A Perfect Cornish Escape by Phillipa Ashley Page 0,64

said, more than happy for the evening to go on longer, even if she did have an early lecture in the morning. Being invited inside Lachlan’s own place, which must be his sanctuary when the outside world got too much, also felt like a leap forward.

There was no light on in her own cottage as they passed so she concluded Tiff was out and followed Lachlan through the soft green door into his place. She hadn’t been inside that particular cottage since it had been sold by the previous owner, a Porthmellow local, and turned into a long-term let. It was one of the smallest in the whole row; a one-bedroom mid-terrace painted the colour of clotted cream.

He showed her into the sitting room, which was neat and tidy. He made her a coffee and fetched a bottle of single malt and two glasses and a small jug of water. Marina had only had a spritzer at the bistro and Lachlan a glass of red wine; they’d stuck to soft drinks after that with a mind on work in the morning, so she didn’t think a small one would do any harm now.

He brought out two engraved crystal tumblers that might have been a gift from his comrades in the RAF, but she didn’t comment. Leaving the service must have been painful for him – but was it less painful than staying?

‘It’s very cosy in here,’ she said, thinking of the impact Lachlan’s appearance had had on her from the moment he’d walked out of the sea like a Scottish Daniel Craig. ‘I mean, it’s lovely, of course. I haven’t been in for years. Er … how are you finding it?’

He seemed amused so at least her awkwardness had broken the ice.

‘The cottage is big enough … some of the neighbours are scary though,’ he said, deadpan.

She laughed. ‘I see what you mean. Deffo the neighbours from hell.’

He poured a measure of whisky into her glass and offered her a jug of water.

‘Thanks,’ she said as he added a splash to her tumbler, leaving his own neat.

‘What made you choose Porthmellow and this cottage? Was it all because of Aaron?’ she asked.

‘Mostly … his offer came up at the right time. Or at the wrong time, because I can’t say I was in a happy place at the time he mentioned it. Aaron’s a great bloke though. I’d trust him with my life. Once I’d decided to come down here, I wanted to move straight away and this cottage came up for rent at short notice. I’m used to military accommodation, so I don’t mind it being small.’

‘It looks a lot bigger than I remember it. The previous owner was obsessed with Marvel action figures and memorabilia and they took up every nook and cranny.’

‘Really? Wow. I can’t imagine it stuffed with Avengers figures.’

‘There was a lifesize Incredible Hulk in the kitchen.’

‘You’re joking?’

‘Yes … there were hundreds of smaller figures though. Mr Rees was a very weird guy. He was only in his thirties, but he used to wear a tweed suit to the pub, complete with a watch on a chain. He was an undertaker … the kids used to think this place was haunted.’

‘Really? Maybe I should charge people to look round, then,’ he said, deadpan.

She laughed, wondering if Lachlan did plan on personalising it in any way, or whether he was content to leave it neutral. It certainly didn’t have any trace of his personality yet, but maybe the neatness was a hangover from being in the military. If moving to Porthmellow was wiping the slate clean, this place was the natural embodiment of it.

Then again, it could simply be that he didn’t plan on staying long-term.

Pushing away that thought, she focused on enjoying the moment. She was facing the window and the sky outside was indigo blue. Lachlan sat on the sofa, one arm flung along the back, his leg crossed over the other. Marina sank back into the armchair, and let her tensions ebb away. It was the most chilled out she’d seen Lachlan and the most relaxed she’d felt in his company.

He sipped his whisky and a stillness descended between them. Marina sensed he was bracing himself to talk.

‘A while back, you asked me what happened back home and why I came here,’ he said, his eyes on the amber liquid in his glass. ‘The truth is that I was trying to get as far away from the mountains as possible and live a