‘Matt! How good to see you,’ Feena said, quickly recovering her composure. Smiling at Hannah, she tilted her face and Hannah gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
‘Good afternoon, Mrs Opie,’ Matt said politely, and she was immediately suspicious. He had warned her he was going to try to come between her and Hannah; did he intend never to leave them alone together? She was relieved when he added, ‘I’ve come hoping to have a word with Greg.’
‘Just tap on the study door and go in, Matt,’ Feena smiled at him. When he’d gone she gave Hannah a loving peck. ‘I’ve missed you so much, my dear.’
Hannah sat beside her on the sofa. ‘I’ve missed you too. Please don’t think it was personal. I needed to be alone with Matt for a while.’
‘I understand.’ Feena was careful to keep the jealousy out of her voice. She stroked Hannah’s hair. ‘You look your old self again, that’s all that matters. How’s Nathan?’
‘I was going to bring him today but he’s a bit teasy, he’s cutting a back tooth. Perhaps you’d like to come and see him tomorrow. The fog we’ve had for the past few days is beginning to clear at last. We could go down to the quay and see my uncle’s new boat.’
‘Goodness! Has he got another one already?’
‘Yes,’ Hannah replied excitedly. ‘The bazaar raised over five hundred pounds! We still can’t believe it. There was enough to cover everyone’s repairs and the entire cost of a lugger that was for sale in Mevagissey. It’s seven years old, has all the latest equipment, and is called the Renewal. Uncle Roy sees it as a sign and he’s a lot happier now. They’re sailing it round tomorrow. It means Jowan and Lily can get married after all so you’ll be losing her in the New Year.’
‘I’m so pleased for your uncle and aunt. Do give them my regards. Their house will be a cheerful one with Lily in it. Things are looking up again in Porthellis.’ Then Feena said deliberately, ‘If only Daniel Kittow didn’t live there.’
Lily bounced into the room with a tray of coffee. Piping hot liquid shot out of the spout as she put the tray down, making Feena glad that the girl would soon be leaving and she could replace her with a more dignified servant.
‘Begging your pardon, madam,’ Lily chirruped, making no move to leave the room.
‘Yes?’ Feena said sharply.
‘I heard something about Daniel Kittow when I was down seeing Jowan last night. I thought p’raps you’d like to know.’
‘Oh? What have you heard, Lily?’
‘’Tis going round the village, madam, that he might have done away with Fred Jose. People seem to believe it. If Constable Burt gets to hear of it he might be taken in for questioning and justice will be done.’ Lily vehemently hoped this would be the case. She still suffered nightmares from Daniel’s threats in Turn-A-Penny Lane.
Feena was dismayed. She didn’t doubt for a moment that the red-haired fisherman was capable of murder and she knew that Fred Jose had been one of the main targets for his revenge. With Matt pulling himself together, her hope to get Hannah and Nathan away from him and Porthellis lay with the fisherman remaining their neighbour and continuing to cause trouble. ‘That’s just malicious gossip,’ she snapped. ‘You shouldn’t listen to it, Lily.’
‘I only thought you and Mrs Penney might be interested in what’s being said.’ With a disrespectful twist to her full lips, Lily bounded out of the room.
‘Really,’ Feena complained as she served the coffee. ‘Calling the man a murderer is going too far.’
‘I don’t think so,’ Hannah said, biting into a Lincoln cream biscuit. ‘The sooner he’s locked up again, the better.’
‘He would be hanged for murder, Hannah.’ Feena couldn’t prevent a little shiver; she didn’t like Hannah’s smile.
‘Hanged?’ Her head swung round to stare at Feena. ‘1 hadn’t thought of that.’
‘Would you care?’
Hannah was quiet for a few moments. Daniel hanged? Dead? Did she want it to go that far? Did she hate him that much? Feena was looking alarmed at her expression. She shrugged her shoulders. ‘If he killed Fred, he deserves to hang.’
Feena changed the unhealthy subject. ‘What does Matt want to speak to Greg about?’ adding in a slightly hurt tone, ‘Or is it a secret?’
