so red carpet.’
Lando looks beyond my strappy sandals. ‘The flooring’s actually organically grown sisal. And the furnishings are sun-bleached reclaimed timber with a limed finish.’
I smile at the crazy details. ‘It’s luxurious and outrageously over the top all at the same time. That dressing table could have washed up off a pirate ship.’
Now it’s here in front of me, I’m not sure how I expected anything less. For all his conservation credentials, with his moneyed background, Lando is a natural high-spend consultant.
He’s pursing his lips. ‘I’m a long way out of my comfort zone dealing with homes and gardens.’
This earnest distress is such a new side of Lando, I’m biting back my smile.
‘I’d definitely say this is a beach not a garden, but I live with my mum so I’m not the best person to ask.
’ I try to be more helpful. ‘If you’re struggling to make the country house vibe work under canvas, you could try for a military campaign feel. Or cottage-core may work better.’
‘I have zero idea what any of that means, and I doubt I ever would.’ He smiles. ‘I’m pleased you approve anyway.’
I laugh. ‘I’m not sure I’d go that far, but I suspect you’ve nailed your market.’
He carries on. ‘As every tipi is different, we could start with a few shots to showcase the interiors? Angel might look good chilling on a vegan sheepskin next to the bed with the folding screen and giant potted palm in the background.’
There’s no way I’m going within a mile of the king-sized four-poster with Lando around, but whatever his protests he looks very easy against this super-luxe backdrop.
I take control and smile. ‘Sorry to disappoint, but Angel was too wet to come, and Tia’s running late, so let’s start outside.’ I have a thought. ‘Have you met Martha? She could stand in as our dog of the day.’
Lando frowns at his light brown trousers. ‘Maybe not those giant paws with this suit.’ He pulls his phone out of his pocket. ‘I could take pictures of you on your own along the shoreline while we’re waiting for Tia?’
When I look over his shoulder to the curve of white sand and the sparkle of the turquoise sea beyond and think of posing for him, my insides turn to stone.
‘Or you could ask Salvador to help and we can stick to the original format.’ It’s not ideal, but it’s better than the alternative.
‘You lead the way and I’ll phone Sav.’
I was in too much of a panic when I arrived to see much at all, but wandering along the edge of the beach now and taking it all in, it hits me how beautiful this place is.
There’s a cluster of smaller tents interspersed with trees and planting that opens out onto a wide-open tipi structure looking out to sea on one side, and the new gin bus and the meadows on the other.
Lando catches me up as I reach the bus and looks at the tasteful dark green paintwork.
‘We’re not fully set up yet, but we can move the tables and chairs around to give different views, and there are plenty of bottles at the bar.
’ He’s frowning at my back. ‘I’m no expert, but is everything okay with your dress? It seems to be … flapping.’
Damn. Trust Lando to seize on every detail when I thought I could wing it. ‘It’s a back fastening chiffon over-top with pearl buttons and rouleau loop fastenings.’ I’m intending to baffle him with the detail. ‘It’s gaping at the back because Tia wasn’t here to do it up and I can’t reach myself.’
He considers. ‘You should have said. I’m not wedding shop trained but if you don’t mind that I can have a go?’
It’s the worst idea I’ve heard all day – there’s nothing I’d hate more – but I’m taking one for the team here. ‘Thank you, Lando, that’s very kind. Start at the bottom and work up. If you don’t need a back shot, you can miss out every other pearl.’
I can feel the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck as he works, and given he’s behind me it’s disconcerting that I’m breathing in so much of his scent. What’s more unnerving still is that he smells so good I’m secretly wanting it to last.
Even Tia takes a while, but Lando isn’t fumbling. His touch is deft and confident in a way that makes me shiver inside. By the time he gets to the bare skin at the nape of my neck, my shivers grow into a shudder that’s so big he has to notice.
His voice is full of concern. ‘Are you cold?’
It’s only when I let out a sigh at the end that I realise I’ve been holding my breath the whole time. ‘I’ve been standing still in the breeze. You did that very fast – without missing any out either.’
