Page 27 of Christmas at the Little Cornish Bakery

They spent another hour or so on the beach, burning away the rest of logs, shining the torch onto the pages of the constellation book before peering up into the blackness of the night, trying to figure out what shapes were twinkling above them. Even the portable telescope didn’t help.

‘I don’t think stargazing is going to be my new hobby,’ Tristan admitted as he doused the fire and began to pack up.

Lola pulled herself up, slightly stiff from the cold and blurred around the edges from the whisky. Shaking the sand off the blanket, she bundled it up and shoved it into the bag with a yawn.

‘Oh dear, we better get you home,’ Tristan said, holding out a hand to her.

Lola hesitated before taking it, slipping her gloved palm into his, relaxing into his hold. Sleepiness washed over her and the desire to curl into him was strong. Instead, she stifled another yawn and said, ‘Lead on.’

Tristan paused before shouldering his bag and making his way across the sand, slowing his stride so that Lola could keep up with him.

They ascended the steps in companionable silence, torches lighting the way, the sound of the waves bidding them farewell.

Contentment settled over Lola like a snuggly blanket, as she followed Tristan up, listening to his instruction, falling for him a little bit more with each step.

As she reached the top, Tristan offered Lola his hand to help her up over the final step.

She took it without hesitation, sucking in a breath at how natural the contact felt.

Lola drew to a stop next to him, catching her breath as she studied Polcarrow, a reminder of reality, their lives and responsibilities spread out before them.

On the beach it had felt as if they were the only two people enveloped in the star-spangled darkness.

Tristan paused, as if he too wanted to prolong the magic.

Lola squeezed his hand, snuck a glance up at him, her heart tumbling over and over as he glanced down at her.

Shyness swept through Lola, an unusual feeling for her, but one that told her whatever happened next with Tristan mattered.

Hand in hand, they meandered home in a silence that fizzed with whatever was coming.

Lola wracked her brain for something to say, anything, but she didn’t want to break the spell.

Walking next to Tristan was grounding, there was no pressure, she trusted him not only to take care of her, but to do all the right things.

Lola couldn’t remember the last time she’d met a man she could truly let her guard down with.

The sensation was terrifying but thrilling.

Although their steps had felt slow, they arrived at her cottage far too quickly. ‘It’s like we’re the only two people in Polcarrow,’ she whispered, entwining her fingers through his, giving his hands a little tug.

Tristan glanced up the street. ‘It is, but I like it.’

There was a pause, a shift as he stepped slightly closer, his eyes locking with hers before dropping briefly to her lips and back up again. Lola’s breath caught, her brain scrambled and her body swayed forward.

‘I’ve had a really lovely time,’ he said. ‘Would you like to do more of .?.?. this?’

‘Was this a date?’ Lola asked, every part of her on edge waiting for his reply.

Tristan let out a nervous laugh. ‘Yes, I think, yes, it was a date, Lola. You must know how I feel about you.’

Knowing she had the slight upper hand, and wanting to hear him say it out loud, Lola teased, ‘I think you should tell me.’

Tristan leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I like you very much, Lola. Why do you think I’ve come for breakfast every morning and let Alf make fun of my tea choices?’

‘Because I have good marmalade?’

Tristan’s arm came around her waist. ‘Well, that too, it is very good marmalade,’ he said as he pulled her to him, his face growing serious.

Everything stopped, it was as if they were the only two people on earth, let alone in Polcarrow. Lola relaxed into him. Slowly she reached up and pushed the locks of hair that always flopped forward off his forehead. ‘I’ve always wanted to do that.’ Her voice caught.

‘And I’ve always wanted to do this,’ he said as he bowed his head and kissed her, ever so gently, but ever so perfectly, on the lips.

As she kissed him back it was as if all the stars they’d been trying to spot on the beach collided.