Page 28 of One Cornish Summer With You
‘Well, if you want to get rid of someone, that’s a good way to do it.’
‘I don’t want to get rid of anyone,’ Ruan shot back, sounding annoyed.
‘I’m joking. Are you going to introduce us?’
‘Tammy,’ Ruan said wearily, ‘this is Kane, aka a total pain in the arse. He also owns the Jellyfish bar in St Ives.’
Kane bowed. ‘Pleased to meet you, Tammy. You look a bit familiar.’
Tammy managed to come to her senses and smile. ‘You might have seen me working on some sand art on Porthmeor and Porthminster beaches. I’ve done at least four commissions round there, including one in front of your bar.’
‘Oh, of course! I remember seeing one of your designs and I followed you on Insta. Great work. Ruan’s obviously told you all about me already?’
‘Everything,’ Tammy joked.
‘I haven’t told her anything,’ Ruan said. ‘We had other things on our minds.’
‘I guessed that,’ Kane said with an eyebrow-raise.
‘Did you want to talk to me about something important?’ Ruan said pointedly, amusing Tammy.
‘Only to ask if you wanted to do another session. Unless you’ve finished for the day. We’re going out again if you want to join us. Conditions couldn’t be better and while you were on a roll, I thought I’d ask.’
‘Um.’
Tammy could see Ruan was torn, so she made the decision for him.
‘You should go for it,’ she said. ‘I need to get back to plan my festival designs anyway and I have two birthday commissions this week as well as working in the gallery.’
‘OK,’ Ruan said politely, but with an edge that told Tammy he was eager to be alone with her again.
‘See you in a bit then?’ Kane asked.
‘I’ll be there in ten.’
After his friend left, Ruan said, ‘Sorry about that,’ and they walked back to the car together. ‘Kane has no filter and no tact. His timing is terrible.’
‘It is,’ Tammy said lightly, ‘but it’s OK because I really do need to get stuck into this festival planning and do some trial runs. It’s only three weeks away! In fact, I’ve had an idea. You asked me to watch you kitesurf – why don’t you come and see me practise?’ The words tumbled out before she’d had time to think.
‘I’d like that,’ Ruan answered without hesitation, making her feel warm and fuzzy again. ‘Where and when do you suggest?’
‘There’s a quiet area at the northern end of Godrevy beach and the tides and weather forecast look good for later in the week. Early evening if you can get away from the job?’
‘Sound great, though I have a working dinner with some clients on Wednesday.’ He grimaced. ‘I can’t get out of that one.’
‘The tide’s right again on Thursday if that suits you better?’ she said.
‘Great. I’ll be there.’
‘Meet you on the beach at six thirty? You can have a go too if you like.’
‘Me?’ He burst out laughing. ‘I can’t create anything.’
‘All you have to do is drag the rake around.’
‘I know there’s way more to it than dragging a rake and you’d be surprised how I could get that wrong.’
She patted his arm. ‘Don’t look so terrified. I can guide you and, if I’m honest, I’ve never created anything that didn’t have the odd mistake. It’s part of the process. I’d never try anything if I worried about achieving perfection.’
