Chapter Twenty-Eight
Effie found herself settling into the rhythm of Polcarrow life.
Now that the bookshop was open, she had a little more spare time in the mornings for her swim.
The bracing water setting her up for the day.
Back home in Penzance, her swims had been more occasional so it was bliss being able to indulge her passion every morning.
Effie wasn’t the only one to brave dipping a toe.
Although she was drawn to the solitary aspect of sea swimming, she had been thrilled when other villagers had turned up to have a go once the spring sunshine was a more regular occurrence.
The hot chocolate and coffees they shared afterwards, sitting outside Lola’s café, further embedded Effie into the little community.
Effie had almost given up on Jake joining her until one Sunday morning, still yawning, she made her way across the road and saw him lingering on the sand, a towel around his shoulders, wearing only a pair of swimming shorts and a brave smile.
She stopped in her tracks, taking in his toned, lightly bronzed body.
Following his admission he was on a break with Tara, Effie had shoved her romantic hopes to the back of her brain and focused on their blossoming friendship instead, but it was hard to deny that she was still very attracted to him.
‘Hurry up, Eff, I want to get this over with,’ he called.
‘You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,’ she told him, remembering him saying he was a summer-only swimmer.
‘No, it’s fine, I want to. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’ve just been summoning up the courage. Come on, before I chicken out.’
Laughing, Effie dropped her dry robe. ‘How did you grow up by the sea and not swim in all weathers?’
Jake just shrugged as he followed her towards the water’s edge. ‘I guess I did as a kid.’
‘How do you want to do it?’ she asked. ‘I recommend just going for it.’
Jake sucked in a breath as the cool water eased over his toes.
‘Just keep breathing and follow me.’ Effie turned to him and as an afterthought, held out her hand.
Jake glanced down before taking it. His hand engulfed hers, but their palms fitted together perfectly, their fingers entwining like tentative roots. Effie relaxed into his touch. It was going to be increasingly difficult not to fall for him further at this rate.
‘Ready?’ She stepped forward, the sea lapping up over her ankles.
Jake nodded and followed her. Hand in hand they waded into the waves until they were up to their knees.
‘How’s that?’ she asked.
‘Cold—’ Jake’s teeth chattered ‘—but actually, yeah, it feels good.’
‘You don’t have to go any further if you don’t want to,’ she told him. ‘I know it’s not nice when people try to force things on you.’
‘Yeah, but I want to give it a proper go.’
‘You do?’
Jake smiled at her. ‘I do.’
‘OK.’ Effie reluctantly let go of his hand. ‘You can get out whenever you’re ready.’
She waded in further until she could lean forward and allow the waves to take her. No matter how many times she fell into the sea’s embrace, it was always like being welcomed home. Turning in a circle, she watched as Jake did the same, spluttering at the temperature as he splashed over to her.
‘Keep breathing,’ she told him as they swam closer together, ‘you’re doing great. Are you all right?’
‘It’s bracing!’ Jake sucked in a breath and allowed himself to settle as one with the water. ‘It might not end up being my new hobby, but I can see why you do it.’
They swam a few more strokes, Effie getting into her stride, but she was aware of Jake spluttering valiantly along beside her.
‘I’m really sorry, Eff, but I think I’m done,’ he admitted.
Effie paused, treading water. ‘That’s fine, Jake, you’ve done brilliantly for a first-timer. I’ll join you in a bit, use my dry robe.’
‘Will do.’ Jake gave a quick nod before turning for the shore.
Effie watched him until he was safely in the shallows where he emerged like a stunning merman from the waves.
With a sigh, she turned back and swam a little further out.
With every stroke she tried to erase her attraction to Jake.
Falling for a man who had confessed he wasn’t sure if he was sticking around and that him and his ex were on a break wasn’t dangerous, it was downright foolish.
Out in the water, the physical distance between them helped to settle her heart and mind.
Finishing her swim, Effie resurfaced and joined Jake on the beach, picking up his towel to dry herself off.
‘Eff, I feel alive,’ he said in wonder, holding his arms out and wiggling his fingers, ‘everything is buzzing.’
‘I’m so proud of you for giving it a go.’ She smiled as Jake got up from the sand and tried to offer her the robe back. ‘No, I think you need it more than me. Are you ready for the next bit?’
‘The hot chocolate?’
Effie nodded.
Jake leaned forward and whispered in her ear, sending a delicious shiver down her spine, ‘Confession, that’s the only reason I came.’
Once they’d dried off, they made their way across to Lola’s café. Freya, who was manning the counter, raised her eyebrows as they entered.
‘You’re both far braver than me,’ she said. ‘What can I get you?’
‘Hot chocolate please.’ Effie beamed and glanced at Jake.
‘Well, same for me, I’m here for the full experience.’ He grinned. ‘You’ve got to try it, Freya, it’s life affirming.’
‘I’ll take your word for it,’ Freya said as she turned to make the drinks. ‘Glad to catch you, Jake,’ she said over her shoulder, ‘I’ve got a proposition for you. No, not like that.’ She laughed as she set the hot chocolates down. ‘More of the artistic kind. Whipped cream?’ She held the can up.
Effie shook her head.
‘Ah, go on,’ Jake said, ‘why not? What’s this proposition?’
Freya passed Effie her marshmallow-laden hot chocolate before squirting a generous mound of cream onto Jake’s.
‘I’ve finally got permission to use the outbuilding behind the café as a gallery on a temporary basis over the summer.
I have no idea how long it’ll run for, or if it’ll be a success, but I wanted somewhere to display my own paintings, keep all the money for myself.
Even Angelo is working on a piece for display.
I’m looking for local artists to show their work. ’
‘That sounds amazing!’ Effie enthused as she scooped a slightly melted marshmallow off her drink.
‘It does,’ said Jake, ‘well done. Do you want to use my decorating skills?’
Freya laughed. ‘No, I can wield a paintbrush just fine, but I was wondering if you wanted to display some of your photos? Might help you get your business off the ground. What do you think?’
Jake turned to Effie, then back to Freya. ‘Erm, well, that’s quite something. I’d say I’d love to, but can I have a think about it?’
‘Yeah, of course, no pressure,’ Freya insisted. ‘I’ve got a couple of weeks before I open. So, let me know in a few days? Then I can get the programme together.’
Jake nodded. ‘Definitely, see you soon, Freya,’ he said as he followed Effie towards the door. Once they were outside, Jake exhaled. ‘What do you think I should do?’ he asked as they perched on the harbour wall.
‘Jake! It’s a fantastic opportunity, of course you should say yes!’
Jake scooped off the whipped cream and spooned it into his mouth whilst staring thoughtfully at the horizon.
‘You are going to say yes, aren’t you?’
Jake turned to her. ‘I should. But I need some thinking time. Hey, are you busy this afternoon? Want to take a walk out across the cliffs? Don’t tell Steve, but the pub in the next bay does the best scampi and chips.’
‘I never say no to scampi and chips.’ Effie grinned at him.