‘I heard your name mentioned on Radio Cornwall.’
‘Can’t wait to see what you do for OceanFest. I bought a ticket when I heard you’d be there.’
Since her visit to the festival site, Tammy had been smiling until her jaw ached. It felt as if everyone who’d walked into the gallery was either going to OceanFest or was involved in it in some way behind the scenes – and knew that she was going to be there too.
Two of the girls from yoga were attending as suppliers, one with her Mexican street food van and the other, an ex-gymnast, as part of a circus-skills group. Lola’s sister had a stall selling festival wear and Breda’s daughter was one of a massive team of lifeguards.
Ruan’s friend Kane was taking his pop-up Pimm’s and Pints bar – and, of course, Sean would be there. Although she’d tried to dismiss their confrontation, she was still troubled by it: it was obvious Sean was jealous and still trying to control her, even though they’d split up. Even more annoyingly, his comments about her not knowing Ruan had sowed seeds of doubts in her mind. It was true she had a lot to learnabout Ruan, but she hoped that would come over the course of the summer.
‘How’s it going?’ Davey poked his head around the door of the gallery while Tammy was arranging some new ceramic pieces on driftwood plinths. She’d hoped the process would be mindful.
‘OK,’ she said. ‘Busy but not too busy. I sold another of your pots.’
‘Pots?’ he exclaimed in mock horror. ‘Is that what you call my one-off pieces inspired by the organic tones and forms of the south Cornish coast?’
‘The customer referred to it as a pot and she was paying, so I thought you wouldn’t mind.’
‘I don’t and I need to produce even more of them. The hotel people just called to ask if I could “just squeeze in” another ten pieces for their new boutique place in Looe.’
‘Can you?’ Tammy asked.
‘No, but I’m not turning down work for anything. Never have and never will.’
‘Is Breda coming to help in the gallery during the festival? Because I’ll be out for most of those days.’
‘She is,’ Davey said, ‘so you can stop worrying. Breda got a couple of tickets from her daughter. I’ll try to come and see you.’
After admiring Tammy’s new display, Davey went back to the studio. While Tammy was relieved to hear that Breda and Davey were seeing each other again, she couldn’t help but think how weary he’d looked.
He’d also lost weight, which was evident from the way his trousers now actually fitted him around the waist. Still, he was spending so much time in the studio, he probably didn’t have time to eat properly. Breda would sort him out and make him stop for a break or at least to get some proper food.
Tammy needed to stop fussing about him. It was ironic that she was policing his love life when she’d asked him to stop doing the same to her.
It had to stop and she should direct her energies to her own interests: OceanFest and Ruan.
At least she was as prepared as she could be for the artworks themselves. She had a detailed plan for each design and was more confident of the beach landscape and how she was going to transfer the design on the day. The tide, of course, was predictable – in theory, anyway. However, other conditions, like pressure and the wind, could affect the environment and timings.
The festival itself would go ahead unless there was a thunderstorm. Tammy herself could still work in showers, and often had, but torrential rain would melt her drawings and she’d have to re-rake the area –ifthere was time.
Later that evening, she was at the flat writing a list of everything she’d need for the event. Normally she’d just throw everything in the van and wing it, but she was paranoid she’d forget an important tool or her pass. Everything needed to be packed in the van on Friday morning and ticked off.
Ruan video-called her while she was musing over howmuch equipment she could feasibly carry down to the beach. Tammy had to wipe the big grin off her face. They’d messaged over the past week, but with him away, and her snowed under with work and festival prep, they hadn’t really had time to talk properly.
‘Hello,’ she said. ‘How was the seminar?’
He rolled his eyes good-humouredly. ‘Busy. Both boring and hectic. I’m still an object of curiosity for having moved to the edge of the world. My old boss said my hair was getting too long.’
Tammy laughed, while also wondering if he’d bumped into his snooty ex. ‘What did you say?’
‘I said I was flaunting it while I’d still got it. He’s bald as a billiard ball.’
‘Serves him right. How are your mum and dad?’
‘They’re fine. Dad’s taken up gardening. My mum always loved it. They seem chilled out, though they can’t help telling me how much they miss me. I’ll have to ask them for a visit when – when I have a proper place for them to stay.’
‘They could stay in a B & B,’ she said. ‘And surely they wouldn’t mind your caravan. It can’t be too bad …’ Sean’s words had, annoyingly, struck a chord.
‘It’s … poky and a bit of a mess.’ He smiled. ‘How are you doing? All ready for Friday? What time do you have to be there?’
