‘That’s so unfortunate, Jess. You never know, it might not be quite as bad as he fears. Anyway, you’re not just shopping for your wedding dress at the fayre then, but also for something nice to wear when you meet your future in-laws for the first time,’ Mum points out.

  In truth, I don’t even know what to expect. My main concern is to be there to support Riley, no matter what happens. Will his parents even want to acknowledge me, I wonder, given that they’ve had no contact with their son?

  ‘I will admit that my stomach churns at the thought of how badly wrong it could go on the day. Ollie will obviously want to talk to his dad, but will Fiona stop him? And if Riley’s parents block him too, it could be devastating. Poor Tom and Helen, they mean well inviting us to their wedding, but let’s hope they don’t live to regret it. Riley said his brother Tom was the only one who kept in touch; and the only one who offered him help when he first moved to Cornwall. Helen says she’s looking forward to meeting us both, which bodes well.’

  ‘Ah, I was thinking the same thing.’ Mum sighs. ‘Is it worth talking to Riley and suggest he reaches out to his parents beforehand? Just to break the ice. Inviting them to your wedding is the perfect excuse, isn’t it?’

  It’s hard not to smile to myself. It’s what a good Mum does, isn’t it, trying to smooth things over when they see a huge bump in the road coming. ‘You’re right. Gosh… that’s two awkward conversations to look forward to now.’

  ‘Two?’

  ‘Yes, I need to have a talk with Ivy as well. The planners won’t approve the installation of dormer windows at Smithy’s Cottage because it will change the overall look of the rank of cottages. Cappy did warn them, but we’ve all been grasping at straws to make it work. It’s never going to be big enough for a family of four and it’s time Ivy and Adam faced that fact.’

  ‘Poor dears. Just when their life was beginning to fall into place. I mean… twins! It’s a blessing, but a lot to cope with given the upheaval they went through last year. I bet they’re reeling.’

  ‘Yes. Me, too. I just don’t want to lose them, Mum. Life is better here with them being a part of it. If they can find somewhere suitable to live, I’ll even offer to babysit for a few hours each day. By then, if I can convince Cappy to return for good, and with Riley here to finish off the building work, I can’t think of a more delightful way to while away some time.’

  ‘Are you getting broody?’ Mum asks, sounding surprised.

  ‘No… I don’t think so.’ I make light of it. ‘Just returning the favours Ivy did for me in those early years when I was a new mum myself. Ben couldn’t cope with my hormonal swings and, like you, Ivy knew when I needed someone to say, “Give Lola to me and take yourself off to bed to get a couple of hours’ sleep.” It made all the difference and now I want to be there for her.’

  ‘You two have always had each other’s backs. Ivy and Adam will find a solution and between you all, you’ll make it work. Now, I’m banking on getting that guest list within the next week,’ she says, adamantly.

  ‘Okay, leave it with me. I guess you can only duck and dive for so long before you have to face the inevitable.’

  ‘And how is Cappy?’

  ‘A little stressed about the landscaping work over at the campsite. They’ve only just finished building the new toilet and shower block.’

  ‘And the situation with Prudie?’

  ‘She’s gone very quiet. The artists all chipped in, to gift Ivy one of the paintings and the one she chose just happened to be painted by Gryff, Wenna’s husband! Ivy didn’t know that when she chose it, but it’s a big deal for him, as it’s the first painting he’s sold.’

  ‘Is Flo happy sharing the studio with Prudie?’

  ‘I think Prudie realised anything is better than nothing, thank goodness. And Cappy is doing a lot more socialising. The Lark and Lantern at Polreweek has become his second home. He, Clem Pengali from the farm opposite, and Erica’s husband, Charlie, have resurrected the Beer and Bait Club.’

  ‘They can’t do any fishing though. It’s a bit too early in the year, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, but they can sit around chatting and supping a pint. He’s in his element, Mum.’

  Mum gives a little laugh. ‘I know. He just doesn’t want you, or Riley, to feel constrained. He was more than happy to hand the trust over to you to take it forward and with Riley by your side, he feels he should step back.’

