Pudding saved him, choosing that moment to saunter over and let out a plaintive meow. Situating himself at Claudia’s feet, he stared slavishly and unwaveringly up at her.
Mercifully distracted, Claudia sighed. ‘Better feed him, or we’ll get no peace.’
Jason glanced at the vegetable medley she’d been concocting. ‘I gather he’s not vegetarian, too?’
‘Pudding loves me dearly, but even I know that would be a step too far. The advantage of me being vegetarian is that he doesn’t beg for leftovers at the table. Doesn’t stop him trying for an occasional treat, though.’
‘You don’t get birds and mice on the doorstep?’
‘Rarely, nowadays. I did at first, but he seems to have grown out of it with age. Besides, I made it plain from the start that such gifts were unappreciated. We came to an arrangement.’
Jason was getting used to the way Claudia talked about the cat as though the two of them communicated fully. What did he know? They certainly had that way of looking into each other’s eyes.
She turned her attention to the cat. ‘How about the chicken scraps that Aunty Evelyn brought you yesterday?’ She smiled at Jason. ‘Pudding loves chicken. Watch this.’
When Claudia pulled on the fridge door, Pudding’s ears pricked up like radar shields. As she took a plastic container out, a deep mew rumbled in his throat and he stood on his hind legs like a dog begging for a bone. When she took off the lid, his nose went mad, his whiskers twitching.
‘Are you hoping it’s chicken, Pudding?’ Claudia teased.
The cat moved nearer to where she’d set the tub on the counter, stretching his front paws all the way up the cupboard doors. When she moved sideways with the tub towards his bowl, he scuttled sideways along the cupboard doors too, paw over paw, all the while making a terrible fuss and gazing up at her with pleading adoration in his eyes.
Jason grinned. He hadn’t imagined Claudia would tease her pet like that. The thought entered his brain that if she teased him like that, he’d probably plead pathetically and gaze at her with adoration, too.
Ah, Jason, pull yourself together, man.
With that comical interlude over, Claudia was free to serve dinner at the tiny table in peace.
However experimentally Claudia approached her cooking, Jason couldn’t complain at the result. The food on his plate was so tasty, he didn’t even think about the lack of meat, and it was certainly colourful – roasted butternut squash, pine nuts, garlic, onion, wilted spinach, with sourdough bread and fresh butter.
‘This is delicious,’ he told her.
‘Glad you like it. Not missing anything?’
‘I may not be a vegetarian, Claudia, but that doesn’t mean I spend every meal gnawing the flesh off animal bones. I eat chicken, fish, the occasional steak, but I wouldn’t say I was a serial carnivore.’
‘Good. I’d hate to think I was entertaining a caveman to dinner.’
Jason was equally keen on the dessert she served in small glass bowls. ‘What’s this? Home-made ice-cream?’
Claudia kept her face non-committal. ‘Try it and see.’
Jason did. ‘Mmmm. It goes well with the raspberries. Definitely bananas involved.’
‘Because that’s all it is. Bananas, blended then frozen.’
‘Not even a trace of ice-cream?’
‘Not even.’
Jason loaded up his spoon. ‘I could get converted to these intuitive dishes of yours.’
‘That’s good, because I plan to have you round here more often.’
Jason’s pulse skipped. ‘That is good.’ The rhythmic sound of the sea, the salty breeze through the open window, delicious home-cooked food, the company of an equally delicious-looking woman…? ‘Great, in fact.’
Claudia was pleased with the way the evening had gone so far.
Jason was good company – and he had relaxed, as far as Jason ever relaxed. During the meal, they’d stuck to safe subjects like his new work project – converting a defunct old people’s home into luxury apartments – and steered clear of controversial topics like the power of the moon or the ability of crystals to change the molecules around them. So far, so good… until they settled on the sofa with their wine.
‘I’ve been thinking about Lee,’ Jason said.
Claudia made a face. ‘Do I detect an insightful comment on the horizon?’
‘Only that he was an idiot.’
Claudia chuckled. ‘Very insightful.’
Jason turned his body towards hers. ‘Claudia, I’m sure you know this already, but I have to say it. You’re beautiful, exactly the way you are. Lee was blind not to see it. I imagine he didn’t appreciate your other qualities, either.’
