Page 66 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘Would it make any difference? Would it change your mind about the land and the scout hut?’
‘I don’t know. I suppose not. It’s not really in my gift to change it. I keep telling you that, and you don’t want to listen. I’m not the one selling it, after all, and if not me, someone else would buy it eventually.’
‘So what’s the point in knowing my story?’
‘Because…because I couldn’t imagine any circumstances in which I’d do the same.’
‘I think we’ve established we’re not the same at all.’
‘Aren’t we? Don’t you think we’re a little bit the same? Look at us here: neither of us are backing down over your little hut. I know for a fact that neither of us would ever back down. I think we’re a lot more alike than you realise. But this’ – he waved a hand, encompassing the clifftop – ‘this I couldn’t imagine doing. And all the community stuff. I’ll admit I still don’t see what anyone gets out of that. But I also have to admit…’
He paused.
Eden searched her bag for her keys as Four Winds Cottage reared out of the gloom. ‘Admit what?’
‘I’m kind of impressed. More than impressed. I’m…maybe ashamed that I’d never have it in me to do the same. Maybe a bit in awe too. You’ve been here for a few weeks and yet you’ve set up that place, and you’d fight to the end for it. People here love you already, I can tell that much. And I think to myself, well, if everyone here loves you like they so obviously do, there must be something I haven’t seen yet, something about you, something…well, amazing.’
Eden shook her head. ‘You’ve definitely had too much to drink.’
He laughed. ‘I’m sure I have.’
‘I think you ought to sober up a bit before you head back down the cliff. After all, you don’t know the path at all and it’s dark. I don’t want you to fall.’
‘Those things don’t change if I sober up.’
‘No, but it will be one less worry if you can walk in a straight line.’
‘I’m perfectly capable.’
‘Even so. Come in and have a coffee, if only to make me feel happier.’ Eden pushed open her front door and reached for the light switch to illuminate the hallway. ‘And it’s just coffee, notcoffee…so you can wipe that grin off your face.’
Cam’s grin broadened as he followed her inside, taking in the low-beamed ceilings with the dried flowers hanging from them, the tiled floors and unevenly plastered walls.
‘This is…quaint,’ he said. ‘Remind me…it’s not yours, is it? You haven’t bought it?’
‘God, no, I couldn’t afford this! I’ve got a six-month lease.’
He frowned. ‘Only…so you’re doing all this community stuff and you’re not even staying? I got the impression you’d madethis place your new home. The way everyone talks about it at the kitchen makes it sound like you’re here to stay.’
‘I’ve thought about it a lot,’ Eden replied with a sudden candour that surprised even her. She’d toyed with the notion but not seriously. Much as she would love to stay, the idea had no shape. It didn’t seem practical, for a start. She couldn’t afford Four Winds, even if it was for sale, and the task of finding an affordable alternative seemed overwhelming. Sea Glass Bay was hardly the glitterati of seaside resorts, but it was still a desirable location. And if Cam got his way, prices would go up even further with the new development on the scout hut land. If it was a decision she needed to make, then she would have to reach a decision soon. One thing she knew for sure was that, perhaps for the first time in her life, she was somewhere she belonged, somewhere she was accepted. Whoever she’d been before Sea Glass Bay, she didn’t want to be that person any longer. She wanted to forget that woman. Though there was always the memory of what she’d done to remind her that she’d never fully shake that person, maybe there was a way to consign her to history.
‘What would you do?’ At her behest, he took a seat at the table while she filled the kettle.
Eden turned off the tap. ‘What would I do? I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’d keep the community kitchen going, if I could. Maybe I’d even grow it.’
‘But you’d need a job. Surely you’re not going to stay at the pub?’
She turned to see him look vaguely incredulous. ‘Why not?’
‘You’re far too capable and qualified to work at a pub.’
‘What if I want to work at a pub? Capable and qualified is all very well if that’s what you want. I like the pub. It’s friendly, and I don’t get stressed, and I get to spend time with people whoactually care about me and not just whether I can hit a target or not.’
He shrugged. ‘The more I know about you, the more I realise I never knew you at all.’
Eden smiled. ‘We weren’t exactly close colleagues. Why would you?’
‘You knew me.’
