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

goes through. He might not be able to do anything about it, but he should know.’

‘No, I can’t. He needs the money and I don’t want him to feel guilty,’ Hattie replied. ‘I’m fine about the sale. I always knew that I was only here temporarily. Are you sure that you’re okay to put me up for a couple of weeks? I could get a B&B.’

‘No way. We’d be delighted to have you, you know that. What day are you completing?’

‘Tuesday. I have to be out by midday.’

‘Then I’ll book the day off and come down to help you. We can put your stuff in my car.’

‘Thank you.’ She was blessed to have a friend like Mali. Now, all she had to do was tell Marcus.

‘Ah, Hattie, I was about to come round to see you,’ he said when he opened the door and saw her standing there.

‘The sale has gone through quicker than we expected. We’re leaving next Tuesday. Dad’s coming over at the weekend to sign the papers and is staying over to help me clear the house.’

‘Next Tuesday?’ Marcus repeated, stunned.

Hattie nodded, blinking back her tears.

‘Look, do you want to come in, have a drink? You look a bit shaken up,’ he said.

‘I can’t, there’s so much to do. I can’t believe it. I know it’s only a week earlier than we planned. But next week! It’s so final.’

God, he must think she was stupid standing on his doorstep babbling like this and on the point of tears too. ‘Anyway, I thought I’d better let you know because of Buddy. And because there will be holidaymakers in the cottage from the end of this month. I’m sorry about that. I know that it’s not what you wanted but . . .’ She turned away before she burst into tears.

‘Hattie, are you sure you don’t want to come in for a drink?’

‘No. Thanks but I’ve got lots to do,’ she called, keeping her back to him so that he couldn’t see the tears flowing down her face. She knew that he was watching her. Go inside, she thought. Please, go inside.

As she turned to go down her own path, she heard Marcus shut his door. Thank goodness for that. She hated being so abrupt, but knew that if she had gone into his house for a drink she would have ended up sobbing in his arms and making a complete fool of herself.

So, she lay on the sofa and sobbed instead.

It wasn’t until much later that she remembered Marcus had said he had something to tell her. Well, whatever it was, it didn’t matter now. She was leaving next week. She would never see Marcus again.

Sadness overwhelmed her. Tomorrow, I’ll pick myself up, put a smile on my face and get on with it, she decided. But tonight, tonight I’ll allow myself to be sad.

Chapter Forty-Four

Owen arrived midday on Friday.

‘Hello, love.’ He put down the overnight bag he was carrying and held out his arms, a big smile on his face. Hattie immediately stepped into them for a hug. A few months ago she would have hesitated, before quickly hugging her dad, but she’d got closer to him now and was really pleased to see him. She wanted to show him what she and Nick had done to the cottage and was glad he was here to help with the final packing. She felt so sad at leaving. She’d only been here just over two months but it seemed a lot longer and she felt as if she belonged here.

‘The front garden looks amazing,’ Owen said as he stepped into the hall, leaving his case by the front door and going into the lounge. ‘And goodness, so does this!’ His gaze swept the long room. ‘I know you showed it all to me on WhatsApp but that didn’t do it justice. It looks so fresh and bright and I love all the little nick-nacks you’ve got about. It’s really cheerful and airy.’

‘Thanks. I wanted it to look welcoming, and for anyone who came in to feel at home, as if they could live here.’

‘Well, you’ve certainly achieved that. I popped in when I attended Albert’s funeral and it was so dark and dingy. You’ve done wonders.’

‘I should have come to the funeral with you. I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t you get beating yourself up about that. I expect you barely remember Albert.’

‘I remember our holidays here, and I wish I had gone to the funeral now. Or at least met up with you afterwards,’ she confessed.

‘It’s all water under the bridge now, love,’ he said. ‘Mind if I take a look around the rest of the cottage?’

‘Of course. Wait until you see the bathroom. Do you want to bring your bag with you? I’ve put you in Uncle Albert’s old room.’

‘Good idea.’ He picked up his bag and followed her out of the lounge, down the hall and up the first set of stairs, marvelling at the new bathroom suite and the fresh, bright bedroom with its matching bedspread and curtains. ‘You’ve really worked hard on this, Hattie. I didn’t expect you to do so much.’

‘I’ve enjoyed doing it. It’s a lovely cottage, I wanted to bring it back to life. Put your bag down, then come and see my room.’

He followed her up the staircase to the attic, nodding in approval as he walked in. ‘You’ve certainly worked wonders with the entire cottage. But I expected you to have the bedroom downstairs, not this attic room.’

‘I like this room. It reminds me of when we all came down on holiday when you and Mum were still together.’ She felt awkward then, as if she was having a dig at him. She went over to the window and looked out. ‘I like the view from this window too, over the rooftops and to the sea.’

‘I’m so sorry, love.’

She turned around to face her Dad, about to ask what he was sorry for, then saw the look on his face,