Chapter 41
FORTY-ONE
Wrapping Christmas presents was one of Lark’s very favourite things to do.
It was something she liked to take her time over and always put in a great deal of effort, matching the trim and the label – which she also made herself – to the recipient, while at the same time, making the parcels look delightfully festive.
She trimmed them with a variety of re-purposed items, including vintage ribbons and lace, buttons and beads, and even pieces of fabric she considered suitable.
These treasures were stored in a box she kept tucked under the stairs, and it always sent a thrill dancing through her when she lifted the lid.
With her father helping Louisa at the heritage centre and likely to remain there for a good few hours, and with Zara holding the fort at Lark’s Vintage Bazaar, Lark decided that her free afternoon would be the perfect opportunity to indulge in a spot of present wrapping.
There was no chance Nate would get in the way, since he was snoring contentedly on the sofa, where he’d been stretched out for the last hour, Bobby and Luna snuggled up beside him.
So, with a mug of hot chocolate freshly made, she retrieved the box of gift-wrapping goodies, removed the bowl of fruit from the kitchen table and set to work.
She’d just finished writing the label of the gift for her new assistant – a pair of silver hoop earrings finished with tiny shells from the shop’s stock that Zara had admired – when the ringing of her mobile broke through her thoughts.
Setting the pen down, Lark reached for her phone, her eyebrows dipping as she saw Louisa’s number.
Her first thought was that her father must be on his way home; she’d have to scrabble his yet-to-be-wrapped gifts together and quickly tuck them out of the way before he returned.
Lark tapped on the screen and accepted the call.
‘Hi, Louisa.’
‘Hello there, Lark lovey, I hope I’m not intruding on your afternoon off work.’ Louisa’s voice was filled with the familiar warmth Lark had come to associate with her. It sent a smile spreading over her face.
‘No, not at all, it’s good to hear from you. Is my dad still with you? I’m only asking cos I’m in the middle of a Christmas pressie wrapping session and don’t want him to burst in and see Santa’s gifts for him,’ she said with a chuckle.
Louisa giggled too. ‘Ah, well, I can put your mind at rest as far as that’s concerned, he’s still here.’
‘Phew!’ Lark said jokingly.
‘Actually, there’s someone else here, too, and they’re the reason I’m calling.’
‘Oh?’ Lark’s mind started whirring but before her thoughts could get very far, Louisa spoke again.
‘I’ll totally understand if you’re too busy, but I don’t suppose you could spare some time to pop across to the heritage centre in the next hour, could you?
Only, Bethany Roberts is here – our Betty’s great-granddaughter – and I feel it’s only right that you and Nate are here, too, when I show her the case of her great-grandmother’s clothes – if Nate’s up to it, of course.
And it’s not just that, Bethany’s brought some things I think you’d both be rather keen to see, too.
’ The thrill in Louisa’s voice was unmistakable and sent a burst of excitement rushing through Lark. The present wrapping could wait!
‘Ooh, talk about intriguing! Nate’s here with me actually, and I’m sure he’d love to come – he’s been having a bit of a grumble about being bored with having to take things easy since his accident.
’ She looked up as the man himself shuffled into the kitchen, all ruffle-haired and sleepy-eyed.
Lark had been watching him like a hawk since his accident, relieved to see an improvement with every day that passed.
‘You okay?’ she mouthed to him. He gave a heart-melting smile and a thumbs-up.
Lark returned his smile and went back to her conversation with Louisa.
‘I reckon we could be at the heritage centre in about twenty minutes, if that’s okay?
I assume Bethany’s not in a rush to head off. ’
‘Fabulous! And Bethany’s already told me she’s in no hurry to get away, so don’t worry about that. Your father’s been having a good chat with her about local history; he’s in his element,’ Louisa said fondly.
‘Oh, that I can well believe!’ Lark said with a laugh. ‘Right then, I’ll get these presents and paraphernalia put away and we’ll see you soon.’
After relaying her conversation with Louisa, Lark wasn’t at all surprised to see Nate’s eyes light up. ‘What are we waiting for? Get your coat and wellies on, lass, and let’s get over there,’ he said, his voice brimming with purpose.
‘Ooh, come in and get yourselves out of the cold.’ Louisa held the door open at the side entrance of the heritage centre, a welcoming smile on her face as she took in the snowflakes that had settled on Lark and Nate.
Once they’d stamped the snow off their boots, the pair stepped into the warmth of the small hallway, relieved to escape the biting cold.
‘Ugh, blimey! I’m nithered!’ Though the walk from Seashell Cottage to the heritage centre wasn’t far, Lark felt chilled to the bone.
There was no escaping that winter was baring its teeth, its fury building by the day as it raged across the North Sea towards the little cluster of cottages in the cove.
‘No wonder, it’s glacial out there!’ exclaimed Nate, his nose and cheeks glowing red, making the bruise on his face stand out more than ever. ‘That wind’s definitely colder than it was first thing.’
‘It is – the forecasters had predicted a drop in the temperature today. And apparently there’s a good chance we’ll have a white Christmas,’ said Louisa, looking thrilled at the prospect. Her eyes met Lark’s and they exchanged a happy smile.
The pair followed Louisa down to the room where they’d first shown her the suitcases, Louisa asking how Nate was doing and telling him he was looking better which seemed to please him no end.
