Catherine knocked on the door again and waited, but there was still no answer. Mark’s car was there though, so he’d either gone for a walk or a run, or he must be inside. After plucking up the courage to come here, she didn’t want to leave; it would be harder if she left and had to come back. Perhaps she could wait for him to come home.
She heard a noise from around the rear of the cottage, so she let herself through the side gate and walked slowly around the cottage and into the back garden.
And there he was.
Sitting on the ground in front of the summer house, rubbing his eyes.
‘Mark? Are you all right?’
She hurried over to him, concerned by how pale and disorientated he looked.
‘Uh?’ He peered up at her. ‘Catherine?’
‘Yes, it’s me. What happened?’
He shook his head then winced. ‘Ouch.’
‘Have you hurt yourself?’ She asked, then she spotted the half empty gin bottle on the table and the glass next to it, along with four small tonic water cans.
‘I had a… a text message and I came out here for a drink and must have… dozed off.’
‘Let me help you up.’ Catherine held out a hand and Mark got to his feet. ‘Are you okay to walk?’
‘Yes.’ He nodded. ‘It’s just my head that hurts. A lot. What time is it?’
‘Gone six.’
‘Ahhhh. I’ve been asleep most of the afternoon.’
‘After drinking gin?’
‘Mmmm.’ He winced. ‘And lying in the sun. I’m very thirsty.’
In the kitchen, Mark sat at the table while Catherine ran the tap then filled a pint glass with water. She found some aspirin in a drawer and handed Mark the packet along with the water. ‘I’ll make some tea.’
‘Thanks.’
Mark took the tablets and drank the water while Catherine boiled the kettle and made two mugs of tea which she carried to the table.
‘Shall we go and sit in the lounge?’
He nodded. ‘Good idea.’
When they were comfortable, she sipped her tea then set her mug on the table.
‘So, what was the text message about?’
He frowned.
‘The one that sent you head first into the gin bottle.’
‘Oh… that one.’ He sighed. ‘I have to confess that it wasn’t just the text message… there are other matters that I wanted to… kind of… forget for a while… But, uh… My ex is getting married.’
‘Ah.’ Catherine nodded. ‘Did she tell you herself?’
‘No, my sister told me. Apparently it’s all over social media and she didn’t want me to see it… not that I’ve spent much time on any of those sites in quite a while… but she was worried it would be a shock. And it was. But it came via text from Summer.’
‘She didn’t try to ring you?’
‘Yes. Several times, but I’d gone for a run. I saw it when I got home and it was just… strange.’
‘Did it…’ Catherine mentally crossed her fingers. ‘Did it make you realise that you still have feelings for her?’
Mark ran a hand over his brow then through his dark hair.
‘At first, I thought I might have. I was surprised and I expected to feel angry, hurt… and so on… but then… the more I thought about it, the more I realised that I really don’t care. It was the finding out that stunned me initially. But then, as I sat there in the summer house and thought about everything, about all that happened over the years between Ellie and me, and about all that’s happened since I came to Penhallow Sands, it became clear that whatever I did feel for Ellie has long gone.’
Catherine bit her lip and blinked hard. Mark felt that he was over Ellie and that was a huge relief. She’d come here hoping to tell him how she felt about the book and about him and then seeing him in such a state and hearing how he’d reacted to Ellie’s news made her feel very afraid. Driving here, she’d envisaged throwing herself into his arms but now, something was holding her back again.
‘Mark,’ she said softly.
‘Yes?’
‘I read the book you left for me.’
‘You did? I hadn’t heard from you… and thought that perhaps I scared you away.’
‘It wasn’t that. See, my mother found it and kept it from me until yesterday when I got home from work.’
‘Your mother read it?’
‘Yes. It really had an impact upon her.’
‘I bet it did.’ He grimaced.
‘Not in a bad way. Not at all. In fact, it made her think about everything.’
‘She was okay with what she read?’
Catherine nodded. ‘She was. We had a good talk last night… well, she told me some things and I ranted at her. She apologised for a few things she’d done and said that she feels she’s held me back all my life. She also told me something rather… big, that I had no idea about.’
Mark nodded, so Catherine continued.
‘She said that my father didn’t actually leave her for another woman and that it had been her, not him, who cheated in the first place.’
Mark’s eyes widened. ‘Your mother had an affair?’