  ‘But he’s so much more like his old self now – you won’t recognise him when you see him next. He’s been trying so hard to get the work on the campsite done before the spring rush. Honestly, there are people thirty years younger than him who would have struggled to pull it off. Riley and I want him to stay, Mum, not to work but to enjoy what he and Grandma started.’

  ‘He might take some convincing of that, Jess, but it’s good to hear he’s taking time out to spend with his old mates. Anyway, Lola sent me photos of the vases for the buffet table, and she was so excited. Hopefully, when your dad and I pop down for the wedding fayre, we’ll be able to firm up quite a few of the outstanding items on the list. The key one is whether there’s a central theme and a particular colour you have in mind to bring everything together. Anyway, I know you’re busy, so I won’t hold you up any longer. We’re sending our love to you all and roll on Easter!’

  *

  Riley didn’t end up eating at The Farmhouse this evening as he worked late helping the plumbers. One of them has found a job starting on Monday and the pressure is on, because we’re already falling behind. Riley has no choice other than to step in until a replacement can be found. It means employing someone else to do the work he was scheduled to do and that involved a couple of hours on the phone trying to find a person who could step in at short notice.

  When any company closes, it affects the community around it, but never more so than in Cornwall. It has the ripple effect and small villages are feeling it already. Here at the farm, the plasterers were due to come in last week and having put them off once already, I know Riley is worried that they’ll sideline us. Which means that instead of their full team coming in to blitz the job when it’s ready, we’ll just get whoever hasn’t been assigned to another project. It could double, or even treble, the amount of time to complete the work on the manor.

  It’s gone nine by the time I can ring him.

  ‘How are you doing?’

  ‘Tired,’ Riley declares.

  ‘When you said to take my budget and double it, I thought you were exaggerating,’ I reply, sounding a little jaded. ‘Now I’m beginning to think you weren’t far off.’

  ‘Sometimes, things go well; other times, they don’t, Jess. It’s luck of the draw, and you can’t predict when and where the delays will occur. If Steve hadn’t shut his doors, two-thirds of the plumbing work would be done by now and he’d be hassling us to put pressure on the plasterers. He’d want to get his guys back in to install the boiler and finish off the bathrooms.’

  Every day we’re not working at full capacity, we’re slipping further and further behind. ‘If you need to hire extra help to get us back on track, then go for it.’

  Riley groans. I assume he’s in bed and he’s just rolled over. He’s working twelve-hour days and it’s beginning to take a toll.

  ‘Let’s not panic, Jess,’ he says with conviction. ‘Throwing money at a problem is fine if you have an unlimited budget but that’s not the case and we both know it. As long as we have the basics in time for the wedding, nothing will stop us moving in.’

  Now’s my chance. ‘Talking of the wedding, Mum needs the guest list.’

  There’s another groan but this time, it sounds more intense. ‘I don’t know, Jess. Maybe it’s safer to leave my family out of it.’

  ‘Riley, that’s avoiding the issue and you’re not thinking straight. You’re assuming your parents still want nothing to do with you, but what if they’re disappointed that you haven’t included them in your new life?’ The silence is awful, but I can’t quit now. ‘What if… they’re hurt and their perception is that you cut them off, not the other way around?’

  ‘What are you asking, Jess?’

  ‘Talk to your brother, Tom. He kept in touch and supported you when you needed help. Ask his advice. You’re suggesting we leave your family out of it, even though you have no idea how they would feel about that.’

  ‘They’re close to Fiona and Ollie, and it’s easy to see why they think I abandoned my family.’

  ‘As an outsider, I understand why they might have thought that in the heat of the moment, Riley. And yet I know that you were only trying to save them the embarrassment of your partner pressing charges against you for assault. You weren’t the only one who was out of control; you were simply doing your best to limit the damage afterwards. But has it ever occurred to you in doing that, you were the one cutting them off?’

  ‘They… they didn’t make any attempt… I mean… they were there for Fiona and Ollie; I know that for a fact. I remember Tom telling me that my parents went straight to the house when she rang to say I’d left, and I didn’t intend returning.’ The line goes silent for a few tense seconds and the wait is agonising. I can almost visualise the pain reflected on Riley’s face as the memories return.

