‘You’re English?’ Kara noticed.

  ‘Last time I looked, yes.’

  ‘Oh. I wrongly assumed that you were American as you said you were travelling in from New York.’

  ‘It’s complicated.’ Jack yawned. ‘Oh, excuse me, it’s been a long day already.’

  ‘Well, let’s uncomplicate things now, shall we, and get you to your room. You must be knackered.’

  ‘Wow, what a view – but you had me at not being allergic to reptiles, to be honest.’

  Kara laughed. ‘Yes, we just by-passed Sid Vicious. He’s a terrapin who bites, hence the name – but you can meet him later.’

  Jack grinned. ‘This place just gets better and better.’ At that moment her moody moggy, on hearing a new voice in the flat, jumped up on the freshly made bed.

  ‘James Bond, get down this minute!’ Kara shouted.

  Jack’s comical laugh sounded like he had a bad bout of hiccups. ‘And you have a cat called James Bond? That’s unreal. You wait until I tell Riley about this. She’s always wanted a cat, but we’re not allowed pets in our place in New York.’

  ‘Riley’s your girlfriend, I take it?’

  Jack let out a big sigh and ran a hand through his thick dark hair. His face was all eyes against his bushy beard.

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.’ Kara wasn’t sure if she was overstepping the boundaries of an Airbnb hostess’s attributes.

  ‘You’re fine. She’s the reason I’m an Englishman in New York. For the time being, anyway. And no, Sting didn’t write that song about me. Let’s just say that a spoiled out-of-work actress and a writer who is just about to submit the most important screenplay of his life isn’t a good combination.’ He rested his wheelie case in the corner of the bedroom. ‘This is a great place, Kara. Do you own it?’

  ‘Yes – well, I have a mortgage. I’ve been living here eight years now, and was lucky to get on the property ladder early. But I’m having to rent my room out, so it’s not all plain sailing, this homeowner – or relationship – lark.’

  ‘I hear you on both counts.’ Jack yawned again loudly and put his hand over his mouth. ‘Sorry. You’re not boring me, honest.’ He went to look out of the window and called back, ‘We’re in the Dakota building, have you heard of it?’

  ‘Heard of it!’ Kara raised her eyes. ‘My ex is a huge Beatles fan. Every year on December the eighth, I’ve been involved in many an outdoor candlelit vigil, rain or shine, to celebrate John Lennon’s life, whilst listening to every track he’d ever written. It’s been a long and winding road, I can tell you.’

  Jack turned round, looking sympathetic. ‘Oops, sorry to remind you of it and him.’

  ‘Apology not required, it’s fine.’ There was a silence. ‘So, New York to Hartmouth, that’s a bit of a culture shock.’ Without waiting for Jack to respond, Kara hurried on, ‘Shit, I’m being a nosy cow now, aren’t I? OK, Jack, here are your keys. There’s tea and coffee in the kitchen, and a couple of bottles of water in the fridge. And if you’re hungry, I can highly recommend Frank’s, which is a five-minute walk to your right.’ She pointed the way. ‘Any questions, just call me on my mobile. In fact,’ she went to the kitchen and came back with a Frank’s flyer, ‘tomorrow, just give this to Big Frank, the owner, when you go in there and it covers you for the breakfast of your choice with a drink.’

  ‘OK. Cool. Could I also take your Wi-Fi code before you go, please?’

  ‘Of course. The box is just behind Sid’s tank. Don’t put your hand anywhere near him though. I’m not insured for injuries of a reptilian nature.’

  ‘You’re very funny.’

  Kara felt herself blushing. ‘Funny peculiar, maybe.’

  ‘Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Kara, and I guess I may see you later? If I don’t fall asleep, that is.’

  ‘Just make yourself comfortable and relax. There’s a key in the balcony door, if you want to get some air. Oh, and James Bond just comes and goes as he pleases, but make sure to shut your bedroom door as he does have a tendency to bring in presents, sometimes of a vermin-type.’

  As soon as Jack heard the front door click, he took one of the clean towels that Kara had placed neatly on his bed and headed to the bathroom to use the loo and give his hands and face a thorough wash. Then, after getting himself some water from the fridge, he opened the balcony door and took in the beautiful vista stretched out before him. New York had felt almost as claustrophobically humid as his relationship situation when he had left. So, this morning’s rain, bringing with it a fresh Cornish breeze, was already helping to clear his mind, as well as his senses.

