‘He might not be so thrilled when you tell him that it’s me. And strictly speaking I’m not a professional. It’s an amazing offer and I know I said I’d done lots of events, but a big celebrity wedding? You think I could handle it?’
Now I’m panicking slightly that I’ve put Rachel in a difficult position, but it’s too late to back out and I know she could do it. Although, looking at the amount of baby equipment around, I might have slightly underestimated the level of stress involved in organising a big wedding and looking after Freya. ‘I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t. It’s our first time too.’
‘Which is why you should have someone really experienced, even though I’d absolutely kill to do it. I ought to be honest with you.’
‘You do have lots of experience and I don’t think it’s a risk. You said yourself you were keen to take on more than an admin role and it sounds to me like you were already doing the events planning at Trevarrian. I hoped the planning would fit in with looking after Freya until the wedding itself and we could all help you on the day. But if it will stress you out and you’d rather not, I totally understand. I maybe haven’t factored in Freya quite as much as I should have.’
Freya snuffles and mutters. Rachel bursts out laughing. ‘Yes, the Freya Factor is going to be an issue.’ She toys with a biscuit as if she doesn’t know what to do with it while I kick myself for being so naïve about the work involved with such a young baby.
‘Wow. I guess it will stress me but it’d also be a fantastic experience. However, if I was even to contemplate doing it, I’d need to talk to your dad and my parents first because they’d need to give me a lot of support with babysitting.’
‘I’m sorry. I haven’t thought it through.’
‘Oh, I’d love to do it. I may regret saying that … Look, let me think about it over the next few days and speak to Gary and my mum and dad. If I agree to it, I want to be sure I won’t let you down. Is that OK?’
‘It’s fine. More than fine. Please don’t feel you’d let me down if you can’t.’
Relief floods through me. I’d lain awake wondering if I should ask her and secretly, it is a bit of a risk for us as well. But it also seems like the best solution around right now. ‘I trust you more than any of the wedding planners I’ve seen,’ I say, not mentioning that most are already booked. ‘You know us and Kilhallon better than anyone. You have contacts from your job and you won’t have to worry about budgets too much. It’ll also be a fantastic way to start your business. Imagine the publicity you can get from organising Lily Craig and Ben Trevone’s wedding.’
She grimaces. ‘I am. Eeek, it sounds so exciting but also huge.’
Freya stares at me, wondering … I smile at her and blow her a kiss.
‘Yeah, I keep thinking the same myself but without someone like you at the helm, someone we can rely on, it definitely would be a disaster.’
‘Whatever I decide, thanks for the chance.’
Freya gurgles though whether it’s a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ from her, I’m not sure.
‘Cal gave me a chance. Eva and Isla gave us chances too. I was terrified at the time but when someone offers you an opportunity, you have to take it. And after all,’ I say, kissing Freya’s adorable little nose, ‘you are family now, Rachel. I’m sorry for the way we started off.’
‘That’s in the past.’
‘I know but I have to say this. My life is different now, thanks to Kilhallon, but I also have more understanding of what it’s like to feel strongly about someone special. I wasn’t ready to believe you felt that way about Dad, that you cared about him so much.’
‘I love him.’ She smiles. ‘Hard to believe but I do.’
‘I know.’
‘And you love Cal very much, don’t you?’
There’s a sharp tug of emotion when I think of Cal. ‘Yes, but don’t tell him how much.’
‘Because you’re scared?’
‘Yes, and it’s early days, and I don’t know what’s going to happen.’
‘Who does?’ She looks around her at the bare walls and freshly painted doors. ‘If the floods hadn’t damaged our house, we’d never have spent Christmas at Kilhallon with you, and you might never have been reconciled with your dad again, And – whew – I definitely wouldn’t have been asked to organise a celebrity wedding.’
CHAPTER TEN
A Tuesday lunchtime was the only time that Lily and Ben could spare for our ‘cosy lunch’ but it suits me because it’s one of the closed days at the cafe. The place Lily chose is called a ‘cafe’ too, but that label is the only thing it has in common with Demelza’s. It specialises in seafood, has a ton of awards and stars and is run by a celebrity chef who I’ve heard of because he’s a friend of Eva Spero. It overlooks a beautiful, if very popular, beach in an upmarket resort, although on a breezy March weekday there are only a handful of people out walking their dogs on the sand.