Intrigued, Claudia asked, ‘Which other qualities? My weirdness? My way-out-there practices you love so much?’
He smiled. ‘Your kindness, your generosity, your compassion.’
‘Praise indeed. Thank you. And no, Lee didn’t appreciate that side of me. Or perhaps it was simply that he didn’t bring those things out in me.’
It was disconcerting, Claudia thought, to feel so comfortable with someone who disagreed with or was suspicious about half of what went on in her head, but who was open to understanding her, if not her beliefs. Someone who appreciated her for who she was.
Tanya was right. She was attracted to him. More than that. She was developing feelings for him.
They had drifted nearer to each other, his legs turned towards hers, hers curled beneath her so she leaned in closer. The conversation faltered.
Jason frowned. ‘Sorry, did you say something? I lost concentration for a moment.’
‘No. I think we just ran out of conversation at the same time.’
He shook his head. ‘I feel like you and I could never run out of conversation. But perhaps the time for conversation is over for this evening.’
Jason placed his wine glass on the coffee table, and Claudia had a sinking sensation at the thought that he might be leaving.
But his eyes, the palest blue of the sea on a winter’s day, never left hers during the manoeuvre, and she couldn’t tear her own gaze away. He wasn’t leaving.
Anticipating him making a move to kiss her, the moment stretched out for too long.
He isn’t going to make a move. So, it’s down to me, is it? Do I want to?
Claudia deliberately slowed her breathing and tuned into her inner voice. She didn’t have to try hard. It was screaming at her to stop worrying and take the initiative.
Jason spoke her name, low and soft. ‘Claudia Rose.’
Her name, said that way, by him, was the only push she needed. Claudia leaned in, breathing in the light citrus scent of his skin, brushing her lips over his. For one brief moment, he remained passive, and she thought she’d made a mistake. And then his lips stirred under hers and his hands moved to her hair, his fingers in the wild curls. Time stretched out, seemingly infinite.
Pudding’s head nudging against their legs brought the kiss to an end. They both laughed at the cat’s mew of protest, but when Jason moved in to kiss her again, Claudia placed a hand against his chest.
‘I don’t want to go too fast, too soon, Jason. I don’t think you do, either. We both need to be sure about this.’
Jason let out a long sigh. ‘You’re right. You always are.’
Claudia mouthed ‘Sorry’.
‘No, I’m grateful. I think.’ He placed a hand on her cheek. ‘I’ve wanted to kiss you for longer than I realised, Claudia Rose.’
‘Me too. It’s the same for me.’
He smiled that rare and fabulous smile of his. ‘We have one thing in common, then. I should go. I need to clear my head.’ When she frowned at that, he said, ‘You may not be the witch they once thought you were around here, but you have got that enchantment thing down to a fine art.’
With a delighted laugh, Claudia followed him to the door.
Placing a feather-light kiss on her lips, Jason turned and went down the stairs. Claudia noticed
he headed straight for the water’s edge instead of walking along the road, and she smiled.
‘Where the hell is everybody?’ Claudia whispered to Sarah just before the meditation session was due to begin.
There were only four beside herself – Sarah and Evelyn, Jason (but no Millie, as she was still away at her grandparents’), and Libby. No Alice – and she rarely missed it.
‘Beats me. It’s half-term, so some of them could be on holiday.’ Sarah frowned. ‘That doesn’t account for someone like Jenny, though – she won’t go anywhere till the end of the season now. Too many tourists with salt-water-induced hair disasters to deal with.’
Claudia let out a breath. ‘Do you think she’s trying to avoid me? Distance herself, as a fellow Porthsteren business owner?’
‘I haven’t heard anything along those lines, honey,’ Sarah soothed. ‘And Libby’s here, isn’t she?’
‘Probably more for the gossip than the meditation. Well, she’ll be disappointed tonight. Not enough co-conspirators.’ Claudia glanced at the clock. Five past eight already. ‘Can’t wait any longer, I suppose.’
