Page 92 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
I wave my hand dismissively at her. ‘It’s all forgotten now. You go on back upstairs. I’ll let you know what Jack says later.’
When I have a break between customers I text Jack again:
Can you delicately suggest to Ben he could ask Molly to take him to the surf school tonight? PLEASE don’t let him think Molly is asking though or she’ll never speak to me again!
Jack replies:
Great idea! I’m on it now.
A few minutes later another text arrives from Jack:
Ben is on his way over to the shop – act natural!
I reply quickly:
Fast worker!
‘Hello, Ben,’ I say casually a few minutes later, when Ben arrives at the shop. ‘How are you?’
‘Good, thanks, Kate. Is Molly about by any chance?’
‘Yes, she’s upstairs. I’ll call her. Molly!’ I call up the stairs. ‘You have a visitor.’
Molly comes bounding down the stairs and looks both horrified and elated at the same time to see Ben standing in the shop.
‘Hey, Molly,’ he says calmly. ‘How are you?’
‘Great, thanks.’ Molly replies, running her hand casually through her hair.
‘I was wondering if you might introduce me to your friend’s brother. Dad says the surf school is on tonight.’
Molly quickly glances at me, but I’m already pretending to be busy with pricing some new stock. ‘Is it?’ she asks innocently. ‘Yes, of course, if you’d like me to.’
‘It would be cool if you could.’
‘I think it starts at six o’clock. What if I meet you here and we can walk down together?’
‘Great. Guess I’ll see you later then.’
‘I guess you will.’
‘Bye, Kate,’ Ben says as he’s leaving.
‘Bye, Ben!’ I say, smiling at him. ‘Say hi to your dad for me.’
Ben winks at me and then he leaves.
‘Oh my god! Oh my god!’ Molly says, flapping her arms. ‘What am I going to wear? I have nothing!’
‘You’re going down to the beach. Wear what you’d normally put on.’
Molly looks at me with a horrified expression, as if I’ve suggested she should wear a ball gown and silver slippers to walk on the sand. ‘I hardly think so, Mum. I’ll phone Emily and ask her opinion. Oh no, she’s on holiday.Sebastian!’ she cries, as Sebastian comes through the door to start his shift. ‘What should I wear for a date on the beach?’
‘Molly, it’s not a date—’ I begin.
‘It’s as good as,’ Molly says, dismissing me.
‘You’ve got a date on the beach?’ Sebastian asks, looking surprised. ‘With Chesney? Not usually his style.’
