Effie shook her head. ‘I only arrived yesterday. I’ve been busy getting settled in.’
Lola checked her watch. ‘It’s almost half ten, you’ve definitely earned a break.’
Effie, who’d been up since six fretting, supposed she had. Her stomach rumbled in support of taking a break. ‘I guess that settles it,’ she laughed, grabbing her phone and bag and following Lola out of the shop. The morning air was warm with spring promise and Effie took in a deep breath of fresh sea air. She could do this.
Lola pushed open the café door. Effie followed her inside and stopped in her tracks. The café was gorgeous. The walls were painted the palest grey with lemon accents, creating a calming yet cosy vibe. Effie took it all in, from the beautiful assortment of vintage teapots on a shelf above the counter, to the delicious-looking cakes and bakes stacked temptingly in glass domes to the floral bunting strung along the ceiling. The aroma of coffee and chocolate made Effie’s mouth water. It was adorable.
‘Wow, this is . . .’ Effie trailed off as a large sheepdog bounded playfully over to her, almost knocking her off her feet.
‘Scruff! What have I told you? You can’t just barge into people.’
Effie followed the voice and saw an elderly gentleman sitting at the window seat, stooped and wizened by the years, yet his eyes twinkled with mischief.
‘You OK with dogs? He’s friendly. Too friendly where the ladies are concerned.’
Effie nodded. ‘Yes, I’m fine with dogs. Hello. Scruff.’ Gingerly, she held her hand out and watched as Scruff sniffed her palm, then her feet before satisfied, returning to his master.
‘Passed the initiation test,’ the old man laughed. ‘I’m Alf and what I don’t know about Polcarrow isn’t worth mentioning. Are you just going to stand there?’
‘Erm, no, erm . . .’ flustered Effie as she took the vacant seat across from him. ‘I’m Effie, I’m in charge of opening the bookshop next door.’
‘Ah yes, didn’t think much of the lad who turned up with that flashy car. What sort of books?’
‘All sorts, but we try to specialise in ones set in Cornwall or about Cornwall.’ Effie explained the ethos surrounding Books by the Sea: ‘We like to stock local authors and promote literature about Cornwall.’ Alf nodded approvingly. ‘Maps, walking guides, ghost stories, romances. As well as the usual bestsellers and children’s books.’
‘That sounds marvellous.’ Lola appeared at her elbow. ‘What would you like?’
Effie glanced at the selection. ‘It’s got to be a cream tea, hasn’t it? Those scones look divine.’
‘They are!’ Alf confirmed, patting his middle.
‘Perfect choice.’ Lola winked. ‘Freya, one cream tea please.’
‘Sure!’ the girl behind the counter, her dark hair piled into a messy bun, called.
‘So, what brings you here other than the bookshop?’ Lola asked, taking the spare seat.
‘Just the bookshop,’ Effie explained. ‘My boss wanted to open a new branch and decided I’m the best person for it so here we are. Except, his keenness to acquire the property has meant I’ve been thrown into a minor renovation project.’
Alf and Lola both made sympathetic noises.
‘What’s it like here? I mean, do you need a bookshop?’
‘I think everywhere probably needs a bookshop,’ Alf said diplomatically. ‘I’m not going to lie, we’re only a small village, but people are starting to visit again. It might be nice for them to have a bookshop to look around. If you’re asking about Polcarrow itself, well, we get by. I mean, look at that view, how could you complain?’
Effie glanced out of the window and agreed, ‘It is gorgeous.’ Her stomach tightened. Had Clive really done the right thing investing in a shop somewhere so small?
Lola gave her a long look that made Effie squirm. ‘Hmmm. I think you’re here for more reasons than that,’ she said as Freya placed a tray laden with scones and a strawberry-print teapot on the table.
‘Lola, no,’ Freya cautioned with a roll of her eyes.
Effie glanced between them. ‘What?’
Delight shining on her face, Lola reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of tarot cards.
Alf spotted them and rolled his eyes. ‘My cue to leave. I don’t believe in all that hokum. I’ll be round though to see how that shop is turning out. Have a good morning, ladies. Nice to meet you, Effie.’
A chorus of goodbyes followed Alf out of the shop as he tugged Scruff away from the baked goods. Effie reached for a scone and began to slice through it.