  ‘My dad was angry and I suppose I was rambling as my adrenaline was off the charts. It was an argument that simply got out of hand. I didn’t intend to break my ex-business partner’s nose, but it was Will who threw the first punch. When I realised Dad wasn’t really listening to my version of what happened, I turned my back on him. As I walked away, he called out something about no son of his would ever lash out in anger.’

  ‘But they didn’t know at that stage you were going home to pack your bags and leave forever, did they? Everyone was in shock,’ I reply, gently. I’m hoping it will make him think about it from their point of view.

  ‘No. I just knew that the best thing I could do for them all was to get out of their lives. Paying Will off by settling for less than what I was due for my share of the company when I left at least ensured they didn’t have to endure the shame of seeing me in court.’ His voice wavers and while it’s like a dagger to my heart, this conversation is long overdue.

  ‘Riley, don’t you think it’s time to forgive yourself and see that it could so easily have been the other way around? It could have been you pressing charges against Will, as he was the one who started the fight.’

  ‘But I was the one who turned it into a bloody mess.’

  ‘Or did you fall into a trap?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You told me that the business was doing well, and Will convinced you to branch out into making and installing home offices.’

  ‘Yes, we took on two men and suddenly, the pressure was on to make it all work. The orders were flooding in, but Fiona soon tired of hardly seeing me. It’s what caused the split.’ There’s a sudden sharp intake of breath. ‘Will set me up… He wanted me to walk away, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Having a third employee instead of a fifty-fifty partner. What a fool I’ve been.’

  We chat until just after midnight, and I think he’s gradually coming around to the idea that it’s time to reach out to his family. It doesn’t change anything retrospectively, but when he realised Will might have had a reason for escalating the argument, it was a light-bulb moment. Some people are prepared to do anything for money. Thankfully, Riley isn’t one of them.

  11

  A Heart-to-Heart

  ‘You didn’t bring me out here under a false pretext… did you? It’s not like you to suddenly want to talk about the wedding buffet and the cake when you’ve been avoiding the topic for a couple of weeks now.’

  As Ivy and I saunter along the cliff path, it’s pretty obvious there’s something else on my mind. ‘What gave me away?’

  She turns to face me, cocking an eyebrow. ‘There aren’t many things that would pull you away from working on the manor and something tells me that includes your wedding plans.’

  We stop for a while to lean on the guard rail and stare out across the bay. Relatively warm and sunny days this early in March are few and far between. It’s a wonderful reminder that spring is around the corner and everywhere we look, nature is waking up. But today, it’s the sea that steals the show.

  ‘While we’re on the subject… I just want to reassure you that I hope to have a guest list very soon.’

  ‘Wonderful! It does help to know how many I’m catering for.’ She grins at me. ‘So, what’s up?’

  We stand here mesmerised by the movement of the sea; the gentle waves driven by the undercurrent are calming to watch. I decide just to go for it. ‘I’m worried that you and Adam are so desperate to make Smithy’s Cottage work, that you’re in danger of making the wrong decision.’

  When I turn my gaze back to Ivy, I see the concern reflected in her eyes. ‘You don’t like Cappy’s idea of knocking through into The Courtyard Hub?’

  ‘I think we both know it only solves a part of the problem. If you already had twins, there’s no way you’d buy Smithy’s Cottage. It’s time to get real and oh, how it pains me to say that, Ivy. I think you could talk Adam into anything, and I know that for you, living next door to the bakery simplifies things. But it’s not a permanent solution. A family needs a home with enough space for them to grow into it.’

  The sound that escapes from between Ivy’s lips is one of pure frustration. ‘It’s the one thing we couldn’t have foreseen, isn’t it? As if getting pregnant wasn’t a huge surprise, how on earth am I going to cope with two babies at the same time? Everyone is reaching out to us, offering help. Adam is going to take two weeks off as paternity leave, and after that, his mum and my mum have been talking about taking it in turns to come and stay alternate weeks.’

