She began to walk along the harbour path. It was only nine-thirty, but the measures of vodka she had been poured made it feel like eleven-thirty. The last bus was long gone and after specifically being told by Belle to call a cab in plenty of time, she didn’t dare call her now and disturb her evening. Maybe she should have skipped the market stall idea and set up a cab company. Surely Uber would make a killing down here? Who’d have thought that getting from A to B would be this difficult. It made her realise how easy life in London was– with regards to public transport and accessibility, at least.
A wry smile crossed her face. Of course! Lowen might come and get her. She reached for her phone and dialled. She was just about to hang up when he answered, sounding out of breath. ‘Jilly, are you OK?’
‘Yeah– well, no, actually. I’m stuck in Hartmouth as no taxis and was hoping maybe you could give me a lift home. I’ll make it worth your while…’ She giggled.
‘Are you drunk again?’
‘Pot kettle black, matey. Just a little tipsy, maybe?’
‘I’m really sorry, Jilly, but I can’t tonight. Erm… like I said before, my sister is coming home from holiday later and my house is a tip. I don’t think I mentioned but err… she lives with me and will go mental if the place isn’t how she left it.’
‘Ah, OK. I’ve never been turned down for a duster before.’ She giggled again.
‘Yeah, I’m literally rubber gloves-deep in polish and bleach– and before you ask, I wish that was a euphemism.’
‘No worries. Another time.’
‘I’ll be seeing you next Monday at the market for sure, though. Better get on. See ya.’
‘See ya.’ Sabrina hung up and put her handset back in her bag. Next Monday? That seemed like eons away.
She noticed a bench along the quayside overlooking the estuary but far enough away from Frank’s to remain inconspicuous. Sitting down under the streetlamp, she was startled by a lone gull squawking disapproval of his quiet night being disturbed by Elvis beingAll Shook Up.’
She was just about to bite the bullet and as a last resort reluctantly call Belle, when she heard footsteps approaching along the path. A familiar voice greeted her. ‘Jilly? Is that you?’
‘Kara? Hi. I thought you were staying up the hill?’
‘I am, but whilst I’m down this end of the lane, I thought I’d check in on the flat to make sure it’s ship shape for guests– which could be you, of course.’ The pregnant woman yawned. ‘God, I’m knackered. I hope you understand if an Airbnb booking comes in, we will grab it.’
‘Oh my god, of course.’ Sabrina stood up. ‘I just need to make my mind up, sorry. Is Billy still partying?’
‘Yeah. I told him to stay. He needs to get as many nights out as he can ’cos when these two arrive, I dread to think how little time to ourselves we’ll both be having.’
‘You two seem so happy.’
‘We have our moments, like anybody. But yes, I found a good one there.’ She yawned again loudly. ‘So, Billy boy has told me he’s cleaned the bathroom properly, but he’s from the “that’ll do” school of cleaning, and I know it’ll need a full inspection.’ Sabrina laughed and then realised what a blessed life she had lived with Dominic, enjoying both a cleaner and an ironing lady.
‘Sorry to be nosey, Jilly, but what are you doing sitting here in the dark on your own? Haven’t you got a home to go to?’
‘I thought I could get a cab to Penrigan, but stupidly left it too late.’
‘One of the very few downsides of Cornish living.’ Kara’s voice lifted a notch. ‘I tell you what, how about you come and have a look at the flat now? It’s just here.’
The door to Number One, Ferry View Apartments, set on the first floor of a charming Victorian apartment block on the estuary side, was painted a sage green and sported a gorgeous silver knocker in the shape of a bumble bee.
‘I love bees,’ Sabrina exclaimed. ‘Interesting choice, though. Why not a nautical-themed one? It seems like everyone else has one of those on Ferry Lane.’
‘Never did follow the trend.’ Kara smiled. ‘And, it reminds me of my Grandad Harry, who’s sadly not with us any longer.’
‘Aw, how sweet.’
‘Yes, he was a force of nature, that one. Made Charlie Dillon sound like an angel, the things he used to come out with. I put it there to remind me of him every time I return home. He used to say–’ Kara’s voice took on a strong Cornish accent– ‘“Family is where life begins, and love never ends– and don’t you ever forget that.”’
‘He sounds like an amazing man.’
‘He really was. I’m gutted he never got to meet my little ones. My Granny Annie, too. But that’s life, and we must do the best with who and what we have left… Right.’ Kara was back in the moment, suddenly business-like. ‘Come in, come in.’
Pushing the door to the flat open, she switched on the light and bent down to pick up the mail. ‘If you do decide to stay, it would be great if you could just pop any mail up to my shop.’
