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

in with her, Hattie thought it was best for her to have her own home, so wanted to rent for six months. Then she could take her time looking around for a house, make sure she got the right one.

Hattie had hardly seen Marcus. He seemed to be avoiding her as much as she was avoiding him. She knew he was working on a new painting, and that the hotel was so busy now that he occasionally did an extra shift, but their closeness had gone. There had been a distance between them since she’d accepted the offer on the cottage. She guessed it was because now Marcus knew she was going he didn’t see any point in continuing to see her. Maybe he had already moved onto someone new. A summer romance, they’d both agreed, but now it wasn’t even a friendship. And she missed him.

She grabbed her bag and went out the back where her bike was parked, then stopped for a minute to take in the colourful pots, the white table and chairs. She loved this place. And she loved Marcus. Her heart wrenched at the thought of leaving them both.

Oh, stop being maudlin, she told herself. You’ll be fine once you’ve gone. When you have a brand-new home, new opportunities.

She opened the gate and pushed the bike out, then bolted it behind her. As she got astride the bike, she saw Marcus pull up in his camper van. She paused, waiting for him to get out, thinking it would be rude to just ride off without saying hello.

He nodded at her. ‘How’s it going?’

‘Okay. The survey is done, everything’s underway. I’m going up to Bristol tomorrow for the weekend to look at a couple of houses to rent.’

‘So, you’re moving back up near Mali then?’

‘Yep.’

He thrust his hands in his pockets, his eyes not quite meeting hers. ‘Well, I’m glad it’s all worked out for you. Really, I am.’ He shuffled his feet. ‘We ought to get together, have a drink or something before you leave.’

‘I’d like that.’ The words sounded croaky even to her ears. ‘I was going to call around actually. I wondered if you would mind checking on Buddy when I’m gone? I’ll be back Sunday evening, so it’s only two nights but I’ll worry about him.’

‘Of course.’ He sighed. ‘Look, I don’t want things to be awkward between us, especially as we’re still neighbours for the time being. Can we forget that we . . . er—’

‘Had sex,’ she finished for him.

Something flashed over his face but it was gone before she could catch it.

‘Can we forget it happened and just carry on as friends? Meet for a drink, make the most of the couple of weeks we have left?’ he said.

‘I’d like that,’ she agreed, her heart thumping. She’d missed him.

‘How about tonight, before you go? I’ve got a Thursday evening off for once. Then you can give me the keys so I can check on Buddy too?’

‘That’ll be great. We could go to the Old Sea Dog? Shall I give you a knock about eight?’

‘Perfect. See you later.’

Marcus watched Hattie ride off, her words repeating in his mind. ‘Had sex,’ she had said bluntly, which is obviously all it had been to her. She hadn’t experienced the heart-thumping he had, his touch on her skin hadn’t been as electrifying as hers had been on his, their kisses hadn’t melted her heart like they had his. He had done it again, something he had sworn never to do; he had fallen for a summer visitor. Only this time, the love he felt was far deeper and stronger than it had been for Kaylee. This time he felt like his heart was being ripped out and he would never recover.

Why had he suggested that they be friends again, and still see each other, when it hurt so much, and when all he wanted to do was shut himself away?

Because it hurt even more not seeing her. And that would be how it was permanently soon enough. Hattie would ride off on that motorbike of hers and be gone out of his life forever. So, he wanted to make the most of the time they had left together, seize every moment, even if it meant he had to hide his feelings, never kiss or touch her. He wanted to burn every memory he could into his mind so that he could replay them over and over again when she had gone, taking the sunshine in his life with her.

He pushed open his gate and walked inside. Hattie had well and truly captured his heart and there was nothing he could do about it.

That evening, as they sat in the Old Sea Dog having a drink and both looking a bit awkward, he told Hattie about Lady Thomwell’s phone call in an attempt at light conversation. ‘I’ve been painting Buddy but I’m struggling to get across his cheeky character so it’ll be good to spend some time with him this weekend. I was thinking of asking you if I could pop around and see him anyway.’

‘How marvellous! I can’t wait to see it.’ She was almost clapping in delight. ‘You can pop around any time, bring your paints and stuff with you and work in the kitchen if you want. Or take Buddy around to yours in the travel cage and paint him in your attic.’

‘That would probably be the best idea as the light is so good there. I was wondering if you’d mind me taking him this weekend? I’ll keep him well away from Mr Tibbs. Lady Thomwell is coming to collect the painting on Monday.’

‘Of course.’ She was smiling now. ‘I’ll be leaving about four tomorrow, to try and avoid the Friday traffic. So come around any time before then.’

The awkwardness was gone now and they both chatted away easily, then walked home together arm in arm.

‘Want to come in for a coffee?’ Hattie asked when they reached the row of