A Starlit Summer by Kate Frost (best manga ereader txt) 📕

‘This is much nicer.’

~

More families and couples arrived on the beach in the afternoon, but nowhere near enough for it to feel crowded. The place was a hidden gem, and special to Finn, which made it special to Jenna. He had so many memories of the beaches along this stretch of the Cornish coast and told Jenna about family days out, beach parties with his friends, attempting to surf for the first time, barbecues on the beach, and an accident when he’d cut his knee open on a rock. He still had the scar, a jagged white line across his kneecap.

The intense heat of the previous week had dissipated, and in a shady sheltered spot it felt fresh, leaving Jenna glad that she’d brought her hooded jumper. A hoodie and shorts – the ideal combo for a British summer when it could be hot one minute and cold the next, blazing sunshine in the morning and torrential rain in the afternoon. It felt almost Mediterranean, and yet days like this reminded her of the unpredictably of the UK.

She didn’t want the day to end and was conflicted again about whether to invite Finn in when they got to the cottage, but on the way back in his van, feeling sun-kissed and sandy with salt-spray hair, Finn saved her from her dilemma by inviting her to his parents’ for a roast dinner.

‘I couldn’t think of anything nicer,’ Jenna said as he turned off the road that would eventually lead to the cottage and on to the road that led to Mullion. A home-cooked Sunday roast after a day at the beach was the perfect way to end a perfect day. It also spoke volumes that Finn was happy for her to meet his parents and yet at the same time took away the awkwardness of inviting him back to the cottage, for what? Although she fancied Finn like crazy she liked the idea of getting to know him slowly and not jumping straight into bed with him.

~

‘They really won’t mind me turning up unannounced?’ she asked as Finn pulled the van into his parents’ driveway and parked it behind his dad’s larger van.

‘I’m pretty sure Mum expected me to invite you back. Anyway, she makes enough to feed about ten people. You joining us won’t be a problem.’

Any anxiety Jenna felt at having dinner with Finn’s parents was dispersed by the warm welcome.

‘You already know my dad,’ Finn said. ‘And this is my mum, Sally. Mum, Jenna.’

‘It’s lovely to finally meet you, Jenna. I’ve been hearing all about the cottage, and you of course.’ She did a sideways glance at Finn before ushering them along the hallway to the large open-plan kitchen diner at the back of the house.

The smell of roast chicken was enticing yet gave Jenna a pang of homesickness that she wasn’t at her mum and dad’s about to tuck into Sunday dinner with them. Although she’d moved out years ago, she’d occasionally go over to theirs on a weekend and have dinner. It wasn’t quite the same cooking for herself.

‘Drink, Jenna?’ Gary placed a bottle of red wine on the kitchen island. ‘We have white in the fridge too or a beer, maybe even a gin and tonic.’

‘White wine will be lovely, thanks.’

After spending the day on the beach in the fresh air, swimming and exploring, Jenna’s stomach rumbled. Their picnic seemed a long time ago now.

‘Have a seat.’ Sally gestured to the stools on the other side of the kitchen island. ‘It’ll be another ten minutes or so until we eat.’

Jenna sat and Finn joined her, his thigh touching hers. Gary and Sally reminded her of her own parents, chatty and warm, her mum cooking, her dad getting the drinks ready.

Gary poured Jenna a generous glass of wine and slid it in front of her. He waggled a bottle of beer at Finn. ‘Fancy one, Finn, or is that a stupid question?’

‘Just the one, Dad. I’ve got to drive Jenna home.’

‘Well cheers, Jenna.’ Gary knocked his beer bottle against her wine glass. ‘It’s nice to have you over. We always seem to only see you in passing. They’re keeping you busy on this film?’

Jenna sipped her wine. ‘Just a bit. It’s always the same though, early start times and late finishes, so I’m used to it.’

‘Have you filmed on location before?’ Sally took four plates from a cupboard and put them on the oven’s hot plate.

‘Yes, plenty of times, but nowhere quite like this. Most filming takes place outdoors, on beaches, harbour sides, and then inside scenes like cafes and characters’ houses are actually filmed on location rather than sets being built.’

‘Gives it authenticity that way, I guess,’ Gary said.

‘There are plenty of period properties round this way that I’d imagine are ideal for filming – this film’s not modern-day is it?’ Sally asked as she started to stir the gravy.

‘No, 1940s.’

‘See.’ Gary pointed his beer bottle in his wife’s direction. ‘We’d never get chosen to be in something like that, too modern our house. Worked on some pretty special places over the years though, haven’t we, Finn?’

‘Dad likes houses with lots of character because they’re not straightforward to renovate.’

‘I like a bit of a challenge.’

‘Otherwise known as a complete headache.’ Sally gave Gary a look and turned to Jenna. ‘He says he loves working on those sorts of places, listed buildings and all that, but you should hear the amount of complaining and swearing that goes with it when he’s in the middle of one of those jobs.’

Gary waved his hand. ‘Don’t listen to her, Jenna. They’re interesting. Doesn’t mean they’re easy mind.’

‘Bramble Cottage must be a breeze for you then? I hope you won’t get bored.’

‘Actually, your cottage is the perfect job – a place full of character that’s not been touched for decades. It’s retained its charm, just needs life breathing back into it. I’m enjoying working on it and Finn is too, although probably for different reasons.’

‘Dad.’

Gary laughed and