‘Seems we’ve got a settled spell of weather coming in,’ Jack says, switching off the local news and weather programme and getting to his feet. ‘Makes a nice change. Think I’ll go for a pint. Want to come?’
Amy looks up from her tablet. ‘I can’t, Dad. I’m going out with Cosmo this evening. I’m taking him over to Prawle, to the Pigs Nose.’
Jack stands looking down at her, smiling a little, unable to resist the tease.
‘Cosmo, eh?’
‘Yes,’ she says. ‘That’s right. Cosmo. That’s his name. Get over it, Dad.’
‘Get over what?’ he says, pretending indignation. ‘So when am I going to meet him?’
Amy shrugs. ‘When I know you’ll behave yourself and stop pretending that you think he’s posh. It’s no big deal, OK? He’s just doing this house-and-dog-sitting thing up in Batson Creek. He’s only here for a couple of months and then he’s going back to London.’
Jack watches her. He knows his girl and he can see that she’s not quite as casual as she makes out. He wants to protect her – to make sure she’s happy – and he knows that this is quite out of his power. Still, he’d like to meet this Cosmo and get his measure.
‘Well, perhaps we can all meet up for a drink sometime,’ he says casually. ‘Or bring him here for supper.’
She looks up at him again. ‘Perhaps,’ she agrees. ‘I’ll mention it when I see him.’
‘See you later then,’ he says, and lets himself out into the dusk.
Mist drifts in from the sea, slicking the streets, obscuring the harbour, diffusing lamplight. There is the hint of autumn in the soft air and he is glad to go down the steps and into the bar, to the light and warmth and the clink of glasses and the sound of laughter. He’s even more pleased to see Max and Cara standing at the bar with a lad of about twenty-two or -three, and he remembers Max mentioning something about his godson visiting. Jack raises a hand to them. He likes Cara, though he’s met her only twice. There’s no side to her and she has an unexpected sense of humour. He can empathize with the pain of bereavement, with what it means to lose your own special person, and he can sense her struggle and respect her courage. As for Max: he’s done quite a bit of work for Max but they also sail together and enjoy a pint on quiz evenings. Max is an old mate. He joins them, smiling at Cara, shaking Sam’s hand as Max introduces them.
‘Max tells me that you’re going into the navy,’ he says. ‘Not another engineer, I hope?’
Sam shakes his head. ‘No, not me. Much too complicated. I’m useless at anything mechanical.’
Jack claps him on the shoulder. He likes the look of this young fellow: quiet, self-contained, but not awkward or shy – and at least he’s not called Cosmo. An idea begins to form in his mind. The barman pushes Jack’s pint across the bar and he lifts it in the direction of the other three and then takes a pull at it.
‘We’re having supper here,’ Max is saying. ‘Want to join us?’
Jack looks quickly at Cara – Max has never made this suggestion when he’s been with Judith – but she’s smiling at him, nodding as if seconding the invitation. Sam is watching him with that same inscrutable look, unusual in one so young.
‘I’d like that,’ Jack says. ‘Thanks very much.’
As they sit down at the table with their drinks, looking at menus, Cara experiences a swift, terrible longing for Philip. These moments come so unexpectedly, lacerating her heart and leaving her feeling achingly lonely. She breathes deeply, reads the menu again, and then smiles at Jack.
‘How is Amy?’ she asks. ‘Max and I saw her in the Coffee Shop. Such a pretty girl.’
‘Oh, she’s abandoned me tonight,’ he replies. ‘I’ve been deserted for a guy called Cosmo.’ He rolls his eyes humorously. ‘I mean, come on. Cosmo? What kind of name is that?’
Max is grinning. ‘Not being a snob, are we?’
Sam looks up from his menu, his face serious. ‘We had a Cosmo in my house at school. He was in the first fifteen,’ he says, as if this should put Jack’s mind at rest.
Cara sees a whole variety of expressions pass over the older man’s face as he sums up Sam’s background, his education, his social position, and she sees a smile steal into Jack’s eyes. He gives a little shrug.
