Page 46 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
‘No,’ I reply brusquely. ‘She doesn’t.’
‘That’s a shame,’ Jack continues. ‘I’d be gutted if I didn’t see Ben at all.’
‘Yes, well, things aren’t always as simple as that.’
Jack watches me, assuming I’ll continue.
‘I wonder what will happen next?’ I say, deliberately changing the subject. ‘To Clara and Arty? We know she starts her dressmaker business, but I wonder what will happen to the two of them, and to Maggie?’
‘Let’s hope we get a new set of pictures soon so we can find out,’ Jack says, taking the hint. ‘I set the easel up every night in case. I wondered if I should leave a fresh canvas out at first, but now I leave it empty and a new painting appears like magic. Do you leave supplies out for your sewing fairy?’
‘No, I don’t. The fabric and the embroidery magically appear under the machine plate in the morning, which makes it all the weirder. Do you still wonder who’s doing this?’
Jack shrugs. ‘I’ve given up thinking about that to be honest. The whole thing is so unbelievable I’ve suspended my natural scepticism. The story of Clara and Arty has taken over any thought I might have abouthowthis is happening – I’m simply enjoying the fact that it is.’
I smile at him, ‘That’s exactly how I feel about it. Strange, isn’t it? If you’d told me a couple of months ago that I’d be sitting here with a perfect stranger waiting for pictures to come to life I’d have laughed in your face.’
‘I’m not such a stranger now though, am I?’ Jack asks quietly. ‘I’d say we were getting to know each other quite well as the days go by. I quite enjoy our little get-togethers.’
I’m surprised to hear him say this: not about enjoying our painting reveals – I do too – but it’s rare that he’s so candid. His usual chat is so flippant that it always comes as a shock when he says something with genuine sincerity.
‘Yes, I do too,’ I tell him shyly. ‘It’s been quite nice to have a new friend to talk to.’
‘There’s not really anyone else we could talk to about this,’ Jack adds, gesturing to the paintings, ‘is there?’
I shake my head. ‘I wonder why us though?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, I wonder whywe’reseeing these—’ I hesitate, trying to find the right word ‘—these images. Do you think this would have happened if Noah had passed on the sewing machine and the easel to some other customers?’
Jack shrugs. ‘Would the artwork have appeared for them? Who knows? And would they have matched them together to make them come alive like we have? It’s highly doubtful.’
‘Why?’
‘The sewing machine and the easel could have gone anywhere, couldn’t they? We have visitors from all over the world here.’
‘Yes, but it would be unlikely they’d buy such bulky items – they’d have a job transporting them home.’
‘True, so if they had been bought by someone local and they did start producing … let’s sayunusualpictures, what are the chances they’d have been brave enough to tell someone about it, or for the person they confided in to be the exact same person who was also experiencing it!’
‘You know, you’re right – it’s just as incredible we ever put the two pictures together as them actually appearing in the first place.’
‘Maybe it’s fate?’ Jack says quietly.
‘I thought you didn’t believe in all that sort of stuff?’ I reply smiling, but my insides are a lot less calm. Jack was being very … pleasant tonight. Things I hadn’t expected to hear him say were coming from his lips and it was throwing me off guard.
‘I don’t usually, but it’s this place – St Felix. There are so many stories about strange events happening here – unexplainable events – that I’m starting to believe we’re experiencing one of them.’
‘Who’ve you been talking to?’ I ask, still trying to keep my tone light. ‘Someone down the pub?’
‘Yes. Noah said I should ask down there if I was interested, so I did one night when it was quiet and there weren’t too many people about, and I was quite staggered by some of the tales the locals told.’
‘I’ve heard some of them myself. Even my friend Poppy will tell you a tale about how her flower shop became successful and how she met her husband, Jake.’
‘Yes, I heard that one too.’
‘Maybe it’s our turn now,’ I say, still smiling. ‘To experience a little St Felix magic, I mean?’
