Page 96 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
I shake my head. ‘No. According to Anita, the woman who used to live there was called Peggy, so it wasn’t her.’
‘So whatdoyou think all this is about then?’ Jack asks. ‘Do you think like me there’s a reason to it?’ He gestures to the painting.
‘Anita says St Felix is like that. Things happen here that can’t always be explained, but usually only to people who need help or who can help someone else.’
‘Anita is a very wise woman,’ Jack says knowingly.
‘Yes, she is,’ I reply. ‘I didn’t think you knew her all that well though?’
‘We’ve bumped into each other a few times. Which of her categories do you think we fall into?’
‘Hmm?’ I ask, still wondering when Jack and Anita might have come across each other. ‘Oh, I see. Er, I’m not sure,’ I reply honestly. ‘But I bet it’s not long before we find out.’
‘I hope so,’ Jack says. ‘All this strange mystery stuff doesn’t sit well with me at all. Right, fancy that drink now?’ he asks suddenly, while I continue to stare wistfully at the painting of Clara and Arty.
‘Oh, yes, why not?’ I reply turning to him. ‘Let’s hide this stuff first and then we’ll go.’
We head down to The Merry Mermaid. Even though we’ve been here a couple of times together already, I suddenly feel very conscious this is our first proper date.
We go inside the pub as all the seats outside are taken, and while I let Jack go to the bar (I know better than to try to take that role by now) I try to find us a table where I know Jack will be able to get his wheelchair in with a minimal amount of fuss.
Eventually, Jack arrives with our drinks – pint for him and a glass of white wine for me – and we settle down together.
‘How’s the shop going?’ I ask, suddenly aware that all we seem to talk about when we’re together these days are the pictures.
‘Good thanks, and yours?’
‘Yeah, not bad. We’re up on last summer anyway.’
‘That’s good, that’s good.’ Jack takes a sip from his pint.
‘How are you getting on with two helpers now that Ben is here? It must be easier for you?’
‘Yeah, Ben has settled in well. Him and Bronte seem to get on okay, so all is pretty cool in my domain right now.’
‘Good,’ I say, virtually repeating Jack. I sip from my glass now.
‘Kate, I don’t want to seem my usual awkward self, but we don’t need all these niceties, do we? We know each other a bit better than that by now, I think.’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ I say, somewhat relieved, ‘but all we ever seem to talk about when we’re together is the pictures. I suddenly felt a bit odd so I started making polite conversation with you.’
‘Let’s not make polite conversation then – let’s make rude conversation.’
‘How do you mean?’ I ask, wondering if this was some sort of vulgar army game Jack was going to suggest.
‘I mean, let’s ask each other all the questions we’ve been too polite to ask before now. There are loads of things I’d like to know about you, and I hope you might feel the same about me?’
I nod, partly with relief and partly with interest.
‘Great, who’s going to go first then?’ Jack asks eagerly.
‘You go,’ I offer, although I’m a little concerned about what he might ask me.
‘The only rules are that we have to answer as honestly as we can and we can ask anything. All right?’
‘Sure,’ I reply, definitely worried now.
‘Promise you’ll be honest?’ Jack says.
