A Perfect Cornish Escape by Phillipa Ashley Page 0,32

hit.

She’d done the job before and was getting quite good at releasing the rat in such a way as to create maximum surprise for the punters. Like most fairground games, it was actually much harder than it looked because, even if the player was totally focused, they could easily miss the rat. It was also very addictive, and people often tried many times to hit the rat, resulting in a very nice build-up of funds, while families and friends egged each other on.

Once or twice, she had to admit, she’d been more focused on the possible sighting of Lachlan than defeating the customers, so two teenagers had gone away gleefully clutching their prizes. They were only bags of Haribo and Percy Pigs, but hey, everyone loved to win.

From the moment they’d opened, they’d had people of all ages, from toddlers to a ninety-year-old lady from the sheltered housing, eager to have a go. Marina had been lenient with what counted as a ‘hit’ for the tiny ones and the older lady.

‘Hello, Marina. How’s it going?’

‘Oh, hello, Craig.’

Her latest punter was Craig Illogan, one of Nate’s old fishing – aka boozing – mates. He wasn’t a bad bloke but he’d encouraged Nate’s drinking and wilder schemes. Today, he was with his wife, who Marina liked, and their son and daughter, who were both at Porthmellow Primary School.

‘I used to be really good at this when I was a lad,’ Craig declared, holding the stick as if it was a baseball bat. ‘Watch and learn, you two.’

‘You always say that, Dad,’ the little boy muttered.

His wife rolled her eyes and exchanged a smile with Marina.

After half a dozen fruitless splats, Craig was sweating and red in the face, but Marina refused to let him win just to feed his ego. He finally gave up, disgruntled, and she invited the children to have a go. She gave them some tips on how to catch the rat and managed to ensure they both scored a direct hit.

Craig’s daughter jumped up and down in delight. ‘I splatted the rat! I splatted the rat!’ the little girl said.

‘Me too. Hit him right on the nose. Did you see it, Dad?’ the boy shouted

‘Beginners’ luck,’ Craig muttered, earning himself a telling-off from his wife.

And with that, the kids skipped off with their sweets, giggling and teasing their dad, while their mother told him not to be such a bad loser.

‘Hi there.’ Lachlan stepped from behind the stall.

A frisson of pleasure rippled through her. ‘Oh, hello!’ she said, feeling flustered. ‘I didn’t see you.’

‘I’ve been here a moment. I would have come forward sooner but you were busy with that father and his family. He was getting frustrated.’

‘Oh, yes … Craig. That’s typical, I’m afraid, but he had every chance to win.’

‘Too many chances, if you ask me,’ Lachlan said.

‘Hmm.’ So, Lachlan really had been observing carefully. With the crowds and her attention focused on defeating Craig she hadn’t noticed him. ‘He’s always been the same. His own worst enemy.’

‘So he’s a local?’

‘Friend of Nate’s actually.’ She took a breath. ‘Nate was my late husband.’

His mouth opened and closed before he said, so softly she could barely hear, ‘Ah …’

‘He drowned in a boating accident seven years ago.’

‘I’m so sorry for your loss,’ he said. ‘And for speaking out of turn. I didn’t mean to disrespect the man, if he was your husband’s friend.’ Lachlan looked crestfallen so Marina took pity on him. It was always a difficult moment, hearing news like hers. She had no intention of elaborating on it and making an awkward situation worse.

‘Please don’t worry. You’re absolutely right. Craig goes over the top and he can be insensitive to his family, let alone others.’

‘Even so, I should keep my opinions to myself,’ he said, unable to conceal the dismay in his voice. Marina was used to people’s reactions but upset that Lachlan clearly felt so guilty about his comments. ‘Please don’t worry about it,’ she repeated. ‘And I’m so glad you could make the fundraiser,’ she added, keen to change the subject.

‘I told you I couldn’t keep away,’ he said, obviously relieved she hadn’t taken offence. He softened the compliment with a smile so she wasn’t quite sure if he was serious or not. She wasn’t sure about anything as far as Lachlan was concerned and she had a feeling he kept his cards very close to his chest. And what a chest it was …

Quite apart from their difficult conversation about Nate, she’d