She closed the door and began. But Claudia struggled to concentrate with the low attendance preying on her mind and Jason’s presence in the room. She hadn’t been able to get their kiss out of her mind since Saturday night, and she’d jumped every time her phone rang, making her feel like an awkward teenager. But he hadn’t called. Then again, she hadn’t called him, had she? Perhaps neither of them knew what to make of how the evening had ended… and that in itself justified her calling a halt to it when she did.
Claudia was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she almost didn’t notice when the guided meditation ended. Her carefully-chosen track on the healing powers of forgiveness for oneself and others had been somewhat lost on such a small gathering.
At least Jason was amused by the subject matter. ‘Shame you didn’t have a bigger audience for it,’ he said afterwards, his eyes twinkling.
Pleased there wasn’t any awkwardness in his manner, she asked, ‘How’s Millie?’
‘Fine. Jennifer and Harry are keeping her occupied.’
‘Good.’ At least she won’t be cooking up any ill-advised spells at their house. ‘How are you coping without her?’
‘Loving the peace and quiet, but I know the novelty will wear off soon. I do miss her.’
Claudia nodded. ‘Do you fancy coming to mine for a drink? I can’t see this lot lasting more than five minutes.’
‘I’d love to. Thanks.’
Her heart racing a little at the idea of being alone with him again, Claudia tidied away the tea mugs and kettle. Sarah and Evelyn were keen to get off home, and Libby took the hint. No doubt she had people to inform on how ill-attended Claudia’s latest session had been.
In Claudia’s flat, Jason gave Pudding a stroke then sat on the sofa while Claudia fetched a bottle of wine from the fridge. He picked up a book from the coffee table, read the blurb on the back, then flicked through it.
‘You have a book with moon dates because…?’
‘The moon is a very powerful thing.’ Claudia handed him his wine and sat next to him. ‘It pays to be attuned to the lunar cycles.’
‘I’ll take your word for it.’
She smiled, but Jason could see tired lines at her eyes and shadows beneath.
Concerned, he asked, ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine.’
He gave her the well-practised look he gave Millie when he didn’t believe her. ‘Claudia, I’m not an acquaintance on the street who wants a glib answer, or Libby at the General Store demanding your life story when all you need is a bar of chocolate. I’ll ask again. Are you okay?’
A shrug… and then her head was in her hands. She took a minute before straightening up, pushing curls from her face. ‘No.’
‘Tell me.’
‘You saw for yourself – attendance tonight was rubbish.’
‘You think it’s to do with the Hester’s debacle?’
‘I can’t see what else. People don’t like unpleasantness. Gossip and tittle-tattle are one thing, but this has escalated. Airing dirty laundry on the radio, mud-slinging… Other business owners might worry it could damage Porthsteren. As for Healing Waves, I’m pulling in the tourists, but a lot of regulars are staying away.’
‘It’s summer. Perhaps they’re busy.’
‘It’s never been like this before – takings are down compared with this time last year. The few regulars that do come in only want to gossip, not buy. Healing Waves should be a sanctuary, not a hotbed of bitchiness. All this adverse publicity…’ Claudia sighed. ‘I still think I was entitled to express my private opinion in a private conversation with people I trust, but I shouldn’t have allowed it to be overheard. With Ollie Barton’s help, Amber and Raven have made me look petty, snobby, and scathing about anything witchy or Wiccan… which is as far from the truth as it could be.’
Jason tried to soothe. ‘You have a good, solid business in Healing Waves.’
‘I thought I did. I was so proud of myself for building it from nothing. But you’ve seen how cleverly Hester’s Cauldron is set out; how it entices. My self-confidence took a nose-dive the day I went in there.’
‘Hester’s is theme-driven, Claudia. A novelty. As are the owners. But Healing Waves is eclectic. It has a lasting appeal.’ When this didn’t cheer her up, he asked, ‘Are you seriously worried about finances?’
‘I sunk everything I had into Healing Waves. I make a comfortable living, but it wouldn’t take much to destabilise that.’ Claudia took a sip of wine, and he noticed the tremor in her hand. ‘It’s not just about money. Sarah and Evelyn have joked about retiring. What will I do, if they do? We’re joined at the hip – people walk along the beach to visit both of us. What if the Page Turner becomes something incompatible with Healing Waves?’ She sighed. ‘I’ve put so much effort into this village, making friends, becoming a part of the community. I can’t do it all again somewhere else, Jason. I did it once, and it took all of me. I can’t… I can’t lose everything and start again.’
