Page 53 of The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop
‘OK.’ Of course she didn’t need his permission, but she liked his concern, the care he was showing her. And right now, despite her well-crafted leather boots, her feet were soggy blocks of ice. She hurried up the stairs, intensely aware that her bedroom was on a mezzanine, visible from downstairs in a style typical of barn conversions. She grabbed fresh trousers and underwear and hurried into the bathroom, letting the shower fill with steam before she stepped into it.
She stayed in there until the warmth returned to her skin and she could feel her toes again. She took her time dressing and looked at herself in the mirror, condensation fogging the edges. She thought that, if this had been London, the period of her life before she’d met Guy, she would have turned on the charm, encouraged Max into her bedroom, even though they were both due at work.
She didn’t know if it was Max who was different from the other men she’d been attracted to, or ifshewas different – after Guy, and after moving to Cornwall – but the lastthing she wanted was to make a move that might scare him off, that might turn something with potential to last – whether as a friendship or more – into something fleeting and, ultimately, disastrous.
With Max, she realised, she didn’t want instant gratification, she wanted long-term satisfaction. She drew a heart in the corner of the mirror, wondering if it would leave an imprint after the steam had faded, and went to join him.
The smell of coffee filled the barn, and Henry was gnawing on a bone she’d bought him the day before. Max was leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping his drink. He stood up straight when she appeared.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Much warmer,’ she said, as he handed her a mug of steaming coffee. ‘Thanks for coming back with me. You didn’t have to, and now you’re going to be late to Sea Brew.’
‘Molly’s opening up. One of the perks of owning the business is that I get to be flexible. You, on the other hand …’
Ollie glanced at the wall clock. ‘Shit. I’d better let Thea know I’m running late.’
‘If you tell her you were attacked by the sea and had to come home to change, I’m sure she’d understand.’
‘I hope so.’ She picked up her mobile, about to call A New Chapter, when it rang in her hand. She answered automatically. ‘Hello?’
‘Is that Ollie Spencer?’
‘Speaking. How can I help?’
‘This is Arabella, Sophia Forsythe-Hartley’s editor. We spoke before?’
‘Yes! It’s lovely to hear from you. How are you?’
‘All good at this end, and phoning with excellent news. Sophia is very keen to discuss your proposed launch event at A New Chapter, and would love to Zoom with you and Thea Rushwood at three on Friday. I’ll send you a link.’
‘That’s … amazing!’ Ollie grinned at Max, and then Arabella’s words thudded into her consciousness. ‘You meanthisFriday?’
‘I do indeed. We’re so looking forward to hearing your ideas for her event. It would be such a boon to hold it in Cornwall.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Ollie said faintly. ‘That’s … wonderful. I’ll – I’ll tell Thea this morning. And see you online in, uhm, three days’ time!’
‘Marvellous.’
Arabella rang off and Ollie was left with the phone still gripped to her ear.
‘Good news?’ Max asked. ‘Or …?’
‘Very muchgood, and very muchor.’
‘OK.’ He laughed. ‘Do you – are you all right?’ His face creased in concern. ‘Maybe you should call Thea, let her know you need a day in bed—’
‘Sophia Forsythe-Hartley and her editor are Zooming with me and Thea this Friday,’ she rushed, partly because she couldn’t quite believe it, and also because she wanted to cut off Max’s suggestion about staying in bed, which was not remotely helpful right now.
He smiled. ‘Thatisgood, isn’t it? But then … Does Thea know? That you’ve been in touch with her, even?’
Ollie reached for her coffee and took a big gulp. ‘She’s certainly about to find out!’
Max put his mug down and stepped forwards, and before Ollie realised what he was doing, he wrapped his arms around her. ‘She’ll be over the moon,’ he said into her shoulder. ‘Once she’s got over the shock.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Ollie murmured. ‘It’s only a few days after the Disaster with Marcus Belrose.’
He laughed gently. ‘Is that the official title?’
