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“Ironing? Seriously, Kate, I don’t think they care if their duvet covers are ironed. I’ll check.”
“Bob, no,” Kate hissed, but he already had his head around the living room door.
“No need to bother with the iron, Kate,” he called back, getting a glare in return.
Kate gathered up the un-ironed bedding and ran up the stairs. It was typical she had two beds to make, she thought, pulling out the sofa bed for the young lad to sleep on. She whipped a duster around both rooms, checked the coffee, tea, and biscuits were well stocked, then gave both wooden floors a final sweep. She ran back down the stairs, pushing away the hair that had stuck to her forehead as she raced around.
“I’m so sorry about the wait,” she said as she joined the three men in the living room.
“Honestly, it’s no problem at all. Bob here’s been keeping us company, telling us all the things we can do in the town.”
Kate noticed the teenage boy give Bob a shy smile. Wow, he must have done a good job of entertaining if he’d even won the sullen Ryan round.
“So, what are your plans while you’re here?” asked Kate, more out of politeness than interest.
“We thought we’d head to the north coast and try out a bit of surfing tomorrow. Ryan’s always wanted to have a go.”
“Yeah, like, when I was five,” Ryan muttered, loud enough for them all to hear. Nicholas gave a nervous laugh.
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it when you get there,” said Kate.
“Do you surf?” Nicholas asked her.
“No, I don’t. I’ve not long moved to the area actually and that’s one thing I definitely want to try.”
“Don’t worry, it’s on the list,” said Bob, grinning up at her.
“List?” asked Nicholas, confused.
“Oh, it’s just this silly thing me and Bob are doing. He’s taken on the role of tour guide and week by week he’s showing me all the things on offer locally.” Kate flushed at her unintended innuendo. “We’ve not made it as far as the coast yet, we’ve stuck to Bodmin so far.”
Ryan gave a snort, making it clear he didn’t expect there’d be much to do in the town. Kate felt her hackles rise.
“What have you done so far?” asked Nicholas, making up for his son’s rudeness.
“Mostly walking, biking and touring local pubs.” Kate grinned at him.
“Sounds good to me. I wish we were staying longer so I could join in.”
Ryan recoiled in embarrassment at his father’s friendly banter.
“Actually, Ryan might enjoy the Lanhydrock trails.”
Ryan looked up from his phone. “What are they?”
“Mountain bike trails.”
“Didn’t bring our bikes,” he said, returning to his phone.
“You can hire them there. I think they’re open till 5 so you’ve got plenty of time if you fancy it this afternoon.”
“Can you come with us?”
Bob looked at Ryan in surprise. “Me? I’m not sure you’d want me there. Kate’s the cyclist round here. I’m a bit too out of shape but I’m working on it,” he said, patting his belly.
“You don’t want to come, I get it,” growled Ryan, blushing.
“No, it’s not that at all.”
