‘I tripped over the dog,’ said Jessie, ‘knocked into a croquet mallet, and down I went. I ended up in hospital, and who should be manning the library trolley but Oliver.’
‘I took one look at her and I knew,’ said Oliver. ‘It was love at first sight.’
‘That’s so romantic,’ said Saffie.
It was the second Sunday in September, one of those early autumn afternoons that still feels like summer. The sun was making frequent appearances in a blue sky studded with white clouds. Jessie had insisted it would be the height of rudeness if Ella didn’t go to the christening so she had snuck into the back pew at the harbour-side church. Max, the sweetest baby, had gurgled and smiled for his fans throughout the proceedings.
Having spent the ceremony staring at the back of Callum’s head, uptight and feeling that whatever she’d stayed on in Porthkara for all summer definitely wasn’t worth it, Ella couldn’t relax now that she was standing in Saffie’s grandparents’ conservatory sipping tea. She was hoping to avoid him. They had nothing more to say to each other. Devastated at his reaction to her confession in the bar, she was brimming with nervous energy. Fortunately, he was nowhere to be seen, so even though she knew it off by heart, she skulked amongst the group listening to Jessie and Oliver, who were telling the story of how they met.
‘Poppycock,’ Jessie protested. ‘I was a mess. I’d barely slept.’
‘She was holding court in her hospital bed and some big movie star,’ said Oliver, as if he’d never heard of Drake Wells, ‘was there making a lot of fuss. He wanted Jessie moved to a private room.’
‘Dear Drake,’ Jessie explained, as if he’d been a life-long friend. ‘He kindly offered. But I was fine on the ward. I had a bird’s-eye view of all the comings and goings in the carpark from my window.’
‘There was a gigantic bouquet of flowers on the locker. And more chocolate and grapes than is normal for one patient.’ Oliver, a tall, good-looking man with white hair and a tan, wearing a pale pink oxford shirt and sand-coloured chinos, put his arm around Jessie and smiled at Ella. ‘Hughie caused a ruckus. Ella smuggled him onto the ward in a big handbag.’
‘We were about to leave,’ said Ella, aiming to clarify the situation, ‘except Hughie escaped from the bag, hid under Jessie’s bed and refused to move, so Callum cadged a spoonful of cottage pie from the dinner man and coaxed him out.’
The audience gasped and giggled.
‘I was about to make a quiet exit, and come back later when things calmed down, but Jessie said…’
Jessie took over. ‘I said, “I think you should all leave please, apart from the handsome man with the books”.’
Everyone laughed.
Ella wondered if Callum had swerved the tea party and gone already. She smiled to cover how ill-at-ease she felt. At least the dog-in-the-handbag incident was entertaining people. After Hughie’s escapade, the hospital manager had come and scolded Callum – who was holding the offender – for bringing a pet onto the ward without permission, which was embarrassing because it had been her idea. Right after that they’d said goodbye. Callum had held Hughie up and waved his paw to Jessie from the carpark. Then he’d zoomed off in his sports car, and Mervin and Layla’s mum, Shelly, who had looked in on Jessie during the shenanigans, had driven Ella and Hughie back to the Hall.
Jessie giggled. ‘Everyone left and Oliver told me the doctors and nurses were wondering if I was a celebrity friend of Drake’s.’
‘Jessie said, “I’m a nobody”.’ Oliver chortled. ‘Her eyes were so full of mischief and I looked into them and said, “Everyone’s somebody.” I’ve told the nurses you’re a former Bond girl.’
‘A Bond girl. Have you ever heard such nonsense? I ask you!’ She turned to Oliver with an amused twinkle in her eyes and sighed. ‘That’s when I knew I was in love.’
While Tess did the rounds in the drawing room, delightedly showing off her grandson in his christening robe, her husband Rupert, carrying the largest teapot Ella had ever seen, joined the guests in the conservatory. ‘What’s this I hear about a film shoot? No one in this village can talk about anything else. More tea, anyone?’
