Will stepped outside to clear away a table and chase after a chair blown into the road. As he straightened, he took a moment to look out over at the choppy waves. Life sure was easier in the navy.
Ginny opened the door. ‘We should get these tables and chairs inside.’
He instantly warmed in her presence. ‘You should be sitting down.’
She rubbed her lower back as she stretched. ‘I needed to move. I was seizing up.’
‘Well, you’re not carrying anything.’
‘They’re only foldaway.’
He wished he could kiss away that purse in her lips, and almost dared himself to at least peck her cheek, but instead, he pointed at the door. ‘Go rest your back. I’ve got this.’
After a salute, she went back inside, and Will folded some chairs while planning the rest of his day, thinking it best to clear his head of making moves on Ginny. It was hard enough not smiling each time their eyes met.
Before he knew it, he was sweeping the floor for the final time, a touch sad his working day had come to an end. The only thing stopping him from hanging out with Ginny longer was the fact he wanted to see Shaun, then he’d planned to go over to the Sunshine Centre to volunteer.
He motioned towards Berry Hill as Ginny locked up the café. ‘Do you want me to carry you home?’ He could easily swoop her up into his arms and hold her close.
She laughed, shaking her head while putting her keys away in her bag. ‘Rather not have everyone gossip about me, thanks.’
‘I’ll tell them you’re injured.’
Ginny headed off. ‘I’m fine.’
Will watched her for a moment, then jogged to catch up with her. ‘At least you can put your feet up for the rest of the day now you’re done.’
She glanced his way for a second, and it looked as though she was about to say something, but then she turned away.
‘In case you think I’m following you, I’m not. I’m off to speak with the foreman working in the house next to yours. Said he’s got a few shifts for me.’
‘Oh, I should pay you for today. I completely forgot.’
Will laughed. ‘It’s my fault you nearly broke your back. I think that’s worth at least two weeks of free labour.’
‘Two weeks! There’s no need for that. You go find yourself a proper job.’
‘Don’t worry about me. I’ve got my plans.’
Ginny glanced his way and smiled. ‘Sounds intriguing.’
Will tapped the side of his nose. He saw her to her door, held himself back from kissing her cheek, then dipped below the scaffolding next door to see Shaun.
The chat didn’t take long, and as much as Will wanted to admire the view of the sea opposite the harbour houses, he needed to shoot off. He jogged all the way to his pickup truck parked outside Seaview B&B, battling the wind and spits of seawater blowing his way, all the while grinning from ear to ear, still warmed from his day spent with Ginny.
Even when driving over to Penzance, Will couldn’t stop thinking about her. He was so glad her back had eased by the end of his shift.
The Sunshine Centre was way more than Will thought it would be. He was thoroughly impressed by its kerb appeal alone as soon as he pulled up in the car park.
An array of raised flowerbeds and large metal ornaments in the shape of ladybirds, hedgehogs, and hummingbirds filled the front garden, and the large whitewashed building had bigcolourful flowers painted on the walls. It was so cheery, Will’s smile widened.
He entered through a wide lilac door and headed to the reception area, where he was immediately greeted by a middle-aged woman with bright eyes and a wide warm smile.
‘Hiya, I’m Debra. You must be Will. Jed told me to expect you.’
Will was starting to wonder if the old fisherman had the same magical powers as Luna. It was funny, but he held back his laughter and opted for politeness instead.
‘Will Pendleton. Pleased to meet you. I’ve got to say, this place looks way artier than I thought. I did hear you do arts and crafts here, but I wasn’t expecting the building to actually have artwork on it.’