‘Oh, that’s what I’ve come specially to tell you. Matt’s going into business by himself and he thought Greg might be able to give him useful advice about finance and so on. He’s going to start a chandlery for the boats, supply rope, hooks, lanterns, tar, oilskins, that sort of thing. We’ve talked about it at length. He could sell woolly hats and jerseys, most wives and mothers make them for their men but holidaymakers would probably like to buy them. And he’s going to run a line for the sporting fishermen too — rods and reels. All he needs is some premises, and he’s already inquired about an empty cottage down on the waterfront. It’s been empty for years and could never be made habitable again but it wouldn’t take much work to turn it into a shop. It belongs to Mr Brown the butcher and he’s said Matt can have it for a song.’
Hannah’s enthusiasm made Feena unwillingly pleased for her for a moment. ‘That sounds ideal for Matt. He probably won’t believe it but I’m very pleased for him, and you too, dear. How is he going to raise the capital?’
‘Our savings will pay for the cottage. He’ll have to mortgage half the value of the house for the repairs to the property and for the stock. The initial outlay will be costly but we think it will be worth the gamble. Matt should have plenty of regular customers.’
‘Well, you’ve both been through a terrible time and you deserve all the success in the world.’
‘Thank you.’ Hannah had finished her coffee. ‘Where’s Leah? I must have a word with her before I go. I didn’t get a chance at the bazaar.’
‘You’ll have to hunt about for her, dear. Sometimes she pops outside to see her pony and she spends a lot of time in the nursery. She wanted to make changes to it. She and Greg had quite a quarrel about it. I’m afraid the girl’s very sulky these days,’ Feena ended disdainfully.
Hannah decided she’d get Leah’s version of the story before she made a comment. ‘I’m looking forward to riding again. I thought I’d come up on Friday afternoon if the weather’s not too harsh. Nathan can stay with you.’
With that settled, Hannah went to the study and found Greg and Matt poring over pages of figures at Greg’s desk. Greg told her that Leah had put her coat on and gone outside for some fresh air. ‘Try the stable first,’ he grinned, then the two men carried on with their deliberations. The anticipation and purpose on Matt’s face gave Hannah real hope for the future.
In the cobbled yard, through the misty air, she saw a small mounted figure. ‘Leah?’
‘No, ’tis me.’ Johnny, the stable boy, walked Leah’s pony, Sable, up to her. ‘You just missed ’er, Missus Penney. Mrs Greg’s just gone indoors.’
She informed Johnny she’d be wanting her own mount made available at the end of the week, then leaving him to exercise Sable, she went up to the nursery.
A fire was lit behind the mesh guard and it was warm and cosy. Leah was sitting slumped, her long plaited hair damp from being outside. Her hands were lying protectively over her small bump and her face was fierce and closed. Hannah stood in the doorway and tapped on the door.
‘Can I come in, Leah?’
She had heard steps approaching the nursery and guessed it would be Hannah. Expecting her elder sister to breeze in as if she owned the place, Leah was taken aback for a moment. ‘Yes, of course you can.’
Taking off her coat, Hannah carried a sturdy child’s stool over to Leah and parked herself on it. She tried to smile but Leah wasn’t interested in being friendly. ‘I know you don’t want to see me, Leah, and I think I know what it’s all about.’
‘What?’ Leah said edgily, staring across the room.
‘You’re at the same stage of pregnancy I was when I miscarried. You’re worried it might upset me to see you getting bigger and naturally you’r
e afraid for your own baby.’
Leah felt a little ashamed. After her terrible ordeals, Hannah was full of love and concern for her. But she was too resentful at being constantly ignored to admit the truth and she was smarting at Greg’s refusal to spend time and money on altering this room. The old Victorian furnishings had been updated for Nathan, and he didn’t even play in here because Mrs Opie insisted he stay in her suite. Nobody seemed to think her baby was important, or care that it was a future heir to the house and property. ‘You must think me very silly,’ she said tightly.
‘No, I don’t. I’m sure I’d feel the same. Married life between Matt and me is back to normal so I could have another baby soon and we could still be pushing our prams together.’ Leah glared at her so intensely Hannah felt at a loss. ‘Did Matt tell you why he wanted to talk to Greg?’
Leah nodded sullenly.