‘I rest my case,’ he says ironically.
Cara shakes her head at him, wondering if Sam knows he is being teased, and Jack winks back at her.
‘Who is Amy?’ asks Sam calmly.
‘She’s my daughter,’ answers Jack. ‘She’s about your age, I would guess. She’s a painter and decorator like me. The ladders and overalls kind.’
Cara can see that he’s waiting for Sam’s reaction but Sam simply nods.
‘I’m impressed,’ he answers. ‘I’m useless with a paintbrush or anything practical. There must be lots of work for her here with all the holiday cottages and summer lets.’
It’s clear that this isn’t quite the response Jack is expecting and Cara gives Sam a silent cheer.
‘So,’ says Jack, ‘if you’re no good at anything mechanical, and you can’t hold a paintbrush or do anything practical, how did you get into the navy?’
Sam looks at him as if he’s surprised at the question. ‘Surely you’ve heard the saying, haven’t you?’ he asks. ‘“The navy only takes half-wits. It supplies the other half in its own way and in its own time.”’ He shrugs. ‘Clearly we were destined for each other.’
Max bursts out laughing and Cara wants to give another little cheer but Jack is already raising his glass to Sam.
‘You win,’ he says to him.
Sam raises his eyebrows and pulls down the corners of his mouth, as if denying that he’s been aware of a contest, but he lifts his pint to Jack.
‘We’re going sailing tomorrow,’ Max tells Jack. ‘Any chance of joining us?’
The talk turns to the weather, tides, and Cara sits back and picks up her glass. She glances at Sam.
‘So how would you feel about helping me with a spot of house-hunting?’ she asks him. ‘I sold my house in London rather unexpectedly quickly to some Foreign Office friends and I haven’t got anywhere to live.’
‘I’d be happy to,’ he answers enthusiastically. ‘I rather envy people who move about. You must have done a great deal of it.’
‘Can’t argue with that,’ she agrees. ‘The trouble is, because of that, there’s nowhere I really feel is home. That’s why I’m here. But I can’t stay with Max for ever, so you see my problem? I’m looking for places to rent or buy but I need some help. You’re a local. Where would you live if you weren’t at The Keep?’
Sam frowns, thinking about it. ‘I’d really need to think about that,’ he says at last. ‘It depends on what you like to do and how you live. I mean, are you a country person or a town person?’
She laughs. ‘Good question. If only I knew the answer to that.’
‘Well then, you should look at both,’ he says. ‘Have you got any details yet?’
‘Max and I had a look online,’ she answers, ‘but not seriously. I need to make a plan. Let’s get our order in and you can tell me where I should start looking.’
Jack is listening with half an ear to this conversation whilst Max talks about bringing his boat ashore for the winter.
It must be hard, thinks Jack, to lose your husband and have no home that you’ve shared together. And no children.
At least he has Amy. He longs to intervene, to tell Cara about several properties in the town that will soon be available as winter lets, which she could rent whilst she looks around, but he sees that this is Sam’s show. He suspects that Cara has deliberately involved Sam in this to include him and to show that he’s not just a young man amongst three much older people but someone who might be useful and necessary to her. Sam has already taken his phone from his pocket and is flicking through various sites whilst Cara looks on, leaning forward, so that she can see what he’s doing.
Jack is aware of a vulnerability only just masked by her cheerfulness. It was good to have that moment of connection with her when he was teasing Sam, and he was pleased at her delight when Sam scored his point, and then he wonders what Amy might make of Sam and how an introduction might be achieved without it looking too obvious.
‘Have you been to The Keep?’ Sam is asking Cara. ‘It’s beautiful around Staverton and Dartington. Totnes is great too. And the moor is really close. Fliss loves going to Dartington Hall. There’s the gardens and a café, and a pub and a cinema.’
Max has finished talking and is sipping his beer so Jack feels that he can intervene quite naturally in the conversation now.
