Summer Wedding at the Cornish Manor, page 23
I wind down the window as I pull up alongside Clem’s old Range Rover. ‘Hope you brought the bait,’ I call out to him, and he gives me a thumbs-up.
‘Come on, lads,’ I say to Riley and Adam, ‘let’s get ourselves sorted. Ivan should be here shortly.’
‘It’s good to see you,’ Clem extends his hand to our two newest anglers.
‘What a day we picked,’ Charlie joins in, giving Riley and then Adam a high five.
‘Just as well it’s calm,’ Adam jokes, ‘as I’ve only ever had one trip on a ferry, and it was a monster boat. I’m not sure I have my sea legs when it comes to a smaller vessel.’
Riley pats him on the back. ‘You’re not alone there, mate. Guess there’s a first time for everything.’
‘The Silver Wave is a Cygnus CyFish. She’s a 260 square footer and there’ll be plenty of space to move around on deck,’ Charlie explains. ‘And, Cappy, you missed an unveiling. I think you’re in for a bit of a shock.’
‘Yes, sorry I couldn’t make it. It’s all go back at the farm as we’re running behind. Are we wearing life vests today?’ I chuckle.
Riley and Adam turn to look at me and I break out into a beaming smile. ‘Don’t worry. Clem and Charlie know enough to judge whether a boat is seaworthy, or not. Ah, here’s the main man, Ivan. And there’s plenty of vests to go round.’
After doing the introductions, we start loading the gear into the back of his minivan. ‘You picked a good day for it,’ he states. ‘I know she’ll be in good hands.’
‘You could join us,’ Clem offers.
‘No. I might enjoy mending boats and eating fish but catching ’em is a different thing entirely. I’ve an engine to work on today for a friend. Right, she’s anchored up just off Penvennan Cove, and a mate of mine will take you out to her. Let’s get going, as you’ll want to make the most of it. It’s a lot of money, but she’s worth every penny.’
Ah, the serious talk has already begun. Ivan is a canny old soul, but if he doesn’t manage to get a buyer, his wife isn’t going to let up. She’s right, because if that shed does fall down around it, it won’t do the boat much good.
*
‘Wow! This is quite something,’ Adam observes, turning his head so the gentle breeze doesn’t whip the sound of his words out of his mouth.
The water is amazingly calm, with only gentle little peaks and troughs breaking on the surface. Clem is behind the wheel and he’s cranking up the knots. It’s time to test the engine.
‘Penvennan Cove looks completely different from this angle,’ Riley comments. ‘We’re just coming up to the cliffs below the moor and Renweneth Farm. Gosh, Jess would love this.’ Both he and Adam seem enthralled by what they’re seeing.
For me, it’s like coming home. The sea is second nature to me. If I added up the hours I’ve spent on land and compared them to the time I spent away at sea, I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say it would be pretty even.
However, it’s been several years since I’ve stepped off dry land for more than an hour here and there, and it feels so good to be back. As for The Silver Wave, my goodness this is way more boat than I was expecting, and Ivan is to be commended. It’s in excellent condition but I’m shocked that Clem and Charlie are looking at something in this sort of price range. It’s got to be well in excess of a hundred grand, maybe as much as a hundred and fifty.
Clem eases back on the throttle and it’s time to get everyone sorted.
‘What type of fish can you catch around here?’ Riley asks.
‘Pollock and mackerel for sure,’ I reply. ‘If we’re lucky, now that the water is warming up, maybe some ling, conger, pouting and whiting. Maybe even some cod. The dolphins are out, I see!’ I point to a spot about five metres away and both Riley and Adam are transfixed.
‘They’re very close. Do they always travel in numbers? I can see at least three of them.’
‘Often.’ I nod my head. ‘Sometimes, they’ll swim alongside the boat as if they’re racing.’
Adam is in awe. ‘That’s something I never thought I’d see.’
‘We tend to catch and release, guys. If we’re not taking it home to eat, then we throw it back in. Is that okay with you?’ Charlie checks.
We’re all in agreement, as Clem weighs anchor and we start setting up the fishing lines.
