Chapter 22
22
DEE
Babs cheered up after breakfast so they decided to take the trip to St Michael’s Mount that they’d planned yesterday, stopping off at Moira’s Café first. When they arrived there, a very flustered Andi was trying to cope with a café full of customers alone. There was no sign of Moira and the empty tables were cluttered with dirty cups, saucers and plates.
‘Where’s Moira?’ Dee asked Andi, walking over to the counter with Babs.
Andi finished serving the customer then replied, ‘She had to go up to Swindon early this morning. Urgent family business. So I’m holding the fort alone until she returns.’ She put her hand to her head. ‘And I’ve got a stinking headache. A hangover from last night.’ She smiled. ‘It was a fantastic evening though. I haven’t laughed so much for ages. Thanks for inviting me.’
‘Our pleasure. And as it’s our fault you’re hungover, let us help,’ Dee offered.
‘Oh no, it’s fine—’Andi started to protest but Dee and Babs were already clearing the tables and loading up the dishwasher, leaving Andi to take the orders. Then they helped her make up the orders and take them to the customers. Finally, when all the customers had been served, the three of them sat down for a break.
‘Thanks so much. Moira had to leave so suddenly, she wasn’t able to organise any extra help. I’ve called an agency to arrange for a temporary assistant.’ Suddenly a guilty look passed over Andi’s face. ‘I was hoping to see Edna this afternoon but I’ll have to go tonight.’
The door chimed and Kenny stepped in. ‘Hello, you two. What a lucky coincidence,’ he said as he came over. ‘Mind if I join you?’
‘Hi, Kenny, sorry but I’d better get back to work. Hopefully the temp will be here soon.’ Andi stood up. ‘I’ll leave you all to chat.’
‘Where’s Moira?’ Kenny asked as he pulled out a seat and sat down. ‘And how’s Edna?’
‘Edna is recovering well.’ Dee quickly explained about Moira. She would have liked to confide in Kenny about Edna and Martin but decided it was best not to. She was leaving on Saturday after the fundraising event and she didn’t want to cause any trouble or unpleasantness for Edna.
‘How’re the plans for Saturday coming along?’ she asked.
‘Quite well actually, we’ve got a few artists willing to give a demonstration of their craft. That was a fantastic idea of yours, Dee.’
A glow filled Dee at his praise.
After chatting with Kenny for a while, Dee suggested that they visit Edna before going to St Michael’s Mount. ‘I’m anxious to see if she’s managed to contact her sister,’ she said.
When they got to the hospital, they found Edna in good spirits. ‘I’ve spoken to Mabel, it’s all arranged. I’m going to stay with her for a couple of weeks when they discharge me tomorrow. Andi called too, she’s offered to look after Snowy for me, and keep an eye on the house.’
She looked so much happier than yesterday.
‘How are you going to get to Brean?’ Babs asked.
‘Mabel’s driving down to get me, then we’re going to get some of my things from the cottage, lock it up safely and give Andi the keys. I’d love to take Snowy but he might run away. He’s best left here and Andi has promised to pop in on him twice a day. It will only be for two weeks or so until my ankle and hip heals.’ She leaned forward and clasped first Dee’s then Babs’ hands. ‘I guess I won’t see you two again, but thank you so much for what you did for me. You saved my life. I’m so very grateful.’
‘We’re glad to have been able to help,’ Dee told her.
Babs nodded. ‘You take care of yourself and give that son of yours a run for his money!’ she said, patting Edna’s hand.
‘Don’t you worry, I will. Martin’s gone back to Yorkshire now he knows I’m going to stay with Mabel. He’ll be back though once I’m home, trying to persuade me to sell up. Well, he’s got no chance!’
* * *
When they arrived in Marazion they discovered that the tide was out so they could walk along the cobbled causeway to the island. Dee had already booked the tickets online. It was a warm, calm day with a clear blue sky and she felt very relaxed as they walked over to the island. ‘I came here years ago when Annabel and Hugh were young, so it will be interesting to see how it’s changed.’
‘It’s one of those places we always intended to go to but never did,’ Babs told her. ‘It’s very quaint, isn’t it? Did you go into the castle at the top of the hill?’
‘We did, but it’s a bit of a climb, so if you don’t fancy it, we can just look around the village,’ Dee told her.
‘Oh no! We must go up. Let’s do it now before we’re too tired then we can maybe look around the village and stay for afternoon tea in the Harbour Café too? It’s mentioned on this leaflet.’
