Fate is a cunning hussy, and builds up her plans as imperceptibly as a bird builds her nest
Elizabeth Gaskell, Wives and Daughters
Anna’s insides swooped unexpectedly as she took in the figure sauntering along the harbourside. Alex’s attention, on the other hand, was with his mobile, oblivious as ever to the startled pair of eyes watching him approach.
Heart pounding, Anna turned back to face the sea. Paint on her shirt, ice cream on her jeans, glue in her hair? After all these years? She held her breath as Alex passed behind them, relishing the sound of his voice and his laugh again, then let it go in a rush as he moved away.
Sophistication, Lauren had prophesied. Cool, calm and collected. Anna rolled her eyes. Fate was seriously having a laugh.
Half an hour later, she waved goodbye to Phoenix and Verity Blue and hurried through the town, wary eyes darting everywhere for any sign of Alex.
All those years of teenage yearning, of dreaming of his noticing her, and the first time their paths almost cross in over ten years, she looked like this? It had to be the first time she was thankful for being invisible to him!
Desperate to get home, Anna paused on the corner by the post office. She really needed to pick up some milk, and the small store on the other side of the cove would be closed by now.
She walked into the Spar, paid for her purchase and stowed it in her bag. Time to get home and indulge in that shower – no, make it a bath. She would have a really good soak.
Pausing in the doorway, Anna peered out of the shop. There was no one between her and the bridge, and—
‘Oh! Sorry.’
With a small gasp, she took a step backwards as two men came striding in through the door and nearly knocked her sideways. Fate, up to its old game again.
Anna stared wide-eyed at Alex. ‘It’s okay.’ She tucked the sticky piece of hair behind her ear and hauled her bag further forward in an attempt to hide the paint marks on her shirt. She had one foot out of the door when Alex spoke again.
‘Hey, have we met?’
Clutching the bag even tighter, Anna glanced over her shoulder. He was frowning, but still impossibly good-looking. ‘No. Yes. Sort of.’
She fled out of the door, her heart pounding as she hurried towards the bridge, keen to get out of sight, but she couldn’t resist a quick look back down the street. Alex Tremayne remained outside the shop, his attention still on her.
‘Hey, Anna!’
A voice hailed her as she sped past the chemist, and she turned around.
Jean Lovelace smiled. ‘You look like you’re running away from something.’
Or somebody? Alex’s assessing glance had been unnerving. Anna summoned a smile. ‘No, no. In a hurry to get home, that’s all.’
‘I’m heading back as well. Let’s take the ferry.’ Anna fell into step with Jean, thankful to have someone to talk to, and soon they were on board the ferry and bobbing their way across the water.
‘I used to envy the idea of term starting up and the local kids taking this to school and back every day.’ Anna raised her head to the breeze, thankful for its coolness on her flushed cheeks.
Jean grunted. ‘You wouldn’t in winter. Gales blowing, rain lashing and little shelter from it. A bedraggled caravan of school kids trudging up yonder hill to sit by inadequate radiators, steam rising from their clothes!’
Anna smiled, then turned in her seat to look over towards the harbour. There was no sign of Alex anywhere now. Her skin tingled. How could one small encounter turn her back into that quivering teenager?
A soothing bubble bath later, Anna dried her now glue-free hair and headed down to the kitchen to prepare supper. She felt more herself now, and rather amused at her reaction to Alex, but as she looked around the room, memories came flooding in.
Hadn’t she been in this very kitchen, night after night during those long summers, first as a mere ten-year-old, then later as a teenager, longing to be glamorous and full of scintillating conversation, as dear Aunt Meg listened, consoled, brought home-made lemonade and soothing words? Well, glamour and scintillating conversation had been decidedly lacking. Anna laughed to herself. Ridiculous.
It was only as she inspected the vegetable rack for garlic that she realised she’d run out.
‘Damn.’ She looked at her watch. Thankfully, the Spar would still be open.
Shrugging into her jacket, she grabbed her purse and keys and half ran down the lane to the ferry, hopping from foot to foot as she waited for it to come in. Once back in the shop, she grabbed the garlic and paid for it, all the time looking around in case Alex lurked behind the shelves.
