Katy Carter Wants a Hero (46 page)

‘Ssh!’ says Guy, leaning forward and practically joining Gabriel as he rescues Millandra from a runaway carriage. ‘I’m watching this!’

So we watch the rest of the episode in silence, and I can’t quite believe it’s really happening. From being scrawled in Wayne Lobb’s exercise book to being ripped up by James, the odds always seemed against me ever getting published. Maybe writing television drama is the way to go.

There’s one problem, though.

I haven’t written a word for months.

I’m scared I can’t do it any more.

I’m scared that I’ll fail.

Early the next morning I’m up with the fishermen, who shout, drop things and chug their noisy boats out to sea. Ollie sleeps through it all, goodness knows how, and when I slip out of bed he barely stirs. Dropping a kiss on his cheek, I slip out of bed and creep downstairs.

Auntie Jewell didn’t leave me her millions — or Cuddles, thank God — but she did leave me enough to buy this tiny fisherman’s cottage right by the water. So when Ollie and I get tired of travelling we have somewhere to put down roots. Or maybe when we have a baby…

There’s no under-floor heating, no laminate floor and no Le Creuset. The furniture is battered and tatty, cushions, throws and painted glass clutter the place and Sasha has chewed a massive lump out of the sofa.

It’s just the way I always wanted my house to be, and it’s home.

I pad into the kitchen and throw open the top half of the stable door. Cool morning air rushes in and Sasha stirs in her basket but like her master can’t be bothered to get up. I make a cup of coffee in a chunky ceramic mug, then sit down at the scrubbed pine table. In front of me are a notebook and a pen.

Can I?

Is it the right time?

I close my eyes and visualise Ollie, all bronzed and naked and tousle-haired in bed, his limbs strong and dark against the white sheets.

The perfect romantic hero.

Taking a deep breath, I pick up the pen and begin to write.

Ruth Saberton was born in London in 1972. A chance meeting with a stranger whilst holidaying in Cornwall resulted in Ruth marrying a fisherman and moving to beautiful Polperro, near Plymouth. In between writing novels and short stories, Ruth also teaches Media Studies and English at a secondary school in Cornwall.