He rolls his eyes. ‘It’s buttons, not rocket science, Maevey. All those years of school shirts, we had plenty of practice.’
I beam and step away. ‘Just in time for Salvador, too. Shall we start by sitting at the table outside the bus, then move onto the open platform at the back? We can vary what we’re drinking, and how we’re interacting.
’ I turn to Salvador. ‘If you don’t mind being David Bailey until Tia arrives, I’ll give you my phone. ’
Lando looks around. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get into position then tell you how close to zoom in. What have you done with Martha?’
Salvador hesitates. ‘I left her in the office barking her head off. Will that be okay?’
I try not to show my despair. ‘Some of them chew when you leave them alone.’
Salvador shrugs. ‘I haven’t had her long enough to tell yet. I left the window open so she’s got plenty of fresh air.’
I can’t resist the tease. ‘I’m sure Lando will overlook a few teeth marks on that lovely blonde wood desk.’ Their eyes widening in sync is the only satisfaction I need to relent. ‘Only joking, I’m sure she’ll soon settle.’
I move across to a table by the bus and pull out a pretty metal seat.
Lando takes the next one and calls to Salvador. ‘Nothing too formal. This is meant to be us kicking back after the ceremony.’
I take a lead from him, slip off my strappy gold platform sandals and hold them towards the camera, letting them dangle from my fingers. ‘Here you go, Sav, start with these.’
Lando laughs. ‘And then I’ll go and get us some drinks to pose with.’
I’m playing for time, willing Tia to come over the horizon, and Lando’s happy to milk every possible angle of his new purchase, which is how we manage to spend a full hour messing around the bus taking photos of every drink behind the bar.
Then we do a few pictures around the prettiest planting areas on our way back down to the beach to pose on sun loungers in front of the individual tipis, and after that we wander along the sands for shots along the shore with the sea in the background.
We’re pretty much coming to the end of the obvious possibilities when Salvador pipes up:
‘We haven’t done the stepping stones yet.’
I try not to let my heart sink. ‘Keep going?’
‘They cross the water meadows in the wetland area.’
Lando nods. ‘I can’t believe I forgot my favourite part. It’s important to spread the ecological message as well as the leisure one.’
I’m getting good at making my voice light. ‘Great! In that case, what are we waiting for?’
Lando looks at my bare toes in the sand. ‘You might be better in Converse?’
I slide on my sandals and do up the buckles. ‘A chunky heel will take a woman anywhere.’ Somehow his suit is still spotless. ‘You’re not worried about splashes on your trousers?’
Salvador gives me a look. ‘That’s why the stepping stones are there. You walk over the water not in it.’
I beam my brightest beam. ‘Fantastic.’
Salvador narrows his eyes as we march past the bus towards the lush green area beyond. ‘Do you two do this a lot?’
I take a breath. ‘More than either of us would like. Why?’
‘You look very comfortable racing around in your long dress and beige suit. Almost like you belong in them.’
Lando coughs. ‘Never say beige. It’s buff. Carefully chosen to tone with the tipis.’
It’s funny to see the two of them together again. I look from one to the other as we walk. ‘You two must have a lot to talk about after so long not seeing each other.’
Sav gives me an odd look. ‘We’ve always met up, just not in Cornwall.’
I’m puzzled on all sides. ‘But I always had the impression you’d argued? In Australia?’
Salvador looks at me the same way he did when I was six and he was frustrated by my incompetence. ‘I can’t think where you got that idea. Lando wouldn’t have helped me out if we weren’t the best of friends.’
‘Of course not.’ I resign myself to having the wrong end of every stick and carry on walking.
I’ve had no chance to message Tia, as Salvador’s had my phone, but as the sand gives way to grass, I’m resigned to her missing the visit altogether.
At least Martha has quietened down as we pass the reception building.
Then the buttercup meadow we’re striding through gets more reedy, and I spot a yellow flag iris and a clump of marsh marigolds, and a line of blocks some distance ahead standing up above the vegetation.
I look at Sav. ‘Phone at the ready then.’ I give him a harder stare. ‘And if there’s water around, please don’t drop it.’