Page 36 of Autumn at the Cornish Garden Café

‘Ta da!’ He held out his hands and watched their faces.

‘You look amazing!’ Rosa laughed, then came around the counter and looked him up and down. ‘What a fabulous costume.’

‘You both look amazing, too.’

The three of them, without discussing their costumes, had dressed as zombie pirates and now resembled a motley crew ready to sail the seven seas.

‘I think we’re ready to set sail, don’t you?’ Rosa said, and they all laughed.

‘How was Christopher?’ he asked as they got ready to leave.

‘He’s all set up.’ Rosa pulled her coat on over her costume, careful not to tear the delicate chiffon of the cobwebs around the neckline. ‘He has a bucket filled with sweets and Vinnie set pumpkins around the front porch and lining the path. Then we dressed Bobby in his pumpkin costume. I think they’ll be fine, but I told him to phone if he has any problems. I think he’s looking forward to having some trick or treaters.’

‘Brilliant!’ Henry liked the thought of Christopher having fun. They’d asked him if he wanted to go to the party at the café, but he’d said he’d be happy at home handing out sweets.

‘Ready then?’ Henry asked.

‘Ready!’ Rosa and Vinnie replied.

When they arrived at The Garden Café, they could hear the music from outside on the path. They went through the gate and into the gardens. Small pumpkin lights adorned the hedges and tree branches. Carved pumpkins with gaping mouths, uneven teeth and slanting eyes grinned at them from the path and on tables and benches, as well as from the windows of the café itself. The gardens were busy with people milling around, all of them wearing costumes, and Henry looked at them, trying to work out who they were, but it was difficult, especially with those wearing masks.

‘I’m going to see if I can find my family,’ Vinnie said.

‘Catch you later,’ Henry said as Vinnie walked away. ‘You OK?’ he asked Rosa.

‘Yes, thanks. It all looks incredible.’ She gazed around them, smiling through her black lipstick.

‘Let’s get a drink.’ He took her hand, and they walked towards the café.

‘Mr Clay!’ A small boy waved at Henry and he waved back. ‘Hello, Paul. Love the costume.’

‘Thanks, Sir. My mummy made it out of old boxes.’ The boy was wearing a box around his middle and had one on his head with a circle cut out for his face. They had been painted silver with some red patches to suggest he was rusting. Silver paint also covered his face, and antennae protruded from the top of his head box. ‘I’m a robot.’

‘I can see that.’ Henry smiled.

‘Is that your wife?’ the boy asked.

Henry glanced at Rosa and saw her eyes widen.

‘She looks like your wife. You match.’ The boy pointed at their costumes.

‘I’m his friend,’ Rosa stammered as she let go of Henry’s hand. ‘We’re just friends.’

‘I think you should get married. You look happy together.’ The boy turned around, then glanced at them again. ‘Sorry, I better go. My mummy said not to wander off because I can’t see very well with the box on my head. She said to stay close so she can stop me bumping into things.’

‘You’d better get back to her then,’ Henry said. ‘Have fun.’

‘Thanks, Sir. You too!’ The boy shuffled away, and Henry turned to Rosa. ‘Sorry about that. He’s not in my class, but I know him from school. Children say exactly what’s on their minds.’

Rosa chewed at her bottom lip and concern filled him. ‘What is it?’

She shook her head.

‘Please tell me.’

‘I just … I’m not sure, really.’

‘Do you like children?’ he asked.

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