‘It’s Ella’s doing,’ said Jessie, ‘and our friend Drake Wells.’
Oliver smiled at Jessie jovially. ‘The shoot was in Wales originally. But there was a landslide and access issues.’
‘Drake is playing the lead.’ Jessie raised her teacup. ‘It was his idea to film here instead and he put the people in charge in touch with Ella.’ She sipped her tea.
Hearing Jessie say her name, Ella stopped ruminating. ‘Most of the filming has already been completed in other places, so they’re on a tight timeline to get this last bit finished.’
Accompanied by Josh with the milk and sugar, Rupert moved around the conservatory refilling everyone’s teacups.
‘Drake assured the producer that Karadow Hall would be perfect in her movie,’ said Ella, ‘I took care of the admin, forwarded maps and photos to the locations manager and the director, that sort of thing.’
Saffie offered her a plate of homemade biscuits.
‘Thanks.’ She took one. ‘Mmm. That’s delicious,’ she said, having had a bite. ‘They loved the photos and came down for a recce. Decided it would work. And hey presto!’
Saffie held out the biscuits to Jessie. ‘This is my second. I’ll have to ask your grandma for the recipe, these are to die for.’ Jessie smiled at Saffie, and turned her attention to Rupert who’d finished pouring tea. ‘The fee will help with repairs to the house. It’s a behemoth. I’m not sure I’ve got it in me to get the old place in order.’
‘I’d be happy to help.’ Oliver took Jessie’s hand.
‘I know that.’ She squeezed his hand gratefully. ‘But there’s no need. I can stand on my own two feet.’
Oliver, a retired accountant, had been invaluable in the deal with the production company. He’d advised Jessie when she signed the contract, made sure the public liability insurance was in place, double-checked the figures, dotted the ‘i’s and crossed the ‘t’s.
‘It’s been all go, getting things organised on time,’ said Jessie. ‘Without Ella and Oliver, Drake and his pals could have begged on bended knee, I wouldn’t have gone ahead.’
Rupert put the empty teapot on a window ledge next to a pot of pelargoniums. ‘When does filming start?’
‘Tomorrow.’ Ella glanced at her watch. She should be getting back to Karadow Hall in case there were any final details to tie up. ‘And on that note, you’ll have to excuse me,’ she said, ‘I have to check my phone and make sure everything is set to go.’
She walked down the steps onto the lawn, crossing her fingers for a reasonable signal. That’s when she caught a glimpse of Callum, chatting to Saffie’s grandparents in the garden and balancing plates of christening cake on his arms like a waiter. Like it or not, the image brought a genuine smile to her face. She sat down in a garden chair, scrolling through her phone, realizing that she really, really wasn’t happy about how they’d left things, and hoping he’d notice her. It bugged her immeasurably that he thought she was cold and calculating.
‘Cake?’ He dropped into the empty chair next to her and passed her a plate.
‘Thanks.’ Ella put her phone away and sampled a forkful of cake.
‘There’s a rumour of champagne,’ he said. ‘But last I saw Rupert was still circulating with a teapot. If you like, I’ll get you a glass. I’m driving.’
‘Same. I’m insured for Jessie’s Landie.’
‘You learned to drive?’
‘Yep. I took an intensive course. Passed my test first time.’
‘That’s great.’ He nodded towards the conservatory. ‘Jessie seems very happy with Oliver. They’re the talk of the village. That and the…’
‘Film shoot. Yep. Tell me about it. This is scrumptious,’ she said, having demolished some more cake. Instead of traditional fruit cake, it was a light and summery lemon and blueberry, baked by Saffie’s grandma.
‘I’m sorry I accused you of lying.’ His jaw tightened. ‘What I said was unacceptable. I jumped to the wrong conclusion. I thought we were alone on the terrace when that photo was taken.’
‘I thought so too. I’m sorry it got complicated.’ Her heart flipped. She twisted in her chair to face him. She didn’t care about the photo. She cared about Callum. At least they were talking again, and he’d apologised. Although going by the serious look on his face, she wasn’t convinced that he’d stopped doubting her.