‘We have a double celebration to look forward to. The birth of your baby and Matt opening his chandlery.’
‘Matt won’t be able to do the manual work renovating that old cottage,’ Leah said spitefully. ‘I suppose Dad and Josh, Greg and Patrick will be fussing round him, helping him to get it ready.’
Hannah blanched at the unkindness in Leah’s words. ‘Matt can’t do all of it but he will most of it. He’s gaining strength every day,’ she said, guessing that Leah was feeling left out again. She remembered Greg telling her months ago, before news of the attack on Matt broke over them, how excited Leah was about the party they were to have. The party hadn’t happened because of all that had taken place that day. Leah was pregnant, a time when a woman could go through an emotional minefield, when she needed to feel cosseted and important. Hannah attempted to rectify the imbalance her troubles had caused. ‘Matt and I were wondering the other day what names you’ve chosen for the baby. Have you decided yet?’
‘I want Rhett for a boy but Greg says it’s a stupid name.’ She got up suddenly and paced about the room like a caged animal. ‘No one cares what I think, what I do or what I say in this damned house or in the village!’
‘Oh, Leah, I’m sorry. My problems have overshadowed the joy of you expecting your baby.’ Hannah reached for Leah but was pushed away.
‘Just leave me alone, Hannah. Go downstairs and have a cosy chat with your mother. You’re all that matters around here. And now that Lily can marry Jowan after all, I’ll have no one who notices I flipping well exist. But when my baby’s born I’ll make sure he counts for something. It’s he who will inherit Roscarrock, not your child! I’ll make sure he knows that.’
Hannah was shocked by her words and would have remonstrated but she could see Leah was on the verge of a tantrum. Something had to be done before she became ill and risked her health and her baby’s. Hannah was sure Greg was being loving and attentive, although perhaps not very perceptive. She withdrew, determined to have a strong word with Feena Opie.
Downstairs, Matt entered the drawing room and looked all round it for Hannah as if Feena was hiding her away from him.
‘Finished discussing your project with Greg, have you?’ Feena asked drily.
‘Yes. Hannah’s not back yet?’
‘No. The coffee’s still hot. Would you like some?’
Matt had drunk coffee with Greg but he was curious at her gesture of hospitality, and for once she wasn’t fixing him with a piercing stare. ‘Yes, please.’
Feena poured the coffee and he took it to the opposite sofa and sat down. ‘I take it Hannah has told you about my business plans?’ He was smiling, his dark velvety eyes shining like polished jet, and she could see why Hannah was still physically attracted to him. He was totally at ease, full of confidence.
‘She has. I wish you well, Matt.’
‘I find that hard to believe.’ He sipped the strong brew, his dark brows raised.
‘I know I said some harsh things to you in your house but I was as horrified as everyone else when I saw you in the hospital. You’re obviously excited about your venture. Perhaps Daniel Kittow has done you a favour.’
‘Nothing could compensate for losing my favoured livelihood but I’m not going to let Hannah and Nathan down. They are my responsibility. I shall provide for them. But yes, I am excited at starting something new.’
Feena looked him in the eye. ‘We should be friends, Matt.’
He gave a wry laugh. ‘You know that’s not possible. I shall never trust you.’
Hannah came into the room and was pleased to see they weren’t at loggerheads for once. Matt got up to go. ‘Would you mind leaving me and Mrs Opie alone for a few minutes, darling? There’s something I need to say to her.’
When they were on their way back to Porthellis, walking arm in arm, her head snuggled against his shoulder, Matt asked, ‘So, my sweet, what did you say to the old lady? She looked as if she was spitting nails when she saw us off at the door.’
‘I simply told her that if she doesn’t start giving Leah her rightful place at Roscarrock I’ll stop going there.’ She explained how upset Leah had been. ‘You warned me before about Leah getting hurt at my expense. I didn’t mean it to happen, but until recently I haven’t been able to think of anything or anyone but us. I’m glad I’ve put things right for her.’
‘You think Mrs Opie will go along with it?’
‘Yes. She hates being told what to do and was quite sharp with me at first, but she said she’d ask Leah to go shopping with her for the baby tomorrow. If there is any more trouble I’ll tell Greg to buck up his ideas.’
