Page 76 of The Sisters of Sea View
So after dinner they all walked down the esplanade to enjoy the special concert given by Sidmouth’s amateur band.
When they reached the veranda of the Marine Library, Mrs. Elton pressed her way through the crowd and squeezed onto one of the benches near the front. The others stood at the back, although Georgiana went and found a stool for Mr. Hornbeam and insisted he sit down. Sarah felt a surge of almost maternal pride for her thoughtful sister.
The local band, established by some tradesmen of the town, played several lively martial pieces, but Sarah would have rather listened to Callum Henshall’s guitar.
After the concert, applause and donations were duly given, andthey all returned to Sea View. Sarah bid the others good-night and returned to the office to do some paperwork.
Later, when Sarah went upstairs to go to bed, she heard soft music and followed the sound to Mr. Henshall’s room. For several moments she stood there outside his door to listen. The sweet, mournful tune evoked sad memories and regret. Still, the yearning notes comforted, even as they pierced her heart.
Mr. Hornbeam was not alone in appreciating Callum Henshall’s music.
15
I cut and handed the sweet seed-cake—the little sisters had a bird-like fondness for picking up seeds and pecking at sugar....
—Charles Dickens,David Copperfield
The next day, Sarah sat in the library reviewing the upcoming days in the register. They were expecting a Mr. Gwilt from Pontypool—wherever that was. In his letter he’d estimated a late afternoon arrival. He could be there at any time. With the addition of this guest, they would have only one empty room left. Sarah’s gratification, however, was dampened by the fact that they had no pending room requests for the near future.
The door knocker sounded, and before Sarah could respond, Georgiana called, “I’ll get it.”
A few moments later, Georgiana led a guest into the office. “Here is ... Mr. Gwilt, Sarah.”
Her stilted voice and wide eyes signaled ... something, but Sarah was not sure what it was. The man approached the library desk while her sister lingered in the doorway behind him, pointing at the man with emphatic jerking motions. What was wrong with her? Whatever it was, Sarah would have to deal with it later.
She smiled at their guest, a small, thin-faced man of perhaps fifty. “Welcome.”
“Robert Gwilt, arriving as arranged, I am.” He spoke in the pleasant, singsong accent of the Welsh. Setting down one of his bags, he removed his hat. “A room for two, if you please.”
Sarah glanced at the register again and then looked up uncertainly, searching for a second person behind him. No one. “I am sorry. We have you in a room with a single bed, but—”
“No trouble at all. Parry here can sleep in his cage.”
He lifted the burden in his other hand, and Sarah saw with mounting dismay that he carried a birdcage. She gathered a quick impression of colorful plumage and prominent beak. A parrot? Would it talk or squawk and keep everyone up at night?
Mr. Gwilt leaned forward with a conspiratorial air. “Though I like to let him out from time to time. Give him a bet o’ freedom, you know. Let him stretch his wings.” He winked.
“Oh, Mr. Gwilt, I am afraid we...” She rose, about to explain their policy on animals, when she looked more closely at the cage. The parrot inside was unnaturally still. His eyes glassy—glass, in fact. His bird was stuffed.
Sarah didn’t know whether to be relieved or yet more disturbed.
She pushed forward the register with unsteady hands. “Well. Never mind. If you will, um, just fill this in. In your letter, you said you would be with us through June. Is that right?”
“Just so.” He wrote his name and direction in Wales. Then he extracted a leather purse from his pocket and laid upon the desk several banknotes and an assortment of gold and silver coins. “Here you be. I believe I figured it correctly, but do let me know if I erred.”
Sarah hesitated. The money would come in handy. “We do not require payment in advance. However, we certainly appreciate it.”
“It’s a load off my mind, it is, knowing it’s all taken care of.”
“Thank you. You must be thirsty from your journey. May I offer you some tea?”
“Very kind of you, but Parry here is tired, he is. Perhaps later?”
“Of course. Then I shall show you to your room.” She retrieved the key, led him out of the library, and gestured toward the stairs. “Right this way.”
They passed Emily in the hall, and she turned to stare.
“Lovely place, ey, Parry? Such high ceilings. How you would love to fly in here....”
