Page 8 of Autumn at the Cornish Garden Café

‘There’s always lots to do in this job.’ Pete laughed. ‘You should hear Naveen in the evenings. He’s all like, “Pete, do you really have to do all that marking tonight? Can’t we go out for food or to see a movie?” It’s different for a mechanic though because he doesn’t have to bring his work home with him.’

‘Tell me about it.’ Henry shook his head. He loved being a teacher but the workload could be overwhelming if it wasn’t managed well. ‘I try to draw a line and keep some time aside for actually living. But I’m single and I imagine it’s harder if you have a partner and a family.’

‘Naveen and I don’t have children because he’s enough work for me.’ Pete winked. ‘And yes, I try to make sure he gets enough of my time. Quality time, that is. Got to keep the husband happy, right?’

‘I’m sure you do.’ Henry laughed.

‘Plus, I love teaching and shaping young minds so I wouldn’t want to do anything else. Naveen is pretty good really, it’s just now and then he’d like me to have less work to do outside of the school day. Anyway…’ Pete pushed a hand through his light brown mullet. ‘Do you need any help with anything?’

‘I don’t think so. I’m on top of things at the moment and hope to stay that way. September is always a nice term because everything’s so fresh. The exercise books are clean and ready to be filled, the children’s minds are clear from the summer holidays and they’re ready to learn, and the weather is cooler, so my mind is too.’

Pete grinned. ‘I feel like that about September term, too. After the summer, I’m ready to start again. Summer at the coast is special.’

‘Too true.’ Henry liked the thought of future summers in the village and how much he would enjoy going for an early morning swim and a run along the coastal path. Everything was here at his disposal and he intended to make the most of it all. ‘I was thinking that perhaps we could arrange some outings to the bookshop for the children this term.’

‘That would be a good idea.’ Pete took a sip of coffee. ‘Perhaps we can get some local businesses involved to donate book vouchers so they can all get something while they’re there.’

‘That would be brilliant. It could be a termly outing to encourage reading and develop literacy skills.’ He had tried to suggest a similar scheme at his last school, but it had been shot down because of funding issues. This had made him sad, so he’d sent out emails to companies asking them to support the scheme. He’d raised some money, but with so many pupils, it wouldn’t have gone far. Instead, he’d used the money to pay for transport to the closest library and the pupils had learnt about how they could join the library and take out books to read. Some of them had got really excited about visiting the library, which had warmed his heart. He’d been able to extend the scheme so it would continue after he left and he hoped they’d keep it going for the pupils because the school library hadn’t been fit for purpose.

‘Well, let’s see what we can do then.’ Pete raised his mug, and Henry tapped his gently against it.

‘I’ll speak to Rosa about it too,’ Henry said thoughtfully.

‘Rosa?’ Pete asked.

‘The owner of The Book Nook. She’s very nice and?—’

‘Is that a blush I see in your cheeks?’ Pete waggled his eyebrows.

‘A blush?’ Henry raised a hand and touched his cheeks and realised they were warm. ‘I don’t think so. Why would I be blushing?’ Just trying to deny it made his cheeks grow hot, and a nervous chuckle slipped out.

‘Is this bookshop owner attractive, then?’ Pete tilted his head.

‘Rosa’s very nice. She’s welcoming and book mad and … and … I guess she’s attractive. But I wouldn’t know much about that, really.’

‘Why not?’ Pete’s brows met above his nose. ‘Oooh … Are you into men? If you are, I know some great single men. I could set you up on a date with any of them and?—’

‘No! Thanks. I’m not … I like women. But I’m not in the right place to date anyone. I’m … taking some time ….’

‘No problem. Sometimes we all need a break from romance. But just so you know, if you do fancy dating again, I have friends who’re single and ready to mingle. Male and female.’ He winked.

‘Thanks.’ Henry took a sip of coffee and willed the blush to fade from his cheeks. What was he, thirteen? ‘I’ll bear that in mind.’

‘Excellent!’ Pete headed for the door. ‘Well, break will be over soon, and I have a class to teach. Enjoy your PPA time and your meeting.’

‘Cheers.’

After Pete had gone, Henry turned back to the window and gazed out at the landscape. After the past few years, he really wasn’t in the right place to date again but he couldn’t deny that he found Rosa intriguing. She was beautiful and sweet, and she loved books. What was there about her that was unlikeable? But then he’d been burnt before and found that how someone initially seemed could soon change once they felt comfortable with you. And he didn’t want to end up in that type of situation ever again.

Staying single was for the best. Wasn’t it?

5

ROSA

Christopher’s kitchen was enormous and could have fitted Rosa’s whole flat inside it, but it was also homely. She sat at the large oak table while he made tea. He served the tea in bone china mugs and placed a plate of digestive biscuits on the table, then sat opposite her. Bobby climbed into a basket next to the Aga and curled up, his small head buried underneath his tail. He dropped off to sleep quickly while Rosa wrapped her hands around her mug and savoured the warmth of the tea and the kitchen. She felt relaxed and comfortable in Christopher’s home, savoured the September morning sunshine coming through the large window.

‘So what brought you to Porthpenny?’ he asked as he stirred sugar into his tea.

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