Secrets of the Mist

by Kate Ryder

  On my way out I stopped and checked my appearance in the driftwood mirror at the bottom of the stairs, childishly sticking out my tongue at my reflection. The glass appeared smoky, as if in need of a good clean, and even though the lights were on in the dining room across the hallway I couldn’t see any detail. I moved in to take a closer look and gasped. The face that serenely observed me was mine… but it was not. In the mirror my hair tumbled down around my shoulders, yet mine was tied back, and in the reflection I wore a dark blue cloak. I glanced down at my open-necked silver shirt.

  ‘Who are you?’ As I spoke, the vision faded. ‘What do you want from me?’

  Was there a suggestion of a smile on that rapidly vanishing face?

  Swirling grey smoke now gave way to clear glass and I clearly saw the stained-glass window divide on the far side of the room with my open laptop on the dining table. As I met my gaze in the mirror the look in my eyes was not entirely calm. Exiting the cottage, I closed the front door purposefully behind me and made my way briskly across the village green, beneath the boughs of the old oak tree, and entered the pub.

  Janet was already there, and Gayle arrived shortly afterwards with Danielle, the latest recruit. I threw myself into work and forgot about that ‘other’ woman. The restaurant was decorated with helium-filled silver balloons and silver and red streamers adorned the beams. Brian had hired a local band for the night and the four musicians now set up their equipment and carried out sound checks. We laid each table with a red linen tablecloth, placed a vase with a single-stemmed red rose in the centre, and arranged silver-coloured napkins in wine glasses. Standing back to admire the room, we unanimously agreed the end result was warm and welcoming with a hint of stardust magic.

  Before the evening got under way, Brian called us over to the bar and explained that Janet was in charge of the restaurant, which he had roughly divided into four, and I was responsible for the three tables nearest the entrance so I could keep an eye on the bar and help out there when necessary. The remaining tables were divided between Janet, Gayle and Danielle. I saw meaningful looks pass between the girls – there were a number of customers to keep happy – but Brian pointed out that Janet would be waitressing all evening. Kevin, the replacement assistant chef, having survived his baptism of fire, was now a fully-fledged member of the team and worked alongside Vera in the kitchen.

  ‘Any questions?’ We shook our heads. ‘Good. Then let’s make this evening a success.’

  I checked the restaurant booking sheet and noticed that table ten was reserved in the name of Corbin. As fate would have it, table ten was my responsibility. A mix of emotions coursed through me.

  ‘Janet, I don’t suppose you’d swap your table three for my table ten, would you?’ I asked quietly.

  She was about to agree when Brian interjected, ‘No, I want you free for the bar, Maddie. Table ten is closer.’

  I resigned myself to the fact and then thought it probably wasn’t Nick anyway. After all, he’d told me the Corbins came from the area so it could be any member of the family.

  As the musicians ran through a couple of numbers I helped Brian set up the bar. Nervously, I watched as the first of the Valentine’s customers arrived and fulfilled their drinks orders as they congregated around the bar before moving through to the restaurant. At seven-fifteen my table one arrived; a sweet young couple, not much older than eighteen. They ordered drinks at the bar and then Janet showed them to their table. A few minutes later, I walked through to the restaurant with their drinks and left them with a couple of menus. As I returned to the bar area my stomach tied itself into a sickening knot. Sarah entered the pub with a woman I hadn’t seen before, closely followed by Nick and another man. I watched as Nick instantly scanned the room.

  As our eyes met I swallowed hard and managed a smile, despite my nervousness, which now verged on nausea. He looked fantastic in a white shirt, which enhanced his tan, a pair of grey moleskin trousers and a dusky blue casual jacket. Sarah must have been freezing in a pair of silver strappy sandals, a thin jacket and a short black dress – obviously chosen to show off her deeply tanned, bare legs. She talked animatedly to the other woman as they all moved towards the bar.

  Fortunately, Brian stepped forward to serve them. Filled with relief, I escaped to the restaurant to take the young couple’s order. However, as I returned to the bar area, Janet was leading Nick’s party through to their table. Sarah glanced at me as she passed by, her face an expressionless mask, but Nick hung back and stopped me with a light touch on the arm. The look in his eyes stirred those pesky butterflies in my tummy to perform a series of double-somersaults.

  ‘Hi, Maddie.’

  ‘Hi.’

  ‘You look really good to me,’ he said softly.

  ‘You don’t look bad yourself,’ I responded confidently, although I was far from feeling that.

  The room suddenly turned hot and I had difficulty breathing. Was this swooning? To cover my confusion, I hurriedly said, ‘You’d better brace yourself. I’m your waitress tonight.’

  ‘No!’ He groaned teasingly. ‘What have I done to deserve this? Twice in less than three months.’

  I laughed and promised to do my best not to stab him this time.

  ‘That would be greatly appreciated!’ He removed his hand from my arm. ‘I’d better go and join the others.’ With a smile, he turned and walked through the open archway into the restaurant, but I could still feel the warmth where his fingers had rested.

