‘No, not at all. It wasn’t like I would have had time to see him, even if I knew. I’ve not been into Bodmin since I stayed with you. There’s not much public transport around here, and I’m working loads.’
‘True. Right, where’s this house of yours?’
Sarah smiled. ‘I’m not sure house is quite the right word for it.’
They walked along an overgrown path, and the tipis came into view. ‘Don’t tell me this is where you’re staying?’
‘It sure is.’
‘Well, I didn’t have you down as a camper.’
‘Me neither.’ Sarah would never admit she was getting used to tipi life. If anything, she was almost on the verge of enjoying it. She opened up the doors and let Kate explore inside.
‘Wow, this is cool! Is it warm enough at night?’
‘Not too bad. The nights are warming up now. It was a bit of an icebox when I first arrived.’
‘You know you can always call if you fancy a few extra creature comforts?’
‘Thanks, but I’m managing OK.’
Kate walked out of the tipi just as Felix was arriving at his. ‘Hi,’ he said, waving and walking over to Kate. Sarah held her breath. Felix had been polite since their argument, but that politeness hadn’t stretched beyond a few words, and they still weren’t on proper speaking terms. ‘I’m Felix.’
‘Kate. Nice to meet you.’
‘You too. Are you a friend of Sarah’s?’
‘Yes, I am.’ Kate smiled at Sarah, who felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through her. ‘We met a couple of years ago when Sarah came to stay in my Airbnb.’
‘I see. Well, I’d better get on, but maybe see you again.’
‘Bye.’ Kate waited till Felix was out of earshot before turning to Sarah. ‘I knew you had delightful views here, but he takes them to another level.’ She wiggled an eyebrow at Sarah, who blushed.
‘I’m not sure Bob would appreciate you eyeing up other men.’
Kate laughed. ‘I’m only looking. Bob’s the only man for me. Speaking of which…’ she held out her left hand.
‘What am I looking at?’ asked Sarah.
‘The ring! We got engaged last week.’
‘Wow, congratulations.’ Sarah wondered if Kate had any idea how lucky she was. Beautiful, smart, able to chat with anyone, and with a man who adored her. Some people had it all.
‘Yes, I have to admit, whilst I came here to visit you, I also had an ulterior motive.’
‘Oh?’
‘I heard on the grapevine they’ve started doing weddings here. I thought I’d come and scope the place out.’
Sarah’s stomach dropped. ‘Right. Well, Hattie’s the one to talk to about that. I’ll take you back to her, I need to be getting back to work.’
Sarah kicked herself. All that pretense at friendship. As if someone like Kate would visit her. All Kate wanted was to look round a wedding venue, and visiting Sarah was a good excuse to do it. Of course, they’d never be friends in real life. Sarah rushed back to the café, said a curt goodbye to Kate, and left her chatting weddings with Hattie.
Back in the kitchen, Sarah pounded her pastry dough with renewed force, gaining a raised eyebrow from Fran. Next, she set upon an oil-caked pan, scrubbing it so hard the metal scourer cut through her skin, sending pink blood swirling through the dirty water.
‘Everything all right, love?’ asked Fran.
‘Yes, fine.’