I slot the battered old Land Rover between a Bentley convertible and a Range Rover with a personalised plate as Harry drives into the car park in the BMW.
Cal turns to me. ‘Ready for this?’
‘Are you?’
‘What do you think?’
‘That if I wasn’t driving, I’d need several very large glasses of wine.’
‘Look on it as research,’ he says with a grin. ‘And to think you could have been working at a place like this in Brighton instead of serving pasties to pensioners.’
‘At this precise moment, I wish I was two hundred miles away.’
We get out and join Mawgan who is hugging and kissing Lily and Ben.
‘How are the wedding plans going? I can’t wait to meet Rachel,’ Lily says.
‘Fine, all in hand.’
I try to sound as if Rachel is the expert wedding planner we had in mind all long, not the slightly terrified one who only confirmed she’d take the job a couple of days ago. She and my dad popped round with Freya early one evening to tell us the good news. Rachel’s mum and dad are retired and were only too happy to see more of their granddaughter and Dad has promised to step in when required, so we’re on. I almost jumped up and down in relief. There’s still plenty of room for things to go wrong but if we all pull together, we’ll get there somehow. Not that I’m revealing my ‘suck it and see’ strategy to Lily, of course …
Rachel has already spoken to her by phone and we’ve arranged for them to meet up next month at Demelza’s. To be honest, I’d rather not talk about our plans in front of Mawgan but I can’t refuse to answer Lily’s questions.
Mawgan smiles. ‘Hello,’ she says and then to my amazement, and horror, kisses me and Cal on both cheeks as if she’s our oldest friends. I’m not a kissy, huggy person though I’m learning posh people do this all the time to people they barely know. But being kissed by Mawgan makes me feel as if I’m about to turn into stone.
Cal is gobsmacked. Mawgan pecked his cheek before he could move and his arms hang limply by his sides. Maybe she really has zapped him.
‘Mwah, mwah. Isn’t this a-mazing? Who’d have thought we’d all get together like this?’
With gritted teeth, I watch Mawgan simper over Ben and Lily.
Lily puts Louie onto the tarmac of the car park. Mawgan reaches down to stroke him and after a brief mini growl, he lets her briefly touch him.
She laughs. ‘He’s so sweet. I’m thinking of getting a dog,’ she says.
I manage to squash down a gasp as Mawgan loathes dogs and managed to have me sacked last year after an ‘incident’ with Mitch. However, since she’s Ben’s NBF, I’m determined to be on my best behaviour and resist the urge to ask if it she’s getting a Pit bull.
Louie’s definitely had enough ‘cuddles’ and strains on his leash, sniffing strange scents on the air.
Lily hangs on to Louie who is surprisingly strong for such a little dog. ‘How lovely to get everyone together for a proper catch-up,’ she says, letting him explore the car park. ‘It’s a shame Isla couldn’t make it but she’s shooting in
Scotland and Luke’s busy with his new business in London. Never mind, the six of us will have a lovely time.’
‘Six? Is Harry joining us?’ I say as we walk up the steps that lead to the restaurant.
Ben snorts. ‘Lily means the five of us and Louie. Harry never eats with us. It’s not his thing and he’s too busy keeping an eye out for us.’
‘Harry’s quite shy. He doesn’t like to get involved in our social lives,’ Lily says, glancing at Harry who is closing the tailgate of the BMW.
‘He can take Louie for a crap too,’ Ben says.
‘Ben!’ Lily hits Ben on the arm.
Ben smirks. ‘It’s true. The dog will need a run. He can’t be expected to sit in the restaurant all the time.’
I must admit, Louie is straining on his leash, and I know he’d far rather race about on the flat sands and chase waves than have to behave in a smart eaterie.
‘I don’t mind taking him for a quick walk now,’ I say, realising that I’d far rather be dog walking on the beach than making small talk with Ben and Mawgan. Lily is lovely and she is our VIP but …
‘Thanks, but I’ll let Harry exercise him and bring him back for lunch. If he needs another run,’ Lily says, daring Ben to mention anything cruder, ‘then I’ll take him myself. I don’t get anywhere near enough quality time with him and this is a beautiful beach. Harry!’ she calls.