  The sea was calm apart from a few wrinkles when the very light wind hit its surface, and he noticed a quaint little tug pulling cars over on the ferry in the distance. Even with the most basic of facilities on offer, he could already feel the stress lifting from his mind. And if he was honest with himself, he felt as comfortable here as in any of the four- or five-star hotels he was used to staying in with his job.

  He stepped back inside and was pleased to notice a power point under the table and chairs in the lounge. Leaving the balcony door open, he had a good look around him. Maybe simplicity was all you needed to be happy. The fancy trappings of a New York lifestyle were, on paper, what a lot of people might aspire to, but it was hard work to keep that lifestyle going and, despite being only thirty-seven, he felt tired and burnt out. He sat on the sagging two-seater sofa and shut his eyes for a minute. Absorbing the peaceful sounds of the estuary, he thought about Kara. She seemed so much cooler and more laidback than he had expected her to be, which made him and his main reason for being here feel all the more awkward.

  Fishing out his laptop from his wheelie case, he sat back on the sofa, opened it up and put in the Wi-Fi code. Sleeping would have to wait; he had a job to do. He went into his email and began to type:

  I’m here. You’re right, it’s not quite the Ritz, but

  Hartmouth is a beautiful place. I haven’t had a chance

  to suss out everything yet, but I’ll report back as soon as

  I can. Don’t work too hard! Jack x

  Kara got into the Passion Flowers van, which she had parked right outside the downstairs entry door. It felt so weird leaving a complete stranger in her own home. But Jack seemed nice enough. He obviously didn’t want to discuss his personal life, but there had been no mention of two people staying in the room, so she assumed his girlfriend wasn’t joining him. Kara was curious as to why he was here, though. There wasn’t a lot of business to be had in Hartmouth, apart from shop work and tourism. Or maybe it was just that he wanted the peace and quiet to finish off his screenplay.

  When she had set out to take in guests, she was purely thinking of the extra cash; she hadn’t even thought about the social element of being an Airbnb live-in host – that people might actually want to chat with her. She had just assumed that people would mind their own business and want to stay in their rooms and out of her way. Being sociable was all right if they were nice, like Jack, but what if they were a bit weird? She shuddered at the thought. A knock on the van’s window made her jump. It was Billy. She opened it.

  ‘Did you know there is some kind of Neolithic man on your balcony?’

  Kara laughed. ‘Yes, that’s Jack, my new fella. He’s moved in. I don’t like to waste time, as you know.’

  ‘Oh yeah, you’re a landlady now, I forgot,’ Billy stated with a modicum of relief. ‘Is everything to his satisfaction, madam?’

  ‘I don’t know, I didn’t speak to him for long, but thanks again for helping me get everything sorted. By the way, Sid is hilarious. Even though you fixed the shelf straight and he no longer has to scurry up his rock for fear of sliding down, he still has a run up at it.’

  Billy laughed, and then as if he had been reading her mind, he added, ‘Kerry, be careful with a strange man in there though, won’t you? I should have put a lock on your door.’

  ‘I did kind of think of that. But Grandad Harry said in his matter-of-fact way the other day that there’s not a rapist on every corner and anyway, everyone on the site is verified. It is very safe. I’ll be fine.’

  ‘There’s always room for a little one in my bed.’ Billy winked. ‘But seriously, if you need me, you know where I am.’ He then looked over to the quay. ‘Uh oh, the ferry is nearly full. I’d better get back there pronto. Fortunately, your old man is in a really good mood today.’ He thumped his hand on the van bonnet, blew her an exaggerated kiss, then made his way at speed back down to the quay.

  Kara put the window up and then rested her hand on her heart. She’d forgotten what it felt like for someone to really give a shit about her. She had also forgotten what it was like to see her dad in high spirits.

  Chapter 21

  Darren Dillon’s shiny shaved head suddenly popped up from behind the fruit and veg stall counter, like a curious meerkat.

