‘Do you like it?’ Angelo asked, uncertainty flashing across his face.
‘Like it? I love it! Although I think I might need to take some time to really give it a good look.’ Alf beckoned Angelo over and pulled him in for a tight hug. Effie’s eyes welled at the sight of the old man and the artist, the strength of the bonds that kept the community together.
Angelo pulled himself up, and glancing around caught Tristan’s eye, who leapt to the rescue by saying, ‘Isn’t that the most wonderful painting? We can all admire it later because now I think it’s time for the cake.’
Alf’s face lit up. ‘Just what I’ve been waiting for.’
Effie watched as Lola emerged from the hall kitchen carefully carrying a three-tier cake. Iced in white fondant, it was decorated with edible lifebuoys, fishing nets and on the top sat a beautifully recreated fishing boat with sugar paste figures of Alf and Scruff seated in it. Jake slipped forward with his camera, taking photos without getting in anyone’s way or stealing the limelight from Alf, who beamed as everyone launched into a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. A round of cheers and hip, hip, hoorays followed, which set Scruff off barking.
‘Speech!’ someone called.
‘All right, all right.’ Alf pulled himself to his feet as Tristan handed him a microphone. The hall fell silent as everyone waited to hear what the old fisherman would say.
‘Well, ninety, can you believe it? I can’t. Well, I can, but you know what I mean. Time isn’t guaranteed to any of us, but I am truly blessed to still be here, still in my own home in Polcarrow, still waking up to the sight and sound of the sea every day. People dream of life over the horizon. That was never for me. What more do you need other than love and friendship. I am honoured to be part of such a thriving, caring, kind community. Now, I don’t have any secrets about how to get to this ripe old age, other than living well, never dwell on anything, enjoy the simple things because really, that is what life is about. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m quite keen to have a piece of this cake! And I’m sure Lola is very keen to put it down.’
‘Oh Alf, you read my mind!’ Lola said as she carried the cake over to the table.
Alf followed her. He took the knife she offered and sliced into the cake, cutting a large chunk. ‘This is for me—’ he winked at the gathering ‘—and doesn’t it look splendid. Now, I’ll leave it to Lola to serve, she knows more about cutting up cakes than I ever will!’
A round of applause went up and as Effie caught Jake’s eyes, she saw her own emotions reflected back in them. Jake smiled at her, warm and reassuring. Along with Alf’s words, it took her breath away. Polcarrow, it seemed, a place where lost souls found safe harbours, was becoming more and more like home every day.
Chapter Sixteen
Effie woke the following morning with a slightly sore head. Rolling over in bed, the previous evening fell into place like a disjointed jigsaw puzzle. The party had wound up in the church hall once all the cake had been eaten and then many of the guests headed over to the pub. Normally, Effie would’ve made her excuses and gone home at that point, but it had been so easy to be swept along with her new friends. She’d enjoyed herself immensely. Nerves dulled by another pint of local cider, Effie had found herself doing the rounds, exchanging information about her life, listening to everyone’s hopes for the bookshop, and garnering their interest for it.
The enthusiasm and excitement from the villagers had made Effie determined to make it the best bookshop she could. Although she knew it was Clive’s shop, Effie didn’t think he’d mind if she took some matters into her own hands and gave Polcarrow the bookshop its residents craved. After all, he wanted it to be a success. The most popular request had been for a book club. Sue had already been trying to form one and had made enquiries about holding it at Lola’s café on a Thursday evening. Effie saw no reason not to join forces with her and set one up.
By the time she’d left the pub, wandering home alone, the sun long gone, Effie was brimming with ideas and swaying slightly from a third pint she knew she’d regret in the morning. Jake had been busy talking to Angelo and Effie hadn’t wanted to disturb him, so she’d left alone.
Now the morning was here, she was glad to only have a slight headache, one that she knew would be soothed by a swim in the sea. Yawning, Effie climbed out of bed and pulled on her wetsuit. The sky was slightly overcast but that was no excuse not to take a dip. She left the flat, crossed the road and padded down the steps onto the beach, shrugging off her dry robe and flip-flops before making her way into the sea.
The first wave was cold and instantly woke her up. Slowly, she made her limbs move through the water, her head clearing with each stroke. She was just wondering if she’d earned a day off from all the decorating, it was Sunday after all, and figuring out what she could do, when she remembered her parents were due to visit. They’d texted the previous evening whilst Effie had been on the way to the pub, and she’d agreed. She couldn’t wait to show them the progress she’d made. On finishing her swim, feeling revived, Effie lingered on the beach, lying to herself that she wasn’t searching for Jake.
After a few minutes, when he didn’t show, Effie pushed him and the complicated feelings he rose in her, from her mind. Back in her flat, she jumped in the shower and rinsed the sea salt from her hair. Two cups of tea and a bacon sandwich later, she felt completely human again. She was giving the flat a quick tidy when a knock on the door sounded. Rushing over, Effie pulled it open, thrilled to see her parents standing there, her mum holding a bunch of early spring flowers.
‘Hello, love.’ Rosemary passed Effie the flowers before bundling her into a hug. ‘I’ve missed you so much!’
‘It’s only been a week,’ Effie reminded her, as she squeezed her mum back as best she could whilst also holding the bouquet. ‘I’ve missed you too.’
‘How’s it going?’ her dad asked, glancing around the flat. ‘It looks a lot better in here than when I left last week.’
‘I got to work on it straightaway.’ Effie gestured to the room. ‘Let me take your things and I’ll give you the not so grand tour.’
Effie took her parents’ coats and bags and hung them on the hooks on the back of the door. She then showed them around the tiny flat, pointing out the sea view, opening cupboards to show them how she’d stored things. Seeing it through their eyes made Effie proudly realise how much she had achieved in a week.
‘What about the shop?’ Brian asked with a grimace.
‘It’s coming on slowly; I’ve had some help.’
‘Did Clive send someone, like he should’ve done?’
Effie shook her head. ‘No, my neighbour, Jake, has been helping me paint. His dad’s a decorator.’
Her parents exchanged a look at the mention of Jake. Effie blushed, not knowing whether or not to protest that he was just a friend or to ignore the look. She chose the latter. Her mum had started to drop hints that it’d be nice for Effie to find a real young man, not a fictional one.
‘Would you like to see it?’ Effie said to deflect attention away from her love life.
‘Yes please!’