Immediately, he jogs over.
‘Would you mind very much taking Louie for a walk and when he’s had enough, please bring him up to the restaurant?’
‘No problem,’ says Harry.
Lily lowers her voice. ‘Have you got any of those little scented bags for his you-know-whats?’
Harry pats his pocket. ‘Always prepared.’
Ben lets out a breath of disgust. ‘You don’t catch me scooping up dog shit in a scented bag. Imagine if a pap saw that?’
Just in time, I manage not to laugh. ‘They’d think you were being a responsible dog owner.’
Lily does laugh at him. ‘Totally! And hopefully there are no paps around because no one knows we’re here.’
‘Can we get into the restaurant?’ Ben wheedles, then puts his arm around Lily, ignoring Harry. ‘You must be frozen, babe.’
‘Louie is so cute. What a happy little dog,’ I say to Lily as we head for the restaurant.
‘Awww. Thank you. I love him to bits. Even more than I love Ben.’ She giggles. ‘Only joking.’
‘Oh, I know exactly what you mean. If there was a fire at Kilhallon, I don’t know who I’d save first: Cal or Mitch.’
‘I hope we never have to choose.’
We both laugh and Ben stares at us, frowning at our giggles. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘Nothing,’ we chorus.
I don’t think Mawgan likes Lily and I sharing a giggle, judging by the disgusted expression that flashes over her face, but she manages to recover fast. ‘I love the Rockpool,’ she says, trying to steer the conversation back to her. ‘It’s my absolute favourite place to eat in Cornwall. We bring clients here all the time, of course, and we’d come more often if it was closer to St Trenyan. Look, there’s Carlos, the maître d’.’
Wreathed in smiles, Carlos greets us at the door and swiftly ushers us into a private alcove overlooking the sweep of beach. While he fusses over Ben and Lily, he makes no sign of recognising Mawgan even when he takes our orders for drinks. Our table – more of a small room – has a fantastic view of the waves thundering up the sand. Newporth is an up-and-coming resort with a lot of expensive flats converted from former hotels and a trendy surf scene. The tide is out and the waves seem miles away on its huge flat beach. The breakers look like wavelets from here, but I know they’ll be fierce. If you listen hard, you can hear the dull but constant roar as they pound the beach.
I try to spot Louie and Harry, half wishing I was outside with them on the sand.
Mawgan is talking to Ben and Cal about something to do with their childhood ‘games’ which seem to involve Mawgan offering to ‘watch out for’ the younger kids in return for their pocket money. Ben starts boasting about the time he tried to shoot a seagull with a bow and arrow, which Mawgan seems to find hilarious.
Cal is tight-lipped and clearly losing the will to live but is trying to restrain himself for the sake of Lily, me and our business. Running a cafe and holiday resort means welcoming all sorts, with their varied points of view and I’ve learned to shut my ears to anything that’s harmless and not offensive. Cal has a short fuse and struggles far more with that than me. I don’t know how long he can last with Mawgan and Ben without saying or doing something he regrets, but he’ll have to manage for now.
On the other hand, I’m warming to Lily more and more. She’s transfixed by the view over the beach and the big skies. Even the slate-grey clouds on the horizon only add to the dramatic scene. I have to keep reminding myself that I live with this sight every day, but it has a magical effect on many visitors who have to go home to towns and cities, miles from the sea.
She pushes her chair back. ‘Look at that view. I think I’m going to take my drink outside until lunch arrives.’
‘It’s freezing out there, babe,’ says Ben, tearing himself away from Mawgan for a moment.
‘I’ll be fine,’ Lily says firmly.
‘I’ll come outside with you,’ I say, relishing the chance to get away from Mawgan, even for a few minutes. Cal will have to fend for himself. This is my chance to talk weddings with Lily without Mawgan listening in and interfering.
After collecting our coats from the maître d’ again, we head out on the balcony, which has glass sides so you can take in the full glory of the view. Lily leans on the metal balustrade, shading her eyes against the light reflected off the silvery sand and sea. She pulls her red hair out of her face and takes a big breath of the salty air. ‘Oh, this is gorgeous, but I hope Louie isn’t too cold. I meant to ask Harry to put his jacket on – oh, I see he has.’ She points towards the large man and tiny dog playing on the beach.
