Page 19 of The Little Cottage by the Cornish Sea

‘I will, thank you,’ I half-called after her.

The woman was a whirlwind despite her small stature.

Efficient as hell. Like Justin. I was beginning to think that perhaps I had got in over my head.

Could I be as efficient as they were? They didn’t talk much, but they got the job done well, judging by what was under the lids of all the plates laid on the table.

It was beautifully set, with linen and lace tablecloth and what looked like very antique china and silverware.

Mrs Watts had not exaggerated. There was a bit of everything, from yoghurt and muesli to ham and eggs to French croissants, omelettes and pancakes and humongous muffins that made my mouth water.

A generous selection of jams and spreads and toast sat next to two large pots: one of coffee, the other of tea.

There was also a selection of orange juice and apple juice and a red juice which I guessed was cranberry or something terribly healthy.

This would do Baby a world of good! But could I be so brazen as to accept this again if it continued? I didn’t quite know how to behave.

I thought I wouldn’t have the stomach to eat, as nervous as I was this morning, but after my first bite of the fragrant croissant and a sip of the decadently delicious tea blend, I couldn’t stop myself from sampling everything else, too.

Just a bite at first, but by the time I’d finished, I was absolutely full.

And then I panicked. What if I got sick all over the Persian rug?

At least it looked Persian, and Faith had told me that only the best furnished Rosestones Manor.

I sat up and took deep, deep breaths, trying to not be sick on my first day on the job, which would have been my last as well.

‘Morning. You’re early,’ came a deep voice at my back.

I jumped. ‘Oh!’

It was Piers. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, Sophie.’

‘Oh, no,’ I assured him. ‘I was just planning things out in my head. Lost in thought, you know’ I lied. Great start.

‘Excellent. I like planners,’ he said, plunking down a folder that was thicker than a doorstop.

‘All the info about our company is in this binder. We call it the Bible. Codes, prices, our customers’ contacts, our freight details, publicity.

If you need help, here’s a list of the departments and the numbers of everyone else who works here.

You’ll meet them at the weekly meeting tomorrow.

Anything else, just call me on extension 100. Got all that?’

‘Got it.’ Where was everyone else? Were they working from home? ‘So, am I to understand that I am the only one in the company, aside from Justin and Mrs Watts, working here on the premises?’

He grinned. ‘Sophie, you are officially Headquarters. We should call you Miss HQ.’

I gulped. ‘Great. Let’s get to it, then.’

‘Have a great day,’ he said. ‘See you later.’

As it turned out, I managed to get through a full day of phone calls without asking anyone for help.

Granted, they were easy questions about delivery schedules of our goods.

I mean his goods. All I had to do was look at the online spreadsheet that the Freight department had uploaded and relay the information. A piece of cake.

And speaking of, I’d completely forgotten to end my workday at lunchtime because Justin had brought me a delicious meal of roast chicken, potatoes and peas on a tray.

I was ravenous. If I didn’t eat anything, I would seem ungrateful, but if I ate it all up now, before leaving, I’d seem like I was a down and out .

Not too far from the truth until a few days ago , I mused with a snort.

At five o’clock, Justin came back with mini quiches and tea.

I was still there because after lunch, one call to a supplier had led to another and I found myself prepping my groundwork for tomorrow.

It would be easier that way. When I put the phone down, as a reward, I popped a mini quiche into my mouth.

The last one of the day, I promised myself.

‘Sophie?’ came a voice from behind me.

I whirled around, my mouth still full of quiche. I tried to swallow as Piers came into the room with a grin. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Again.’

‘Hmmm…’ I uttered, trying to chew as fast as I could, waving my index finger. ‘Then you should knock.’ Chew, chew, chew . ‘Not that you need to knock in your own house, but still, a girl could have a heart attack.’

He laughed as he came to sit on the edge of my desk. Or rather, his desk.

‘So how did it go? Getting the hang of it?’

‘Easy-peasy,’ I lied. The day, although successful, had taken it out of me.

I was absolutely depleted, knackered, exhausted, but I wasn’t about to tell him that.

I wondered how I was going to manage to make it to the end of the week if every day was this hectic.

I’d had no idea that apples and fruits and potatoes and stuff had all these uses, even cosmetics.

Clever man. No wonder he was so successful.

‘Why are you still working?’ he asked casually.

‘Well, you know, I had a few issues to solve that needed time.’

‘Thanks for doing that, but you didn’t have to stay. I’m sure whatever it was could have waited until tomorrow. Although I like your enthusiasm. So I can count on you coming back?’

‘You bet. Today has been… rewarding.’

‘Great. Ask Justin to drive you home when you’re ready.’

‘Oh, no, that’s okay. I’ll walk.’

‘You sure?’

‘Positive.’

‘Have it your way. See you tomorrow, then. Remember we’re having a meeting tomorrow at nine, first thing.’

‘Right.’ I smiled. He smiled back. And it became kind of awkward. ‘So I’ll be off, then,’ I said.

‘Right.’

I gathered my bag and coat, and was off, conscious of his lingering gaze.

Once outside, I made my way through the front grounds to the main gate. Out of the fairytale and back on the dirt road, I scarpered back down the muddy hill and into the village. Might as well stay active while it was easy.

And oh, was I ever glad I did walk, because everything around me was magical!

