Copyright © 2021 Karen King The right of Karen King to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. First published in 2021 by Headline Accent An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP First published as an Ebook in 2021 by Headline Accent An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library Cover images © Victoria Yanushkevskaya, Bariskina, Volushka & GoodStudio, all Shutterstock eISBN: 978 1 4722 7872 2 HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP An Hachette UK Company Carmelite House 50 Victoria Embankment London EC4Y 0DZ www.headline.co.uk www.hachette.co.uk Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page About Karen King Praise for Karen King Also by Karen King About the Book Dedication Acknowledgments Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-One Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Thirty-Three Chapter Thirty-Four Chapter Thirty-Five Chapter Thirty-Six Chapter Thirty-Seven Chapter Thirty-Eight Chapter Thirty-Nine Chapter Forty Chapter Forty-One Chapter Forty-Two Chapter Forty-Three Chapter Forty-Four Chapter Forty-Five Chapter Forty-Six Chapter Forty-Seven About the Author Karen King is a bestselling author of fiction for both adults and children and has also written numerous short stories for women’s magazines. The Cornish Hotel by the Sea was an international bestseller, reaching the top one hundred in the Kindle charts in both the UK and Australia. Karen is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. She lives in Spain with her husband Dave and their two cats, Tizzy and Marmaduke. www.karenking.net @karen_king Readers love Karen King: ‘A great romance story by a superb author, I loved the main character from the start’ 5* Amazon review ‘Such a lovely summer book that I just couldn’t put down! Absolutely loved the character of Ellie and I was desperate to see how everything would work out’ 5* Amazon review ‘The story takes you to wonderful scenes of pebbled beaches, rock pools, narrow streets and all the glory of summer. It’s a great holiday read and even you if aren’t on holiday it gives you a feel of that freedom and relaxation. You can’t help falling in love with the main characters and following their every move with suspense. I loved this book and read it in a couple of days because once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommended!’ 5* Amazon review ‘Most enjoyable read. Always interesting. Very believable characters. I can thoroughly recommend it. What could be a better summer read than one set in beautiful Cornwall’ 5* Amazon review ‘This was a truly delightful book to read. Just light-hearted feel good’ 5* Amazon review By Karen King Romance titles I do? – or do I? The Millionaire Plan Never Say Forever The Cornish Hotel by the Sea The Bridesmaid’s Dilemma Snowy Nights at the Lonely Hearts Hotel The Year of Starting Over Single All the Way One Summer in Cornwall Thriller titles The Stranger in My Bed About the Book Escape to Cornwall this summer . . . When Hattie is made redundant and evicted from her flat in one horrible week, she needs time to rethink. Her Uncle Albert left her and her father each half of Fisherman’s Rest, his home in the Cornish town of Port Medden, so this seems the perfect place to escape to until she can figure things out. As Hattie stays in the cottage, clearing it out, tidying it up and getting it ready to sell, she starts to find her feet in Port Medden and making a new home here begins to feel right. If only her dad didn’t need a quick sale and things weren’t complicated by her unwelcoming neighbour Marcus . . . For my friends Annie and Richard whose parrot, Tipsy, is the inspiration for Buddy the parrot in this book. Xx Acknowledgements Firstly I’d like to thank the publishing team at Headline for allowing me to revisit Port Medden, the Cornish town where my bestselling romance, The Cornish Hotel by the Sea, is set. I really enjoyed meeting Ellie, Reece, Sue and Mandy again, bringing Marcus out of the kitchen and introducing new characters to my readers. Writing about Cornwall always brings back happy memories of the summer holidays spent there when my children were young, and the years I lived there. It will always remain one of my favourite places. I’d especially like to thank my fabulous editor Katie Sunley, copy editor Eloise Wood and proof-reader Kay Gale for their expertise and support. Thanks also to talented artist Emily Cordelle for designing both this beautiful cover, and the gorgeous new cover for The Cornish Hotel by the Sea. I am indebted to the bloggers and authors who support me by hosting me on their blogs, reviewing my books and sharing my posts. Particular thanks to the members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association who are always willing to share their writing experience and advice. Also thanks to Rob Tysall of Tysall’s Photography for answering my questions on photography – any mistakes are my own. And of course, my thanks to the readers who buy my books, allowing me to live the dream of being an author. Thank you all so much. Finally, last but not least, everlasting thanks to my lovely Dave, the wind beneath my wings, and my family and friends who all encourage me and support me so much. I love you all. x Chapter One ‘Bloody hell! Who is it?’ Hattie Rowland froze at the voice, her finger poised on the light switch that she had been about to flick on. Someone was already in the cottage! Who could it be? A squatter? A burglar? For a moment she panicked, her breathing quick and shallow