‘Good for you.’ Matt took her into his arms, smiling down into her eyes. ‘I love you, Hannah,’ he said. ‘As long as we have each other, no one can hurt us. While I was talking to Greg I came to a decision. I want us to go into business together. I don’t want the chandlery to be just mine. We’ll work it together, joint partners. M and H Penney painted on the sign. What do you say?’
‘I say I love you too and I’d love to be your partner in the business as well as in our marriage.’ She embraced him and they kissed passionately. ‘Everything’s going to be all right, Matt.’ She wasn’t just thinking about the business and Leah; the rumours Lily had brought up that afternoon gave her cause for satisfaction too.
Chapter 26
Daniel made his way through the bitterly cold weather and darkness to arrive at a smart address in Plymouth. He was expected and walked straight into the house through the back door. Striding along the passage runner, he tapped on the second door and went into the sitting room.
His brows rose. ‘Where’s Charlie?’ he asked the woman sitting alone amid the highly polished furniture. Her rich perfume seeped into his nostrils. She was a long-bodied, figureless woman, aged about twenty-eight, with dyed red hair and a face shaped like that of a Dresden figurine. She was smoking a black cigarette in a gilt holder. Her green eyes surveyed Daniel’s brawny body like a connoisseur of wine scanning an old, important label. While he waited for an answer he returned her look and ran his eyes over the smooth, crossed legs which were revealed by a tight skirt.
‘My brother had to go out. He asked me to stand in for him. You have the package?’ she asked in a syrupy voice which in any other circumstances Daniel would have found irritating.
‘I came for a game of cards,’ he said gruffly, turning away. ‘I’ll be going.’
‘Charlie said you wouldn’t trust anyone but him. He left this note for you.’
She held out a piece of paper. Daniel advanced, took the paper, unfolded it and read the message. Satisfied, he tapped his coat which had an inside breast pocket.
With slow, foxy movements she rose and stood close to him. Daniel had never seen a woman as tall as she was; she wore no shoes yet was still about three inches taller than he was. It was a new experience to have to look up to a woman. She rolled her shoulders, tossed her head. A strange gleam entered her eyes. She smiled with just the corners of her dazzling red lips. To Daniel, she seemed unreal. He sensed she was cruel. The smoke from the cigarette and her perfume were overpowering; h
e felt a little intoxicated.
He watched her parted lips as she put a hand inside his coat and felt about for the package. She took her time, pressing him, prodding him. When she finally had the package, she slunk away and locked it inside a walnut bureau. Toying with the tiny silver key in her long tapering fingers, she said, pouting, ‘You are a good boy bringing this for Charlie. I’ll make sure you’re well-rewarded.’
‘Why?’ he challenged her.
‘He told me you were my type. Strong, athletic, energetic, big.’ If Daniel had been capable of blushing, he would have been bright pink as she gazed intently at a certain area of his anatomy. ‘I’m delighted to see he was correct. Why don’t you take off your coat?’
As Daniel did so, she glided to a drinks table. ‘What’s your name?’
Daniel made a wry face.
‘Just your first name will do. You can make up one but you can trust me.’
Like hell, he thought. ‘You can call me Charlie,’ he said.
Her face remained expressionless. ‘Well, Charlie, what would you like to drink?’
‘Brandy.’
‘I always think brandy’s such a sensuous liquor.’ She caressed the large brandy glasses before moving back to him. As he reached for his drink, she backed away. ‘Not here, darling. Upstairs. The bed is absolutely huge. You will come?’
Daniel nodded, full of anticipation.
* * *
The first month of the New Year had passed and the boats had limped home from the seven-week stay at Plymouth for the herring season, which had been disappointingly lean again. For most of the fishermen the success of the bazaar was replaced with worry about how they’d get through the rest of the winter. And they had brought back tragic news with them. The day before, the lugger Curly Jose partnered had run aground off Rame Head and Ian Jacobs, the younger brother of Lizzie’s husband John, and an older fisherman had been washed overboard and drowned.
A few hours later, in the early morning, Constable Burt turned up on the doorstep of Chynoweth. With him were two plainclothes detectives. A blast of freezing cold air followed them inside as Grace nervously showed them into the sitting room.
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