One Summer in Cornwall by Karen King (best books to read for success .TXT) 📕

‘Back again,’ Buddy squawked as soon as Marcus stepped into the lounge. ‘Back again.’

Marcus laughed. ‘Well, that’s a new one! He’s really chirped up, hasn’t he?’ He went over to the cage to talk to the parrot. ‘Hello, Buddy, how are you?’

‘Fine and dandy! Fine and dandy!’ He danced along the perch.

‘I haven’t heard him say that for ages! Albert taught it him,’ Marcus said. ‘He looks so happy and settled here now.’

‘He never shuts up,’ Hattie said with a grin. ‘He’s really cheeky.’

‘It’s good to see him looking so much better.’

He sounded so wistful that Hattie glanced at him. ‘Are you missing him? You can come and see him anytime.’

‘I am a bit,’ Marcus confessed. He held up the bottle of cava. ‘I’ve brought this so we can celebrate.’

‘Celebrate what?’ she asked.

‘You being the official hotel photographer. Word travels fast,’ he said with a grin.

‘Who told you?’ she asked. Then she guessed. ‘Mandy?’

‘Yep, she’s taking the credit, of course, telling everyone she spotted your talent right away.’ He put the bottle down on the table. ‘It will certainly give your photography business a boost. Reece and Ellie have connections.’

‘I know. I’m chuffed.’ She took two glasses out of the cupboard and took the cava over to the sink to open it, just in case it sprayed everywhere. ‘Thanks for this,’ she said, as the cork popped out.

‘You’re welcome.’ He held out his glass. ‘To Hattie!’

Hattie clinked it with her glass. ‘To us!’ As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she realised how they sounded. ‘Because you’ve got some new commissions for your paintings,’ she added quickly.

He grinned. ‘It looks like things are looking up for both of us.’

They chatted easily for a while, and had another glass of cava each, then Marcus got up to leave. ‘See you in the morning,’ he said. ‘Will nine thirty be okay? The garden centre doesn’t open until ten on a Sunday and I’d like to go for a surf first.’

‘Do you go in the sea every day?’ she asked.

‘If I can, yes. Winter and summer. It keeps me fit. I love being out there, riding the waves, just me and the ocean. It’s a wonderful feeling.’

No wonder he was so fit. Memories of his taut, toned body flashed into her mind.

‘I’ll take your word for it. It’s a bit early for me. I’m shattered. It’s been hard work doing up the cottage this week. Nick and I have had loads of late nights.’

‘I’m sure you have. Well, I won’t keep you up any longer. Pop around any time after nine thirty tomorrow. I’ll be back and showered by then.’

She nodded, her eyes almost closing of their own accord. She’d have to set the alarm. At this rate she’d be still asleep at midday!

Chapter Thirty

It was actually almost ten when Hattie knocked on his door the next morning. ‘Sorry, I overslept,’ she said.

She still looked tired, Marcus thought, noticing the dark shadows under her eyes. She was really working hard to sort out the cottage, determined to get the best price for her dad.

‘It’s not a problem if you prefer to go another day,’ he told her as she followed him inside.

‘No, I need to go today. Jonathan is coming to take the photos tomorrow.’

‘Then let’s go!’ Marcus grabbed his bunch of keys off the table.

The garden centre was busy, even that early in the morning. ‘I’m glad we didn’t come any later, there’s loads of customers with big pots of plants in their trolleys. I don’t want the best to have been taken,’ Hattie said.

‘Are there any particular plants you’re looking for?’ Marcus asked.

‘I want the garden to look vibrant and summery. I thought hanging baskets by the back and front door, and two pots outside the front door, and smaller ones dotted around the back yard. Maybe in some unusual pots – like that.’ She pointed to a big boot-shaped pot overflowing with assorted petunias. ‘And that gorgeous cascade corner planter. I can just imagine that full of primroses and fuchsias and we could have a pot of lavender, and some begonias . . .’

She wandered amongst the plants, considering what to buy thoughtfully then putting several pots into the trolley as she pushed it along.

She really was taking doing up the cottage seriously, you’d think she was doing it for herself to live in, not for strangers, Marcus thought. She was struggling a bit with the trolley, though, it seemed quite unwieldly.

‘How about I push the trolley and then you can be free to wander around looking at the plants,’ he offered, wanting to help but not wanting it to sound like he was taking over because she couldn’t manage.

‘Thanks.’ She passed it to him and dashed off to look at some garden statues. Surely she wasn’t going to buy one of those? thought Marcus, looking at the display.

She studied them all for a while and then came back with a small mermaid statue. ‘This can go in the front garden,’ she said as she carefully placed it in the trolley.

The trolley was now brimming with a variety of plants and pots. ‘Do you think you might have enough now?’ he asked. ‘I know you want the cottage to give a good first impression but if the new owners are buying it for a holiday rental they probably won’t want a lot of plants to look after.’

‘If they don’t want them, I’ll take them with me,’ she said. ‘I’ve decided that I want a house next time, not a flat. It’s lovely to have a garden and a bit more space.’

‘Have you always lived in a flat?’ he asked.

‘Since my parents split up, yes. There was only me and Mum, and she was working, so a flat was easier, and cheaper. Then when I moved out I went for a flat too.’ She looked around. ‘All I need now is a tin of white paint for the bench. I should be able