‘You can’t stay with me,’ said Sarah, looking around her canvas home.
Cynthia huffed down the phone. ‘I wasn’t asking to stay with you. Didn’t you stay in some little bed-and-breakfast the first time you went down there? I thought perhaps we could stay there. Thought they may give us a discount, as you know the owners.’
The thought of Cynthia staying with Kate induced the familiar early signs of panic. Only now they weren’t so familiar. Sarah realised she hadn’t had a panic attack in weeks.
‘When are you thinking of coming to visit? Last I heard, Kate’s place is booked up for the next few months.’
‘Damn it, we’re coming next week. Do you think you could check just in case? I wouldn’t be coming to Cornwall at all if it weren’t for bloody Marjorie. Waste of money.’
A visit to your daughter is a waste of money?‘Right.’
‘So, if we have to come, I’d rather it didn’t cost the earth.’
‘I’ll message Kate,’ said Sarah, with no intention of doing so, ‘but I can’t promise anything.’
‘Good girl. I’ll text you when we know the exact dates we’ll be visiting. Don’t worry about booking time off, Marjorie has a list of places she’d like to visit. We’ll pop in and see you at some point, obviously.’
As an afterthought. ‘It will be lovely to see you.’
‘Good. Speak soon.’ Cynthia hung up, and Sarah threw her phone on the floor to join the book. Why did nothing good last? Was she cursed?
‘Knock knock.’
‘Hello?’
‘Only me,’ said Felix, strolling into Sarah’s tipi. He walked over to the bed and bent down to kiss Sarah. She turned her head and his kiss met her nose. ‘Everything OK?’ he asked.
‘Yes, I’m just tired.’
‘Me too.’
‘Where have you been?’
‘Been?’
‘Yes. I came over to your tipi to find you, but you weren’t there.’
‘Oh. I was having a shower.’
That would be far more believable if your hair was wet. ‘OK. Well, like I said, I’m tired.’
‘Right, I guess I’ll leave you to it then,’ said Felix, his forehead drawn into a frown. ‘You’re sure everything’s all right?’
‘Yes, why wouldn’t it be?’ Sarah held his gaze, daring him to tell the truth.
Felix shook his head. ‘Night then.’
‘Good night.’
Sarah made sure the door was closed after he had left. He might have made a fool of her once, but she wouldn’t fall for his charms a second time. Everyone else may lap up his good guy act, but more fool them. If anything, seeing him with that woman had been a blessing in disguise. If she hadn’t, she’d be with him now, exposing more of her heart, leaving herself open to more hurt.
*
‘Sarah,’ said Hattie as she walked into the café. ‘Thank God you’re here. Fran’s not coming in today. I need you to run the kitchen.’
‘What’s wrong with Fran?’
‘She said she’s tired after yesterday’s event.’ Hattie frowned. ‘To be honest, I’m a little worried, it’s not like her.’