‘Sam’s right. It’s beautiful. You should get him to take you over and show you around. There’s a great little cinema in the Barn Theatre. They stream productions live from the Met and the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre. Do you go much, Sam?’
Sam hesitates. ‘I do when I’m home. Films, mainly. Fliss goes quite a lot to the ballet. Hal’s not that keen.’
Even whilst Jack is talking he can tell that the positions are now reversed. Cara is surprised that he should talk so naturally about the opera and he looks at her, smiling almost challengingly, as if to say, ‘Who’s being a snob now?’
She picks up his challenge at once. ‘Are you an opera buff?’ she asks.
‘Oh, I wouldn’t call myself a buff,’ he answers. ‘But I love opera. I was lucky enough to have a very enlightened music teacher. She took our whole class to London on several occasions, and to Plymouth, too, to see the opera.’
He can see that Cara is struggling to come to terms with this but Max is more direct.
‘Seriously?’ he asks. ‘Schoolchildren? But opera is always so gloomy. So dramatic. And you can’t understand a word they’re saying!’
‘They have subtitles now,’ Jack tells him soothingly. ‘Specially for people like me and you who don’t understand Italian. Or German.’
He sees Cara’s involuntary smile and he looks at her. ‘And what about you?’
‘Philip loved opera,’ she tells him. ‘So I learned to love it, too. Some more than others, I admit, but in the end I got it.’
‘Favourite?’ he asks her.
‘Eugene Onegin,’ she answers at once, and he laughs, nodding agreement.
‘Well, you might be pleased to know that they stream a lot of it live at Dartington and the season’s just beginning. I’m about to book to see The Magic Flute. Perhaps you’d like to join me?’
There’s a tiny silence, as if nobody knows quite how to deal with this direct approach but Cara rises quickly to the challenge.
‘I’d love to,’ she says. ‘Thank you.’
Jack glances at Sam and Max, eyebrows raised, extending the invitation to them, but they shake their heads.
‘I think I’ll give it a miss,’ says Max, ‘thanks all the same.’
‘OK,’ says Jack. ‘It’s next week sometime. I’ll let you know the date, Cara.’
She nods, smiles at him and looks at Sam. ‘Sure you can’t be persuaded?’
‘You mustn’t forget,’ interposes Jack gently, ‘that we have it on his own authority that he’s a half-wit.’
Sam shrugs regretfully. ‘There you have it. People bursting into song at the least encouragement, murdering each other, committing suicide, dying of consumption. And all in a foreign language.’ He sighs. ‘I guess I just don’t have what it takes to get it.’
Max laughs. ‘I couldn’t have put it better myself. Good man, Sam. We Philistines must stick together.’
‘Just you and me then,’ Jack says to Cara. ‘I’m looking forward to it already.’
‘Can’t get over old Jack being an opera buff,’ Max says later when they’re back at home.
‘But it was you who told me I shouldn’t underestimate him,’ laughs Cara.
She sits at the kitchen table beside Sam, who has borrowed Max’s computer and is working through property sites.
‘Well, he likes to do what Amy calls his local yokel thing,’ says Max.
‘You mean he chose what he wanted to do, gave up teaching so that he could do it, but still has a slight chip on his shoulder when snobby people treat him as a tradesman?’
‘Something like that. He’s a real craftsman, though. He just likes to wrong-foot people. To have a laugh.’
‘Well, I hope the opera wasn’t a joke,’ says Cara. ‘I’d like to go.’
Max is checking his phone. ‘Will you excuse me?’ he says. ‘Judith is asking me to call her. Everything’s OK,’ he adds, ‘but it looks like she’s decided to stay on in case the baby comes early. Freya’s mum can’t get over from Denmark yet.’
He goes into the small study, pushing the door closed behind him, and the other two sit in silence for a moment, staring at the computer screen.
‘Maybe she’ll want him to go to Oxford,’ says Cara.
Sam frowns at the screen. ‘If it becomes difficult,’ he ventures at last, ‘you could always come and stay at The Keep. There’s loads of room and Fliss wouldn’t mind a bit. She was saying she’d like to meet you.’
