Page 89 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
Twenty-eight
‘Everything all right?’ I ask Anita, as I arrive back at the shop. ‘You’ve coped without me?’
‘We’ve had exactly four customers since you left, Kate,’ Anita says calmly, ‘and that was before it started raining so, yes, I’ve coped just fine.’
‘Your text seemed a bit strange though? Are you sure everything has been okay?’
‘Where did you get the umbrella?’ Anita asks, changing the subject. ‘You didn’t go out with one.’
‘It’s Julian’s.’
‘Julian? But I thought you went to see Jack?’
‘I did. Look, my clothes are a bit damp, Anita. I’ll pop upstairs and change, and then I’ll tell you all about it.’
After I’ve put on some dry clothes and come back downstairs I tell Anita about everything that’s happened over a cup of tea.
She raises her eyebrows when I tell her about Julian’s declaration but doesn’t comment.
‘And that’s when I came back here,’ I finish.
‘Well, you’ve certainly had a productive afternoon,’ Anita says diplomatically. ‘Before you ask, I know nothing about this Freddie or even a Winston James buying his cottage. I didn’t live here back then, and even if I had I would only have been a child.’
‘Yes, I know. There are very few people still here who did live in St Felix at that time. Even Jake’s Aunt Lou probably wouldn’t remember anything about Freddie selling his house – she was a teenager then.’
‘Why all the interest anyway?’ Anita asks. ‘I mean, I know why you’re interested in what happens to Clara, Maggie and Arty, but why Freddie?’
‘I don’t really know. I just get a feeling it’s all relevant in some way.’
‘Gut instinct is a much neglected tool,’ Anita says knowingly.
‘Do you know if Julian is right? Is Winston James disliked here?’ I ask. ‘Did you ever hear anything in the wool shop? I hear it was a hotbed of gossip!’
‘Hardly! We were like a hairdresser’s – we couldn’t help it if people told us all their news.’
‘Yeah, right!’ I grin. ‘So did anyone ever mention anynewsregarding Winston James?’
‘Not that I can remember. The first I knew of him was the exhibition at the Lyle Gallery you went to with Molly.’
‘Hmm, there has to be something. Why have Jack and I been shown all this stuff if there isn’t a reason for it?’
‘You’ll find out soon enough, dear, I’m sure. Just give it time.’
Luckily, we don’t have to wait long for a new instalment because the next morning another embroidery appears. This time it seems to show two silhouettes surrounded by a blood red sky. Excited, I text Jack straightaway.
Another one! When can we meet?
A reply comes back promptly.
Difficult at mine with Ben here now. Do you fancy that drink later? Maybe I can hide my painting in my chair and we can look at it at yours first?
I think about this before I send my reply:
Will it work without the easel?
Damn, I hadn’t thought about that. We could try?
Wait, I might have a better idea … I’ll text you later x
