‘Sounds wonderful.’ Jodie took another sip. ‘Would it be an idea to add it to the party drinks selection, maybe?’
‘I think that would be a great idea,’ Cat agreed. ‘I’ll organise it later.’
‘Raphael has a request.’ Jodie eyed him conspiratorially. ‘He would like us to take him for a walk around Carrenporth.’
‘A genuine Cornish village.’ He smiled enthusiastically. ‘I have seen it from the end of the gardens here. It looks very beautiful. I would very much like to visit.’
‘Right, well no time like the present.’ Cat got to her feet, eager for a distraction that would help blot out the memory of her disconcerting conversation with Em. ‘Let’s go.’
Chapter Thirty
After showing Raphael the High Street with its smattering of cafés and gift shops, they walked down to the harbour to watch as a trawler arrived and unloaded its catch. Raphael seemed enthralled with everything that was going on within the small port. ‘And now we have some Cornish cider, yes?’ he asked as the last of the catch was loaded into a large refrigerated van to be transported to one of the local fish markets.
‘Cider it is. This way, Signore Bianconi.’ Jodie indicated with a sweep of her hand. Grinning, Cat followed them both back up the slope.
‘It’s a lovely afternoon, shall we sit outside?’ Jodie asked, pointing out a couple of spare tables. ‘There’s a great view of the harbour from here.’
‘Truly, it is a lovely day,’ Raphael agreed with a smile, ‘but I would like to see what this pub looks like inside. Do you still have smugglers here?’
‘Heavens no,’ Cat laughed, ‘smugglers lived hundreds of years ago. However, if you’re interested there is a museum. It’s over there.’ She pointed towards a long, low grey building tucked at the far end of the harbour. ‘Aunt Em works there part-time. Shows people around, gives talks. She’s very knowledgeable.’
‘Then maybe I shall visit,’ Raphael confirmed, ‘but at the moment I would like to sample some cider. Shall we go in?’
With Jodie in the lead and Raphael behind, Cat followed them through the open door.
Finding Luke propping up the bar of The Smugglers and chatting to a group of fishermen took Cat totally by surprise. He was the last person she expected to see there at that time of day. The moment he turned and their eyes met, some strange emotion shook her and all she wanted to do was leave. Butfirm fingers wrapping around her arm said she wasn’t going anywhere. Instead, she allowed Jodie to manoeuvre her over to a table in the corner and sit her down next to Raphael, whose curious eyes were already checking out the room and its occupants.
‘This is wonderful,’ he said as Jodie headed to the bar to order a round of drinks. ‘A Cornish pub. I love it.’
Continuing to make small talk with Raphael, she was aware of people staring. She looked up, made eye contact and smiled. The gesture was returned and then Jed, who was busy collecting empty glasses, arrived at their table.
‘Cat.’ The stocky balding landlord gave her a friendly nod as he reached out a tattooed arm to collect a couple of empties. ‘It’s good to see you. What brings you back to Carrenporth?’
‘Great-Aunt Em, it’s her seventy-fifth birthday and she’s having a party this weekend.’
‘Ah yes, of course. Going to introduce me then?’ He winked and nodded towards Raphael, who was busy watching Jodie being served with three pints of cider.
‘Oh, sorry, yes. This is Raphael Bianconi. We work together at a hotel on Lake Garda.’ Cat kept the introduction brief. She doubted Jed knew Étienne so thought it best not to complicate the conversation.
‘Italy, eh?’ He grinned, accepting Raphael’s hand in greeting. ‘We all wondered where you’d gone.’
‘Cat is amazing,’ Raphael said, keen to enlighten Jed about his work partner. ‘So wonderful, so organised. I do not know what we would do without her at Fiore Del Lago.’
‘We’ve missed her,’ Jed said, loading the glasses onto his nearly full tray. ‘Still do. Not the same without you around, Cat. Everyone says so.’ His eyes drifted across to Luke who was leaning on the bar, deep in discussion with one of the barmaids.
‘Yes, I miss you all but my life is in Italy now.’ She brazened it out, deliberately ignoring his gesture, feeling unwanted warmth heat her cheeks.
Raphael smiled and reached over to pat her hand. ‘You cannot have her back I am afraid. She is ours now.’
‘Ours?’ Jed arched a curious eyebrow.
‘He means Étienne Di Marco, Dad’s old friend. I’m working for him now,’ Cat clarified.
‘Well, it’s nice to see you again, Cat,’ Jed said, lifting his tray, ready to depart. ‘You make sure you look after her, Raphael. She means a lot to us.’
‘And to me.’ Raphael gave Cat one of his stunning smiles and squeezed her hand.
‘What was that all about?’ Jodie frowned as she reached the table and set the drinks down.