‘There are a few mackerel around. I’ll show Riley and Adam what to do,’ Charlie indicates for them to follow him.
I join Clem in the forward cabin.
‘There you are. How did she handle?’ I ask, wishing it were my hands on that wheel.
‘Like a dream, Cappy. There’s only one drawback.’ He pulls a long face.
‘The price?’
He inclines his head. ‘We weren’t expectin’ this beauty. She was built in 2006 and Ivan hasn’t cut any corners. She’s been fully overhauled and all credit to him, it was love at first sight for Charlie and me. I mean… it’s exactly what we want, as she’ll make a perfect charter boat, but we’re just gettin’ our figures together and it isn’t lookin’ promisin’.’
Clem’s disappointment is tangible.
‘Have you tried bartering?’
‘The lowest we can get Ivan down to is a hundred and thirty-five grand. It’s at least fifteen under the proper askin’ price and a bargain. Charlie is sinkin’ in the lump sum he’s gettin’ from takin’ early retirement, but I doubt he’ll want to burden himself with a loan to help make up the shortfall. As for me, I’m usin’ the best part of my savings, havin’ handed the farm over to my son a few years ago. Our limit is our limit, and it looks like we’re goin’ to be forty-five grand short. This is lookin’ more and more like a pipe dream, I’m afraid, Cappy. But Ivan is keen to sell now and we’re wonderin’ if we can do a deal. Pay him two-thirds up front and the rest in instalments once we set ourselves up to do deep-sea fishin’ tours.’
I let out a low whistle. ‘That’s a big ask, Clem.’
‘Yep, and if I were him, I’d probably refuse. But now ’ee has her back in the water, the pressure is on for him to get a buyer. It’s a lot of money for anyone. For us two, we’re only riskin’ what we can afford to risk but if ’ee takes our offer, it will put the pressure on. I’m not sure whether me or Charlie feel comfortable with that, so it might mean walkin’ away and lookin’ for somethin’ within our price range. It’s a pity, though.’
He wanders off, leaving me to have a nosey around. The old rust bucket under the tarpaulin turned out to be a real diamond and none of us would have guessed that.
*
‘I’ve got five! Five!’ Adam shouts, sounding panicked. ‘What do I do?’
Charlie rushes over to show him how to unhook the mackerel from the line. Riley looks on in amazement and I walk over to stand next to him, casting my line.
‘It’s not just about catching fish. There’s something so cathartic about being out here. Do you feel it?’ I ask.
Riley adjusts his sunglasses, then gazes around. ‘I’ve been trying to put my finger on it. You know… how to describe the experience, as Jess is going to quiz me when I get back. All that pops into my head is that line “stop the world spinning, I want to get off”. I don’t know if it’s from a film, or a song I heard, but it’s just like that. Nothing seems real. It’s as if the moment I stepped onto the boat, I was entering a different reality. That sounds crazy, doesn’t it?’ He bursts out laughing.
‘No. It is a different existence. On a day like this it’s heavenly. The water is so calm, the sky and the sea such an unbelievable shade of blue that it’s hard to believe we’re in the UK, and not anchored off some tropical island. It’s as if reality is suspended for a while.’
‘That’s it, exactly! I feel that time has stopped and when I step back on land, the clock will start ticking again. It’s crazy. How did you do this for so many years?’
‘It’s like having two homes: the sea and the land. Nature shows you her all and it teaches you a lesson. She gives and she takes away. A boat can be smashed to smithereens in a bad storm and it’s by her grace – and fate, I suppose – that we make it back to dry land.’
‘Do you ever get used to it… being stuck on land?’
I laugh. ‘No. It’s like a part of you is missing. There’s a yearning that never goes away. Out here, everything feels more real, because a simple mistake can cost lives. I’ve lain in my bunk and spent the early hours of the morning praying I’d live to see another daybreak. It’s only then that you really appreciate what life means. It’s like facing your maker and you promise you’ll do better in future. No one likes to feel vulnerable; it’s a truly humbling experience and I like to think that it made me a better man. What are Jess and Lola up to, today?’