‘Wasn’t there a story about a giant living here once?’ Babs asked as they trudged up the hill. ‘Phew! This is a steep climb!’
Dee nodded. ‘Legend says that a giant built the island and terrorised the people of Marazion, stealing their cattle, until one day a lad named Jack killed him. Apparently Jack dug a big hole, covered it with straw, then blew on his horn to summon the giant who ran down the hill and fell into the hole. I remember walking up to the castle with Annabel and Hugh and a guide pointing out a heart-shaped stone saying it was the giant’s heart and if they knelt down and put their ear to the stone, they’d hear the giant’s heartbeat. They were fascinated.’
‘That’s a bit gruesome, but kids love stuff like that, don’t they?’ Babs said. ‘Where is this stone?’
‘I’ll show you when we come to it.’ Dee panted, stopping for a rest. ‘It’s been a few years since I’ve climbed his hill!’
‘Maybe we don’t need to go all the way to top,’ Babs gasped.
When they finally came to the heart-shaped stone, Babs wasn’t impressed. ‘I’d expect a giant’s heart to be bigger than that!’ She turned to Dee. ‘Did your kids ever say they heard the heart beat?’
‘They thought they did, but you know kids. They’ve got big imaginations. I never heard anything. Fancy seeing if you can hear it?’
‘No chance! If I kneel down there I’ll never get back up again,’ Babs declared.
Dee laughed. ‘I don’t think I would either! I was a lot fitter back then.’ She had lovely memories of their holidays in Cornwall. She wouldn’t call them family holidays exactly, as Nigel was rarely with them, and when he did join them he only stayed a day or two. She wondered if Annabel and Hugh remembered those times. And now here she was back again, on her own this time – apart from Babs, that is. And to think that Kenny had come back to live here too. It was almost as if something had pulled her down here.
The village was fascinating, once home to over 300 islanders. There were still about thirty families that lived there, commuting over to the mainland to go to school, work or shop. As an ancient island, it was steeped in history and both Babs and Dee were fascinated to see bronze cast footprints of King Charles, Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria set in the cobbled harbour pathway.
‘This was definitely worth a visit,’ Babs said as they walked back over the causeway. ‘I’m knackered now though.’
‘Too knackered to pop into The Pirate’s Head tonight?’ Dee asked mischievously.
‘Absolutely not. But I’ll need a short nap first,’ Babs replied.
* * *
‘Wow! You look fantastic, Dee. That colour really suits you!’ Cath said when Dee, wearing her red maxi dress, joined Cath, Stu, Kenny and Flic at the table later that evening. Babs was at the bar getting the drinks. She’d insisted that she buy the first round.
Dee felt a flush of pleasure, especially when she saw the approval in Kenny’s eyes too. ‘Thanks. Babs persuaded me to go for a brighter colour,’ she said.
‘She was right to, you should wear bright colours more often,’ Kenny said. ‘Maybe not as vivid as Babs though,’ he added. ‘That sure is a dazzling pink.’ Then his eyes widened as he stared at something behind her. ‘What are you two drinking?’
‘Spritzers,’ Dee said, puzzled. She turned to see Babs carrying a tray holding two black cocktails with a frothy surface. No wonder she’d insisted on getting the drinks first.
‘That’s not a spritzer,’ Stu observed as Babs put the tray down on the table.
‘No, it’s an Espresso Martini,’ Babs replied. She handed one of the glasses to Dee. ‘Try it, you’ll love it.’
Dee took a sip and shuddered. ‘Wow! There’s a strong coffee shot in here!’
‘I don’t think it’s the caffeine you have to worry about,’ Kenny said, amused.
‘Why don’t you all try one? My treat?’ Babs said. She was up and at the bar before anyone could object, returning a little later with six more of the dark cocktails. ‘I got us another one,’ she told Dee.
‘That’s so generous of you, thank you.’ Cath picked up a glass and took a sip. ‘It’s strong but I like it.’
As they all tucked into the cocktails, the conversation got louder and merrier. Babs turned up the juke box while Kenny got the next round and by the time it was Cath’s round they were all dancing to the music and several of the other customers had joined in.
Dee threw her head back, laughing as she danced the twist with Kenny. It had been so good to get away and enjoy herself.
The trouble was she was enjoying herself so much, she couldn’t escape the feeling that she really didn’t want to go home.