She speared some more cake with her fork. When Saffie had told her he’d be coming to the christening she’d been absurdly happy, looking forward to seeing him and counting the days. There had been many wishful moments over the last few months when she’d secretly hoped he’d come back to Porthkara. Helping Jessie had given her a purpose, but since her argument with Callum, she’d realized something. He was the real reason she’d stayed all summer. Saffie’s grandmother had told her and Jessie there would be a christening party – weeks ago, before Max had even been born – and she’d crossed her fingers that Callum would be here for it. She’d missed him from the moment they’d said goodbye.
She stared across the sea to Karadow Cove and the house on the headland. She had grown attached to the place. She’d thought about making it permanent, buying a house nearby. On a list of pros and cons, Porthkara came out higher than London because it was a fresh start. Added to that, her best friend was here, and he and Layla wanted her to stay. Sitting next to Callum, she questioned whether her reasoning was shaky.
‘So, life by the sea won you over.’ He looked fixedly at a ship sailing across the horizon.
She studied his profile, the long line of his nose and the closed-off set of his expression. She liked how long his hair was after four months without a cut. He was even more attractive now than before, if that was possible. ‘What’s not to love? Porthkara is Cornwall’s best kept secret. I bet if people knew, it would be on a world’s best beaches list, don’t you think?’
‘I’ll not tell anyone, if you don’t.’ He turned his face to look at her.
She drew a zip across her mouth. ‘It’s no good,’ she blurted out immediately. ‘I have things to say about Porthkara, but I won’t go public with them. I promise. This is just between us.’
‘Be careful what you tell me. I don’t want you to have to kill me.’
She smiled at his reference to a lethal character in a spy film, the last cameo part she’d played before she gave up acting.
‘No two sunsets are the same. The colours of the sea. The sound of the waves. The sky. The clouds. Everything is always changing. Except for the landscape. That stays the same. It’s so reassuring.’ If nothing else, the loveliness of Porthkara was something they could agree on, because apparently nothing meaningful had changed for him as far as she was concerned. ‘And the wildlife – birds, dolphins, seals. I’ve swum in the cove every day this summer.’ That would be hard to give up. ‘Then there’s the kindness of the people in the village. That goes without saying.’
‘You’re preaching to the converted – as Saffie’s grandma likes to say.’ He ran a hand over his shiny hair to the back of his head. ‘This place sold itself to me long ago.’
She had intended to stay only long enough to make sure that Jessie was back to normal. But nothing was normal after the weekend of the weddings. Plus, Jessie was falling in love with Oliver, and it was all go at Karadow Hall, clearing the rooms, selling antiques to pay for renovation work. Oliver had given advice arranging a loan to update the cottage, and Jessie had hired Layla’s dad, Ralph, to handle the building work. She’d also called on Ella’s input in redesigning the interior. Jessie and Oliver had worked out how to set up a simple website. They’d started posting photos on social media as well, now that Old Rose Cottage was an upscale seaside retreat, with a price tag to match. Naturally, when Saffie and Josh had asked to stay there for the christening weekend, because her grandparents’ place would be crammed with aunties and cousins, Jessie had been only too delighted, and charged them a reduced mates’ rate.
‘I stayed on at first to keep Jessie company. Then I helped her declutter. Somehow, she and I kept finding reasons for me to stay.’ It was her turn to stare at the passing ship, not able to say that all these weeks she couldn’t stop thinking about him. ‘I’ve learned skills.’
‘Like what?’
She wanted to take it from his deep, smiley tone that he was flirting, but she doubted it, and she didn’t dare look at him. ‘Driving’s one, but also DIY, and gardening, and cooking – things I’ve never had to do before.’ She took deep breath and came out with it. ‘I’m thinking of making Porthkara my home.’
