Page 20 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
‘Yes, really.’
The truth is I hadn’t known what to wear tonight. I wanted to look casual because everyone in St Felix was relaxed about everything, including their dress, but I also wanted to look like I’d made a bit of an effort for Jack’s special night.
‘Prosecco?’ I hear behind me, and I turn to see Bronte, Poppy’s stepdaughter, carrying a tray with a number of glasses on it. ‘Or we have orange juice?’
‘Hello, Bronte,’ I say, taking a glass of prosecco. ‘How are you?’
Bronte looks at me for a moment in confusion.
‘I’m Kate. I know your mum? I own the craft shop down the road.’
‘Oh, of course. I’m sorry, Kate. Brain like a sieve, me. How are you?’
‘Good, thanks, and you?’
‘Yes, fab. I’m back for the holidays from uni, and I seem to have found myself a little job here for the summer.’
‘Jack said he’d hired you. You’ll enjoy working here amongst all the art equipment.’
‘I’m afraid I might find it a bit too tempting and end up spending all my wages,’ Bronte says with a grimace.
‘All what wages?’ a familiar voice says, and I see Jack feeding his way through the crowd towards us.
Of course. That’s why there was plenty of space to get around in here compared to some of the overcrowded shops in St Felix. It was because Jack had made his shop completely accessible – not only for himself, but for any other disabled visitor who might want to have a browse. That’s why there had been a small ramp outside, to the side of the two small steps needed to access the doorway.
‘I’m not paying you enough to spend your wages in here, Bronte,’ Jack teases. ‘You must have me confused with a generous and kindly employer!’
Bronte, obviously already used to Jack’s ways, just rolls her eyes at him and moves away with her drinks tray.
‘Glad you could make it,’ Jack says, looking up at me.
‘Of course! I wouldn’t have missed your opening.’ I say, smiling down at him.
‘She’s only here to check that I’m not selling any craft equipment,’ he says, winking at Sebastian. ‘Isn’t that right, Kate?’
‘Hilarious,’ I reply, rolling my eyes like Bronte. ‘Have you met Sebastian?’ I ask, putting my hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. ‘He helps me out in my shop.’
‘No, I haven’t. Pleased to meet you, sir.’ Jack offers a hand up to Sebastian and they shake. ‘I bet Kate had a few strong words to say about me when she heard I was opening this shop, didn’t she?’
‘Oh my goodness, she did!’ Sebastian says without thinking. ‘She was pacing and moaning about the shop like a cat on heat!’
‘Oh really?’ Jack says, lifting his eyebrows.
‘I hardly think that’s a fair or accurate comparison?’ I protest, as Jack grins and Sebastian nods enthusiastically. ‘I was simply concerned for my business, that’s all.’
‘And what about after she’d met me?’ Jack asks innocently, looking at Sebastian.
‘Purring like a kitten.’ Sebastian smiles at me, and his smile rapidly drops as I glare back at him.
‘Ignore my colleague,’ I say, my cheeks feeling like they’re the colour of the cadmium red paint I can see across Jack’s shoulder on the shelf. ‘He tends to get a little carried away at times.’
‘I like a man that tells it how it is,’ Jack says, holding his knuckles out for Sebastian to bump, which Sebastian does with much glee. ‘Now I must mingle! I’m glad you came, Kate,’ he says, looking directly at me. ‘Really glad.’ Then he reverses in his chair and swings expertly around to chat to the next group of people keen to talk to him.
‘Well,’ Sebastian says, his eyebrows raised. ‘He certainly has the hots for you!’
‘Shush!’ I say, turning my back to Jack, as if this will prevent Sebastian’s words from reaching his ears. ‘He has nothing of the sort. That’s just his way – he’s always trying to wind me up.’
‘He can wind me up any day,’ Sebastian says, gazing across my shoulder. You didn’t tell me he was sofit.’
