Page 52 of Tricks & Treats at The Cosy Cornish Bakery

Nik nodded but didn’t answer. Instead, he turned the key in the ignition, making Helga’s engine rumble and judder into life. He rested his hands on the large white steering wheel. ‘Have you eaten?’

The question took Chloe by surprise. She shook her head. ‘Didn’t feel like it. Just had a coffee from one of those machine things. Or what was purporting to be coffee.’ She shuddered. ‘It was pretty disgusting.’

‘Let’s get you something to eat, then. After a hot meal everyone feels better.’

‘Not The Smugglers. Everyone will be asking after Mum and, selfish though it makes me, I just can’t face that tonight.’

‘Understood.’ He put the campervan into gear and eased her out of the parking space. ‘I know just the place.’ At Ziggy’s whine, he added, ‘Don’t worry, Zigs, it’s dog friendly.’

CHAPTER 26

Nik took her to The Driftwood Spars. When Chloe got out of Helga, she looked up at the ancient, whitewashed walls. ‘I haven’t been here for years. I used to drive over here in my first car.’ A biting wind whipped up off the sea in nearby Trevaunance Cove and she shivered, feeling weak and hollowed out.

‘Let’s get you in and in front of the fire,’ Nik said as he locked the vehicle and came round to her. ‘No coat?’

‘I just have what I was wearing this morning. It was sunny then.’

He hugged her close as they walked over the road from the car park, Ziggy pulling on the lead, nose to the ground excitedly sniffing.

They were greeted by an affable man who explained they had a big party in later but could squeeze them in to eat in the bar, and then added, ‘It’s right in front of the wood burner. Might get too warm for you.’

Chloe shivered again, feeling fatigue overwhelm her. She huddled into Nik’s comforting embrace. ‘I’ll never get warm again.’

‘Long day?’ he sympathised.

‘The longest.’

‘We’ve all had them.’ He nodded to the far corner of the bar. ‘Get yourself sat down and I’ll bring menus over. Drinks? Can recommend the mulled wine.’

‘Actually, could I have a coffee?’ Chloe asked. ‘And a whisky. Single malt if you have it.’

‘And a pint of shandy, please,’ added Nik. ‘A weak one. I’m driving.’

‘Sure thing. I’ll bring them over, bud.’

Nik thanked him and steered Chloe over to a table in front of the stove.

Chloe sat, with her hands stretched out to the heat coming off the wood burner. An enormous log had just been put on and it was burning merrily, orange flames filling the glass window. Ziggy collapsed in front of it with a happy sigh and rolled onto his back, paws in the air, soaking up the heat. ‘Poor boy,’ she murmured. ‘You must be wondering what’s going on.’

She looked about her. In lots of ways the pub was little different to The Smugglers, with intimate lighting and low beams, stone walls and wooden ships’ wheels as decoration. She seemed to remember something about the pub being very old and being made from ships’ timbers. Her London friends would go mad for the place. The drinks arrived and she clutched the hot cup of coffee to her, needing its comfort. Feeling herself thaw out and finally relax, she turned to Nik. ‘This is very kind of you.’

‘No problem. I haven’t eaten either and the food’s good here.’

It was. Good steaks and chunky chips. Simple but well-cooked.

Eventually, Chloe put down her knife and fork. The warming whisky, the food and the wood burner had worked their magic. She hardly ever ate red meat but her body, in some primeval way, had craved some tonight. Having fed a begging Ziggy the leftovers, she swilled her second whisky round in its glass, enjoying its amber lights glowing in the firelight, and watched as Nik ate. He’d hardly spoken but had left her to recover, to come back to herself. It was very restful. Very unlike Jasper who demanded attention at all times – from her, from the wait staff, from anyone around. Nik didn’t seem to be the sort of man who needed outside approbation to satisfy his ego. It was as if he knew he was enough. Her heart thumped. He was more than enough.

Chloe put a hand to her mouth in horror. ‘Nik! I’ve never thanked you. For what you did this morning. You saved my mum’s life.’ A couple eating at a nearby table looked up in interest. She leaned in closer and waited for his reply.

He put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth on the paper serviette and took a swig of shandy. Eventually he met her eyes. ‘It’s what I do.’

He smiled so that furrows creased down his cheeks. A man who laughed a lot, maybe, although he was often reserved in her company. Perhaps he laughed with others?

She put a hand on his arm. The muscles felt hard under the thick wool. For a moment Chloe felt herself melt inside, little sparks of arousal shooting through her. Then she remembered he was a friend and unlikely to be anything other. ‘I know it’s what you do.’

‘No, I mean, it really is. I’m one of the lifeguards on Wheal Kitty Cove Beach. It’s one of my responsibilities to look out for swimmers, especially in the rough seas we had this morning.’ He shook his head and added, ruefully, ‘I’m furious with myself that I didn’t spot Dulcie going in. I would have dissuaded her.’

‘You could have tried,’ Chloe said, leaving her hand on his forearm, enjoying the sensation of warm muscles bunching under her touch. ‘But she wouldn’t have listened.’