  ‘What are you doing, Daz?’ Kara appeared from the shop with a vase of colourful gerberas in her hands.

  He spoke in hushed tones. ‘I thought you were Twisty.’

  ‘She’s on an early delivery, what’s up?’

  But her question fell on deaf ears as Daz had already shot back to his dad’s van to unload fresh supplies.

  Pat Dillon waddled out with a tray of early strawberries and looked up at the sky. ‘Looks like bleedin’ rain later, although they didn’t forecast it. I’m going to have to tan that lovely young Tomasz Schaggernaker’s hide for getting it wrong.’

  ‘It’s Schafernaker, woman, and rumour has it he’d rather I did that than you,’ Charlie Dillon chipped in. ‘I’ll get the canopy down now, eh. Better that than scurry around like rats in a Stepney knocking shop later.’

  ‘What are you two on about now?’ Darren appeared, smelling of cigarette smoke.

  ‘Oi, Darren! Will you stop putting that muck in ya!’ his mum scolded.

  His dad tried to explain. ‘We’re arguing about a bloke called Tomasz. He’s some young BBC weather reporter, son, and your mother evidently fancies the thunder clappers off him.’

  Ignoring the pair of them, Pat turned to Kara. ‘All right, love? Hear you’ve got a sexy guest staying with you. At this rate, you’ll soon be over that other waste of space.’

  ‘Patricia Dillon! Whatever are you insinuating?’

  ‘It might up the review rating,’ Charlie noted sagely.

  Star, who was busy filling her necklace display stand at the stall next to Kara’s, overheard and said, ‘But he is SO fit.’

  ‘Really? I can’t see that at all. All that hair and wonky bottom teeth.’ Kara started to erect the pink-and-white awning above her stall. ‘But you’ve always had a thing for ugly men.’

  ‘I agree – and I like them short,’ Star said. ‘But he’s far from ugly, Kara.’

  ‘He’s got a girlfriend.’

  ‘That’s not a wife.’

  Kara shook her head. ‘What are you like, Steren Bligh?’

  ‘I don’t even know why we’re having this conversation.’ Star stood back to see what her display looked like from the other side of the table. ‘It must be at least three years since I’ve even been on a date with someone. I’ve probably healed over down there by now. Now, does anyone fancy a pasty?’

  ‘Ew, not after that comment, thanks,’ Darren said, then checked his watch. ‘The nine a.m. ferry is just pulling in, so get ready for action, people.’

  ‘Talking of dates, how did your dad get on?’ Star was now sitting behind her stall, checking that the earring backs were safely on her new birthday crystal section of jewellery.

  ‘He really liked her!’

  ‘Oh my God, that’s great, Kar!’

  ‘She’s a nurse, works at Penrigan General. Her husband was killed in London a couple of years ago.’

  ‘Oh no.’

  ‘Yeah. A stolen car knocked him over on a pedestrian crossing.’

  ‘That’s so sad. Does she have children?’

  ‘I forgot to ask, but if she does they’re probably grown up as she’s just coming up sixty. She lives with her younger sister and family at the moment. She told Dad she couldn’t bear to be in London any more, as the memories are too sad for her there now.’

  ‘Aw. Bless her.’

  ‘Billy said what a good mood Dad was in the other day, so it sounds promising. He’s seeing her again tonight, actually.’

  ‘I’m made up for him. What’s her name?’

  ‘Pearl.’

  ‘Oh, my goodness. This is a definite sign!’ Star reached excitedly for one of her crystal and gem leaflets, displayed on her stand ready for customers to help themselves. ‘Listen to this.’ She began to read. ‘“If you’re single, Pearls signify that you will find love”!’ She beamed and carried on. ‘“Pearls will make you a more dependable partner, and you will enjoy a more faithful and trusting relationship. There will be balance and harmony in your emotions.”’

  Lost in the moment, the pair of them jumped when a male voice interrupted, saying, ‘“The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.” Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear you.’

  ‘Blaise Pascal,’ Star said dreamily.

  ‘No, I’m Jack Murray, but pleased to meet you.’ The bearded man grinned his wonky smile. ‘Sorry for barging in like that.’

  Star blushed. ‘I love that Pascal quote.’

  ‘Did you sleep well, Jack?’ Kara enquired.

