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Chapter One
Letting her holdallfall to the sand, Brooke ran towards the ocean, kicked her sandals off and sunk her feet into the cool water. She took a deep breath, the air fresh and pure filling her lungs. It felt good. It felt so good. After being cooped up in the coach for what felt like the past ten hours, the smell of stale cigarette smoke and the unmistakable aroma of someone having forgotten to put deodorant on was all she could smell. She ducked her head towards her left armpit, relieved to discover her own deodorant was still working.
At the far side of the beach, there was a rocky outcrop where the red and white lighthouse stood. She recognised it from her internet searches. She’d never even heard of Penworth Bay, let alone known what to expect from the place when her gran had told her to visit. Her internet searches hadn’t thrown up much, and it seemed Penworth Bay was a little off the beaten track. Not the most widely advertised of places to visit in Cornwall.
The families, couples and people lounging, playing or walking on the beach told a different story, though. It must be one of those hidden gem places, the small bays, villages and towns people revisit time and time again because they enjoyed their time there. There might not be websites or social media pages dedicated to Penworth Bay, but word had spread of its beauty. The tourists told her that.
Why Gran had told her to visit, had even known this pretty little bay existed, was something Brooke had a feeling she’d find out soon enough. Gran hadn’t even spoken about Penworth Bay, not until last year, not until she’d insisted Brooke visit.
A spaniel ran across towards her. The dog paused and shook, his large floppy ears waving from side to side as droplets of sea water flew from his fur, covering Brooke’s jeans.
‘Sorry.’ A young woman ran towards her, shooing the dog away, who immediately bounded across the sand. ‘Did he get you?’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll dry.’ Brooke smiled as the woman nodded in thanks before running after the dog. Taking one last look at the ocean, Brooke turned and began walking up the beach. The dog had been a welcome distraction from her thoughts, a reminder to focus on the here and now.
He stepped around a young couple sprawled across two beach towels, their hands interlocked as they soaked up the sun, seemingly oblivious to the young children playing beach ball perilously close to them. She looked up towards the promenade and the row of shops and cafes which lined it. Maybe she’d find love here. The sea air had obviously worked for that couple and numerous other people walking, sunbathing or paddling in the sea. She’d get back on the dating apps. The ones she used to go on before her gran passed away and she had given up. Yes, her gran had always promised her there was someone for everyone. Perhaps she’d just been looking in the wrong place.
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THE COBBLES WERE WARMand smooth beneath Brooke’s feet as she walked down the row of shops opposite the beach, cafe, and bakery—The Cornish Bay Bakery. Bingo. Bending, she slipped her trainers back on and raised her hand to knock on the door. She paused as laughter and chatter penetrated the closed bakery door.
Cupping her eyes against the glare of sunlight against the glass, Brooke peered into the bakery before taking a step back. It looked as though some sort of party or function was being held. A long table filled the middle area of the bakery and adults stood or sat chattering and laughing. A young boy, who must have only been a couple of years old, toddled hurriedly towards the window, pushed his face against the glass, his tiny nose squishing, before being dragged back by a little girl. Brooke smiled as she watched the young boy’s attention snap back to the game being played and he toddled after the little girl again, all thoughts of looking outside gone.
‘Hi, are you okay?’
Turning, Brooke watched as a woman and a man came toward her. She glanced back towards the bakery before looking back at the woman who had spoken. ‘I’ve come to volunteer at The Cornish Bay Bakery, but it looks as though they’ve got some function or something going on, so I didn’t want to just barge in. Do you know if there’s anywhere I can sit for a bit until it’s over?’ Glancing at the holdall by her feet, she tucked her hair behind her ears.
‘Oh, are you Brooke? Elsie was expecting you tomorrow. She’ll be thrilled you’ve come today, though. She’s having a big family dinner. Come on, I’ll introduce you.’ The woman grinned and linked arms with her. ‘I’m Heidi and this is Liam.’
‘Hi, good to meet you. I’ll take that for you.’ Bending down, Liam picked up the holdall.
‘Family?’ Turning back towards the window, she looked again. There looked as though there must be at least twenty people in there.
‘Well, her bakery family. Friends, people who work here...’ Heidi pushed the door open.
‘No, wait...’ Too late. Liam held the door open and, sighing, she ducked under his arm and followed Heidi into the bakery. She heard the click of the door shutting behind her and, one by one, the people in the room turned and smiled, welcoming her into the bakery. She really shouldn’t be interrupting them. Heidi was right, Elsie had been expecting her tomorrow. She’d just come on the off chance Elsie wouldn’t mind. She hadn’t wanted to stick around her gran’s old place a day longer than necessary.
