Chapter 6
6
W ith a huge bag over her shoulder and her hands full with carrier bags, Cally was on her way to see Nancy at Lovely Lighthouse. Via Nancy’s job at the railway, Nancy was involved in a fundraiser for the homeless in the city and was collecting equipment for a shelter. Cally had gathered loads of things from her place, from Birdie, and from her decluttering work at the manor. As she approached the lighthouse, she looked up as she always did and, as usual, was surprised by its vastness. Tall, eye-poppingly white, and towering over the town, it still managed to take her breath away every time she got close. She stood for a second with her chin raised and stared at the top, taking in the full height of its beauty.
Going around the back, she shifted the weight of the bags, made for the old hall and pushed open the door. The lighthouse smell greeted her as she stepped into the entrance area. Seeing not a soul around, she called out. Her voice echoed slightly in the open space. 'Hello. Anyone around? Nance?’
There was a shuffling sound from the back of the hall, and then Nancy's face appeared around a doorway. 'Our Cally! We’re out the back here in the kitchen. Come on in. I'm just putting the kettle on.'
Cally smiled and made her way towards Nancy, navigating around piles of boxes and bags.
'Blimey! Looks like you've had quite the haul of donations. I might have to have a root through and see what I can find.'
Nancy beamed, taking one of the bags from Cally's arms. 'Oh, you know how it is. Lovely Bay folks are always generous, but they've really outdone themselves this time. I think the upcoming Chowder Festival has got everyone in a giving mood. Now I just need to get a van and get this lot to the shelter. That will be a job and a half. Robby’s lot are going to help out, hopefully.'
As they made their way into the small kitchen at the back of the building, Cally was impressed with Nancy’s efforts.
'So, what have you got for us?' Nancy asked as she busied herself making a cup of tea.
Cally put her remaining bags on the floor. ‘A kettle, I wasn’t sure if you’d need to have that tested or not. Linens and a few other bits and bobs.’
As Nancy dipped teabags into mugs, the back door opened. Nancy gestured to Cally and the woman coming through the door. ‘Pen, do you know our Cally? I wasn’t sure if you two had met or not.’
Cally smiled at the woman. She held out her hand. ‘No, we haven’t met.’
The woman, Penny, smiled. ‘No, but I feel like we should have met. I’ve heard so much about you.’
Cally had also heard about Penny mostly through Birdie and Alice. ‘Same.’
Nancy chuckled. 'Cally, this is our Penny. She lives next door to me. Penny, this is our Cally. She’s over the deli for now.’
‘Oh, I didn’t realise you were just by the green there.’ Cally said, referring to the area of St. Lovely green where Nancy lived.
Nancy chimed in. ‘Sorry, she is my neighbour, but she’s not on the green but along the back there. You know the little lane that brings you out at the church? Amazing views there down to the river and the bay. True blue Lovely. We were at school together.’
Cally nodded. ‘Ahh, right, yes. Nice spot.’
Penny smiled. ‘It is a good bit of Lovely, where I am now.’
‘Been there long?’ Cally enquired.
Penny laughed. ‘Ahh, just about all my life. Not this actual house.’ She turned to Nancy. ‘How long have I lived there now, Nance? Do you know? I couldn’t tell you.’
Nancy blew air out of her lips. ‘Has to be at least ten years. You were there well before me.’
‘Yep, true.’
‘Well, lucky you,’ Cally said with a smile. ‘I’m hoping to get a place in Lovely one day. I keep my fingers crossed at all times.’
Nancy smiled. ‘Anyway. What have you been up to?’
‘Nothing much and busy at the same time. I’ve been doing loads of stuff for Nina.’
‘Oh, yeah. How’s that going?’
‘Fine. It’s a job. Clearing out rich people’s clutter has to be one way of making a living. How about you? Busy?’
Nancy rolled her eyes. ‘What with doing this shelter volunteering and being in charge of the Chowder Festival, I don’t know if I’m coming or going, to be quite honest with you. I’m a glutton for punishment. It keeps me busy.’
Penny widened her eyes. ‘It sounds like it’s going to be some festival this year. Colin is beside himself about it.’
Nancy nodded enthusiastically. 'He is. There's nothing quite like the buzz of festival day, though.’
Cally nodded. ‘I’ve heard. There’s been so much talk about it in the chemist.’
Penny continued addressing Cally. ‘The people you meet at the festival – honestly, you’ll get a crash course in Lovely Bay culture. So many locals come out of the woodwork or come back if they’ve left Lovely. It brings all sorts. I love festival weekend and the lead-up to it.'
‘I’m looking forward to it. It will be different now I actually live here.’
‘Yeah, it will be good.’
Nancy turned to Cally and joked. 'So, how are things going with that handsome fella of yours? How’s Logan, or should I say lord of the manor?'
Cally attempted to sound casual. ‘It's going well. Actually, I’ve been invited to a fancy family event at the races.'
Penny's eyebrows shot up. 'The races? Oh my, that is posh.’
‘I'm a bit nervous, to be honest. It's not exactly my usual scene.'
Nancy let out a low whistle. 'Well, aren't you moving up in the world, our Cally? Rubbing shoulders with celebrities before we know it. We’ll need to curtsy to you next.'
Penny nodded. 'They all have that air about them. That Henry-Hicks lot.’
Cally grimaced. ‘It's a bit intimidating, if I'm honest.'
Nancy eye-rolled. ‘You're every bit as good as those fancy folk, and don't you forget it.'
‘Ha. I don’t feel it.’
Penny chuckled. ‘All you need is a huge hat. The hats are half the show, from what I've heard. Remember that year the Queen wore that bright yellow number? It was all over the telly.'
Cally's eyes widened. 'The Queen? Oh god, I hadn't even thought about that. What if I run into royalty?'
Penny chuckled. 'Don't you worry. Don’t they tend to keep to themselves? Unless...' she trailed off, eyeing Cally speculatively.
'Unless what?' Cally asked, panic creeping into her voice.
'Well, where exactly are you going? There are different enclosures. Some posher than others, I think. Some you can’t actually pay to get into. Invite-only.’
Cally wracked her brain, trying to remember what Logan had said. 'I think he mentioned something about the Royal Enclosure. Is that bad?'
Nancy and Penny exchanged looks of surprise. 'The Royal Enclosure?' Nancy repeated. 'Blimey, Cally. That's the crème de la crème.'
Penny nodded, looking impressed. 'Very exclusive.'
'Oh God. What have I got myself into? I don't know the first thing about horse racing or posh etiquette or anything!'
‘What are you going to wear?'
'I haven't the foggiest! My usual wardrobe isn't exactly races-ready.'
Nancy shook her head. 'I reckon just don't go too over the top. You don't want to end up looking like you've got a garden party on your head. Some of those hats, I swear, must weigh a tonne.'
‘Part of me thinks I might have to come up with an excuse. Maybe I should just tell Logan I can't go.'
'Don't you dare!' both Nancy and Penny exclaimed in unison.
‘Just be yourself, wear a gorgeous dress and a fabulous hat, and be done with it. Make the most of it’
'And if all else fails, just smile and nod a lot. Works wonders in posh company, I find.'
Cally gulped. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to find out.