One Summer in Cornwall by Karen King

Author:Karen King [King, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2021-04-28T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nick switched his gaze to Marcus. ‘I hope it’s okay that I’ve come. Owen said he was going to clear it with you. I know we haven’t seen each other for years, so if you prefer me not to stay with you I can get a B&B.’

Nick stay with her? That would be awkward. He’d been about fifteen last time she’d seen him and he hadn’t exactly been friendly then. But then neither had she, had she? It was a long time ago though, and they were both adults now. He said he’d come to help and she could do with an extra pair of hands. Besides, it was half her father’s cottage and Nick was his step-son so she should let him stay. She wished her father had warned her though. Why hadn’t he?

‘It’s no problem to me.’ She turned to Marcus who had released her hand and was now standing with his hands in his pockets.

‘Marcus, this is Nick my stepbrother.’ Then she turned back to Nick, ‘This is my next-door neighbour, Marcus.’

Marcus nodded. ‘Pleased to meet you.’

‘I’m sorry, I had no idea that Nick was coming to help me. I’ll have to come over another time,’ Hattie said.

‘Don’t cancel your plans for me. Just let me in and I’ll make myself at home,’ Nick said.

Hattie hesitated. She’d been really looking forward to sharing a cosy evening with Marcus. She toyed with the idea of settling Nick in, then popping next door, but it seemed rude.

Marcus answered before Hattie could get her scrambled thoughts together. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure you two will have a lot of catching up to do. We’ll have the meal another evening.’

‘If you’re sure, that would probably be for the best,’ Hattie said, trying to hide her disappointment. ‘Do pop in and see Buddy whenever you want. Buddy is Uncle Albert’s parrot,’ she added, seeing Nick’s surprised look. ‘Marcus has been looking after him and they’re very close.’

Nick nodded. ‘Owen said you were looking after your uncle’s parrot. That’s great. I like parrots.’

‘I’ll leave you to it, then. Nice to meet you, Nick. See you soon, Hattie.’

She tried to hide her disappointment as Marcus opened his garden gate and walked down the path. She’d had high hopes for a lovely romantic evening and now it was all ruined.

She sighed and turned to Nick. ‘Come on then, let’s get the kettle on.’

‘I don’t suppose you have a beer, do you?’ he asked as she opened the front door.

‘No beer, but I do have some fruit ciders in the fridge. Help yourself.’

‘Bugger off!’ Buddy shouted as soon as Nick walked in. He burst out laughing and went straight over to the cage. ‘Hello, mate, you’re a cheeky chappie, aren’t you?’

Buddy cocked his head to one side as if he was listening. Then he started squawking loudly, dancing along the branch and shouting, ‘Bloody hell, who is it?’

Nick laughed. ‘He’s quite a character, isn’t he?’

‘He certainly is. It took him a while to get used to me, but he’s settling down fine now, and I’m quite fond of him.

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