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

Thomwell wanted to present him with the painting then. Marcus had hoped that Estelle would be going back to Paris after her father’s birthday but the photo and message she had sent him that morning made him doubt that. He had an uneasy feeling that once the commission was finished, Estelle would think that there was nothing to keep them apart and would up her game.

He should never have gone to that do as her plus one. That had definitely given her the wrong impression. And he should have pretended that he had a girlfriend that night when she’d made a pass at him, instead of telling her he didn’t mix business with pleasure. He was such an idiot. Why hadn’t he handled this better?

It always made him feel calmer to gaze out at the sea, so he planned on sitting outside the café with a cup of coffee and watching the world go by for a bit before he had to head into work. He grabbed a coffee and sat down at a table at the front, gazing out at the harbour.

‘There’s Marcus!’ He looked up to see Lou waving at him. Hattie and Mali were with her, obviously heading for the café. ‘Hello, Marcus!’ Lou shouted.

He waved back and she dashed over to his table. ‘We’re having a drink too. I’m having a milkshake. Can we share your table?’

From the look on Hattie’s face, she didn’t want that any more than he did, but how could he say no? Especially as Lou had already scrambled onto the chair next to him and Mali was about to follow suit. ‘Er, of course,’ he said.

‘I’ll go and get the drinks, you two sit down,’ Hattie said, obviously eager to make an excuse to get away.

‘Frappé for me please, and chocolate milkshake for Lou,’ Mali told her, seating herself beside Lou, leaving the seat by Marcus free for Hattie.

Awkward.

‘We’re going home tonight,’ Lou told him. ‘I wish we could stay longer.’

‘I’ve got things to do before school on Monday, Lou, and Hattie is working tomorrow,’ Mali reminded her.

‘Yes, I heard that she was taking the photos for Ellie and Reece’s wedding. I’m doing the food,’ Marcus remarked, feeling that he should talk to them. Besides, he liked Mali, she was warm and friendly. Unlike Hattie.

Whose fault is that? It’s thanks to you that you both got off on the wrong foot.

‘So, you’ll probably bump into each other, then?’ Mali asked.

‘I expect so. Have you both enjoyed your stay here?’ he replied, changing the subject.

‘It’s been brill. I’ll miss it so much, especially Buddy, but he’s naughty. He swears a lot.’ Lou told him from across the table.

Marcus grinned. ‘I know. That’s because his owner was a fisherman and he swore a lot too.’

Lou nodded. ‘Hattie told me all about it. She used to come down here when she was little. She showed me the bucket and spade she used to build sandcastles on the beach with. And the wetsuit she used to wear. They were in Uncle Albert’s shed.’

‘I can’t believe he kept them all this time,’ Hattie said, coming over with a tray of drinks. She put the tray down on the table and, after a slight hesitation, she sat in the empty seat which was next to Marcus. ‘There’s loads of things in that shed. I’m going to have to look through it all.’

‘Albert was a bit of a hoarder.’ Marcus took a sip of his coffee. ‘How’s Buddy doing? Has he settled down now?’

‘He’s perked up a lot. He’s eating okay, although he still pulls out his feathers now and again,’ Hattie replied.

Marcus was concerned to hear that. ‘Keep an eye on that – pulling out his feathers is a sign that he’s stressed. He’s probably pining a bit too, for Albert and possibly me. I used to pop around a couple of times a day when Albert had . . . gone. Buddy’s a very social bird, he’s used to being with Albert all day, so he might start stressing again when your visitors have gone back and he’s on his own a lot.’

‘I’ll keep him company as much as I can, but I do have to work.’ Hattie sounded defensive.

‘I know, I’m just saying—’

‘Perhaps you could still pop around, just until he gets used to Hattie. It’s a shame if he’s pining,’ Mali butted in quickly.

Marcus saw the warning look that Hattie shot at her. ‘I’d be happy to do that but I don’t want to impose.’

‘Oh, it’s no imposition, is it, Hattie?’

‘Well, I guess Buddy would like to see you, and then you can check that he’s okay. I’m doing my best.’

‘I’ve no doubt that you are. Look, I’m off to work in a while, but I’ll be home about ten thirty this evening. I could pop in then, but if that’s too late, then tomorrow morning? Whatever suits you.’

She thought about this for a moment, then said, ‘Tonight will be fine. I’ll still be up and about.’

‘See you later, then.’ Marcus finished his drink and stood up, glancing at Mali and Lou. ‘Bye, you two. Nice to meet you.’

‘See you next time we’re down,’ Mali said cheerily.

‘Honestly, did you have to do that?’ Hattie demanded as soon as Marcus was out of earshot. ‘It was so obvious that you were trying to matchmake, it was embarrassing. He probably thought I’d put you up to it and I fancy him.’

‘What, with the look you gave me? It’s a wonder he agreed to come after that. But be fair, Hattie, that parrot probably does miss Marcus and would love to see him. What harm will it do? You can leave him to talk to Buddy and busy yourself with something. You don’t have to entertain him.’

She was right, Hattie acknowledged. Buddy had already lost one person he loved, it wasn’t fair to cut Marcus out of his life too. Besides, she was sure that Marcus didn’t want to spend any more time with her than she