Page 93 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
‘No, forget him. He’s history. With Ben.’
Sebastian looks confused. ‘Ben is Jack’s son,’ I explain. ‘And it’snota date. He’s far too old for you, Molly. I’m certain he only sees you as a friend.’
‘Whatever, Mum!’ Molly says, already heading for the stairs. ‘Date or not, I’m going to the beach with a hot older guy. My friends might see me so I have to look good!’ She disappears up the stairs to her bedroom.
I shake my head as I watch her go. Talk about one extreme to another.
‘Have I met this Ben yet?’ Sebastian asks, still looking confused.
‘Not properly, no, but you probably passed him if you came in via your usual way. He’d be heading back to Jack’s shop. Tall guy, dark hair, looks a bit like a younger Jack.’
‘Was he wearing a red T-shirt and denim shorts by any chance?’ Sebastian asks.
‘Yes, that’s him.’
Sebastian nods slowly.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Well, I may be mistaken, but I rarely am these days. If Benisthe guy that I passed in the street just now, you’ll have nothing to worry about if Molly goes anywhere with him.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean that Ben is more likely to fancy me than your Molly any day!’
Twenty-nine
‘Sorry, I’m a bit late,’ I say, as I arrive up in Jack’s flat that night, carrying his newest painting and the easel I’d collected from his stock-room. ‘We had a sudden rush of last-minute customers. As soon as the weather brightened up everyone came out again.’
‘That’s okay. Ben should be a good while yet. Great idea by the way – the surf school.’
‘Thanks. Yes, I hoped that might work.’ I hesitate as I erect the easel and pop the painting on it.Should I bring the subject of Ben up now? Was it the best time?‘Molly was so pleased when Ben popped into the shop,’ I try. ‘She really seems to like him.’
‘That’s good,’ Jack says, while I grab my usual chair. ‘Be great if our kids got along too.’
‘Yes.’ I sit down next to Jack in front of the easel. He looks expectantly at my bag, waiting for me to pull out my embroidery. ‘The only thing is, Ben is a few years older than Molly …’ I pause, hoping Jack will fill in the blanks for me, but he doesn’t.
‘Yes, he is,’ is all he says.
‘And Molly is at quite an impressionable age,’ I continue, eager to get this sorted out.
‘Are you asking if my son will lead your daughter astray?’ Jack asks in his usual straightforward way.
‘Well … yes, I am.’
Jack smiles. ‘Molly will be quite safe with Ben, Kate. He’s gay.’
So Sebastian was right!
‘You know?’ I say, forgetting I’m not supposed to.
‘Of course I know. I’m his father. How did you know?’
‘Sebastian,’ I say. ‘He told me.’
Jack nods. ‘The old gaydar, eh. I’m assured by Ben that it does actually exist!’
‘Yes, apparently it does. Oh, I’m pleased you know,’ I say, without thinking. ‘That makes things easier.’ I go to pull the embroidery from my bag.
