Page 29 of The Sisters of Sea View
She crossed Glen Lane and started across Fort Field, now and then catching a glimpse of him in the distance, his fair hair visible beneath his black hat and his dark greatcoat flapping behind him like a cape.
Following the sound of his footfalls as they moved from spongy grass to gravel, she turned up the footpath, a back way into the eastern town.
After passing a few houses, he slipped through an opening in a stone wall and disappeared, his footfalls again muffled by grass or perhaps wet leaves.
The parish churchyard.
She didn’t know what she had expected. Going for an early morning swim? Trading secrets with a French industrial spy? Meeting a woman at a nearby hotel?
But the church? No, that had never crossed her mind. She wondered if its doors were even open this early.
She slowly tipped her head through the gate, just enough to see inside the churchyard.
The fog was lighter here, and she could see the path leading up to the church’s arched porch door, but both the path and porch were empty.
She looked to one side, then the other.
There he was, standing before a grave, bare head bowed, hands clasped over his hat brim.
Her heart twisted at the sight.
She noted the grave’s location, then turned and walked silently away, feeling like a rude and brazen interloper.
Later that morning, Emily was sitting in the office drawing up a list of room names when Mrs. Elton popped her head in.
“Ah. Miss Emily, I wonder...”
“Yes, Mrs. Elton?”
“Might we have smoked herrings for breakfast in future? The eggs and toast were well and good, but Mr. E has a delicate stomach and sausages make him bilious. Forgive me for speaking indelicately.”
Emily bit back a smile. “Not at all. We buy fresh fish locally. Mackerel, herring, whiting... I am not sure about kippered, but I will ask.”
“One of the local shops could help you, I do not doubt. Also, I would suggest patronizing a different bakery. The bread is of high quality. The muffins ... less so.”
Emily felt her smile falter. They purchased bread loaves from a local baker and Sarah had begun making a few simple desserts, while Mrs. Besley prepared the rest of their food, including muffins.
The woman finger-waved and turned away.
Emily groaned. Reduced to acquiring special muffins and fish for finicky guests. What next?
When Sarah came in a short while later, Emily reported, “Mrs. Elton complained about the muffins and requested smoked herrings for breakfast instead of sausages.”
“Did she? She asked me for elderberry jam. Apparently her husband is not fond of strawberry. I explained that elderberries are not yet in season, but she referred me to the greengrocers in town.”
“Happy to spend our money, I see.”
“Yes. I suppose I could try making muffins. And if I can find some herrings already kippered, I will try to convince Mrs. Besley to serve them. She doesn’t like the smell.”
“I don’t blame her.” Emily wrinkled her nose and returned to her list.
“What are you working on?” Sarah asked.
“Copying out a list of our new room names. Tom Cordey has agreed to carve wooden placards for us.”
“Excellent notion.”
“Although I think we misnamed Mrs. Elton’s room. I can think of several names more fitting than willow, likecommonwalnut,wychelm, purging buckthorn...”