The air was crisp and clean, fairy lights and gas lamps flickered all along the way into the village, welcoming me in the warmest of hugs.

Perhaps the girls had been right. Perhaps now I could begin to finally round the corner in my life.

It was amazing how good a healthy dose of optimism could do to your soul.

I felt like a million pounds. I couldn’t recall the last time I had felt so good about myself.

This called for a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake.

A slab of cake, even! So I snuck into The Rolling Scones and found a table by the window.

As I waited for Ralph to come round to me, I had a good look about the place.

In the corner at the old piano sat an elderly woman playing some old classics.

I watched her, pleased at how well she played, despite her obvious physical afflictions.

A huge hump kept her bent forward in a very uncomfortable position, her face almost touching the keys as if she was trying to see the atoms moving around.

How could she bear sitting in that position for so long, poor dear?

I wondered about talking to Dr A about her, but then thought to myself that I should really mind my own business.

And yet, she played so beautifully that I had to wipe a tear from my eye.

What the heck was wrong with me lately? Was it my pregnancy hormones wreaking havoc?

Or was I not quite as serene as I told myself I was?

Of course, I was worried about Baby’s future, about how I would support her and all, but I thought I’d talked myself out of all that.

I was smart. I was resourceful. I was going to make it.

‘Well, as I live and breathe!’ came a laugh from behind me. I whirled around to see Noah. ‘Does this mean I can buy you a cup of coffee?’

‘Noah, hi!’ I chimed. ‘Only if I’m buying! Please, sit!’ I needed someone to share today’s success with. I had actually made it through the day without making any mistakes. I’d come off as confident and competent as I had been on my old job, despite Will’s efforts to convince me otherwise.

‘What are we celebrating?’ Noah asked as he slid into the seat opposite me, his eyes mischievous.

‘My new job!’ I blurted, then paused to try to remember.

Was I allowed to say I worked with Piers?

He hadn’t actually said that I couldn’t, had he?

Or what if he had, and it came out that I’d blabbed his confidential secrets (not that I knew any) all over town?

No, he’d told Emmie about the job, and the girls and their families knew.

Besides, I didn’t think Noah had anyone to tell even if he wanted to.

‘Well, congratulations, then!’

‘Hello, luvvie,’ said Ralph as he got to our table and set his eyes on Noah.

‘Isn’t it enough that you see Sophie every day at the Nankivell place?

Why are you bothering this lovely young maiden on her tea break?

’ he asked of him, then slid me a grin. ‘Beware of this sly fox, Sophie,’ he said. ‘Noah’s too charming for his own good.’

At that, Noah spread his arms in a fake plea, his smile bright. ‘Who, me? C’mon, Ralph, everybody knows I’m harmless! Plus, I have a girlfriend!’

‘Now that would be the day!’ Ralph answered, then winked at me. ‘Have a care, luvvie. There ain’t no one immune to his charms! So what are you wanting today?’

‘I’d love a cup of your lovely tea with maybe… a slice of your delicious carrot cake?’

‘Gotcha. And you, lover boy?’

‘Same again,’ Noah said.

‘We just run out,’ Ralph said, not looking up from his writing pad.

Noah looked over at the counter where there was an entire carrot cake, then back at him. ‘Ralph. Seriously?’

‘Nah, just kidding you,’ Ralph answered, nudging him. ‘But you shouldn’t be bothering maidens who have already been spoken for.’

Something akin to terror shot up my legs, landing in my stomach with a thud. How could he possibly know about Will? Or had he simply found out I was pregnant and figured I was already taken?

‘I’m not spoken for.’ I laughed to allay the arctic atmosphere that had suddenly descended upon our table. ‘Nor am I looking, so it’s all good!’

‘I heard otherwise, luvvie. Some’un’s on your tracks.’

I felt my mouth fall open. ‘Who…?’

Ralph shrugged. ‘I’m not mind to say. But you can believe there is.’

He said it conspiratorially, like I was in on the secret, but I thought I detected a hint of malice. Was it Will? Had he finally found me? Or was I being paranoid, reading something into this conversation that wasn’t actually there?

I knew I wasn’t going to be able to live without looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life!

It was impossible, even for the most hardened criminals.

Perhaps it would have been better to call the police and tell them I was wanted in London, but that I was innocent.

But what proof did I have, and against Will’s word?

Not a good idea after all. I couldn’t believe how short-lived my joy had been!

I gathered my coat and bag and stood up, all the energy and enthusiasm instantly drained from me.

‘You know what, Ralph, please cancel my order.’ To Noah, I said simply, ‘I’m going home, sorry.’

Noah followed me out of the café. ‘Hey Soph, did I do something wrong?’

‘No,’ I said, but what the hell did I know? For all I knew, he could have been a private detective hired to find me. Showing up to this town out of all of them, with this supposed ‘girlfriend’ of his nowhere in sight.

‘Can I drive you home?’ he offered. ‘It looks like it’s going to rain.’

I turned around and faced him. ‘I’ll be all right, Noah. Thanks anyway.’

‘What about our dinner? Is it ever going to happen?’

‘I’ll give you a call,’ I said over my shoulder as I opened the door.

‘Sophie, remember, I’m your friend.’

‘Yep.’

All I needed was to find out who this person Ralph mentioned was. Anyone could be a threat to me at this point. Especially Noah, who I’d let have unadulterated access to my home with hardly a second thought.