‘Morning,’ DS Grainger said, stepping in. ‘Just here to confirm, no charges have been made. Everything’s cleared.’
Thom frowned. ‘What! What about the person on the CCTV? The one seen in the café?’
DS Grainger gave a brief nod. ‘That’s been looked into. Your mother confirmed it was just a lost retreat guest. No wrongdoing, nothing to pursue.’
Thom cocked his head to the side. ‘Mum?’
Sennen tilted her head. ‘And that’s it?’
Rita smiled gently. ‘That’s it. Accidents happen. A candle left burning, caught on the paper tablecloth flipping up in the wind. The perils of marquee structures, I guess. No one was badly hurt, and that’s all that matters.’
Thom shook his head, still half in disbelief. ‘So, we’re really done with this?’
DS Grainger gave a curt nod. ‘All clear. A report has been filed for your insurance, but nothing further needed.’
The officer left, leaving a quiet stillness behind. Rita glanced at Thom and Sennen, who both started to speak at the same time. She put her hand up to stop them. ‘It’s done.’ Her look left the twins in no doubt she meant it.
Saved by the bell, Rita’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Kelly.
Reet, have a look at this.
She clicked the WhatsApp her mate had sent her.
Rita ran her hands through her hair. ‘Oh God, it’s Imogen’s article about the wedding.’
‘Read it out, Mum,’ Sennen said, and they all sat back around the kitchen table.
Rita cleared her throat. ‘The Luxe Lifestyle wedding section – I Dos & Definitely Don’ts.Oh God, here we go.’ Rita took a deep breath.
‘The Seahaven Bay Retreat: Rustic Charm meets Pure Magic.’ A smile twitched at Rita’s lips.‘Those of you who’ve been following my column might have heard derogatory whispers about Rosecliff Barns in Cornwall. Yes, there may have been last-minute adjustments here, but they were dealt with swifty and smoothly, so do check out the amazing facilities they have on offer. To add, Chloe is without doubt one of the most accommodating organisers I have ever dealt with on my research mission. They’ve linked to the Rosecliff site, too. Good.’ Rita looked to her son enquiringly and shook her head. He smiled back sweetly as she continued to read. ‘Then we come to Sennen Jory, with the flair of a seasoned planner and the courage of a lion.’
‘Oh my God, that’s me.’ Sennen beamed.
‘Go on, Mum,’ Thom willed.
‘Sennen Jory, blah blah…the courage of a lion,’ Rita repeated, finding her place again. ‘When faced with a last-minute adjustment, she had an inspired idea: move the celebration to her mother’s Seahaven Bay Retreat barn. And what a stroke of genius that was. Set atop High Meadow with the cliffs and sea shimmering beyond, this venue is every bit as enchanting as it sounds. Endless coastal and pastoral views, the occasional scampering goat, or chicken adding a perfect rustic touch for photos.
‘This weekend’s wedding, with its Cinderella coach and the wildflower-lined aisle, with flickering tea lights and a celebrant sent straight from heaven, made it feel like something out of a Disney storybook.
‘It wasn’t polished, it wasn’t poised, but it was exactly what a wedding should be: joyous, heartfelt, and unforgettable. Every hiccup became part of the story, every laugh a memory to treasure. Seahaven Bay Retreat proves that weddings don’t need to be perfect to be perfect, just genuine, full of love, and bursting with character. For those adventurous souls who love a side of unpredictability, a touch of barnyard charm, and wellness retreats with their vows, this is your dream venue. Quirky? Perhaps. Magical? Absolutely.’
Rita bashed her hand down on the table. ‘Brilliant! But there is one big question here: do I evenwantto host any more weddings?’
Sennen stood up and slung her arms around her mum’s neck. ‘I’d love you to. It makes sense, doesn’t it, to have a fixed wedding venue I can use?’’
Rita raised her eyebrows. ‘OK, let’s talk about it. Once the insurance pays out from the fire, we will have options to create a new Cosy Café area or whatever else would work.’
‘I was thinking about this,’ Thom added. ‘You could just knock another outhouse through to the Nook; you have the room and then it’s all a fixed structure.’
Rita tutted. ‘Great idea. Let’s see, all these new plans afoot. It’s very exciting.’
Sennen was thoughtful as she washed up their mugs. ‘I could have put money on it being the Brimbles who caused the fire, you know.’
‘Yes,’ Rita sighed, forcing a steadying breath. ‘It just shows you not to jump to conclusions even if the evidence is stacked up.’
‘Talking of the Brimbles, I saw Betty yesterday.’ Sennen dried her hands. ‘She told me that Chloe had had her baby, a little boy. Called Alfie.’
‘Aw, that’s lovely news.’ Rita smiled knowingly whilst rubbing her own bump.
