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

did him – he had left more or less as soon as she’d sat down. She had to stop thinking how awkward it would be and put Buddy first. Uncle Albert had adored that parrot and she was determined to look after him the best she could.

‘I guess not.’ She looked at Lou. ‘I’m going to miss you. And your mum. Fisherman’s Rest is going to seem very quiet without you two.’

‘I wish you didn’t have to sell it, then we could come down every holiday,’ Lou said, sipping her milkshake noisily through the paper straw.

‘Me too.’ It was daft, but she was actually getting fond of the cottage, and she had already fallen in love with Port Medden. ‘I’d love to live here,’ she said with a sigh.

‘Really? I mean it is beautiful, and quaint, but wouldn’t you miss the city?’ asked Mali.

Hattie gazed out at the harbour. ‘I don’t think I would. I feel so at home here. I’m sort of sad that I have to sell the cottage.’ She turned her gaze back to the table. ‘Maybe I could rent a place and stay here for a bit longer once it’s sold.’

‘It might be worth a try; you’ve already had a few enquiries for photographs this week while we’ve been here,’ Mali reminded her. ‘Perhaps you could rent for six months and see how it goes. You do seem happy here.’

She was. Even though her whole life felt so up in the air at the moment there was something about Port Medden that drew her in. Living by the sea was so calming. She guessed that’s why Uncle Albert had lived here all his life.

‘I’ll think about it,’ she said.

After they had finished their drinks, they walked along past the shops on the harbour front so that Mali and Lou could buy some souvenirs. Lou bought a cap with a seagull on the front for her dad, and some seashells for herself. Hattie bought Lou a dolphin necklace, and some fudge for Mali. Then they had some fish and chips before returning to Fisherman’s Rest.

This time, when Hattie opened the door, Buddy shouted, ‘Hello! Hello!’

‘He’s pleased to see us!’ Lou said in delight. She ran over to the cage, where the parrot was hopping along his branch. ‘Hello, Buddy,’ she said.

‘Hello!’ Buddy cocked his head to one side. Then he squawked ‘Bugger off!’

Lou giggled. ‘I’m going to miss Buddy,’ she said.

‘I’ll FaceTime you over the weekend, and you can see him then,’ Hattie promised her.

She wished that Mali and Lou weren’t going; the cottage would seem so empty without them. She did have a lot to do, though. She was taking the wedding photos tomorrow, and she had to tidy up the cottage and give the rooms a coat of paint. It was going to be a hectic couple of weeks.

‘Can we come down in the summer holidays?’ Lou asked as she and Mali gathered their things together.

‘If Hattie is still here, and she doesn’t mind,’ Mali told her.

‘I’m sure I will be still here, and I’d love you to come. I’m really going to miss you both.’ She held out her hands. ‘Group hug?’ Mali and Lou both wrapped their arms around her, and she them. She wished she had a daughter. If only . . . She pushed the memory from her mind. Her baby was gone, its short life ended almost as soon as it had started to form in her womb. Yet, although it had been a shock to discover that a bout of sickness had caused her mini pill not to work, in that brief time while it was growing inside her she had loved her baby and been devastated at the loss. Adam though, had been barely able to hide his relief.

‘You’re welcome down here anytime you want,’ she assured them. ‘Now, let me help you out with your things, and be sure that you text me as soon as you’re home.’

‘I will!’ Mali gave her another hug, then they picked up their suitcases and bags and set off for the wasteland at the back where their car was parked. Hattie stood waving until they had disappeared around the corner, then she went back into Fisherman’s Rest.

As she stepped into the lounge and closed the door behind her, she felt a sudden wave of loneliness. Is that how Uncle Albert had felt, sitting here every day on his own? she thought, feeling a stab of guilt. You didn’t know, she reminded herself, you hardly knew him. If only he had reached out, though, she was sure the family would have made an effort to see him. At least he’d had Marcus, and she was grateful for that. So grateful that she decided that when Marcus popped in on the way home from work tonight to see how Buddy was, she would make an extra-special effort to be friendly to him.

Chapter Sixteen

It took Marcus all afternoon, but he finally finished the painting. It would have to be framed, but at least it was finished and had time to dry before the party on Sunday. He was so relieved that he didn’t mind that he’d had to stop longer than he’d wanted and go straight onto his shift at Gwel Teg.

When he’d arrived, Estelle had greeted him with a triumphant look and he had merely smiled and been his usual polite self, with no mention at all of the picture she had sent him, although she would know that he’d received it because the message would show the two blue ticks that indicated it had been read.

She had flirted consistently throughout the day, even stroking his arm and patting his backside at one point, but he’d remained polite and professional, knowing that if he responded with any kind of friendliness, she would take it as a sign he was interested in her.

He stood back as Lady Felicity and Estelle both studied the painting.

‘The paint is still a bit tacky, so it’s