Callum’s brow furrowed. ‘After today there won’t be any reason for me to come here. I expect you’ve heard.’ He set his empty cake plate on the grass beside his chair. ‘This is the last family get-together at Seafarer’s Lodge. Saffie’s grandparents are moving. The house is for sale, the estate agents’ board goes up tomorrow.’
‘I see.’ Ella felt like a lump of cake was lodged in her throat. News travelled fast around the village. Jessie was usually on top of the latest gossip, and Ella only a few paces behind, but this info hadn’t reached her ears.
‘It’s a wrench, but their new house is close to the rest of the family. They’re looking forward to seeing more of the grandchildren – and Max is the first great-grandchild, so…’ His voice trailed off.
‘Speak of the devil,’ said Ella.
Saffie joined them carrying Max. She passed the baby to Callum and sat down cross-legged on a tartan picnic blanket laid out on the grass by their vintage deckchairs.
‘I was worried, Callum. I thought you’d gone without saying goodbye.’
‘I’d never do such a thing. Would I?’ Ella caught a glimpse of a half-smile and a flicker of tension in his cheek.
‘Definitely not.’ Except that one time, when we nearly did. She squashed the memory of that last kiss, all its soaring heat and delicious promise.
‘You’ll never guess what’s happened,’ said Saffie. Ella’s attention snapped back into the now. ‘My grandparents’ house is sold. And you won’t believe who to. Oliver. He offered the asking price. Do you think Jessie will move in with him?’
‘I really couldn’t say.’ She stood up brushing cake crumbs from her dress. ‘Would I be okay to use the wifi? I badly need to check my emails. There’s so much happening. I’m fielding enquiries from the film crew.’ She scrunched up her face apologetically. ‘Sorry.’
‘Sure,’ said Saffie. ‘The code is on a notice board in the kitchen.’
Callum
A gentle breeze blew into the garden from the sea. Callum watched Ella’s back as she walked towards the house, the way her dress swished around her legs as she walked, and how the sun silhouetted the shape of her as she climbed the conservatory steps. He watched until he could no longer see her through the conservatory glass, moving politely through the group of guests.
‘How come you didn’t tell me she was going to be here?’
‘It was a spur of the moment thing,’ Saffie said innocently. ‘Ella’s so nice. I’ve run into her a few times over the summer. She’s not what I expected.’
‘What did you expect?’
Saffie picked a handful of daisies and concentrated on making them into a daisy chain. ‘That she’d be stuck up, I think. Because she’s so extraordinary. But she’s also ordinary – in a good way. Normal, if you know what I mean. Do you think it’s because she grew up with a single mum and didn’t know she had a famous dad?’
‘How should I know what makes her tick?’ he said grumpily.
She carefully threaded the daisies together, splitting the stems with her thumb nail and pushing the next small flower through, one after another. ‘I haven’t seen anyone do that for years.’ He avoided saying out loud that he remembered Saffie and her sister sitting on this same lawn making daisy chains.
Saffie looked up at him intently. ‘Are you going to tell her?’
‘What?’
‘How much you like her.’
He laughed, stalling.
‘Come on, Callum. This is me. How long have I known you?’
‘Too long. Clearly.’ He looked down at Max who had fallen asleep in his arms, and shifted his weight, trying not to wake him.
‘It’s obvious she likes you too.’
‘Not to me.’
‘I think you could fall in love with Ella.’ Saffie lowered her head. ‘In fact, I’ve been wondering if you already did.’
‘Listen.’ He looked down at her. ‘This is important. You need to understand. I can’t have anyone new in my life.’ He leaned forward and passed the sleeping baby to Saffie with great care. If anything happened to someone he loved, it would destroy him.
Regardless of the thrill he’d felt when he’d walked into the hotel and seen Ella, he wasn’t going to do anything about it. He wished she hadn’t told him about Karl and the awkwardness behind the ‘why’ of that perfect kiss in the photo because it had forced him to properly examine his feelings about her. ‘I should go.’
‘Don’t go yet. Stay a while. It’s not like you’ve got somewhere to be.’ Cradling Max, she dropped the unfinished daisy chain on the grass.
