Chapter Ten

The Harbour Inn was full of Cornish character and charm and also provided a bed & breakfast service. It was right on the harbour of Porthleven and was another firm favourite amongst the locals and tourists who flocked there.

Seb decided on the cheddar cheese and chutney sandwich with a flat white. He ordered at the bar and then went and found a seat by the pool table where he could watch customers come and go.

From his years in the Army, he always made sure he never had his back to the room and knew where all the exits were located. To others, this would be a tad over the top, but to Seb, it had become a way of life. Gone was the naive 18-year-old and in its place a careful and cautious man.

Seb's food arrived and he ate in silence, enjoying his own company whilst still listening to the conversations around him. He found the gentle hum of voices comforting when he wasn't having to take part in idle chit-chat. He wasn't rude, he just didn't find speaking necessary unless you actually had something important to say - it was a waste of air. 

Before Seb left he popped to the toilet. Afterwards, he made his way out and was passing the bar when he heard a familiar voice that he hadn't heard in a long time.

" Could I please order the crab sandwich and a glass of house red please?" 

Oh my, it was Piper! She hadn't spotted him yet. Maybe it would just be easier to sneak past her? What was she doing home after all these years? Wait - this was Piper, his old friend, he couldn't just walk past and not say hello. 

Before he could even make the decision, Piper turned and they locked eyes. Seb's heart exploded and his breath caught. She was truly breathtaking! All womanly curves and big blue eyes looking back at him. He was dumbfounded, lost for words, and - nervous! He breathed in and out slowly, trying to slow down his heartbeat before he had a heart attack. Oh, Piper, he thought - where have you been?