Page 26 of The Little Cottage by the Cornish Sea

Justin came to pick me up on Monday morning. As I was staying for the night and had an appointment with my gyno, Piers had given me the morning off and asked Justin to drive me to Truro.

As we sped past hedgerows that seemed to be closing in on the car, I settled comfortably in the back seat, feeling like I was moving to another country.

And I was also glad that the girls knew my whereabouts.

I felt better knowing that someone who cared about me knew where I was.

Robert also knew about the apartment, and even after our spat last night, I knew he’d be there if I needed him.

Even if he was not happy with my decision to work at Rosestones.

What did he have against Piers? What bad blood ran between them?

Everyone else, including the girls, seemed to not want to talk about it.

When I got to Truro, I sat in the gyno chair and blurted out, ‘I’d like to know my baby’s sex.’

‘It’s a girl,’ she beamed.

‘You already knew?’

‘I did, but you said you wanted to wait.’

‘Oh my God,’ I whispered. ‘I’m going to have a baby girl… a daughter!’ I knew it!

‘Congratulations, Sophie! Now, let’s get you checked…’

I spent the entire afternoon in a daze. Not only was I going to have a baby; it was going to be a girl. All I could think of was explosions of pink. Actually, every colour of the rainbow!

When I climbed back into the car, Justin noticed my happy face and smiled, but said nothing. He was the epitome of discretion.

I leaned in. ‘Justin, do you think we could make a detour to some shops in Starry Cove before we go back home?’

‘I’d be happy to, Miss,’ he obliged.

It was time to spend some of my hard-earned money on the nursery.

Other things, such as rugs and pictures and everything that makes a home a home, would have to wait.

After the most important thing arrived: my precious little bundle.

So I went out and bought a few items for her which Justin carried back to the car and helped me unload back at Tulip Cottage.

Five more months and she’d be in my arms. I couldn’t wait to have my very own child, a person to love.

*

Tuesday, July 9th

The next day, Piers came in, very uptight. This hot and cold thing was not giving me good vibes at all. Will used to do that. He could go from lover to enemy in a split second. Even Trixie sat up, aware that the atmosphere of the room had shifted.

‘Piers, hi.’

He put his mobile down on my desk. ‘I saw you were in the grounds at lunch the other day.’

‘Yes, they’re so beautiful.’ And then a lightbulb moment. ‘Is it not permitted to wander there on my own?’ Gosh, I hadn’t even thought to ask! So much for being discreet.

‘I don’t mind if you wander during your breaks, of course not. But what I do mind is you taking video footage of my home. The day you came in to interview, I did explain that my privacy was my utmost priority, did I not?’

‘Of course,’ I said. ‘I’m sorry. But those videos were only meant for private use.’

He raised an eyebrow in question and I felt silly.

‘They’re, uh, for my baby. I wanted to document my life for her before she was born. I meant no harm to you, Piers.’

His face softened. ‘I understand. I’m sorry for being so harsh, but you know by now how important my privacy is.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I whispered.

He nodded. ‘I know you did it without thinking. Let’s put this behind us, okay?’

‘Okay…’

And with a nod, he left the room. Apparently, I was back in the dog house.

*

‘I feel like an idiot!’ I cried into my fist as Emmie poured me a cup of tea and put an éclair in front of me, her soft face saddened. ‘I just wanted to document the start of my new life for my baby to see one day, you know?’

‘I know,’ she whispered. ‘You didn’t do it on purpose.’

‘But I did the one thing he asked me not to,’ I insisted as I tore into the éclair with the voracity of a starving tiger. ‘It’s a miracle he didn’t fire me on the spot.’

‘He wouldn’t do that to you. He’s happy with your work. And you.’

I washed it down with a huge gulp of tea. ‘You think so?’

‘I know so. He just values his privacy is all.’

‘I understand I was out of line, Emmie, but why is he like that? Why is he so obsessed with his privacy?’

Which was one hell of a question to ask about others when I was just as bad.

She looked at me pensively before she took a long sip of her drink.

‘For the same reason you are, more or less, Sophie,’ she answered simply.

And I understood that, however good a friend she was proving to be to me, her loyalty was with Piers.

‘Would you like to stay for dinner? I’ve got a nice shepherd’s pie in the oven,’ she offered.

‘Ah, that’s very sweet of you, but I was thinking of calling on Mrs Nankivell. I heard she is a bit under the weather again. Maybe some other time?’

‘Absolutely. Give her a hug for me, will you?’

‘Of course.’

And with that, I thanked her for the respite and set off to see the dear old lady, stopping by The Rolling Scones to bring her some mini cakes in the hopes of cheering her up.

Later that evening, I called Tamsin. I really missed the sound of her voice.

