Page 36 of Summer at the Cornish Garden Café

‘Definitely.’ He kissed the top of her head then went in search of biscuits.

When he found them, he placed them on the table and sat down. Fifi spotted the packet and came to sit next to Marnie, resting her head on Marnie’s leg.

‘This girl is beautiful,’ Marnie said. ‘Are you going to keep her?’

‘I don’t think I can let her go now,’ he admitted.

And silently he said,I don’t think I can let Lena go either. The idea of life without Fifi or Lena is unbearable.

‘Which one are you talking about there?’ Marnie asked as if reading his mind. Then she looked at him and said, ‘Ahhh, I see. You want to keep them both.’

‘Eat your biscuits,’ he said with a wink. ‘And then I need to get ready for work.’

Thomas tidied up the breakfast things while Marnie made a fuss of Fifi, and he found himself imagining a life where he had both Lena and Fifi in his home. It looked like it would be a wonderful life indeed.

21

LENA

The next three weeks passed in a flurry of writing, walking and spending precious time with Thomas. They were, she guessed, dating now, although they hadn’t officially said as much. It was clear to them both that they wanted to spend time together, but they were trying not to overdo it, and so they had a few days a week where they didn’t see each other unless it was in passing in the village or at the beach. She had stayed at Thomas’ cottage again and he’d stayed at her rental cottage, bringing Fifi with him, but nothing had happened between them other than some kissing and cuddling. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to rip his clothes off, because she really did, but she was happy to wait because they were both vulnerable and needed to be certain that this was the real deal before taking things to the next level.

Lena had brought her laptop up to The Garden Café today, meaning to get some writing done. She set herself up in the garden at one of the picnic tables beneath the shade of a large parasol. After ordering some lunch and a drink, she’d managed to get some words down. The fragrant air was inspirational, along with the riot of colour in borders and pots, from thevarying purples of the lavender to the bright red of the giant poppies and the yellows and oranges of the geraniums.

She’d walked around the garden before settling at the picnic table, and had been tempted by one of the hammocks attached to the larger trees in the gardens, but she knew that if she sat in one of them she’d fall asleep. It was just inevitable, and she had a daily word target to complete before she snoozed anywhere.

‘Here you go,’ Ellie said, dragging her from her thoughts.

‘Wow! That looks incredible.’

Ellie set a tray down on the table. ‘You said you wanted me to surprise you and so you have fish tacos with lemon aioli and homegrown tomato salsa, sweet potato chips and a glass of strawberry and lime spritz. Dessert is blackcurrant cheesecake with clotted cream.’

‘I’m drooling!’ Lena licked her lips. ‘Thank you so much.’

‘It’s a pleasure. I love testing out my recipes on you.’

Ellie sat down on the bench and fanned her face with a napkin. ‘It’s warm today.’

‘Warm if you’re busy. It’s lovely sitting out here in the shade. Can you get a drink then come and sit with me?’

‘I’d love to but we’re really busy because a coach trip came into the village, and they were directed up here. I don’t want to leave Gran and Thora for long.’

‘That’s understandable. You do need a break though.’

Ellie leant her arms on the table. ‘So… while I’m here, quickly tell me the latest.’

Lena had confided in Ellie, who had become a good friend, that she was seeing Thomas and that she had feelings for him. Ellie had been delighted and so had Pearl when Ellie told her with Lena’s permission. To be fair, she hadn’t minded Pearl knowing but didn’t want it to get around the village just yet because she was worried Thomas would find it stressful. They could tell people when they were ready to be open about their relationship.

‘There’s nothing new to tell about me and Thomas, really.’

‘Oh… Fair enough.’ Ellie nodded. ‘Any other news, then?’

‘Yes, actually. I quit my job in London yesterday and said I won’t be back at the end of my sabbatical. After that, I phoned my flatmates and gave them notice to end my rental. They were relieved because the woman who’s had my room while I’ve been away is a friend of their. She wants to stay on there and so there’s no issue for me. I’ve effectively replaced my tenancy and there will be no penalty, which means I’ll get my deposit back.’

‘That’s brilliant! But where will you live in Porthpenny? With Thomas?’ Ellie waggled her eyebrows.

‘No. Not yet at least. It’s far too soon for that.’

‘Is it? If you know, you know, surely?’

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