Jake sucked in a breath.
‘What?’ she asked, irritated. The breath seemed to signify he knew more than she did. ‘It’s just some paint,’ she pointed out, her voice more defensive than she’d intended. ‘You think I can’t do it?’
‘What? No!’ He gave her a once-over, as if appraising his opponent. ‘I’m pretty sure you can do anything, but Easter is only three weeks away. Why didn’t your boss get it ready for you?’
Effie opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She had no words to defend Clive. ‘I don’t know,’ she admitted, wondering why she’d never asked this question herself, ‘he’s not the practical sort and I like a challenge.’ Did she? Well, yes, perhaps now she did. ‘He chose me to set up and open his new branch.’
‘Wow, he must really trust you.’ Jake looked impressed.
‘Yes, I guess he does.’ She glanced around the shop, the enormity of transforming it overwhelming her. She turned to Jake with false positivity. ‘Look, it’s fine, it’s just a bit of paint, I don’t have anything else to do.’ She plastered a smile on her face to hide the creeping panic that it was a lot of work.
‘At least let me give you a hand carrying this stuff in.’ Jake ripped at the plastic and started to unload the paint pots.
Effie watched as he carried them inside, as if they weighed nothing. Jake lined them up against the wall below the window. Finishing her hot chocolate, she grabbed the paintbrushes and stacked them on the counter.
Once everything was inside, Jake’s eyes roamed over the shop and back to Effie as if he knew she’d bitten off more than she could chew. He hesitated before volunteering, ‘Do you want some help with the painting?’
Effie’s resolve almost crumbled under his kindness, but she was determined to prove she could do this herself. Shaking her head, she said, ‘It’s fine, thanks, honestly. I mean, how hard can it be?’ She smiled and gave a little shrug.
Jake’s narrow-eyed silence unnerved her. It made her think he knew something she didn’t, which only irked her.
Chapter Ten
‘Ugh.’ Effie sank back against the counter. It turned out that painting a whole shop wasn’t hard, but it was deathly boring. She checked the time. ‘What? I’ve only been doing this for an hour and a half?’
She glanced from the paintbrush to the shelves. They weren’t turning out as she’d expected. Despite her sanding the varnish off, the wood underneath was still lumpy. They looked more like an enthusiastic school project than the beginnings of a sophisticated shop.
Effie put the brush down and reached for her phone, ready to call Clive and tell him she didn’t care about her promotion, or the threat of him sending Zach, setting up the shop on her own was impossible. Maybe she could convince him to send in professionals. Just as she was about to press ‘call’ the bark of a dog almost made her leap out of her skin.
‘Oh gosh, it’s you.’ Effie spun round to find Alf and Scruff lingering in the open doorway.
‘Sorry, love, didn’t mean to give you a fright—’ Alf’s eyes twinkled ‘—just wanted to see how you’re getting on.’
Effie signalled with the brush towards the shelves. ‘Not very well,’ she admitted, her cheeks colouring as she recalled brushing off Jake’s help. How foolish she’d been. ‘I think Jake was offering to help but I turned him down.’
‘Jake, ah, he’s a good lad, known him since he was a babe in arms. He’s done well for himself,’ Alf said proudly.
Effie made a non-committal noise in response.
‘Would you like his help?’
Effie sighed. ‘I’d take Scruff’s help if it meant it was done quicker.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t trust him with a paintbrush,’ Alf said, ‘he’s the messy sort. He prefers a more supervisory role.’
Despite her internal gloom, Alf’s kindness brought a smile to her face. ‘He’s welcome to stay and supervise,’ Effie said.
Although she usually preferred her own company, spending all her days and evenings alone was starting to wear on her. All the conversations she’d had in the café had been pleasant, friendly, but she still felt like an outsider, like she didn’t know how to properly insert herself into the cosy Polcarrow life she’d seen playing out around her.Give it a few more weeks, she reminded herself,you’ve only just arrived.
‘Why don’t you come next door and take a break? Lola’s made some fresh scones,’ Alf tempted.
‘I’d wondered what that divine smell was.’ She sighed. ‘I’d love to Alf, but if I keep stopping, I’ll never get this done. But thank you.’
Alf nodded. ‘I’ll bring you round a cuppa.’
‘Alf, you don’t have to do that,’ Effie said. ‘That’s very kind.’
‘Come on, Scruff.’ Alf gave the dog’s lead a tug.
