I swear I can hear him laughing as he turns away.
‘Have you ever had a relationship, Betsy Eliza?’
I’m picking my jaw up off the floor at the intrusion. ‘Why would you ask a question like that?’
He shrugs. ‘Just checking out where you’d fit in a demographic profile if we’re thinking about trend building.’
As a reason it’s a bit of a shit answer, but as usual, there’s no point pretending about my life before I was twenty-six. ‘My dating history is the stuff of stand-up routines, but I’d have to know you a lot better before I treated you to that one.’
‘I’ll look forward to that down the line, then.’
‘Miles, truly, it’s never going to happen.’
‘Never say never.’ He gives a laugh. ‘So is there anyone in the frame currently?’
Obviously I have no plans to include a partner in my life now or at any time in the future, but I’m not about to share that with Miles. As for the years before Mason, I never looked for anything beyond a good night out. Me and my friends from sixth form made the most of our after-exam parties, because none of us could bear the thought of hitting freshers week as virgins, and it took off from there. As my line of ex’s shows, their ability to crack me up while drinking twenty Jägerbombs didn’t translate into other areas, like dependability or longevity.
‘What’s with the post-pastry interrogation?’ I roll my eyes so he knows he’s overstepping. ‘With Pumpkin as my gatekeeper, it’s pretty hard for any guy to get past the radar. As you saw, he’s great at spotting tossers.’
Miles laughs. ‘Maybe he should be widening his assessment to include baking skills?’
I’m shaking my head at how unbelievable Miles is. ‘You’re telling me you’d bake to climb up Pumpkin’s approval ladder?’
Miles pulls a face. ‘Did you see how he looked at me?’
‘Why would you even care?’ One glance at Miles and I answer my own question. ‘You have to win at everything don’t you?’
He pulls down the corners of his mouth. ‘Pretty much.’
There’s no point letting his misdirected ambition go to waste. ‘In that case, let’s try custard, Nutella, and apple buns next, and a few more pecan and toffee just to be sure they’re working. Whenever you’re ready. Tonight, if you like.’
He hesitates. ‘Sorry, I’m committed elsewhere this evening. But definitely tomorrow.’ Then Miles slips the roll of notes into my hand. ‘As the super salesperson and research chief, I think this belongs to you.’
And a moment later I’m through the gate and back in Pumpkin’s field, and Miles is off up the lane getting into his car.
17
The beach by Boathouse Cottage, St Aidan
Usherettes and green bananas
Monday
When Pumpkin and I get back from our amble along the beach next morning, there’s no sign of Miles, but Zofia is hard at work in the kitchen in her yellow rubber gloves.
I get in first with my apology. ‘I’m so sorry about the crumbs! Miles has been trialling laminated pastry and I’ve been devouring the results. Not even Miles managed to capture all the escaping flakes.’
Zofia’s eyebrows go up. ‘Lots of layers and rolling, great for those biceps of his.’ She laughs. ‘I’ll forgive you both for the mess.’
I smile my thanks. ‘The sweet peas I bought from the makers market on Friday were lovely, but they’re finished now.’
She watches while I collect the jam jars from the island and sweep the dried-up petals into my hand. ‘You are welcome to go to my garden if you’d like to pick flowers and take photographs for your magazine. The light is very clear this morning.’
An offer like that has me rushing to the Villeroy and Bosch fruit bowl, which is where I keep my rarely-used car keys. ‘If you really don’t mind, I’d love to. That’s the wonderful thing about gardens, they change all the time, especially with the mercurial weather we get around here.’
Zofia smiles. ‘I am whizzing round today because I’m off to Plymouth to the theatre later. Pick as many flowers as you want, and go wherever you like in the garden.’
I beam. ‘So long as I can find it again. I’ve been back several times since that first day, but Cornish lanes are narrower and more samey than any in Somerset.’ Picking up my bag, I laugh. ‘If I do lose my way, at least I know I’ll always end up somewhere interesting.’