Catherine explained what Diana had told her and Mark listened carefully.
‘That’s one hell of a revelation. Are you okay?’ He reached out and took her hand.
‘I am. I can’t deny that I’m angry… well, furious, actually, with her for keeping it from me, and for blatantly lying to me about it all, but at least now I know the truth. Finally.’
‘How are things between you?’
‘She’s gone away for a while.’
‘Your mother’s left Penhallow Sands?’
‘I couldn’t believe it either. She never goes anywhere, but she’s gone to stay with her sister. They were estranged for a long time but they’ve been in contact recently and Mum said she thought it would do her – and me – good if she gave us both some space.’
‘Wow.’ He whistled. ‘I hope I haven’t caused problems for you.’
‘Not at all. You’ve actually been the wake-up call we both needed.’ She looked down at their joined hands and smoothed her thumb over his. ‘I’m really glad you came into our lives, Mark.’
‘Me too.’ He smiled then he shuffled down on the sofa and leant his head on her shoulder. ‘I wish my head wasn’t pounding so badly though. I feel like my skull is about to burst open.’
Catherine gently stroked his forehead then ran her hand down over his cheek, needing to touch him and hoping that he would find her touch soothing.
‘What will you do about your father now?’ Mark asked.
‘I’ve given him the brush off a few times but now I know the truth, I want to tell him and to apologise for not realising that he wasn’t the bad man my mother made him out to be.’
‘I don’t think you need to apologise to him, Catherine. You didn’t know and why would you have suspected that your mother was lying? She repeated the same lie for years, from when you were a child, so of course you’d believe her.’
‘I feel so bad that he suffered for so long.’
‘It’s not your fault, Catherine. It was Diana’s and you have to let any guilt you feel about this go.’
‘I know you’re right, but it’s all so hard and confusing.’
‘At least you know the truth now and can try to have a relationship with him.’
Mark slid his arm around her waist and held her tight.
After a while, the weight of his head became heavier on her shoulder and his breathing slowed, and she knew he’d fallen asleep. And that was fine. It was good to hold him, good to be held. She needed comfort right now and so did he.
Catherine was glad that Mark had come to Penhallow Sands and glad that she had come here today to see him. There were things they both needed to work through, but they could also offer each other a lot too. She closed her eyes and let herself think about how she’d like their story to end, because she could finally allow herself to imagine that they could have a future.
The next two weeks passed in a very enjoyable haze with Mark writing the rest of the book – inspired by Catherine – while Catherine worked during the day then came back to Plum Tree Cottage most evenings. They took turns to make dinner, enjoyed long walks and early swims, spent hours in each other’s arms getting to know each other and Mark was so happy he thought he might burst.
When Mark was satisfied with the draft of his manuscript, and Catherine had read it through to check if she was happy too, he emailed it to his agent. She replied quickly, asking him to come to London, as she wanted to have lunch with him and his editor.
Mark read the email through twice, knowing that in the past, lunch with his agent and editor would have been something he’d have looked forward to immensely, but now, things had changed. It would mean leaving the bubble of him and Catherine and Penhallow Sands, and venturing back to the big city where his life had been so very different. He was aware that he was also reluctant to leave Catherine behind, even for just a few days, as he looked forward to waking up next to her every morning and to holding her when she returned to him after school most evenings.
Catherine seemed different without her mother’s domineering presence around; she’d been set free of a weight she’d carried for a long time. Their time together was relaxed and enjoyable, as if Catherine could finally be herself. Mark knew that Catherine loved her mother deeply, but also that Catherine was annoyed with Diana for deceiving her for most of her life, and it would take some time to heal from that, if it could ever be fully overcome.
Mark was now convinced that he was madly in love with Catherine. Her smile, her laugh, her presence in his home all lifted his spirits and he no longer felt the shadow of loneliness. For some time before Ellie had told him it was over between them, he’d felt alone anyway, as if he was the only one in the relationship, and it had hurt immensely and left him quite despondent. But having Catherine in his life made everything brighter and he was filled with hope for the future. He felt that they could have a life together, a wonderful life, and he’d be very happy to settle in Penhallow Sands and to spend his life with Catherine. They hadn’t yet spoken in detail about exactly how that would happen, even though she’d helped him to write the happy-ever-after for his book, but they had discussed the possibility of building a life as a couple.
