Clemmie’s still staring at me hard. ‘If you say so.’
‘I absolutely do.’
She grins at me. ‘That’s Aunty Clemmie’s awareness-raising chat out of the way. Would you like to see what Plum’s found for you?’
I grin back. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’
Plum points to some cushions lined up along the table edge. ‘These are an example of the kind of items you get with individual makers. Malcolm’s partner, Jo, who also happens to be Edie’s aunty, made these up as samples for someone ordering for their conservatory.’
The cushions I’m looking at are striped, with a gathered gingham ruffle round the edge, in lilac, yellow, green, pink, cerise and aqua.
Plum picks one up. ‘These are all available for you to buy immediately at a great price, and Jo could make as many more as you wanted in any of the colours.’
I’m fingering the labels. ‘Cotton, with removable covers, and fully washable.’
Plum nods. ‘Next are scented candles, in recycled glass jars, in a range of nature-inspired summer scents. The person making them has changed the shape of the jars since these.’
I’m picking them up, smelling each in turn. ‘They’re lovely.’
Plum’s nodding. ‘They’re not too large, so the price point is good too. Obviously everything will be at cost price for you as a fellow local trader.’
I swallow my panic and look at what’s next on the table. ‘And the lanterns?’
Plum smiles. ‘Those are made by Malcolm’s daughter. This design is very simple so they’re not too expensive. She’ll let you have all the ones she has like that, if you want to be unique.’
‘This is so kind of everyone.’ I’m looking to where she’s pointing next at four tall, narrow, wooden shelf units painted in pistachio green. ‘CD racks and a hat stand?’
She nods. ‘Edie brought those in. People don’t use them as much now, but they’ll be good for displaying individual items, or you could use them for the scarves I have over here.’
She takes one of the folded squares and flaps it open. ‘These are Loella’s. Some are cotton, some are silk, some are cheesecloth, but the fabrics are all really soft and light and no two are the same.’
I’m sighing at how beautiful the colours are. ‘I love using scarves as belts, but they’re also perfect for people who want to buy something small to remind them of their holiday.’
She points to a box. ‘These are some odds and ends of vases and glasses that Edie sorted out for you too. And some framed retro cactus pictures, which are quirky and cool.’
‘This will be an amazing start. I don’t know how to begin to thank you.’
‘People are grateful that you’ll take small amounts of items, so they’ll do you a good deal. What hangs around on the shelves up here may well fly down in town.’
Clemmie’s fingering a scarf. ‘Plum sells cards at the gallery, but her shelf space is limited, and otherwise she tends to go for pricier pictures or jewellery.’
Plum nods. ‘There are more than enough customers to go round in summer, but we still try to have our own specialist area.’ She passes me a piece of paper with a list of the prices. ‘Once you see what sells, we’ll organise some more.’
I can’t stop smiling either. ‘One of the first pieces I did for Fenna was about a woman who started her linen company with a single tea towel design and a snappy quote about making Prosecco disappear.’
Clemmie nods. ‘That’s the way to do it. A catchy idea, start small and grow.’ Her smile broadens. ‘It’s hard to believe, but The Little Cornish Kitchen began with a singles sorbet evening.’
Plum is gathering the cushions into a bag. ‘We’ll put this lot in my car, and I’ll run you back to the harbour.’
She pops her head out of the door, and when she comes back in her grin is even wider. ‘Tyres on gravel with no engine noise? That might just be your proverbial knight arriving on his charger now.’ She laughs. ‘Don’t knock it. We business owners need all the help we can get!’
My stomach drops at the thought. ‘And just like that, I’m in the club.’
Clemmie laughs. ‘There’s no need to look so terrified. When are you planning to open?’
‘I can’t imagine I’ll ever feel ready.’ I don’t know if I’m excited or paralysed with fear.
She’s laughing more. ‘Thursday’s a good day to start, there will be people but not too many. I’ll give Nell a shout. We’ll drop by at twelve tomorrow and be your first customers.’
