Page 23 of Ever After

“You staying around here?” the boy asks, setting my order down on the counter. “That’ll be twenty-seven quid please.”

I retrieve my card from my pocket and tap it on the machine. “Yes, in Gorse Cottage.”

“Really?” His eyebrows rise.

I pause in the act of pulling the food towards me. “Yes, do you know it?”

He nods. “Used to be called Smuggler’s Rest. They changed it in the thirties. Not sure why.” He shakes his head. “And you’re staying there? Wow.”

“Why the surprise? It’s a holiday let.”

He gives me a crooked smile. “Yeah, tell that to the tourist board.”

“What do you mean?”

He puts his elbows on the counter and settles down onto his stool as if preparing for a lengthy chat. “Well, it’s haunted, isn’t it? They can’t get people to stay there.”

My hand jerks and a splash of coffee falls onto the counter. “Sorry,” I mumble.

“No harm done.” He grabs a handful of paper towels and cleans up the mess.

“You say it’s haunted?” I ask reluctantly.

I’m not sure Blue needs this. He’s been so busy this year helping the police with a couple of murders, not to mention the missing person cases he takes on for free. At times he’s seemed stretched thin with all the pressure.

“Yeah, definitely,” he says.

My heart sinks. The bell on the door rings, and a lady and a small child come in. I move away, sensing our conversation is over.

“Wait,” he calls.

“Yes?” I turn at the door.

He grins at me. “There’s a party at Sennen Cove tonight. Why don’t you come? The music goes on until late.”

“That sounds nice. I’ll ask my husband if he fancies it.”

His face seems to fall. “You’re married?”

I hold my hand up, the wedding ring gleaming on my finger. “It’s our honeymoon.”

He gives me a sweet smile that seems tinted slightly with regret. “Ah, that’s nice.”

“Only if you like snarky men,” I offer honestly.

He laughs and his face lights up more. “Yeah, they’re my speciality.”

“We might come,” I say, the idea taking hold of me. It could be fun for me and Blue. “Is it on the beach?”

He nods. “Yeah. They put up a marquee to mark the end of the season. It’s a tradition, and it’s a good night. Come along if you fancy. Bring your old man.”

“That’s so nice of you. Thank you. Do we need tickets?”

“No, just tell Sam on the doors that Jax sent you.” He smiles. “I’ll maybe see you later.”

“I think you will.”

Blue