After having the sunshine that was Catherine brightening in his world, Mark didn’t think he’d manage if he lost her. It would certainly plunge him into a dreadful darkness. Of course, the fact that she had impacted so dramatically upon his life and that he now needed her around, did scare him. There was so much to lose, but there was also so much to gain. He was prepared to take the risk because Catherine was worth it.
However, he also knew that life couldn’t stop just because he wanted to stay here with Catherine. He needed to earn a living, to continue to grow his career as an author and to promote his books, and going to London was part of that.
He checked online for tickets and booked one for the Thursday of the following week, aiming to get up there and back within two days so he could spend the weekend with Catherine. It would be something to look forward to.
Catherine sat on the bed and watched as Mark packed his small suitcase. They had eaten a light dinner of salmon and salad and shared a bottle of white wine. She felt relaxed and content, although she knew she would miss Mark, even if he was just going away for two days.
For more than two weeks, their lives had become entwined. Catherine stayed at Plum Tree Cottage most nights, popping back to feed and cuddle Bob and Ginger several times a day. They swam and walked and cooked and made love. In the evenings, when Catherine had work to do, they sat at the kitchen table together and Mark worked on his book. He had also put together a synopsis for the next book he planned to write, as he said that his agent and editor would want to know what he intended on writing next. Catherine hadn’t asked to read it because he’d told her that the synopsis stage was one that was fraught with insecurity, as he wondered if his agent and then his editor would approve, and he didn’t want to jinx it by sharing just yet. That was fine with Catherine; everyone had their own way of working and if Mark needed to fine-tune his synopsis before showing it to her, then he should do what he needed to do.
‘Have you packed your toothbrush?’ she asked as he stood in the middle of the bedroom looking confused.
‘Not yet. Need it tonight and in the morning.’
‘Of course you do. What about clean socks.’
‘Check!’ He smiled.
‘Pyjamas?’
‘Check!’
She took a deep breath. ‘I’ll miss you.’
‘I wish you could come.’
‘Me too, but I can’t take days off in the week.’
‘And my agent and editor don’t work weekends.’ He frowned. ‘We can go away together soon, though, perhaps? If you fancy it.’
He sat next to her on the bed and took her hand.
‘What do you think?’
Catherine smiled. ‘I think that would be lovely. In the past, I couldn’t really go away because of my mother, but now… it’s actually possible. As long as Jamal and Bradley don’t mind looking after the cats.’
‘I’m sure they won’t mind. We could book a romantic getaway at a hotel or go glamping in one of those yurts.’
‘A yurt?’
‘Yes, you know, those big round tents. All the rage now, so I’ve heard.’
Catherine giggled. ‘I think a hotel sounds more my kind of thing. To start with at least.’
‘Hotel it is then. Five stars, I take it?’
‘Definitely. And as long as I’m with you, it will be wonderful.’
‘Let me think on it while I’m away and we can take a look at some possible locations when I come home.’
She hugged herself inwardly because he had called Penhallow Sands home.
He shuffled down then pulled her into his arms so her head rested on his chest. He was warm and solid and there for her.
Catherine listened to his strong heartbeat and she was overwhelmed by how precious Mark had become to her. His mind, his heart, his body, everything about him meant so much to her now, and the thought that she could lose him was too much to bear.
‘Mark?’
‘Yes.’ His breath tickled her cheek.
‘You will come back, won’t you?’
‘What?’ He tilted her chin and met her eyes.
‘I just… I’ve enjoyed being with you so much but… what if you went to London and realised that you didn’t want to return to Penhallow Sands? It would be so awful.’
He shook his head. ‘Of course I’ll come back, Catherine. Now I’ve found you, I’m never letting go.’
She blinked away the tears that blurred her vision and swallowed her fears. She couldn’t live being afraid any longer. She had to trust Mark, although she knew it was something that would take time. Belief in another person wasn’t born overnight and she didn’t exactly have a good track record with her parents and their behaviour, so trust was something she would have to learn.
‘Catherine, you make me happier than I’ve ever been. I promise I’ll come back as quickly as I can. I’d prefer not to go at all, but it’s my job and—’
She silenced him with a kiss.
Then another. And another.
And soon, all worries and cares floated away and they were lost in each other.