A Summer in Cornwall

The End of the Line

Ellie Parker had never seen the sea so blue. She pressed her face against the window as the train moved slowly along the coast towards Penzance. Behind her were six hours of travel from Birmingham, a difficult first year at university and a long argument with her mother. In front of her was a whole summer in Cornwall. She had found the job online by chance in April. A small café in a fishing village called Porthwenna needed help for the summer. “Room and food included,” said the advert. “Must be cheerful and not afraid of hard work.” Ellie was not sure that she was always cheerful, but she had applied the same evening. Her mother had not been happy about it. “Cornwall?” she had said, and her face had become strangely pale. “Why there? There are plenty of jobs in Birmingham.” Ellie had not understood why she was so upset. In the end, they had simply stopped talking about…