He shook his head. ‘I don’t know if it adds up to much of a plan for the future,’ he said ruefully. ‘I can’t exactly do a degree in “organising random village shows”.’
‘No, but it’s a starting point, isn’t it?’ said Ivy.
There was another pause.
Then Ivy asked, ‘So, do I get to know all the secrets now?’
Trip let out a small laugh. ‘Yeah. I think it’s time.’
‘Good. Because Brooke just gave me the topline and I need to knoweverything.’
‘Brooke’s production company optioned the Kathleen Lee book last year – she’s a romance fanatic, so she pounced on it. She and Kathleen instantly got along like a house on fire. Theproduction company was talking about shooting it all in LA and Kathleen wanted something different, something more authentic … she kept telling Brooke about this little village where she’d had her book launch and in the end Brooke agreed to fly out and take a look. Brooke thought I could come along too and do some sightseeing. Grandma always made Cornwall sound so magical.’
‘That’s why Brooke wanted to see all the sights,’ Ivy said.
‘Yeah, she needed a local to show her around, see the places that she might be able to film. Put her case to the big guns.’
‘And that’s why she was asking all those weird questions,’ said Ivy, remembering. ‘How many rooms Simi has and stuff.’
‘Well, if Fox Bay is really going to be the location, then it’s a big deal,’ said Trip. ‘Brooke was telling me all about it. They need accommodation, catering …’ He looked out across the quiet harbour. ‘I don’t know if I like the idea of this place being overrun.’
Ivy thought about it. She thought about Fin’s giant Cornish pasty and Old Bill’s tall tales and the lighthouse, standing tall and proud on the cliff, shrouded in mist. She thought about Lou and Simi, and The Mariner’s Arms and Wildest Dreams, Fox Bay’s strange, hippyish beating heart.
‘I think Fox Bay can cope with a visit from Hollywood,’ she said slowly. ‘It’s about the people, isn’t it, as much as this pier and the harbour and the lighthouse, the secret cove and Seal Island. And those people aren’t going anywhere.’
He grinned. ‘Maybe you’re right. Maybe Fox Bay is tough enough to handle it.’
‘So that’s why you went to London? For Brooke to have meetings?’
‘Yeah. I hated not being honest with you, so that’s why I went radio silent. But yeah, a lot of meetings, a lot of sightseeing … One of the actors who has just been cast was in London too.’
Ivy nodded. ‘Right. The incredibly pretty girl.’
‘We met with Madison over afternoon tea.’ He nudged her. ‘Herboyfriendwas there too. He’s British, hence why she was in London.’
‘You could’ve told me,’ Ivy said gently. ‘About all of this.’
‘Iwantedto,’ Trip said. ‘So many times. Believe me, I donotlike keeping secrets. But I didn’t want to jinx it. What if it got out and everyone got excited and then it didn’t happen? But I won’t keep any more, I promise.’
After a beat, Ivy asked, ‘And how areyou? About your grandma’s house?’
Trip exhaled, eyes on the dark water.
‘I think I’m all right,’ he said. ‘Saying goodbye to Gran’s house will be really hard. But Brooke’s right. Gran wouldn’t want us to hang on to it and stay rooted in the past. She’d want us to keep the memories – all those special times she gave us – and do something with the money. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting her, I get that now. Besides, she’s kind of woven into everything I do. Even saying yes to this ridiculous show. It’sexactlythe sort of thing Grandma would do. She’d have loved it here.’
‘And Brooke?’ Ivy asked. ‘Are you guys okay? She really cares about you.’
He nodded. ‘It was good to talk. I think it’s time I grew up a bit and stopped leaving all the practicalities to her. She needs to kick back and let go sometimes too, you know?’
Ivy grinned. ‘I mean, I can’t exactly imagine Brookekicking back and letting go,’ she admitted.
‘You should see her in the middle of a Hallmark movie marathon,’ Trip said. He glanced at Ivy. ‘She was right about me. I need to think about the future. I need to accept that change isn’t all bad. Pick a college.’
Pick a college.Ivy felt a pang. Of course, Trip was going back to the States. Whatever almost-something this thing between them had been, it would be over before it had begun. They sat in silence for a while, two small figures against the dark sky, legs dangling.
Then Trip leaned a little closer, just enough for his shoulder to brush against hers. ‘What about you? Back to your course with a completely brilliant project?’ She hesitated and he shook his head. ‘Come on. Those drawings you’ve been doing? They’re really good.’
‘You know what?’ said Ivy, feeling the conviction swell again in her chest, ‘I think theyaregood. But I’m leaving the course.’
