Mum laughs. ‘Too right I wouldn’t. So what do you think of the transformation?’
I jump forwards, stand right in front of him and point to the ceiling above the double doors. ‘The best bit is watching the clouds through the roof glazing above the entrance, Lando. Don’t come any further until you’ve done that.’
Nemmie joins in. ‘They’re cumulus today.’
Lando looks upwards. ‘That’s right. We could be in for a shower later.’
Nemmie’s eyes are bright with excitement. ‘Are you a weather forecast addict too?’
Lando laughs. ‘No, I prefer to read the sky for myself.’
‘Of course you do.’ I give a mental sigh, but across the room I can sense Nemmie’s mouth dropping open in awe.
Lando takes a step sideways into the room and looks to the windows beyond. ‘You still get that same view of the bay even though the table is new. And how do you like your kitchen island?’
It had to happen. How could it not? I’m literally about to expire on the spot at the thought of Lando stumbling right into Nemmie’s baby gallery when Tia gives a cough.
‘I’m afraid I’ve covered the island in bridesmaids’ outfits.’
When I glance over my shoulder and take in piles of floral fabric and not a baby picture in sight, I send a silent thank you to Tia, and smile at Lando. ‘You don’t need to see it close up. Theworktop is accidentally eco-friendly, because Mum liked the colour.’
Mum looks across to Tia. ‘The green reminded me of the sea, and four years on I still like it.’ She turns to Lando with a wave of her arm. ‘So what do you think? Was it worth all the dust?’
He looks around. ‘It’s seriously swanky with acres more space, but it still feels like home.’
Mum laughs. ‘That’ll be the washing baskets. Still as many, still just as full.’
Lando grins. ‘In that case I’ll leave you to your ironing pile.’ He turns towards the door. ‘There are water droplets on the glass, that shower I mentioned is about to blow in.’
As he turns to leave, Mum steps in front of him and pulls him into a hug. When she finally lets him go, she’s still holding his hand.
‘We’ve missed you, Lando. Thank you for everything you’re doing to help Salvador. We’d be in a real mess without you.’
He gives her arm a squeeze. ‘I’m sure you’d have managed.’
She smiles at him. ‘You must come round for tea.’ She turns to me. ‘Maeve cooks for us, let’s sort out a date while you’re here!’
I stifle my groan. ‘Lando’s taking over Cornwall, Mum. He won’t have time for suppers with us!’
He hovers on the threshold. ‘I’ll message if ever I’m free.’
Then he slips out of the door, and in the split second before he disappears, the guilty smile he sends me is just like Nemmie’s when she’s really stuffed up.
I swallow my shock and turn to Mum. ‘Next time you need help carrying shopping, text me and we’ll come.’
Mum shakes her head at my comment, and goes on to the next thing. ‘You have to admit, it’s good to see him.’ She sighs and takes her bags over to the cupboards. ‘That boy always had a lot of integrity. It’s refreshing that success hasn’t changed him.’
I can’t let that go. ‘That’s not what you’ve said for the last ten years. It’s nothing to do with achievement either; it’s inherited wealth.’
She raises her eyebrows. ‘I may have got it wrong. We all make mistakes with our judgement.’
My life is already a disaster area. If Mum’s re-joined Lando’s supporters club as a super fan, I might as well give up now.
24
Smugglers End, St Aidan, Cornwall
Flat whites and double expressos