  ‘How do you feel about that?’

  ‘Like everyone is assuming I won’t be able to cope,’ she exclaims. ‘And maybe that’s the case, but I won’t know until after they’re here. I think Mum wishes we were still living close by in Stroud, but what a life it’s going to be for us as a family down here in Cornwall!’

  Once Ivy has pulled a plan together, it grounds her and she’s off and running. I have nothing to worry about. She’ll steer Adam in the right direction.

  ‘I just wish… I know the timing of this is awful for you, Jess. I’m glad we’re finally able to have a good chat; this has been weighing heavily on my heart. Adam and I renting both the bakery and the cottage doesn’t really help you, does it?’

  Her tone is apologetic, and my eyes begin to smart. ‘Oh, Ivy… this isn’t about me; it’s about the long-term future for your little family. The cottage is yours to rent for as long as you want. And there are lots of pretty cottages dotted here and there, within a stone’s throw. They don’t come onto the market very often, but time is on your side. You can rent Smithy’s Cottage for as long as you want and when the right thing comes up, no one will be more delighted for you than me.’

  She looks relieved. ‘Having some breathing space to get myself sorted will make all the difference.’

  ‘Will they let you go into labour? I read somewhere that, with multiple babies, they often induce you before the due date.’

  ‘I have my heart set on a natural birth, if at all possible. The obstetrician has warned us that twins tend to come a little early anyway. However, they will induce me at thirty-eight weeks if I haven’t already gone into labour by then. It all depends on how the babies are lying at that stage, anyway. If either of them are breach, for instance, it changes everything, but he’s not ruling out a natural birth as a possibility. He says that either way, I’ll need an epidural, just in case they end up having to do an emergency Caesarean section. I hope not, as that would mean spending a few days in hospital.’

  ‘It makes sense.’ I think she’s being very brave indeed and she sounds determined. Her due date is so close to the wedding, and I know she’d be disappointed to miss it, but there are some things you simply can’t control. Thankfully, the bakery will run as usual and her team, and Erica, are gearing up for the party of all parties.

  ‘I don’t know how long it will take after the babies are here to suss out how I’m going to juggle work and home life, but by then, there will be more money in the pot. Even if it means we can only get a fixer-upper, all that matters is that it’s close to the farm.’

  ‘It’s good to hear you’ve thought it through, but a part of me can’t help feeling a tinge of sadness that I won’t get to see the twins every single day.’

  She nods her head, pulling a long face. ‘I know. Even as youngsters, we couldn’t have imagined at some point we’d be living within a few paces of each other, could we? It’s like the impossible dream.’

  With that, we start laughing. ‘By the time you have a routine going, I’ll be able to make myself available for a couple of hours each day to look after the little ones. Once the first lot of work is done on Renweneth Manor, there will be a bit of a pause anyway. With Riley and Cappy here, they won’t even miss me.’

  Her eyes widen. ‘I didn’t realise it was a serious offer. You’re not getting broody, are you?’

  Not Ivy, too. That’s just what Mum said. ‘No. I just like the thought of all those cuddles and fun playtimes, then being able to hand them back.’

  ‘Oh, rub it in, why don’t you?’ She giggles. ‘Seriously, I’m probably the least confident mum-to-be ever to find herself expecting double the joy. I can’t even visualise what life is going to be like once they’re here. I’m glued to blogs and videos sharing tips on how to survive those early months. It still all feels a little surreal though, as if it can’t really be happening. Whenever I share the news, there’s either a gasp, or a momentary hesitation followed by “congratulations”, and I know they’re all thinking the same thing.’

  ‘I’m glad it’s not me?’

  That makes her laugh out loud.

  ‘But think of the upside. If you’re stopping at two, then your family will be complete and you only have one pregnancy to contend with.’ I grin at her. ‘I will admit that there were times I wished Lola had a sibling to play with. Hopefully, very soon Ollie will become a part of our lives and I think they’ll be good company for each other. The age difference between them is negligible and I think that will really help them to bond.’

 

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