  ‘Amazingly, thank you. No sirens, no traffic noise. Bliss. I’m fit to burst after a Frank’s breakfast too. Thought I’d have a mosey around the market and then pop across on the ferry to visit Crowsbridge Hall just like a proper tourist.’

  Without warning, Star’s subconscious sprang into life and the words flew straight out of her mouth: ‘So, do you have any plans for tonight, then?’ she heard herself saying.

  And in reply, Jack’s expressive hazel eyes told her all she needed to know.

  Chapter 22

  Kara was relieved to kick off her shoes, make herself a cup of tea and sit back on the sofa. It had been a busy day and Lydia had left her to clear up on her own. Checking her phone, she gasped as she saw an email come in. A one-night booking for next Friday from someone called Angel from Barcelona. Were men really called Angel? Shuddering at the thought that her mother had run off with a Spanish man called Jesus, she guessed so. She checked out his guest profile and spoke to James Bond, who was now purring loudly on her knees. ‘Look at us, getting the handsome Spanish men to come and stay with us, now.’

  It was early days, but she was already finding this whole Airbnb thing quite exciting, and the extra money would come in so handy. In fact, she had picked up a vintage money box in the shape of a Puffin from the antique stall in the market, and it was now in pride of place next to Sid Vicious. Any floristry tips she received would be going in there. She had no idea how long it would take her to save for a decent holiday, but with only having to look after herself now – and the pets, of course – and with the guests covering some of the mortgage, she hoped it wouldn’t be too long. Then she frowned. It was all very well saving for a holiday – but there was the small matter of finding someone to go with her.

  Setting her auburn locks free from her hair clip, she rested her head back on the sofa and allowed the soft breeze from the open balcony door to caress her face. It was the first Saturday night when she had had time to just sit and reflect on what had happened. Since Jago had gone she had been rushing around, cleaning and sorting and getting the apartment ready for guests. It made her realise that when you were in a relationship you didn’t have to make plans, because even if there wasn’t a plan, you were together, doing nothing. But she and Jago didn’t even do doing nothing together well. Most Saturday nights he would go off pretending to be taking a walk to clear his head, when really, she thought he was having a joint at Duck Pond Park with his friends. He would come back late, put his headphones on and listen to the Beatles, then fall asleep, usually on the sofa. She much preferred him stoned to drunk, though, as at those times it was Kara who had to take the walk, to get away from his ugly behaviour and verbal abuse.

  A sudden thought lit up her mind: she felt less alone without him.

  Still in recovery and wary of getting into the wrong relationship, she had decided last night that men could wait now. But this thought was overridden by the nagging doubt telling her that if she wanted to have a family, at the age of thirty-three, her body clock might not be so forgiving. As she lay there, Kara started to question herself. Why hadn’t she pushed the baby thing with Jago? Why had she let things drag on for so long before she made the decision to kick him out? Despite her angst, the sounds of the estuary began to work its magic of soothing even the most troubled of minds and to the background of James Bond’s contented purring, she fell into a deep slumber.

  After what seemed like seconds, she awoke to a seagull landing and squawking at the top of its voice on the side of her balcony railings. Opening her eyes slowly, she moaned as she had slept in a funny position and her neck was painful. The room was dark. She checked her watch. Ten o’clock. How could that have happened? She then nearly jumped out of her skin as she heard a key in the lock and saw the lounge light go on.

  ‘Jesus, Jack, you scared the life out of me.’

  ‘Oh sorry,’ he said, then added apologetically, ‘I’m a bit tipsy.’

  ‘Don’t you be apologising to me. What sort of host am I? Have you eaten? Are you all right?’

  ‘You’re so sweet, Kara. Not how I expected you to be at all.’

  ‘What do you mean by that?’

  ‘Oh, er, nothing, nothing. Ignore me, it’s the red wine talking.’ He sat on one of the dining chairs. Kara, with squinty eyes, tried to tame her now completely wild sleep hair.

  ‘And some advice to the host,’ Jack went on, ‘coming from someone who sometimes rents out a room in New York. You offer somewhere for guests to rest their head, but you don’t have to be their cook, tour guide or confidante, not if you don’t want to.’