‘Kate!’ she gasped. ‘Are you okay? Why don’t you call me more often? I need to be able to talk to you!’

‘I’m sorry, Tams, but it’s for your own good. If Will gets wind that we talk—’

‘But that’s the thing: we don’t talk!’ she cried. ‘I’m out of my mind here worrying about you.’

‘Oh, please don’t, Tams. I’m fine. Really, I am. I’m working. I’ve made some friends. I’m finally on my way to being happy. Is there any news about the investigation?’ I asked, dreading the answer.

‘No, nothing. The company seems to have run out of ideas, at least for now. Honestly, I think it might just all blow over.’

Now that was a nice thought. ‘What about your suggestion of looking into Will?’

‘I think they have, but there’s no proof.’

Of course, he must have destroyed the documents.

Or hidden them somewhere else. The thought of the police entering my home without my permission and looking through my personal things just made me want to scream.

Luckily, I was too far away to do anything.

And, truth be said, all I needed and loved was here, right inside me.

‘I’ve got to say, you really do sound happy, Kate. I wish you would tell me where this Nirvana is,’ she scolded me gently. ‘Come back. We’ll sort the tosser out and send him to jail once and for all.’

‘Ha, that’s not going to happen,’ I retorted. ‘People like Will don’t go to jail. But it’s all behind me now. I’ve never been better. And… I’m pregnant.’

Silence, then, ‘Oh my God, you’re going to have a baby? Who is he?’

My skin suddenly went hot. ‘I haven’t met anyone,’ I replied. ‘It’s Will’s. I’m four months in.’

‘Oh, sweetie… how do you feel about it?’

‘I’m great now,’ I assured her. ‘I freaked out when I found out. But now I’m over the moon. This is my baby. Not his.’

‘Then you need to make sure that he can’t get to you in any way. Come back, talk to the police and tell them what you saw. Tell them what he was doing to you.’

‘No, I don’t want him to take up any more of my life. He doesn’t deserve it.’

‘But you need to protect yourself, Kate!’

‘I am protecting myself, Tams. And I’m not coming back. I’m going to have this baby here.’

‘When can I come and see you?’

‘Soon. I promise. Take care of Mike first. And please send him my love. And to baby Jake.’

She sighed. ‘Jesus, Kate. You were there for me when I was pregnant with Jake. I should be there for you!’

‘But you are,’ I insisted.

She sighed heavily. ‘Promise to call me more regularly at least?’

‘I’ll try.’

‘Okay, then, sweetie. Take care of yourself! Keep me posted about the baby! I love you!’

‘I love you too,’ I whispered, feeling my throat constricting. ‘Got to go. Bye!’

And before she could say anything else, I hung up.

Now that she knew, I felt better. If anyone deserved the truth, it was Tamsin.

*

I had promised to meet up with Rosie for a cuppa at the The Old Bell Inn. I was a bit early, so I went to Reception to say hello to Penny, Laura and Marie. Only Marie was on her own and quite frazzled.

‘Hi, Marie, what’s going on?’

‘Penny and Laura are both at a conference in Truro. They’ll be there all bloody day and I’m—’

‘Miss, can we get some attention here please? We’ve been waiting for quite a while now and—’

‘In a minute! ’ she yelled and covered her mouth in horror as the guest shrank back. ‘Oh my God, I’m so, so sorry!’

‘Marie,’ I said, leaning over the counter. ‘Go into the back office and get yourself a cool drink of water. I’ll help these nice people out.’

She looked at me as if an alien had just landed from the sky right at her feet. ‘I— are you sure?’

‘Go, go,’ I said, waving her away as I turned toward the guests. ‘I’m so sorry, Marie’s just had some terrible news at home.’ A little white lie always helped to smooth things over in situations like these.

‘Oh.’ The guest nodded kindly. ‘I understand.’

‘Thanks ever so much. How can I help you?’ I asked.

‘Well, my wife is a vegetarian and she keeps getting meat brought to her and she is terrified of the sight of it.’

‘Gosh, I’m so sorry,’ I said. ‘Let me take care of that for you.’

I leaned over the counter, picked up the phone and glanced at the Kitchen extension number. A deep, gruff voice answered.

‘What?’

‘Reception here. I’m with Mrs…’ I glanced at the wife.

‘Halverton,’ she replied.

‘Mrs Halverton, one of our most esteemed guests,’ – I was throwing everything in there today but the kitchen sink – ‘is a vegetarian and has had to send back every single meal as it is always meat. Do you think that you could ask the chef to prepare something super special to make it up to her?’

‘Who the hell are you?’ the voice demanded.

‘Hotel inspection, actually,’ I lied. I was getting good at this!

Silence. Then, ‘Of course, so sorry.’

‘Thank you. I’ll be waiting with them at their table.’