Phillipa Ashley - Summer at the Cornish Cafe - The perfect summer romance for 2018

We ride along the edge of the cliff now and a gull swoops low, startling Robyn’s horse but she soon regains control and carries on as if nothing had happened. She’s far more confident than before I went away, with the horse at least. I’m not sure she’s happy, though, and I don’t quite know why.

‘We were a bit surprised that you’d moved that quickly. Are you really planning to re-open the park again soon?’

‘It’s either that or let the whole place rot, and we could do with some jobs round here from what I saw in St Trenyan. It could just be me, but it looks more run-down than before I went away. I can’t sit on my arse letting the park go downhill even further when I could do some good with it.’

‘I’m not criticising, Cal. I’m right behind you and if there’s anything I can do to help, just ask.’

‘Thanks.’

‘I didn’t only come over to share the gossip. I also wanted to ask you to a party.’

I burst out laughing. ‘I’m not in much of a party mood.’

‘I know that but this is important. It’s a charity ball at the Dolphin Country Club in aid of a homeless charity.’

I laugh at the irony. ‘Thanks, but I’m too busy trying to get the business back on its feet. You know what they say: charity begins at home.’

‘You don’t believe that!’

I urge the horse to a trot and the ocean grows closer, the waves like the hooves of a thousand horses galloping to meet us.

‘I haven’t said when this ball is yet,’ Robyn shouts to me.

‘Whenever it is, I’m too busy.’

She catches up with me easily. ‘This event will be good for your business. My friend says all the local “great and good” will be there.’

‘There you are then: I don’t count as either.’

‘Argh, Cal, you drive me nuts. Say you’ll come? You can take me with you, as there’s no one else worth going with.’

My jaw aches from trying not to smile. ‘Won’t that be like going with your brother?’

She wrinkles her nose. ‘No, this would be more like going with my gay best friend.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Go on, you know you’re tempted. You love to shock people.’

I laugh, wondering if she has any idea what I might have done while I’ve been ‘away’.

‘I haven’t upset you, have I? Dad says I never think before I speak and I talk too much … Luke definitely thinks so. He told me.’

‘Then they’re both talking out of their arses and Luke should shut up.’

‘Maybe they’re right.’ She laughs but I feel angry with my uncle and Luke.

‘Be yourself, and screw anyone who doesn’t like it.’

‘That’s not always so simple. I haven’t got a proper job apart from working in the Tinner’s and I can’t afford my own place yet.’

I think of the cottages on the estate and the fact I let Demi have one, but I can’t afford to give away any more of them and besides, I can’t interfere in Robyn’s life; she needs to stand up to my uncle and make her own way.

‘So, you’ll come to this charity do? You’d be doing me a massive favour.’

Her voice is light but holds an edge of desperation. I get the feeling there’s something she’s not telling me.

‘I’ll think about it.’

When Cal said there was work to do here, he wasn’t joking. Over the past few weeks, he’s been to Truro and St Trenyan, meeting with his old contacts to try to raise extra investment in the new resort. Polly has been moaning even more than usual about the ‘bloody strangers’ poking around in the derelict farm buildings and cottages and tramping in and out of the farmhouse in muddy boots.

I think it’s exciting, and at least Cal seems wrapped up in the business, rather than getting slowly pissed in his study all evening. I was researching more competitor parks, but Polly asked me to take the empty beer and whisky bottles to the recycling bins in the morning. I don’t want to judge people but I don’t think the booze helps his mood much.

Talking of which, I finally found out why he acted like the world has ended when he received The Letter. Polly told me that it was an invitation to his ex’s engagement party. Turns out this Isla and Cal were crazy about each other but when he came back to Cornwall, he found out she’d got engaged to his mate. Polly says Isla thought Cal wasn’t interested any more because he’d stopped all contact with her. Polly thinks Isla should have waited until Cal came home and I agree with her on this one, not that it matters to me. There’s no way I am going to rely on some bloke for my future, however much I owe him and however hot he is.

‘Demi?’

Cal meets me by the waste bins. There are dark circles under his eyes, and I think he was working on a business plan until the small hours.

‘I need to go to Truro to see the architect and try to shave some costs from the plans. Can you spare the time to visit the builders’ merchant and get some costs and ideas for the bathrooms and kitchens in the cottages? We need to make a start.’

This sounds like an interesting job so I jump at the chance. ‘Yes, if you want me to.’

‘Good. Be ready in ten minutes.’

Cal dropped me off at the builders’ merchants and I checked out the bathrooms and kitchens, and arranged for the designers to come and see the old cottages. He didn’t ask me to do that so I hope it’s OK. The staff told me it can take weeks to get the fixtures and fittings and we need to compare the estimates. My visit took over an hour so I walked over to Lemon Quay to meet him, wondering if I had time to grab a takeout coffee while I was there.

The city is busier than last time I was here because there’s a food fair taking place, with stalls and vans selling everything from local chocolates and sea salt to fresh fish and even Cornish tea. The rich scents and spicy aromas compete for my attention as I browse the stores, trying to resist buying things that aren’t strictly necessary. Sheila tried to use local suppliers but I had no idea you could get all of this stuff right on the doorstep.

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