Page 2 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘Just as well, I suppose,’ Margery said cheerfully. ‘It’s a devil to get a car up here. I get no end of complaints even though I’ve made it clear on the rental site. I’ve contacted the authorities about getting a proper road laid, but there’s some mumbo jumbo about planning rules getting in the way. I live in hope, but I don’t think it will be any time soon.’
‘Well, I certainly won’t complain.’ Eden forced a smile she didn’t much feel like making.
‘I suppose it does look prettier the way it is,’ Margery said. ‘And it’s such a stunning view up here – when I bought it from a local family, it needed a lot of work – and I don’t mind telling you I was worried at first that it would be too much – but how could I view a house like this and refuse it? Especially as it was on the market at such a good price. I plan to live here myself when I retire, but I might as well make some money from it in the meantime, eh?’
‘So you live nearby?’
‘Salisbury. I don’t come to meet everyone who rents it from me, of course, because, goodness, that would be a trek every week, but I thought as you were taking it for such a long time, I’d pop over to say hello and talk you through one or two things.’
More like to be nosy, Eden thought, but she didn’t say so.
‘You’re sure you don’t want my cleaner to come in every week and go over the place? She normally does changeover days anyway so it would be no bother.’
‘It’s fine – I can manage it.’
‘Well…’ Margery shoved her hands into the pockets of her wax jacket and nodded. ‘It will save me some money if I don’t have to pay her.’
Eden paused. When it had been discussed during the email exchange, it hadn’t occurred to her she might be making someone’s life more difficult. She’d only wanted to be left alone. But if she didn’t let the cleaner in, the woman wouldn’t get paid.Would that be just another thing Eden had managed to screw up?
‘Actually,’ she said slowly, ‘perhaps it’s a good idea if she comes up every now and again to go over things. I won’t have to worry about it then, will I? And she’ll be keeping an eye on things for you at the same time, won’t she?’
‘Just as you like. I have a good instinct, and I’m sure you’re perfectly trustworthy, but I’ll ask her to come up every Saturday if it suits you. Let me know if you change your mind at any point.’
‘I will.’
‘So…six months in Four Winds, eh? I must admit I was surprised by your email asking to take it for so long. Are you working from here? Artist or writer or something? Looking for inspiration?’
‘No,’ Eden said. ‘Just looking for some peace.’
‘Oh, you’ll find that here. Do you know Sea Glass Bay was voted the friendliest resort on the south coast last year? There’s peace up here if you want it, of course, but the people are so lovely you might decide you want to spend a lot of your time in the town. Lots to do too – the beach, some darling little cafés and restaurants, a good pub with great food. I wouldn’t worry a bit about being alone either – it’s a very safe place.’
Eden nodded and tried to look impressed. First impressions of Margery were good – she seemed stoic and practical and a bit like a teacher Eden had been fond of in high school. She felt like Margery was the sort of woman who would sort any problems with the house immediately and with no fuss. In any other circumstances, Eden might have been inclined to chat with more enthusiasm, but she was finding enthusiasm for anything difficult these days.
‘That’s all good to hear,’ Eden said. ‘I used to come here as a young girl with my family. We used to stay in a little hotel in thetown…don’t remember what it was called but I believe it closed down a few years ago.’
‘That’ll be the Sandpiper, I expect. Don’t know much about it but I believe the owners retired. Of course this was before I bought Four Winds.’
‘How long have you owned this place then?’
‘Gosh, now you’re asking! Time goes so quickly but…perhaps four or five years.’
‘When I used to come to the bay as a girl, my dad used to bring me up to the cliffs with my kite because it was so windy. It was brilliant. I remember seeing this place and thinking it was lovely. We bought eggs from here once too.’
‘How long ago was it you last came?’
‘About thirteen years or so.’
‘I believe the owners at that time did sell eggs, yes. They kept bees too and sold the honey. Don’t worry…’ Margery chuckled. ‘There are no bees or chickens now. You can get all that from the shop in town like normal people do.’
Eden’s mind went back to that day with her father, and it almost felt as if she was that girl again, standing in wide-eyed wonder at the threshold as they bought honey and eggs from the owner of the cottage; she’d always been entranced whenever she’d seen it. She’d never been inside before, though, only wondered from afar, but the interior hadn’t disappointed, seeming as romantically fairy tale-ish to her young eyes as the name had suggested, like the scene of an old smugglers’ tale, or the home of the humble and sweet girl who would one day capture the heart of a prince. She might get her eggs from the shop like normal people now, but she was strangely saddened by that notion.
‘I expect you’ll want your keys.’ Margery’s brisk tone broke into Eden’s thoughts. Perhaps it was just as well, because the misery spiral she fell into far too often these days had beenlooming again. ‘Would you like me to show you around the boiler and whatnot before I go?’
‘I suppose that might be a good idea, though I’m sure I could figure it out.’
‘There is a file in the living room that explains everything, but as I’m here anyway, I’m quite happy to go over it with you. I’ve left you a few bits and pieces to get you started too – washing-up liquid and that sort of thing.’
‘That’s brilliant, thank you.’