‘I’d rather be alone.’
He’d stayed late with Gary in the hotel office the night before, analysing the software, working out where he was having problems. In the early hours of the morning, alone and awake in his room, he’d stared out at the dark, endless sea. He knew precisely why he’d thrown those pathetic accusations at her. He’d felt love that night in May, softly uncurling in his crushed heart, and for four months he’d been beating himself up for turning away from her, rejecting the small possibility of starting something new with someone special.
He regretted what he’d said to Ella at the hotel, but he’d done it because the only way forward he could see was to push her away. He couldn’t risk loving her because he couldn’t risk losing another person he loved.
She’d stayed. She loved life in Porthkara. Fine, he thought. He no longer had any reason to ever set foot in the place again. Better than that, he had an opportunity that would take him thousands of miles away. As of now, he made up his mind to go for it.
‘I’m taking a job with a tech company in China.’
‘Since when?’ Saffie was upset. ‘No. You mustn’t. It’s a terrible idea. What’s brought this on?’
He hadn’t planned on making a firm decision yet, let alone announcing it today. ‘I want to go somewhere different – the new job will give me a focus.’
‘I thought you wanted out of the rat race.’
‘I thought so too. But it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.’ It was an interesting role, but he was exaggerating, and pretending to be excited about it. He felt bad for lying. He quickly filled her in with some accurate facts. ‘It’s a planned collaboration between a university and a big company in Beijing. It’s my chance to give something back, input my software development ideas into a big project. I’ll be working privately as an external consultant.’
‘If it’s so great, why does it sound like you’re trying to talk yourself into it?’
She’d hit the nail on the head. ‘The point is it’s a smart move. Something I’m good at. As for Beijing? It’s a place I can start over. Simple as that.’
Saffie shook her head slowly as if she didn’t believe him. ‘Remember the morning of my wedding? In the cave?’
He nodded.
‘I finally realized I couldn’t go on hurting forever. I hoped by now you’d have done the same.’
He stood up. ‘Take care of you and Josh. And Max.’ He paused. ‘See you when you’re older,’ he said to the sleeping infant.
‘Don’t run away. I wish you’d give yourself a chance to be happy.’
‘Stop worrying about me.’
‘You’re angry with yourself, because you can’t allow yourself to be angry with Roxanne.’ Saffie stared hard into his eyes.
The notion of how much her sister would have loved Max pummelled his gut. ‘I appreciate your concern. But I will never be angry with Roxanne.’
‘Hey, you three.’ The air heavy like before a storm, Josh dropped down next to Saffie on the blanket on the grass and she quickly passed the baby to him.
‘Callum’s leaving,’ she said.
‘So soon?’ Josh frowned. ‘Why the rush? You’re still on your “gap year”.’
‘Gotta go,’ said Callum, ‘It was good to see you guys.’
Saffie scrambled to her feet. ‘Where are you parked? Let me walk with you.’
He strode away from the party with Saffie scurrying to keep up. His stomach was in knots, pushing everyone away.
At the gate, with a safe distance between him and the other guests, she blocked his way and vented her frustration with him. ‘You helped me get past it. You’ve got to let go Callum, it’s time.’
‘I have.’
The sky had turned from blue to completely grey, except for where the sun broke through a gap in the clouds and transformed the sea to silver with a pool of shimmering gold in the spot where the light hit the water.
‘Prove it. Follow your heart.’
‘I wish I could.’
Reluctantly she moved out of his way so he could open the gate. He kissed her lightly on the cheek and stepped onto the road closing the gate carefully behind him.
‘Thanks for inviting me to the party.’
‘What shall I tell Ella?’
‘Tell her I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.’
Saffie shook her head. ‘You make me so cross, Callum. Get out of your own way. Those words aren’t for Ella. Admit it. You can go back inside the house now and say anything you like.’
‘Pass the message on. Or don’t. I’ll leave it up to you.’ He mustered a smile. ‘I’ll be in touch. Before China.’