As the train gathers speed and leaves the city behind, tension lifts from Cara’s shoulders. She’s so relieved to be heading west again. She watches as the urban terrain gives way to countryside. For two days she’s moved in unfamiliar circles, alert and on tenterhooks. At last she can relax. Before her trip to London, Greg made it abundantly clear that the Kaplans were undecided about granting her the opening exhibition. In her head she can hear his American accent loud and clear. It’s by no means a done deal, Cara. You will have to work hard to be granted it. And she has worked hard. Thankfully, Elliot and Kat are happy with her.
Cara breathes out slowly, the pent-up stress escaping her body. She glances at her suitcase on the overhead rack containing the outfit Greg has bought for her opening night. It cost a fortune! She would never dream of spending that much on herself, but he says she is worth it. He tried to buy her a vintage, embroidered, short strappy number with a pair of over-knee kinky black suede boots, but she said it looked like a nighty and didn’t think it had professional appeal. It also didn’t leave much to the imagination, which she suspects is what he liked about it. Although aware of his disapproval, she stood her ground. Eventually he considered her words. However, the outfit he insisted on buying her is a lot sexier than she would normally wear. For a long time she stared at her image in the mirror, not recognising herself, wondering if this was the sophisticated and sexy version he was trying to create. He’d chosen black leather skinny trousers, which accentuated her curves, a pair of long fringed black boots with a trendy, pale grey, blanket cashmere cardigan completing the look. The assistant fussed over accessories and Greg chose chunky black earrings and a matching necklace. He also purchased a pair of large Chanel sunglasses, the price of which made her blush.
And what now with Greg? Cara frowns. Even though she was horribly drunk, she felt the passion in his kiss. She recalls the first time they met at Rick’s Beach Hut. At the time, she was still coming to terms with Christo’s untimely death and she was caught out by Greg’s look that suggested a different time and place. ‘I bet he doesn’t think that now,’ she says quietly to herself, cringing as she recalls vomiting all over him. Would she have slept with him last night, had she been sober? She’s always considered his Richard Gere looks attractive, but she knows things wouldn’t have gone that far, even though it’s been a long time since she’s received a man’s affections. But, briefly, as she stood on the balcony in Greg’s arms, his need for intimacy was almost her undoing.
Focusing on the view, Cara watches the gentle landscape speed by. Although the Wiltshire countryside is peaceful and pastoral she can’t wait to get back to the rugged beauty of the Lizard, where she feels protected and safe from the world. Her mind soon drags her back to Greg and she now considers his offer of a trip to the States. He suggested it this morning, over breakfast. She could only manage dried toast, and watching Greg finish off a full English almost turned her stomach again. She instantly said there was no way she could, but he persisted and pointed out her journey to Cornwall would take almost as long as his flight to New York. She couldn’t argue with that. When he continued to press for a commitment she said she would seriously consider it. He said he wanted her to visit for a week and would line up several meetings with influential people on the New York art scene, but she told him she couldn’t leave her children for that length of time. In the end he reluctantly compromised on a long weekend.
It’s not that she doesn’t want to visit; it’s just, as always with Greg, things are moving too fast. But, maybe he’s right, she should broaden her horizons. Cara considers this now. Bethany’s and Sky’s natures are a combination of hers and Christo’s, infused with the heat of the sun, the sound of the sea, the strength of the wind and the power of the surf. But Toby? His DNA has elements of a world-famous, award-winning actor. Maybe, living in a tucked-away cove in Cornwall will not be enough for him. Perhaps she owes it to her children to take Greg up on his offer; after all, he is paying for it. Cara sighs. It’s all too complicated. All she wants is to be back at The Lookout with her little family. The sound of a ringtone sends her delving into her handbag and fishing out her mobile.
‘Hi, Mum,’ says Sky. ‘Are you nearly here?’
‘Another three hours, give or take. What have you been up to?’
‘Grandma and Grandpa took us to St Michael’s Mount,’ he says excitedly. ‘We walked across the causeway but had to come back by boat because the tide came in when we were exploring the castle. Did you know, a giant called Cormoran used to wade across to the mainland and steal cows and sheep from the farmers and take them back to the island?’
‘Did he?’ Cara smiles.
‘Yes. And a young boy called Jack dug a deep pit halfway up one side of the Mount and blew his horn to wake the giant and the giant came running down the side of the Mount but couldn’t see Jack as the sun was in his eyes and he didn’t notice the hole and fell in,’ Sky says in one sentence. Taking a deep breath, he adds, ‘Then Jack filled the hole in and became a local hero and everyone called him Jack the Giant Killer.’
Cara’s smile widens. This is home. ‘Did you find the giant’s heart?’
‘We did! We climbed the path to the castle – it was ever so steep – and we passed the Giant’s Well and found it in the path.’
‘Rumour has it,’ says Cara, ’if you stand on the stone you can still hear the giant’s heartbeat.’
‘I didn’t hear it. We’ll have to listen really hard next time. Grandma wants to speak to you. Bye, Mum.’
‘Bye, Sky. See you very soon.’
‘Hello, Cara. How was London?’ Carol asks.
‘Interesting, tiring, but I’ve got it,’ Cara says.
‘Well done, darling. We knew there was never any doubt.’
‘Aw, thanks, Mum. How were the kids?’
‘Lovely, as always. Your father told them a story about St Michael’s Mount, so we embarked on an expedition to find the giant’s heart.’
‘So I hear!’
‘Yesterday was a perfect day. It was surprisingly warm with a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky,’ Carol continues.
‘You were lucky. It wasn’t so warm in London,’ Cara says, remembering how Greg left her shivering on the balcony.
‘Beth and Sky had a wonderful time chasing each other along the castle ramparts, while your father, Toby and I enjoyed the view from the Lizard to Mousehole. The sea was flat calm and a beautiful deep cobalt. We caught the boat back and treated ourselves to Cornish ice creams in Marazion. It was a good day. Everyone was happy and your little sweethearts all slept well last night.’
‘Thanks for doing that, Mum. I’ve been meaning to take them but you know what it’s like when you live here.’
‘It was a pleasure. Anyway, your father will pick you up from Truro station at three.’ Carol blows a kiss to her daughter, before adding, ‘We’re all looking forward to having you home with us once again, darling.’
Suddenly overcome with emotion, Cara finishes the call. Where has her usual sunny nature gone? Unbidden, an image of Oliver comes to her. What a summer of love they enjoyed, although neither knew that was all they would have. How foolish they were to dare dream it could be anything other. But the legacy of that long, hot summer is the greatest of gifts, and she will always be thankful to him for giving her Toby. A tear forms in her eye and quickly she rubs it away. She cannot indulge in thoughts of Oliver. She has to be strong for the children. A small, sad smile lingers on Cara’s lips as she locks away the memories and throws away the key.