Chapter 4
FOUR
A week later, feeling far more relaxed about life, Rita perched casually on a hay bale in the barn.
The double doors at the far end were open to reveal the breathtaking expansive view of rolling fields that led to the cliff top at the end of High Meadow.
Zenya was cross-legged on a yoga mat on the floor, scribbling notes faster than Rita could speak.
Her dreadlocked blonde hair was tied up with a clip she’d made from a slender twig, bent and bound with cord.
‘All right,’ Rita said firmly. ‘Spring Awakening, middle of April. We are one short for that, plus we only have one booked on for Sun-Kissed in July so far. Can you read out what the current ad says, please? You did put in the seal watching this time, didn’t you?’
‘Yes, Rita,’ Zenya replied with a slanted smile. ‘And the fishing trips.’
‘Sorry, sorry. You’re more on top of things than I am.’
Zenya stood up, cleared her throat, and assumed a dramatic tone as she read from her phone.
‘Welcome to the Seahaven Bay Retreat, where the sea listens to your secrets and awakens your soul. Tucked into nature, where our cosy yurts offer unbeatable sea views that make every morning feel like a gift. In our rustic barn, you can join rejuvenating sessions, from gong ceremonies to yoga, or simply sit in quiet awe beneath the stars and the moon. Dive into the wild with invigorating cold-water swims, then set out along the coast for seal watching or try deep sea mackerel fishing on a trawler. Refuel with fresh, wholesome, raw foods, or wander into a picturesque Cornish village to discover a local welcoming pub. Let go, breathe deep, and reconnect with yourself.’
Rita grinned. ‘I want to go there myself.’
Zenya laughed. ‘I’ll put another ad on Instagram later. We always get a last-minute surge.’
‘Let’s hope we get the weather, too; so much easier when they bugger off from here and head down to the beach,’ Rita laughed.
‘That’s the zen spirit.’ Zenya grinned, putting her yoga mat back on the pile. ‘But I do hear you.’
The barn door creaked open, and in wandered Teo, in his trademark long European-style shorts, whatever the season, looking happy and relaxed.
‘Buenos días,’ he said, dragging out the syllables.
‘Ah, there you are, Mr Manana.’ Rita smiled at the handsome young Spaniard. Her dead husband’s son, a fact she’d only discovered a few months ago.
He smiled his easy smile and for a second she was caught off guard by the familiar tilt of his head, the gentle ease in his movements. Archie.
Teo raised his eyebrows. ‘It so silly you change the clocks here. My body, it don’t like it.’
Rita laughed. ‘They change in Seville, too, you know. And you only lost one hour, not seven.’
Teo waved his hands dismissively. ‘I must just sleep through the big stupid idea when I am home there, too.’
‘Well, you’re here now.’ Rita marched across the barn, sweeping her arm up toward the yurt area.
‘And I want to be on top of things for the April retreat. So, yurts need scrubbing. Clean bedding is in the airing cupboard. Refill the Cosy Café with supplies. Tea, coffee sachets in the machine. You know the drill. The Nook also may need some more paints, et cetera. Shout and let me know what needs ordering. You can decide between you who’s doing what. ’
Zenya nodded furiously whilst filling her notebook.
‘And the solar lights.’ Rita looked thoughtful.
‘Teo, can you check every single one, please? Last retreat we had a couple of complaints some weren’t working.
We can’t afford to be getting sued if someone trips over in the dark.
’ Teo raised his eyebrows to Zenya at Rita’s unusual stern directive.
‘Oh yes. And breakfast…’ Rita was now pacing around the barn.
‘Are you all right, Rita?’ Zenya enquired.
Rita paused. She had been slightly restless, a little moody… like before a period… perimenopause, she reminded herself. That explained a lot, didn’t it?
‘Sorry, am I being a bit too much… didn’t mean to be. My hormones are all over the place at the moment.’
‘Aw, bless you.’ Zenya smiled. ‘I have a plant remedy in my tent that may help you with that.’
‘And I give you a private yoga session later, OK?’ Teo sounded worried.
‘You were both sent from heaven, you two… and I have just remembered something else of relevance. Now that the Cosy Café kitchen area is fully equipped, we’re not doing breakfast delivery from Betty’s anymore.
Zenya, you are our master baker. Guests can either come down in the morning and choose from what’s on offer, or if they prefer we can make up hampers and deliver up to the yurts early, as before. OK with that, both of you?’
‘Sí, sí. Whatever works.’ The young Spaniard nodded.
‘Got it.’ Zenya shut her notebook.
Rita sighed. ‘Honestly, sometimes I wonder why we put ourselves through it.’
‘Because it’s fun.’ Teo did an accentuated arm stretch.
Zenya brushed the straw from her jeans, then laughed. ‘And just think you wouldn’t get to meet the likes of loud Michael the lawyer.’
‘Or a cool musician, like Paul,’ Teo chipped in, whilst stacking his yoga mats neatly, causing Rita to blush at the memory of her fornication on the beach with the aforementioned resort guest.
‘I forgot to tell you that Annie emailed just after Christmas to say that she and Michael are now living together and to thank me for the matchmake.’ Rita laughed.
‘Aw, that’s so sweet,’ Zenya mused. ‘We’ll be hearing about our first resort baby next!’
‘Who was it who said, there’s a lid for every pot?’ Rita added.
‘Hilda probably,’ Zenya added.
‘Nah, that’s far too romantic a notion to come out of my mother-in-law’s mouth.’ Rita grinned.
‘Talking of the romantic things,’ Teo added. ‘I, I am moving out, sí, sí, from Hilda’s annexe, down to the Harbour Flat with Jude. Very soon. If that’s OK. I promise I be here on time, every day.’
Rita touched his arm. ‘You do whatever makes you happy, Teo. I’m so pleased. Do I need to buy a hat?’
Teo frowned. ‘Buy a hat? Is that like… a thing you British people do when someone moves in with someone?’
Rita laughed. ‘We say it if there is a wedding on the horizon.’
Teo looked confused. ‘I see… hats, weddings… and here I was just hoping my duvet cover matches his décor.’
Zenya snorted. ‘We’ll be glad to see the back of you, you daft lovestruck fool.’
Teo grinned, completely unbothered. ‘I am in constant Savasana. Floating, sí, between sun salutations and thinking of my Jude.’
Rita shook her head. ‘On that note can you float off up to the yurts and start checking them.’
Teo bowed sarcastically. ‘I go now, lovely Rita. See you later.’
As Teo headed off, Rita looked to Zenya. ‘Why don’t you move into the annexe when Teo moves? Give yourself some comfort. I still can’t believe you’ve been in that tent of yours all winter.’
Zenya hesitated, glancing towards the horizon. ‘The thought of a roof over my head is tempting… but then so are the starry skies, the whisper of the wind, the freedom of nature I’ve loved for so long. Maybe after the summer.’
‘You do exactly as you please. It’s your haven as well as mine.’
Zenya grinned. ‘Thank you, Rita, for everything. I just love it here.’
‘Happy staff, happy business owner.’ Rita went to shut the huge double doors of the barn. Zenya followed to assist.
‘Oh, just so you know, I’ve got Thom and Sennen coming down for the weekend.’
‘Aw, that’s nice for you, and Hilda will love that.’ Zenya secured the huge latch.
‘If she’s not fornicating in Eager Eric’s hot tub, that is. Right’ – Rita clapped her hands once, decisively – ‘let’s get ready for Easter and all the unpredictable, starry-souled maniacs it may bring.’