Cara is touched by this kindness.
‘That’s very sweet of you,’ she says, ‘but I’m not sure where Oscar would fit in. In fact, I might be more useful if I stay here to look after him.’
‘He could come, too,’ says Sam. ‘We all love dogs.’
Cara laughs. ‘Well, that’s very comforting. Thank you. Let’s see what the outcome is before we make a plan. Perhaps you could stay on here to help me cope with Oscar and house-hunting?’
She watches his serious face break into a delighted smile.
‘I’d like that,’ he says. ‘Look. There’s a rather nice flat to rent in Dartmouth. Amazing views. Do you know Dartmouth?’
‘Not very well,’ she says. ‘Philip brought me down to Max’s Passing Out Parade but that was light years ago. It was wonderful. You’ll have to show me round.’
Sam talks about Dartmouth, about how he’ll be going to the College in January, and Cara jokes about taking the flat so that he can visit her. He’s grappling with this sudden whole new take on his situation. He arrived slightly resenting Max’s sister’s presence, thinking he needed Max to himself, and now here he is, feeling quite elated by the prospect of introducing Cara to the South Hams and not particularly worried about Max going to Oxford.
He’s really enjoyed the evening: meeting Jack, who was great fun; being co-opted to sort out Cara’s housing problems. It isn’t at all as he’s envisaged it, but somehow his own problems have drawn back and cheerfulness is breaking in. So when Max appears looking rather serious Sam doesn’t feel quite as anxious as he might have done.
‘How’s Freya?’ he asks. ‘Is everything OK?’
Max grimaces. ‘She’s OK but Judith’s not very happy about leaving her. She’s having difficulty getting about, what with the ankle and the baby, and Poppy’s pretty full on. The thing is, Judith wasn’t prepared for quite such a long stay. She went on the train, so she didn’t take too much. She’s made a list of things and asked if I could drive them up.’ He looks at Sam. ‘I’m really sorry about this, Sam, but it’ll only be a few days.’
‘We were just talking about it,’ Cara says before Sam can answer. ‘We could stay here and look after Oscar, if you like.’
Max’s face lightens. ‘That would be great. If you’re sure?’
‘It’s fine with me,’ says Sam, trying not to look too enthusiastic. ‘We could do some house-hunting.’
Max sighs with relief. ‘That’s great, then. It seems a bit rude to invite people to stay and then walk out on them but if you’re both happy then I can go with a clear mind. I didn’t really want to take Oscar. The house isn’t very big and he’s just another complication. I’ll only be away three nights, four at the most, I should think.’
‘When will you go?’ asks Cara.
‘Monday morning. Sorry, Sam.’
‘It’s not a problem,’ Sam assures him. ‘If you’re OK with me staying …?’
‘Of course I am. You’ll be company for Cara and I shan’t have to worry about Oscar. Thanks.’ He holds up the list. ‘I’d better go and find some of this stuff.’
Sam hesitates for a moment and then decides to take the initiative.
‘We need an itinerary,’ he tells Cara. ‘It makes it a bit difficult when you don’t know the area but I think we might start in Kingsbridge, then Dartmouth and then Totnes, and check out some of the villages as we go along. I’m assuming that you have a car?’
He looks at her, wondering if he’s being too bossy, but she’s smiling at him.
‘Yes, I have a car. Even big enough to squeeze Oscar into, if we need to.’
‘That’s good,’ he says. ‘There will be plenty of places to walk him as we go along. The important thing is to get a feel of the area and see if there’s anywhere that you specially like. Then we can expand the search a bit. Does that sound right?’
‘I can see that I’m in safe hands,’ she says. ‘And it’s a great relief. I’d hate to be doing this alone.’
Sam feels pleased. He takes the laptop into the study and prints off some of the house details Cara has approved. He likes to be organized; to plan ahead. Sitting at Max’s desk, listening to the printer, he begins to draw up an itinerary. It’s good to feel useful.
