One Summer in Cornwall Karen King (positive books to read TXT) 📖

‘I’m sure the school provides them with homework to do if the weather’s bad,’ Mali told her.

Hattie grinned at Lou’s excitement; it reminded her of her first visit here when she was about the same age as the little girl. They’d spent a week with Uncle Albert in Cornwall every summer until her parents had split up, it was such a shame they’d lost touch with him.

Circumstances change, she reminded herself; we are all just adjusting to our new lives. Including her father. Their conversation last night had opened her eyes to how much her father had had to adapt, too, to his new life in France. Yes, he had made the decision to walk out, and she had hated him for that for years, but now she was an adult, she could understand how relationships broke down, and looking back she knew her parents hadn’t been happy. Maybe if she had been younger, like Lou, instead of an awkward preteen she might have handled it better. Lou seemed to have accepted her parents’ break-up and had adapted to living with her mum but sharing weekends and holidays with both parents.

They had a walk along the harbour front, stopping at the Island Café for a drink and snack, then going on a guided tour of the village before climbing the cobbled causeway up to the island’s summit.

‘I think the heart-shaped stone is here somewhere,’ said the guide. ‘Can you see it?’

Lou looked around then clapped her hands and squealed, almost jumping up and down in excitement. ‘There it is!’ She ran over to the stone and knelt down, then put her ear to it. ‘I can hear it! I can hear the giant’s heart beating!’

Hattie, Mali and the guide all exchanged a smile at the excitement on the little girl’s face. Hattie couldn’t resist taking a photo of her, her face was so alive. She showed it to Mali, who smiled. ‘You’re such a brilliant photographer.’

The guide looked at it too, nodding in agreement. ‘You should do that professionally,’ she said. ‘You’ve got the knack.’

‘Thank you, it is a hobby of mine, but I hope to make it a full-time business,’ Hattie told her, pleased with the guide’s praise.

When they got to the castle, Hattie took a deep breath and looked down at the sea below. The view was breathtaking. Cornwall was working its magic on her, and she wasn’t sure that she wanted to leave.

Well, you have no choice, you can’t afford to stay here, she told herself. Besides, you’d be bored in the winter. You’re just in holiday mode, that’s all. No one ever wants to go back home when they’re on holiday.

‘I hear your new neighbour has come to the rescue with the wedding photographs,’ Shanise said as Marcus walked into the kitchen of Gwel Teg, ready to start his evening shift.

Marcus looked at her, puzzled. ‘Who? Hattie?’

‘I don’t know her name. I just heard Sue and Mandy talking. The photographer they booked has had to let them down so your neighbour has stepped in.’

‘Really, when did this happen?’ No one had mentioned it to him and the wedding was only two days away. Ellie and Reece must have been in a right panic. How had Hattie found out about the original photographer cancelling. She hadn’t even been here a week!

‘The photographer pulled out last week – a family tragedy – then Mandy met your neighbour in the corner shop last weekend and found out that she was a photographer.’

Hattie really was a photographer!

‘She came to see Sue first, then Ellie and Reece,’ Shanise continued. ‘They’re all very taken with her and her work apparently.’ She shot Marcus a curious look. ‘You seem a bit surprised. Haven’t you met Hattie yet?’

‘Yes.’ And had a few clashes – but he wasn’t about to tell Shanise that. ‘I had no idea she was taking Ellie and Reece’s wedding photographs though.’

‘Well, she’s saved the day – they were in a right panic about it.’

How had he missed this? Probably because you’ve been preoccupied with the Thomwell painting and how to deal with Estelle. Estelle had been all over him this afternoon, teasing, pouting, innuendos. At first, it had amused him, and yes he’d found her appealing and her attention flattering, but now it annoyed him. Thank goodness the painting was almost finished and then hopefully he wouldn’t have to deal with her again. He could see that she was getting really annoyed that he wasn’t responding to her advances, she obviously wasn’t used to being turned down.

‘So, what do you think of this Hattie, then?’ Shanise asked.

He shrugged. ‘She seems okay, and if she’s managed to rescue Ellie and Reece’s wedding day, that’s great.’ He put on his apron and cap. ‘See you on Saturday, then. It’s the first time we’ve worked a shift together for a while.’

‘Just remember that I’m the boss.’ Shanise threw back her head and laughed.

Marcus grinned. Shanise would no doubt be bossing everyone about, but she was such a bubbly, friendly character no one minded. He was looking forward to doing the wedding food. And to the wedding itself. He’d been invited to join the wedding reception once the food for the buffet had all been prepared, and he had thought he’d go straight home, but now he thought he might stay a while. Especially if Hattie was there. As they were neighbours, he should make the effort to get on with her.

Chapter Fifteen

After his early morning surf, a shower and breakfast the next morning, Marcus decided to go down to the beach for a stroll. He was feeling a bit uneasy about going to the Manor today, especially as he’d received an early morning text from Estelle, with a rather saucy picture of her in risqué underwear. The situation was escalating, and he wasn’t sure how to handle it without upsetting everyone.

The painting had to be finished today as it was Lord Thomwell’s birthday on Sunday and Lady