‘Oh, I’m sure he won’t mind. It’ll be the most perfect way for you to meet the rest of the village. Jake, why haven’t you invited Effie? Your mum has been busy making all the bunting.’
‘It sounds lovely, but I can’t just crash the party,’ Effie protested.
‘You won’t be crashing it,’ Lola said, getting up and taking their empty plates, ‘I’ll let him know I’ve suggested it. Do you want anything else?’
Both Effie and Jake shook their heads. Once Lola had bustled back inside the café, their eyes met and they both began to laugh, shaking their heads in disbelief. Lola was a very difficult woman to say no to.
‘I’m sure you’ll be fine to come along,’ Jake told her. ‘Alf has always enjoyed a fuss. He pretends he doesn’t, but secretly he loves it.’
‘Thanks, but I’m not sure it’s my thing. I wouldn’t feel comfortable just turning up,’ Effie said, memories of lingering awkwardly at far too many parties flashing through her mind. One of the joys of getting older and having a smaller, more understanding friendship group meant that it had been a relief for Effie to realise she could decline an invite or simply leave an event early. No judgement. Polcarrow was somewhere new and everyone was exceptionally sociable and friendly, maybe they wouldn’t understand.
‘I’d like you to be there and Lola’s right, it’s a perfect way to meet everyone. It’ll be weirder if you’re the only one not there.’
‘What if I wait and see if Alf invites me?’ Effie compromised, still unsure about just turning up.
Jake considered this before nodding his agreement. ‘If he doesn’t, I’ll just sneak you in.’
Later that afternoon Effie was busy packing up their decorating equipment and Jake was in the small kitchen cleaning down the brushes, singing along to Queen on the radio, making her chuckle with his Freddie Mercury impression, when there was a knock at the door. Stretching her aching back, the thought of plunging into a steaming hot bath the only thing that was keeping her going, Effie crossed the shop and pulled open the door. Alf stood there, Scruff by his side.
‘Hello,’ Effie said, bending to give Scruff a scratch behind his ears, which set his tail wagging happily. ‘How can I help you, Alf?’
‘Is your young man about?’
‘He’s not my young man, Alf,’ Effie rushed to remind him.
Alf gave her a look that seemed to say,You’ll see.
‘Jake,’ she called, ‘Alf’s here.’
Jake emerged from the kitchen, drying his hands on a towel. He draped it casually over his shoulder before running his hands through his hair, pushing it back off his face. Effie’s breath caught at the sight of him as the blond waves fell back into place, framing his face.
‘Hey, hey, buddy,’ he greeted Scruff. ‘How can we help you?’
‘I hear Lola’s been dishing out invites to my birthday party. She shouldn’t do that, but she can’t help herself.’ He rolled his eyes.
‘It’s OK, I wasn’t expecting an invite,’ Effie assured him.
‘Don’t be daft. Of course you’re welcome! What I’m saying is, she shouldn’t be dishing out invites on my behalf. I was going to toddle over tomorrow morning and ask you – properly, that is. So here I am. What are you doing on Saturday afternoon?’
Effie threw Jake a glance and he gave her an encouraging nod. ‘Nothing,’ she said.
‘In that case, consider this your formal invite to my ninetieth birthday party.’ Alf beamed. ‘I can hardly believe it, you know, ninety. I’m already planning on getting to one hundred, so this is just a warm-up. Dress nice but not too fancy if you don’t want. But please come, it’ll mean everyone will be able to get a look at you in one go. Nosey lot they are. Like to meddle. Harmless though.’
‘Ah, OK, sure, why not,’ Effie said with a cautious glance at Jake. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of being on display to the entire village.
‘You’ve really sold it,’ Jake laughed. ‘Mind if I bring my camera? I’d love to take some photos.’
Alf gave him a look whilst considering the offer. ‘That would be splendid. Now, I’ll leave you two young’uns to whatever you have planned this evening.’ With a wave, Alf shuffled off, practically dragging Scruff with him.
Effie turned to Jake and exhaled. ‘Should be fun,’ she said, but Jake’s focus was still on Alf as he crossed the road and made his way onto the beach.
‘That man is a legend,’ Jake said as he turned back to her. ‘He seemed ancient when I was a kid but he just keeps going. I hope I’m that sprightly at ninety. Hey, if you’re nervous about going alone, I can meet you beforehand and we can go together?’
‘You sure?’
Jake nodded. ‘I wouldn’t have offered otherwise.’
‘OK, that’s kind, thank you,’ Effie said, her nerves about attending a social function starting to settle.