With a shake of her head, she stepped back out into the street. She was a right idiot. Her stomach gave a mild rumble, reminding her of the planned supper, and she turned back towards the ferry only to walk straight into Alex. He grabbed her arms to set her back on her feet as she stumbled, and Anna froze.
He said nothing for a moment, his eyes roaming over her face. Then he smiled, and her heart fluttered.
‘Are you sure we’ve met? Think I’d remember you.’
‘It was years ago.’ There. That was the longest conversation they’d ever had! Aware of his amused expression, Anna pulled herself together. ‘I used to spend all my summers here.’
Alex eyed her keenly. ‘Good lord! We didn’t date, did we?’
Chance would’ve been a fine thing. Anna shook her head. ‘I was a child – a summer visitor. I used to hang out with Phee Radcliffe and her friends.’
He scrutinised her features. Then, the corners of his mouth twitched. ‘Bambi? You’re that lanky kid who used to come down every summer?’
Anna felt a blush stain her cheeks.
‘Hey, Bambi? It is you, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, it’s me. Anna. How—’ she cleared her throat ‘—how are you, Alex?’
He raised an amused brow. ‘You remember my name.’ He really had no idea! ‘You’re very formal.’ He bowed. ‘Are we properly introduced now?’
Anna’s heart danced. She felt like her entire face was smiling, from her chin to her hairline.
‘So, what do you think of the old cove?’ Alex waved a hand in the general direction of the town.
‘It’s as lovely as I remember.’
He glanced at his watch, and Anna bit her lip. Was she boring him already?
‘Fancy a drink?’
Anna blinked. ‘A— Er, a drink?’
‘Yes, you know. That wet stuff they serve in glasses. Think they’ve heard of it, even here in deepest Cornwall.’
Seriously? Alex Tremayne was asking her for a drink! If her eighteen-year-old self had been here, she’d have squealed in delight. As it happened, Anna glanced at her own watch and made a point of shrugging. ‘Sure. I have a bit of time.’
Alex gestured down the road and they turned their steps along Fore Street towards the Ship Inn. ‘Lucky me.’
Anna followed Alex into the pub, hardly able to credit it, her supper long forgotten.
‘What do you want?’
‘Oh. Wine, please. Dry rosé.’
Alex placed their order, then turned around and leaned against the bar. Apart from a couple of visitors tucking into some sandwiches and beer near the fireplace and a group of young people playing pool, they were the only ones in.
‘So, what brings you to Polkerran so early in the season? Crabbing on the harbour?’
‘My aunt Meg left me her house.’
Alex raised a brow, but somehow Anna felt he already knew.
‘Kind of the old bird. That’s the big cottage on the cliff?’ He gestured vaguely towards the other side of the cove.
‘Yes. I think she felt I was almost family.’ Anna wished she didn’t sound so apologetic.
‘Still. Generous all the same. Must be worth a fortune with the location and views.’
‘I suppose it is.’
Anna took a sip of her wine, completely uninterested in her new home. She was standing in the pub having a drink with Alex Tremayne, for heaven’s sake!
‘So, what do you do here in this great metropolis?’
‘I work for Oliver Seymour.’
Alex snorted. ‘The History Man? You deserve a medal.’
‘I enjoy it.’ Anna spoke defensively.
Alex took a slug of his beer. ‘And before you came here?’
‘I was a project manager.’ Anna wished she could give a more exciting answer, like ‘I worked in television’ or ‘I was a chef’. ‘What is it you do?’
‘Private client work mainly. Up in the City, though it takes me all over the world.’
He’d get on well with Lauren.
‘I’ve been thinking…’ Why was she tempted to tell Alex? He’d hardly be interested. ‘I thought I might explore setting up a B&B.’
Alex coughed on a last mouthful of beer. ‘Excuse me.’ Then he waved a hand at the table. ‘Another wine?’
Anna eyed her still half-full glass. ‘Oh, I don’t know.’
‘What don’t you know, Bambi?’ He leaned forward, and Anna was ensnared by those gorgeous eyes. Words simply wouldn’t come.