‘Online, placing orders for the furniture for Renweneth Manor. Lola is so excited we’re at this stage. Jess has been dragging her feet, but if she leaves it any longer, there’s a chance not all of the items will arrive in time.’
‘It’s a balancing act, managing a huge project like that. All credit to her—’
Riley’s body jerks as the fishing rod in his hands gives a hefty tug and his eyes widen. ‘I think it’s a big one!’
‘Then reel it in.’ I laugh. ‘Whatever it is, it’s determined to wriggle off that hook.’ I turn to our fellow anglers. ‘If Riley can land this one, I think our barbecue back at the beach will be sorted, lads.’ The line bends ominously, but the look of determination on his face tells me he’s not about to give up without a fight.
*
The banter as we sip our beers, waiting for supper to cook on the grill, reflects the sort of day we’ve had. I saunter over to Adam, who has made his way down the beach to stand and watch the sun setting.
‘It’s mighty peaceful at this time of the day, isn’t it?’ I reflect.
Aside from a couple of dog walkers, there are only a few stragglers packing up their things ready to wend their way home.
‘Yes. It’s been a brilliant day, Cappy. I’ve had a whale of a time.’ He half-turns to grin at me and I chuckle to myself. ‘To be honest, I thought I’d be a bit… squeamish, you know… those poor fish.’
I nod my head, appreciative of his honesty. ‘A healthy respect for the food chain is a good thing, Adam. That’s why on days like this, we practise catch and release. We only bring back what we intend to eat and are grateful for it. Even the commercial fishermen thank our creator for their hauls. It puts food on people’s tables and keeps a roof over their families’ heads.’
His brow furrows. ‘I guess I never looked at it in quite that way before.’
‘It’s the circle of life, but that doesn’t mean any of us should take it for granted.’
‘It’s been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me lately,’ he admits. ‘Today, I didn’t have time to think about anything other than what I was doing, or simply marvelling at our surroundings. The dolphins were absolutely amazing. When I hauled in those mackerel, I was in panic mode. On the other hand, Riley’s face when he landed that magnificent bass was one of incredulity and pride.’
‘They’ll all make for good eating. A dozen mackerel and that bass, which must be an eight-pounder at least, will give us a meal fit for kings. As for the other fish we caught, they get to live another day. Would you do it again?’
He shakes his head. ‘No. But I’m grateful for the experience, Cappy. It was a distraction I needed to clear my head. I thought the pregnancy was going to be the fun bit, you know, getting everything ready, but instead, all I do is worry about what could go wrong. And this latest scare was a reality check. Ivy finally realises she must slow down.’
‘It’s nature’s way of sending out a little signal. She’s a tough cookie, is Ivy, but you’re right, and her and the babies’ well-being comes first. But with you by her side, you’ll get through this, and the best is yet to come.’
Adam turns back to watch the sunset. ‘I believe so too, Cappy. And then, hopefully, it won’t be long until we get our home sorted and our happiness will be complete. Riley said you’re staying until the wedding. Ivy’s due a week later but we’ve been warned they won’t let her go to her due date. You could be here to witness the excitement.’
‘Five minutes to grub up, guys,’ Clem calls to us, and I give him an acknowledging wave.
‘Just between us, Adam, there’s a chance I might not be heading back to Stroud after all.’
He turns to look at me, sporting a smile. ‘That’s great news, Cappy!’
‘Hmm… maybe, maybe not.’
Adam looks puzzled. ‘The farm wouldn’t be quite the same without you there; Jess once joked that you’re a part of the fixtures and fittings.’ He laughs.
‘Well, an opportunity has come up and I’m seriously considering it. Prudie might have found a place to house her art school, but it’s in Falmouth. It’s only about a forty-five-minute drive away but she’s considering selling up; it makes sense for her to live close by. If it works out, I’ve offered to give her a hand doing any little jobs I can to keep the place ticking over; like a caretaker.’
‘It would be a nice little run for you each day.’
No one, apart from Prudie and me, is aware of this, so I’m interested to see Adam’s reaction. ‘We’re both on our own… and we enjoy each other’s company. It makes sense that we find a little place… um… together.’
