Page 18 of Autumn at the Cornish Garden Café

‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Henry said.

‘It’s OK, Sir,’ Johan said. ‘He’ll get over it.’ He gave a dismissive wave of his hand then pointed over at a table where people were queueing. ‘Shall we sign up for the apple bobbing?’

‘Apple bobbing?’

‘Yes. It’s lots of fun.’

‘Sure.’ Henry shrugged. ‘I haven’t bobbed for apples in a very long time though, so I could be awful.’

‘You’ll be great, Sir, I’m sure. Just remember to hold your breath so the water doesn’t go up your nose.’

‘Thanks for the tip.’

Henry stifled his laughter then followed Johan over to the stall and waited in line, listening to the boy’s excited instructions about the best way to grab the apples with his mouth while avoiding drinking the water. It seemed like Johan had really thought about this and even got in some practice before the day.

11

ROSA

Rosa had walked around the village with Christopher and made sure he had something to eat and drink. She’d tried to pay, but he’d insisted on treating her. They’d met up with Vinnie and he’d strolled around with them, chattering away about how much he was looking forward to the line dancing later on the beach.

‘What would you like to do now?’ she asked Christopher.

‘Didn’t you want to go up to The Garden Café?’ he asked.

‘I would like to head up there at some point, but it’s a bit of a walk,’ she said.

‘I’m up for a walk,’ he replied. ‘It’s the best exercise there is for an old man like me.’

‘Are you sure?’ She frowned. He was seemingly fit, but she worried that the incline on the way to the gardens would be hard on him. ‘I could get the van and drive us up there?’

Christopher shook his head. ‘The walk will be fine.’

‘OK then. Shall we go there now?’

‘Why not? As long as you don’t mind walking a bit slower. Or you could go on ahead and I’ll catch up with you?’

‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘We’ll go together.’

‘I’m up for a wander,’ Vinnie said.

They headed for the café, pausing a few times to watch the choir on the beach as they sang some traditional harvest hymns and then some pop favourites. It also gave Christopher the chance to have a rest without anyone drawing attention to the fact that this was what he was doing.

‘It’s like being in a movie,’ Christopher said when they stopped the third time.

‘I always think that when I’m walking and there’s live music,’ Vinnie said. ‘It reminds me of scenes where characters go somewhere, and the music matches their mood. Like right now, it’s a happy song so we can strut like John Travolta inSaturday Night Fever.’ Vinnie demonstrated and Rosa and Christopher laughed at his exaggerated movements.

‘Can you perform his dance moves, though?’ Christopher asked.

‘The disco ones?’ Vinnie replied.

‘Those.’ Christopher nodded.

‘I think so. I’ll have to practise first, though.’ Vinnie winked at them.

‘I love that movie,’ Christopher said wistfully. ‘Dolly and I saw it when it first came out, and it was so much fun. The soundtrack is fantastic.’

Rosa smiled as Christopher talked about the movie and his favourite songs from the soundtrack. Whenever he spoke about Dolly and their happy times, it lit him up and he seemed years younger than he was. He had lived such a long time and yet she got the impression from what he said that time had flown past and ninety-two years was nothing at all. She’d only lived for thirty-five years and that had gone quickly, but she couldn’t imagine getting to her nineties.

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