She shook her head, smiling through her exasperation. ‘Fine. I think that’s… actually, that’s a wonderful idea. I didn’t even celebrate last year.’
‘I know that and all the more reason to make it special this year.’ Jago winked. ‘I’ll still see you around the farm,’ he continued, a small, reassuring smile tugging at his lips. ‘Any help you need, I’ll be here. But… let’s put the relationship bit on hold. Let’s let it breathe. I want you to know what you really want. It will do us both good, I think.’
Rita’s throat tightened. ‘So, in reality, you are givingmespace?’
‘I am,’ he said simply. ‘Because I care about you. Because I want this to be real.’
‘And you’re not really running off with your ex-wife, then?’
‘Over my dead body will I be doing that, Rita Jory. Nor anybody else. This isn’t about being free; it’s about wantingnot to be. Now come here.’
She hesitated. ‘Are we… are we allowed to hug?’
He grinned. ‘Only if you promise not to call me Archie ever again.’
‘Oi!’ Rita hit him playfully on the arm.
FOUR
A week later, feeling far more relaxed about life, Rita perched casually on a hay bale in the barn. The double doors at the far end were open to reveal the breathtaking expansive view of rolling fields that led to the cliff top at the end of High Meadow. Zenya was cross-legged on a yoga mat on the floor, scribbling notes faster than Rita could speak. Her dreadlocked blonde hair was tied up with a clip she’d made from a slender twig, bent and bound with cord.
‘All right,’ Rita said firmly. ‘Spring Awakening, middle of April. We are one short for that, plus we only have one booked on for Sun-Kissedin July so far. Can you read out what the current ad says, please? You did put in the seal watching this time, didn’t you?’
‘Yes, Rita,’ Zenya replied with a slanted smile. ‘And the fishing trips.’
‘Sorry, sorry. You’re more on top of things than I am.’
Zenya stood up, cleared her throat, and assumed a dramatic tone as she read from her phone. ‘Welcome to the Seahaven Bay Retreat, where the sea listens to your secrets and awakens your soul. Tucked into nature, where our cosy yurts offer unbeatable sea views that make every morning feel like a gift.In our rustic barn, you can join rejuvenating sessions, from gong ceremonies to yoga, or simply sit in quiet awe beneath the stars and the moon. Dive into the wild with invigorating cold-water swims, then set out along the coast for seal watching or try deep sea mackerel fishing on a trawler. Refuel with fresh, wholesome, raw foods, or wander into a picturesque Cornish village to discover a local welcoming pub. Let go, breathe deep, and reconnect with yourself.’
Rita grinned. ‘I want to go there myself.’
Zenya laughed. ‘I’ll put another ad on Instagram later. We always get a last-minute surge.’
‘Let’s hope we get the weather, too; so much easier when they bugger off from here and head down to the beach,’ Rita laughed.
‘That’s the zen spirit.’ Zenya grinned, putting her yoga mat back on the pile. ‘But I do hear you.’
The barn door creaked open, and in wandered Teo, in his trademark long European-style shorts, whatever the season, looking happy and relaxed.
‘Buenos días,’ he said, dragging out the syllables.
‘Ah, there you are, Mr Mañana.’ Rita smiled at the handsome young Spaniard. Her dead husband’s son, a fact she’d only discovered a few months ago.
He smiled his easy smile and for a second she was caught off guard by the familiar tilt of his head, the gentle ease in his movements. Archie.
Teo raised his eyebrows. ‘It so silly you change the clocks here. My body, it don’t like it.’
Rita laughed. ‘They change in Seville, too, you know. And you only lost one hour, not seven.’
Teo waved his hands dismissively. ‘I must just sleep through the big stupid idea when I am home there, too.’
‘Well, you’re here now.’ Rita marched across the barn, sweeping her arm up toward the yurt area. ‘And I want to beon top of things for the April retreat. So, yurts need scrubbing. Clean bedding is in the airing cupboard. Refill the Cosy Caféwithsupplies. Tea, coffee sachets in the machine. You know the drill. The Nook also may need some more paints, et cetera. Shout and let me know what needs ordering. You can decide between you who’s doing what.’
Zenya nodded furiously whilst filling her notebook.
‘And the solar lights.’ Rita looked thoughtful. ‘Teo, can you check every single one, please? Last retreat we had a couple of complaints some weren’t working. We can’t afford to be getting sued if someone trips over in the dark.’ Teo raised his eyebrows to Zenya at Rita’s unusual stern directive. ‘Oh yes. And breakfast…’ Rita was now pacing around the barn.
‘Are you all right, Rita?’ Zenya enquired.
