‘I’m good, very good,’ she purred.
‘Nice to meet you. I won’t interrupt.’ Jake’s eyes flitted to Effie.
‘No, it’s fine,’ Effie said, ‘Maddie wanted to try the scones.’
‘How are they?’ Lola interrupted. ‘I made them fresh this morning.’
Effie watched Maddie, who didn’t seem to know where to look.
‘Erm, they’re great. Lived up to the hype.’ Maddie held up her half-eaten scone.
‘Well, I’ll leave you to it,’ Lola said. ‘Thanks for today, Jake. I can’t wait to see the photos. Engagement shoot,’ she informed Effie and Maddie.
‘No worries, Lola, I’ll send them over to you later, I just want to give them a once-over. Check they’re up to standard.’
‘I’m sure they’ll be brilliant, and anyway, no offence but it’s not like there are any other photographers available. Righto, enjoy your scones, ladies.’ Lola waved at them as she headed back into the kitchen.
Jake stood in the middle of the café, not quite sure where to go.
‘Flat white, Jake?’ Freya asked.
‘Yeah sure, I’ll have it to go though.’
Effie’s face fell, which Maddie caught and saved with, ‘Oh don’t mind us, there’s a spare seat. I’ve heard all about your heroics, Jake.’
Effie was sure she was as red as a tomato when Jake pulled out the spare chair and asked, ‘You have?’
‘Umm-hmm. Effie said you’re a dab hand with a paintbrush.’
‘Oh yeah, that, the shop was awful. What kind of man is your boss? Honestly? I’m not impressed. Cheers,’ he said as Freya placed his coffee in front of him. He added one sugar and took a sip.
‘How did the engagement shoot go?’ Effie asked, desperate to change the subject. She knew Jake had been worried about it, that he’d been feeling the pressure.
‘Let’s just say Lola knows what she wants!’ He exhaled. ‘But that made it easy for me. The hardest thing is when the subject has no idea what they want, or how to get it. Look.’ He switched on his camera and turned the screen to Effie and Maddie and flicked through shots he’d taken of Lola and Tristan down on the hidden beach.
‘Wow, Jake, they are amazing,’ Effie enthused as she leaned further over his arm. ‘You can really see how in love they are, they’re beautiful.’
‘Thanks,’ he said slightly bashfully. ‘I’m hoping Lola will let me use them to showcase my skills. I’m setting up a business,’ he explained to Maddie, ‘portraits, weddings, birthdays, you know. I’ve taken some of the shop for Effie.’
‘Ah so that’s where the social media shots came from?’ Maddie said.
‘Did you think I’d suddenly become amazing with my camera phone?’
Maddie raised an eyebrow. ‘I did wonder. They were far too professional looking.’
‘Oi!’ Effie exclaimed.
‘Would you like me to take your photo?’ he asked. ‘I want to do a series about the people of Polcarrow and you have such a good set-up here, with the sea view, the light is sitting just right and those cream teas look amazing.’
Effie glanced at Maddie, who nodded. ‘Sure.’
‘How do you want us?’ Effie asked, which earned a smirk from Maddie.
Jake stood up and turned his camera on. ‘Just act natural, like I’m not here. I like to catch people in the moment, not posed.’
Effie instantly forgot how to do anything naturally. Maddie picked up the teapot and began to pour. Effie’s eyes ran all over the place, from Maddie, to Jake, to out at the sea. She picked up her scone, but her hands shook under his scrutiny, so she put it down again so that she didn’t end up dropping it. Although, she assumed that would be very natural, which Jake was aiming for.
‘Are you done?’ she asked eventually.
