Chapter Thirty-One
‘So, you survived being Sue-d last night?’ Jake asked as he handed Effie her post-swim hot chocolate.
Laughing, Effie lifted the lid and gave the marshmallows a little stir.
‘Just about. Actually, it took the pressure off me,’ she said, as she perched on the harbour wall, her dryrobe wrapped around her.
The evening had been a huge success, everyone had loved the book and had queued up for Effie’s recommendations before leaving.
She’d been buzzing too much to sleep properly, so the morning swim had helped clear her fuzzy head.
After a few grey mornings, the sun was starting to peek out from behind the clouds, like a promise of the season to come. Effie took a sip. ‘Ah, it doesn’t get much better than this.’ She glanced at Jake. ‘Well, I guess you’ve seen some better sights.’
Jake paused for a moment. ‘Yeah, I guess I have. Ticked off a lot of the bucket list ones, but I was still sort of on a big, long holiday. Being able to live with this view every day, well, yeah, that is something special.’
‘So, Cornwall is working its charms on you?’ Effie asked.
Jake gave her a look, his expression suddenly solemn. ‘The truth?’
The smile slid from her face. Bracing herself for his answer, Effie nodded.
‘It’s not just Cornwall working its charms,’ he said carefully, before taking a sip of his coffee.
‘I’m having a nice time. Between helping you and trying to set up the photography business it’s great, but I’m not sure if this is the best place for me, to say yes to Cornwall feels like a huge commitment.
I’m sorry. But it’s more of a seventy–thirty split. ’
‘What percentage has what?’
‘Seventy to stay. Dad said if the photography business doesn’t take off, I can help him. That would definitely mean staying here in Polcarrow though.’
‘Well, you are a dab hand with a paintbrush,’ Effie said, trying to hide her disappointment whilst trying to also convince herself that seventy per cent sure was pretty good going, whilst ignoring the mixed signals he kept sending.
‘I was impressed by those skills, but actually your photography is even better. How’s it going? ’
Jake put his coffee cup down and pulled his phone from his pocket and swiped the screen. ‘What do you think?’ he asked, passing his phone to Effie.
Effie put her drink down and took his phone. ‘Is this your website?’
‘Yeah, Jason helped me set it up. He did one for his surf school.’
Effie scrolled through the photos. ‘I think it looks fabulous,’ she said, passing the phone back to him. There was a nice mix of local seascapes, far-flung landscapes and portraits.
Relief washed over Jake as he scrolled up and down the screen. ‘You really think it’s OK? You’re not just saying that, are you?’
‘As if I would! It looks great, Jake, really. If I was looking to hire a photographer to shoot my special occasion, I’d feel confident in what you’re showing there. Thanks for including the shop!’ Effie tapped on one of the photos from the opening to enlarge it.
‘I was running out of non-landscape things to share,’ he confessed as he clicked on another image. It was one of the ones he’d taken of Maddie and Effie in Lola’s café.
‘I can’t believe you made what I thought was a snapshot look like a professionally posed photo,’ Effie said, leaning over to take it in, her mind boggling at the composition, the lighting. ‘You really have a talent.’
‘Thank you.’ Jake slipped his phone back in his pocket. ‘So now I just wait, I guess. Lola and Tristan have booked me for the end of May.’
‘That’s awesome news! Have you chosen your shots for the exhibition at Freya’s gallery?’
Jake laughed. ‘I’ve been trying to! But striking the right balance is harder than I thought it’d be. There’s so many. I’ve been agonising over it for the last couple of days.’
‘Maybe you need a new eye?’ Effie suggested as she fished one of the melted marshmallows out of her drink, sighing with happiness as she popped it into her mouth. ‘My favourite bit. What?’ Effie asked. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
‘You’re so cute when you get to your marshmallows,’ he said with a smile.
Effie’s face flushed.
‘But also, you’re right, you haven’t seen all my photos. Do you want to come over later and help me decide?’
‘Me? I don’t know anything about what makes a good photo,’ she protested.
‘I just need a second opinion. I’ll cook for you. I make a great Thai curry.’
‘Ooh that’s one of my favourites.’
‘So that’s a yes?’
Effie finished her drink ‘It is a yes.’