He’d been itching to get back to work, much to Lark’s alarm, and she’d lost count of the number of times she’d had to tell him how important it was that he followed the advice of the doctor who’d treated him in hospital.
‘Hello, you two.’ Silas beamed over at Lark and Nate who returned his cheerful greeting.
‘Bethany! I haven’t seen you for ages!’ Lark rushed over to the dark-haired, petite young woman who was standing at the table in the centre of the room, her eyes quickly glancing at Betty’s suitcase that had been placed upon it, alongside a box Lark hadn’t seen before.
‘Hi, Lark, yes, it’s been a while.’ Bethany gave her a friendly smile as Lark scooped her into a fragrant hug.
Releasing Bethany from her embrace, Lark kept her hands on the other woman’s shoulders, her gaze running over Bethany’s features.
Lark was instantly struck by the powerful vibes that were emanating from her; they were remarkably similar to the ones she’d picked up from Betty’s clothes.
It sent a rush of joy through her. ‘You know, I’d say from the photos I’ve seen of her, you bear a remarkable resemblance to your great-grandmother. ’
Bethany beamed, apparently thrilled with Lark’s assessment. ‘You’re not the first person to have said that. My Grandad Roberts tells me that all the time; says I have similar mannerisms to her, too.’ Hearing that came as no surprise to Lark.
‘I agree, you do look like Betty,’ said Louisa. ‘I think it’s pretty striking.’
After a brief catch-up, attention turned to the suitcase, Louisa slowly opening the lid. A gasp escaped Bethany’s mouth and she clasped her hand to her chest as, between them, Lark and Louisa lifted out Betty’s wedding dress.
‘Oh, my goodness, it’s stunning!’ A tear tumbled down Bethany’s cheek as she reached out to touch the delicate silk fabric. ‘I can hardly believe I’m seeing it for real.’
‘It’s an amazing feeling, isn’t it?’ said Lark, absorbing Betty’s upbeat presence all over again.
Bethany nodded, smiling though more tears were rolling down her cheeks.
‘I’m not sure how true it is, but there’s a story in the family that this dress was made from the parachute that my great-grandfather had been wearing on a secret mission to France.
It’s described as having played an important part in that mission.
The story goes that he brought it back with him and gave it to my great-grandmother so she could make her wedding dress with silk being in short supply, and rationing making it hard to get hold of things.
I’m not sure how true it all is, though.
’ She glanced between the four people listening to her, each wearing an intrigued expression, her eyelashes wet with her tears.
Louisa smiled kindly at Bethany, giving her arm a squeeze. ‘I’d say it’s an accurate description of what happened, and how lovely that we can add this information to our display.’
After showing Bethany the rest of the contents of her great-grandmother’s suitcase, as well as photocopies of the newspaper reports, all attention turned to the box on the table.
‘So, after our conversation, Louisa, I spoke to Grandad Roberts who gave me this. He thought you might find the contents interesting.’ She pushed the box towards the curator.
Lark watched, her heart pumping with excitement, as Louisa reached inside and carefully lifted out a jewellery box, setting it down on the table and gently easing the lid open.
Inside, it was filled with costume jewellery and though the items had dulled with age, they still managed to muster up a sparkle under the bright lights of the room.
‘Oh wow!’ said Lark, followed by a gasp from Louisa while Nate and Silas looked on with interest.
‘Grandad Roberts says his mum wore this jewellery when she was singing on the stage.’ After her success when she’d stepped in and come to the rescue of the event at the local dance hall, Betty had been much in demand and performed regularly not only in Micklewick Bay but other towns nearby.
‘What a truly wonderful story,’ said Silas.
‘Aye, isn’t it just?’ said Nate.
‘There are quite a few cuttings from local newspapers in there, too, as well as a couple of posters advertising my great-grandma’s events.
And there’s this.’ Bethany reached inside the box and shuffled amongst a collection of paper items before holding out a small square of thick paper, curled at the edges and yellowed with age.
Lark, Nate and Silas peered over at it.
‘It’s an invitation to your grandparents’ wedding. Oh, how wonderful!’ Louisa exclaimed. ‘Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful treasures with us, Bethany. Please be sure to pass on our thanks to your grandfather.’
‘I will.’ Bethany beamed. ‘And after I told him about your plans for a display for Betty, he said you could keep them. Reckons the heritage centre’s the best place for them.’
‘That’s so very generous of him – and you.’ Louisa swallowed, clearly struggling with emotion.
Lark reached over and squeezed her arm before turning to Bethany.
‘Louisa’s right, it is very generous. And I also agree with your grandad, the heritage centre is the best place for Betty’s items. They’re treasures and it’s wonderful that they’ll get to tell your great-grandparents’ story all over again, adding even greater depth to it. ’
‘And not just that’ – Silas glanced over at Louisa, as if seeking her approval before he continued – ‘Louisa plans to incorporate audio into the biggest displays and she’s asked Bethany if she’ll be the narrator for Betty’s story which is going to have a room dedicated to her and Ralph.’
‘And I’ve accepted,’ Bethany said happily.
Lark’s throat tightened as tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. ‘I can’t think of anything more perfect.’
‘Me neither,’ said Nate, an unmistakable waver in his voice. He sniffed, dashing a tear away from his eye as Lark slid her arm around him.