Harry hurls a ball for Louie from a flinger and the little French Bulldog races after it.
I smile. ‘He looks like he’s having a fantastic time.’
‘They both do,’ she says. ‘Harry loves Louie. I wish Ben did but he’s allergic to dogs. He only puts up with Louie for my sake. You know, I’m definitely going for a walk on the beach myself later. If I put on Harry’s beanie hat and Ben’s dark glasses I doubt anyone would even notice me, would they?’
‘It’s a very quiet time of year. I think you’d be safe.’
‘After lunch I will then, and I don’t care if someone does see me,’ she declares although I think she’s trying to convince herself more than me. She sighs. ‘Sometimes I wish I wasn’t famous. I know I’m incredibly fortunate but I feel as if I’ve opened a box that I can never close again. Until I’m old and ugly and not famous any more, of course.’
‘That won’t happen.’
‘It will. It always does. I’m not a brilliant actress and I’ll never be able to carry off the heavyweight character roles that will keep my career going.’
‘Don’t say that. I’m sure you could.’
She smiles. ‘You’re very sweet but I’m only being realistic … I turn thirty in a couple of years and there are thousands of gorgeous young actresses all waiting to take my place.’ She glances at Ben who’s laughing loudly at something Mawgan is saying. ‘Ben will be around for much longer. His shelf life will go on for decades if his agent helps him choose wisely, and if he’s lucky of course. We both need to be very, very lucky in this business and hope the projects we’re working on will be hits or we’re stuffed, basically.’
If you’d told me I’d feel sorry for a wealthy, famous, beautiful actress, I’d never have believed you, but in Lily’s case, I do. I’m glad I’m happy to run my own tiny ‘empire’, as Cal calls it. I’m thankful to have my friends and, now, my family around me and to have Cal, of course. I don’t know what I’d do without Demelza’s – or him. I’
m glad he’s safe with me at Kilhallon and doesn’t have to go back to Syria.
Lily’s delicate fingers rest on my arm. ‘Demi? Are you OK?’
‘Fine. Yes. Sorry, I was miles away. When we’re on our own later – I mean you, me and Ben – we can confirm a time to meet Rachel to discuss the wedding plans. You did say you could try and fit in a few hours at Kilhallon next week and I think it’s really important that you meet Rachel in person. She wants to get a feel for exactly the type of ceremony you want and sort out the finer details. She’s got so many ideas but we both need your feedback. It is your day. And Ben’s, of course.’
‘Of course. We’ll definitely come over, or at least I will. Ben’s got some post-production work to do on his new film. I’ll get my assistant, Jade, to double check my schedule but hopefully I can spare a few hours to fly in next week. Oh, look! Louie’s in the sea! He normally hates the water …’
‘He seems to be having a fantastic time chasing the waves,’ I say. ‘Listen to him barking. He loves the beach, just like Mitch.’
Harry throws the ball along the surf line, making sure the little dog doesn’t get drenched. Louie dashes this way and that, yapping at the waves, fetching his ball and teasing Harry with it. Harry shouts at Louie who barks with pure joy.
Lily leans on the balcony. ‘I’m not sure who’s enjoying it most, Harry or Louie,’ she says.
‘Both. I love playing on the beach with Mitch. He adores it and so does Cal.’
‘You’re lucky. Ben isn’t an animal person. I don’t think he’ll do the owl thing.’
‘Maybe you can have the owl land on Harry’s arm or your best man’s so he can hand over the rings.’
‘Oh. Yes, that’s an idea … yes, I’ll ask Ben.’
Ben pops his head around the door and pulls a face. ‘Ask Ben what?’
‘If lunch is ready yet,’ Lily says smoothly. She knows how to manage him though I’m mystified about what she sees in him. Apart from him being a rich, up-and-coming movie star like her, of course.
‘The answer is “yes” and, Lily, your hair looks a right mess in this wind. I don’t care at all, but what if a pap spotted us?’
Confetti at the Cornish Café Page 8