When he gets home Jack goes straight to his cluttered, untidy desk in the cubbyhole that he calls his study and begins to search for the programme showing the events at the Barn Theatre at Dartington.
Amy calls to him from the big kitchen-living-room: ‘Hi, Dad. Had a good evening?’
He goes to find her, bringing the programme with him. ‘Yes, I did. Max was in the pub with Cara and that godson of his. Have you been back long?’
She shakes her head. ‘Just got in.’
He looks at her, checking for signs that might indicate that it’s been an unusual evening but she looks quite calm, not like a girl who’s falling in love. Though he’s not absolutely sure that he’d recognize the signs.
‘Did Cosmo approve of the Pigs Nose?’ he asks lightly.
‘Mmm.’ She nods almost indifferently and then grins at him as if she knows exactly what he’s up to. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I’m checking the dates for The Magic Flute next week. It seems that Max’s sister, Cara, is keen on it so I’ve offered to take her.’
‘Ooh,’ says Amy, ‘that was quick. Nice, is she?’
It’s as if suddenly the boot is on the other foot and Jack begins to laugh.
‘Very nice,’ he says. ‘But I thought you’d met. She said she’d seen you in the Coffee Shop?’
Amy frowns, shakes her head. ‘I don’t think so. Oh, except that Max came in one morning and I think he went and sat with someone. Might have been her.’
‘Well, she said that you were a very pretty girl.’
‘Trying to get in with you, is she?’ She grins at him. ‘And now you’re going to the opera together. Quick work.’
He sees that he’s been completely deflected from any attempts to find out about her evening and gives in gracefully. He studies the film guide. He needs to get a move on and book the seats. He glances at his watch. The booking office will be closed now so he’ll have to do it first thing in the morning.
‘It’s Thursday evening,’ he tells her.
They always let each other know when they have a date planned.
‘Sounds good,’ says Amy, uncurling herself from the sofa. ‘Actually, I might ask you for a lift. I’ve had a text from Charley suggesting a catch-up. You could drop me off in Totnes and pick me up after.’
For some reason Jack feels slightly put out – it won’t be quite the same with Amy in the car – but it’s tough having only one car and the van between them, and there’s no reason to refuse.
‘Of course,’ he says. ‘How’s Charley?’
He likes Charley. Amy met her at uni in Falmouth when they were both studying graphic art and despite the age gap – he guesses Charley must be in her late thirties – she and Amy became good friends. Charley grafts, and has a very laid-back outlook on life.
‘She’s OK,’ answers Amy. ‘Only she and Simon have broken up again. She calls it a trial separation but I think she’s gutted, actually.’
‘They’re always breaking up,’ Jack says impatiently. ‘Simon goes off and does another course on something, or some landscape gardening, and then the next minute they’re back together again. And then Charley gets an idea in her head and rushes off. They’re simply incapable of commitment.’
‘I know. It’s the way they are, but it sounds a bit more serious this time. Shall I say I can go over on Thursday evening, then?’
‘Of course,’ he says. ‘It’ll be good to see Charley again.’
‘And I can meet Cara,’ says Amy. ‘What about the godson? What’s he like?’
‘Sam? He’s a very nice lad. He’s joining the navy. Going to Dartmouth after Christmas. I was wondering whether to invite them all over for a drink. What d’you think?’
She looks surprised. ‘Why not? Max is always good value, though Judith’s hard work.’
‘Judith’s away. I just thought it might be friendly. Cara’s husband died earlier this year and she’s looking for somewhere to live. You might know a few places coming up for grabs. Anyway,’ he shrugs, as if it’s not that important, ‘it was just an idea. I’m off to bed.’
‘OK,’ she says, beginning to text. ‘We’ll make a plan. ’Night, Dad.’
He bends to kiss her, wondering if he should suggest that Cosmo be invited to the party, but decides against it. The presence of a complete stranger might throw the balance and Jack wants it to be fun. He’s surprised at how much he’s looking forward to it.