Page 91 of Snow Falls Over Starry Cove

‘I’ll learn.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I’ve decided I’m staying.’

At that, his mouth tightens. Goodness, he really does want to get rid of me.

‘You must need your head tested. What are you going to do here in Cornwall? Your home is London.’

‘Actually, I’ve got plenty of things I want to do here.’

‘Fine. Then go find something else. I’m not letting you take my barge anywhere near the water.’

‘Well, first of all, you can’t stop me. I can do whatever I want.’

‘What did you just say?’

‘Are you deaf? You can’t stop me.’

At that, he stands to his full height, his dark eyes burning, his mouth firmly set.

‘Oh, I’ll stop you alright! Just you watch. I’ll fight you at every turn.’

‘Who do you think you are? I didn’t move here to let another man tell me what I can or can’t do.’

‘Well, maybe someone needs to. This barge is never going out again, d’you hear?’

‘But why? What do you care?’

He takes a deep breath. ‘I do care, because this is my home. Nano gave it to me.’

‘Which you still have to prove, by the way. And if that’s the case, for argument’s sake, I’m offering a switch…’

‘Not happening, Emmie.’

‘Oh, come on, Jago. There’s plenty of cottages you could rent if you wanted to.’

He groans impatiently. ‘OK, so a) that’s not true. This is Starry Cove, not London. And b) I don’t want to live anywhere else.’

‘Well, I’m sorry, but unless your solicitor comes up with any valid proof, it’s my barge too.’

‘Why the hell do you want it so much? A week ago you didn’t even know it existed and now you want to turn it into a business. You don’t know the first thing about cruising a barge.’

‘I intend to learn.’

‘You are an English teacher, for Christ’s sake. You know absolutely nothing about business. Go back to your books. In fact, go back to London, Emmie.’

‘I resent that. I have a right to do anything I want and I don’t need your permission, either.’

‘You’re delusional, Emmie. You know how many city slickers I’ve seen come and go, wanting to move to Cornwall? It’s a trend, nothing else.’

‘It’s a lifestyle change.’

‘It’s a game. A few sandwiches and a little bunting doesn’t a riverboat business make. And besides, it’ll never tide you over for the rest of the year.’

‘Look who’s talking – wasn’t Moon River Cruises yours?’

His face darkens. ‘That was a long time ago, and it was a huge mistake.’

---