‘I’ll take that as a “yes”. Go and find a seat and I’ll join you.’
Anna looked around, then walked over to a table with a wooden settle and two stools in the far corner and sat down. Her heart pounded twice as fast as normal, and her palms sweated. Was this really any way for a grown woman to behave? She squashed a ridiculous urge to check her ID to prove she was thirty, not thirteen.
She raised her eyes to Alex, who leaned nonchalantly against the bar while their drinks were prepared. Her brain had turned to mush. How could she think of anything remotely interesting to say to him?
‘Cheers.’ Alex placed two glasses on the table, but before he could take a seat, the door to the pub swung open and a young woman came in.
‘Alex! Darling!’ She rushed over and threw herself into his arms, and he laughingly held her away from him.
‘Claudia, sweetheart. As low-key as ever.’
‘Why didn’t you say you were coming back this weekend? Daddy will be most put out if you don’t join the shoot on Sunday.’
Anna wished she could’ve sunk into the flagged floor. This must be Alex’s girlfriend. She was everything Anna was not. Not only did she have hair that shimmered and moved the way hair did in those impossible TV adverts, but she was dressed in the latest fashion. Lauren would go green if she saw those boots!
‘No can do, Claud. Got to leave after brunch. Date in town Sunday evening, and I’m off to Henley on Monday to see mates.’ He turned towards where Anna sat, looking from one to the other and wishing she was somewhere else. ‘Do you know Anna? She’s the new owner of Westerleigh Cottage across the cove.’
Claudia’s surprise was evident. ‘Really?’ Then she turned to Alex. ‘Forgive me, darling. Is this one of your private clients?’ She turned back to Anna. ‘He’s such a dark horse. Sorry if I didn’t understand. I’m Claudia Bond-Smythe. We live at Pengillis.’
Anna shook the extended hand. ‘No problem, and no, I’m not a client.’
‘Anna inherited from Meg Stratfield who used to live there. Isn’t that great?’
‘But I thought—’
‘So, shall we see you at the dinner party next weekend? I’m sure Mother has invited you and the family. I’ll be back for it.’
Claudia looked from Anna to Alex. ‘I only got down from Bristol this instant, so I haven’t been home yet. I saw your car outside.’ She smiled at Anna. ‘Will you excuse us a moment?’
She grabbed Alex’s sleeve, and he threw Anna an apologetic look as Claudia dragged him over towards the door, hissing something at him. Turning away, in case he saw her looking, Anna picked up her unfinished glass and took a sip. Her empty stomach rumbled again, and she wrapped an arm around it.
‘Shhh,’ she cautioned. ‘This really isn’t the time.’
‘Take no notice of Claudia. We’ve known each other since we were little kids. Acts like my big sister half the time.’
Anna almost rolled her eyes as Alex rejoined her. Men were so obtuse sometimes. ‘She’s very glamorous.’
‘Is she?’ Alex shrugged. ‘Can’t say I’ve noticed.’
He picked up his glass, threw the stool a cursory glance and came round to sit next to Anna on the bench, causing her pulse to up its speed from a canter to a gallop. She racked her brains for some conversation but ended up falling back on the mundane.
‘Tell me a bit about your work in London.’
Alex raised a brow. ‘Boring as hell, darling.’ Then, he leaned close to her and whispered in her ear. ‘I acquire things for people. Things they really want, and they pay me a hefty commission.’ He placed a finger under her chin and turned her head to face him. They were very close, and she could see the gold flecks in his brown eyes. ‘Sometimes, I acquire them for myself.’ He ran the finger down her cheek, then laughed and picked up his glass.
Anna snatched up her half-empty glass and drained it. Good grief, he was potent stuff up close!
‘So… tell me about these B&B plans. I might be able to help.’
‘Really?’ Anna put her glass down carefully.
With his background in business, Alex came up with things that hadn’t even crossed her mind, and by the time their second drink had been consumed, he’d suggested Anna come along to the dinner party at his parents’ home the following weekend so they could talk more about her plans.
Stunned by her good fortune, Anna walked back to the cottage, all thought of supper long gone. Who needed food when Alex Tremayne had asked for her number?