Unable to find any words of comfort, Jason folded her in his arms, allowing her to sob. It was what she needed.
‘Sorry,’ she said when she’d finished, her teary eyes tugging at him.
‘Don’t be. You’re entitled. And you need tea, not wine.’
He took her glass away and made chamomile for her. She needed distraction. But as he looked at her for inspiration, all he could see were those riotous curls around her slightly blotchy face.
Before he could stop himself, he’d blurted, ‘Do you dye your hair?’
Ungentlemanly, Jason. He made an apologetic face.
But Claudia laughed. ‘Thank you for changing the subject. And as left-field as the question might be, I don’t mind answering. No, I don’t.’
Jason fingered her curls. ‘But all those colours… It looks like you’ve spent a fortune on it.’
‘Ha! The colours, maybe. The style, if you can call it that? Not so much.’
‘I like it. It’s…’
‘A mess?’
‘I was going to say natural. Unruly – in a sexy way.’
Claudia raised an eyebrow. ‘Anything else you need to know about my womanly secrets?’
Jason could think of a few things, but if he was going to keep this decent… ‘What perfume do you wear?’ Her scent was light, tickling his senses without overpowering them.
‘I make it myself.’
Of course you do. Heaven forbid that Claudia should do anything as conventional as wear shop-bought perfume.
‘Jasmine with a hint of rose and a tinier hint of vanilla,’ she told him.
‘I like it.’ It’s seductive. Exotic. Like you.
She smiled. ‘Another thing you like! I’m doing well tonight.’
Fed up with all this attention his mistress was getting from an interloper, Pudding jumped down from his armchair, strolled over, nudged their hands, then flopped on the carpet,
playing cute. Stretching to a surprising length, he rolled onto his back, staring beseechingly up at Jason with amber eyes suspiciously like his mistress’s.
Unable to resist, Jason dropped to his knees and reached out his hand.
‘Don’t be fooled by that look,’ Claudia warned. ‘Cats are different to dogs. You think he wants his tummy tickled, but believe me, he doesn’t.’
Jason frowned. That wasn’t the signal he was getting from the cat. Tentatively, he stroked Pudding’s velvet-soft belly. Pudding purred for all of three seconds. And then Jason’s hand and wrist were locked in a vice-like clamp by four paws and all available claws. Needle-like teeth helped the endeavour along.
‘Aargh!’ Jason tried to pull away, but the cat only rabbit-kicked with his back legs. ‘Help!’
‘Stop that! Bad cat!’ Instantly by his side, Claudia distracted the cat with one hand while she pulled the fabric belt from her trousers with the other, then dangled it above the cat until he decided it might be more fun than Jason’s flesh.
With a sigh of relief, Jason inspected the many pinprick dents on his forearm and hand.
‘You’re lucky he didn’t play full on,’ Claudia said. ‘He was only being half-hearted. Taking pity on you as a newbie.’
‘I’d hate to really rile him, then.’
‘Did he draw blood?’
‘A bit.’
‘I did warn you.’
‘You did. And I won’t do it again.’
Claudia shot him a sympathetic smile. ‘He fools everyone with that. He’s hard to resist.’
As is his owner.
Claudia was still kneeling on the floor next to her pet, deftly managing the cat’s playful tugs with the belt while holding Jason’s gaze. The desire that flooded through him was so strong, it took his breath away.
He leaned over to kiss her, and there was no tentative exploration this time. His body was pushing him to mean the kiss.
Claudia didn’t complain. Dropping the belt and leaving the cat to amuse himself, she dragged Jason back onto the sofa, barely breaking the kiss, then deepened it when they landed in an untidy heap among the cushions.
Jason’s heart hadn’t slowed since the cat’s attack. If it sped up any more, paramedics might be required. He hadn’t wanted, hadn’t needed someone like this for so long. Not since…
The Little Shop in Cornwall: A heartwarming and feel good beach read Page 24