Grabbing her keys, she slipped on her shoes and opened the flat door. ‘Follow me.’
They made their way back downstairs where Effie unlocked the shop, her mum commenting that it was in a prime location and gushing over the sea view. Effie pushed open the door and could see how far the transformation of the space had gone. It looked much brighter painted white, like a fresh start. It even looked bigger than it had when she’d started.
‘Wow!’ Brian exclaimed. ‘It’s like a whole different place. I felt awful leaving you here last week. That estate agent was a right pillock. You’ve done really well, this looks great. Can’t wait to see it when it’s all finished.’
‘Neither can I actually,’ Effie said proudly. ‘The books should be arriving next week and then the other stock. I’m really looking forward to dressing the space. Clive said I could buy a couple of armchairs for the window, create a sort of homely vibe. What do you think?’
‘If I was sitting there, I don’t think I’d ever want to leave,’ Rosemary said as she crossed over to the window. ‘What a view! He definitely chose the location well.’
Effie followed her. ‘I know, despite everything, Clive got that right!’
‘What’s everyone in Polcarrow like?’ Rosemary asked with concern.
‘Oh, they are lovely! So lovely! I’ve been made very welcome. I went to a birthday party yesterday.’
Her parents exchanged another glance at this. Effie wasn’t known for being a social butterfly.
‘It was ninetieth one, so nothing too wild,’ she explained, ‘but it was nice to be invited. I met so many people and they’re all very excited about the shop.’
‘That’s wonderful, I’m so relieved,’ Rosemary said. ‘I’ve been worrying all week, haven’t I, Brian?’
‘Yes, you’re lucky I kept her away this long, Effie. Especially after she found out you’re based next to that café.’ He nodded in the direction of next door.
‘I’ve been drooling over the online reviews. Apparently the scones are to die for.’
‘Lola’s? It’s amazing, shall we go? She’s usually open by now.’
‘I thought you’d never ask!’
Effie ran back upstairs to grab her purse before leading her parents next door. The café was indeed open. Alf and Tristan were sitting in the window seat, a toast rack between them and a heated debate going on about what type of tea was the best to drink. A newspaper was open on the table but any attempt to do the crossword had been abandoned. Scruff was eyeing a spaniel that was out with some dog walkers, as they queued for takeaway coffees, with a bit of curiosity and suspicion. The buttery aroma of fresh scones hung in the air. Rosemary almost swooned at the quaint vintage vibe.
Lola glanced up as Effie and her parents made it to the front of the queue. ‘Good morning, did you have a nice time yesterday?’
‘I did!’ Effie beamed before introducing her parents to Lola.
‘Lovely to meet you. We’re all really excited about the bookshop. I have so many ideas for the opening, which we still need to discuss properly,’ Lola reminded Effie.
‘Oh yes, of course. Can we have one hot chocolate and two flat whites. Do you want any cakes?’
Rosemary peered into the counter. ‘Oh my! I don’t know what to choose! They all look divine. Chocolate chip shortbread, millionaire brownies, the scones! Look at them! Your dad wants to go to a seafood place he’s seen a bit further along the coast for lunch, so I don’t want to be too full. Ooh, look at those raspberry blondies. Nope, it’s got to be a traditional Cornish cream tea.’
‘Perfect choice, fresh out the oven.’ Lola smiled as she selected one of the biggest scones and placed it on a plate, before, glancing at Brian, waiting for his choice.
‘The booking’s for two thirty so as it’s only eleven I’m pretty sure one of those scones won’t ruin my appetite too much,’ Brian said, pointing to the scones. ‘They look delicious.’
‘I can assure you they are.’ Lola winked as she plated up another cream tea before turning expectantly to Effie.
Effie took in the sheer size of the scones and scanned along the other baked offerings. ‘I’ll have a blondie,’ she said, the tart red berries oozing against the white chocolate made her mouth water. She was still quite full from her bacon sandwich and didn’t want to risk ruining her lunch, not if there was fresh seafood involved.
‘That would’ve been my second choice,’ Rosemary said.
‘Wonderful, take a seat and I’ll bring them over,’ Lola said once they’d paid.
‘How do you stay away from here with all those cakes?’ Rosemary asked as they sat down.
‘The truth? I don’t. The cakes have helped get me through the last week.’
Lola brought the tray over to them, unloaded it, told them to let her know if they needed anything else and left them to their elevenses. They all tucked in, Rosemary enviously pinching a bit of Effie’s blondie. Conversation ranged from Effie’s daily swims, the new extension the neighbours were trying to get built back in Penzance and a catch-up on all Rosemary’s regular patients, who had all been filled in on Effie’s grand adventure and were waiting for the next instalment.