Adam’s expression freezes for a second before he composes himself. ‘Oh… I see.’
‘It’ll be a while until we know whether it’s doable. It’s a big step and it’ll take some organising, that’s for—’
Charlie suddenly appears at my side. ‘It never gets old, does it, watching the sun go down? But the fish is ready. It’s been a good day on The Silver Wave.’ I can tell from his tone that reality is beginning to set in. It’s probably a stretch too far for him and Clem, financially. But if Prudie and I settle down in Falmouth… maybe what they need is a third partner. It would be a nice little break for me lending a hand now and again with fishing trips.
‘Come on, let’s eat!’ I declare, feeling a surge of optimism about the future. Maybe there’s a lot more life left in this old dog than I thought.
July
Jess
24
I Hope Trouble Doesn’t Come in Threes
We’re halfway through July, and with only two weeks until moving-in day at Renweneth Manor – and three weeks until the wedding – this last month, we’ve had to pare down the use of the trades on site to a minimum. The budget is now running on fumes.
Riley, Cappy and I are all sick and tired of painting. The list of finishing-off jobs and snagging, like sanding out rough bits of skirting where the grit that still lingers in the air has settled on wet paint, seems to grow by the day.
‘Morning, Mum, just a quick call. How’s the budget going for the wedding? Is there enough money in the pot to cover everything?’ I ask, keeping my fingers on one hand crossed.
‘Oh… um…’ That moment of hesitation in her voice sets my nerves on edge. ‘The savings that resulted from getting Joyce to make your wedding dress, and Lola’s princess frock, helped to offset the extra catering costs from the revised guest list. The flowers came in a little over budget… but I got a good deal on the invitations.’
That’s not the question I asked.
‘By the way,’ Mum continues, changing the subject ever so slightly. ‘We’ve now had all the RSVPs back and it’s a good job the grounds of the manor allow us to spread out. It’s going to be one big party!’
It was a blessing passing everything over to Mum and Dad to handle, but if we’re going to end up with a deficit, I know what they’re like. I don’t want them to feel it’s their responsibility to make it up.
The problem is, Michael sent me an email first thing to say there’s a shortfall in the farm’s main bank account. He’s popping in this morning to discuss it. I’m just about to transfer the last of my savings into the account to cover the outstanding invoices on the manor. It would be unwelcome news indeed if we have an overspend on the wedding account. ‘I just thought I’d check whether the account needs topping up as I’m um… working on the budgets today.’
‘Is it all going well at your end?’ she quizzes me, sounding concerned – which is exactly what I didn’t want.
‘Yes. Same old… we’re running behind, but we’ll get there,’ I reply, breezily. ‘Cappy has been tied up a bit lately, but he’s around every day now until it’s all done.’
‘Ah, this thing with the boat. Is he really going to get involved with it?’
‘The truth is, after mentioning it once after the fishing trip, he hasn’t said anything about it since. Charlie’s official retirement date isn’t until the last day of August, so I don’t think they can do anything until he’s received his lump sum. Erica is talking about throwing him a party at the bakery to celebrate it.’
‘Oh, that explains it then. No doubt they’ll be on edge in case another buyer steps in.’
‘I hadn’t thought of that. Cappy has been a little quiet lately; coming and going, but not saying a lot.’ It’s not like I can question where he’s been and what he’s doing, but usually he’s quite forthcoming. ‘Are you and Dad okay?’
‘We are. Constantly on the go as usual. What with the wedding planning and we’ve had a bumper crop of just about everything in the garden this year. I’ve been kept busy making jams, jellies and chutneys. I’ll be bringing down a box-full for that new pantry of yours.’
‘Aww… I’ll look forward to that. It’ll probably be the only home-made stuff on the shelves.’ I laugh. ‘Anyway, I hate to love you and leave you, but I have a meeting in half an hour with my accountant,’ I labour the word. ‘Then I have a unit Cappy made for Ollie’s bedroom to paint.’
‘It sounds like you have your hands full as usual, Jess. But the end is in sight. Well, until you start the second phase of the work on the manor, but you’ve all earned a rest. And a honeymoon.’