  Before long, I was too busy to fret about anything. As I guided customers to their tables, acutely aware of Nick’s eyes on me, I basked in the spotlight of his gaze. Eventually, I couldn’t put it off any longer.

  ‘Good evening,’ I said, approaching his table. ‘I’m Maddie, your waitress for the evening. Are you ready to order?’

  Without any concern for my sensitivity, Nick said to the other man, ‘I warn you now, Peter, this girl’s lethal. She does a mean trick with flying cutlery!’

  The man laughed, and the woman sitting beside side him smiled sympathetically.

  ‘But we can excuse her that because she more than makes up for her waitressing shortcomings with her Irish charm.’ Nick gave me a mischievous look.

  Sarah surveyed me coldly.

  ‘Don’t listen to my brother,’ the other woman said kindly. ‘He’s a big tease. I’m sure you’re a fine waitress.’

  So, this was his sister. How alike they were, both gifted with the same open, friendly face. Maybe this was a family trait.

  Nick laughed. ‘No, Helen, I warn you, Maddie is not a fine waitress but she is an excellent journalist.’

  With her lips pursing into a thin mean line, Sarah’s eyes narrowed.

  ‘Ah,’ exclaimed Peter in an easy manner. ‘So you’re the one Nick’s been talking about.’

  ‘And I understand Tilly made sure she was centre stage in all the photos,’ Helen added, in a soft Dorset lilt.

  She spoke with the same inflections as Nick.

  ‘Ashton Chase Barn is fantastic in its own right, but having the dogs in the shots adds a homely touch,’ I responded with a smile. ‘It will enable readers to imagine living there.’

  ‘I must remember to get a copy of the magazine,’ said Helen. ‘When is the article published?’

  ‘It’s scheduled for the May issue of EcoWorld,’ I replied.

  ‘It’s a new title,’ explained Nick to his sister.

  I turned to him. ‘Colin has asked me to take some more external photos before publication deadline.’

  Sarah slayed me with a look. ‘We can take the photos and email them to you,’ she said archly.

  An awkward silence descended. Nick was the first to speak.

  ‘Don’t be silly, Sarah. Maddie has to take them. It’s her job.’

  She glared at me.

  ‘I’m starving,’ said Helen, concentrating on the menu. ‘Let’s order. I’m sure Maddie has better things to do with her time than talk to us.’

  Not rea
lly. I love talking to you because you’re part of Nick’s life.

  I took their order and rushed it through to the kitchen, informing Brian they had requested a bottle of champagne. Silently, I prayed this was simply because it was Valentine’s Day and not because there was something else of importance to celebrate.

  Brian was on good form; he excelled at throwing a party. The band was great, playing romantic songs spanning several decades, and the evening went with a swing. I was astounded that I managed not to drop any cutlery when clearing away the empty plates from Nick’s table, especially as I was aware of him watching me. Each time I approached his table I had to will my legs to move, as my knees had turned to jelly. It was all I could do to refrain from jumping into his arms!

  Helen and Peter seemed a nice couple, open and friendly, and I liked their company. Sarah, however, was interesting to observe. When I was elsewhere in the restaurant serving other tables she joined in enthusiastically with the table’s conversation, but each time I approached she fell silent; her jaw set. She leant in to Nick and made sure I noticed their intimacy, all the while shooting challenging looks in my direction. I remembered to check – there was still no ring on her finger. My sister would have been so proud of me. Mo, whose man had flown from New York to Paris to share a romantic Valentine’s meal with her before flying back across the pond the following day.

  I was serving coffee and heart-shaped chocolates to the young couple on table one when I heard Sarah exclaiming loudly and excitedly. Even the young couple looked over in their direction and we all watched as Sarah hugged and kissed Nick. Helen and Peter smiled happily at the couple.

  Oh God! – I felt as if I’d been kicked in the stomach – surely he hasn’t proposed?

  ‘See, he belongs to her. Not you!’ mocked my inner voice.

  Suddenly I was diverted from my rising panic.

  ‘Excuse me,’ the girl at table one said. ‘Someone is trying to attract your attention.’

  I looked over to where she pointed and saw Brian beckoning me over.

  ‘What’s up?’ I asked, as I approached him.

  ‘Your mate’s here.’ He jerked his head over his shoulder.

  ‘What mate?’

  ‘The one from the film company.’

  ‘Dan?’ I asked incredulously.

  ‘That’s the one.’

  I rushed through the archway and there he was, sitting at the bar. Momentarily, I forgot how annoyed I was with him.

  ‘Dan!’ I hugged him hard and then checked to see if Lucy was around. He was on his own.

  ‘Wow, you look fit!’ He hugged me back. ‘Didn’t know what sort of reception I’d get.’

  Then I remembered he hadn’t been in contact for ages. ‘What are you doing here?’

  He looked thinner and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes. Dear exhausted Dan…

  ‘Just had to come and see you.’

  As Brian set a beer on the bar in front of him, Dan stood up and delved deep into his jeans’ pocket, searching for loose change.

  ‘On the house, mate,’ said Brian. ‘Looks like you could do with one.’

  Dan smiled thinly.

  ‘Have you had anything to eat?’ I asked.

  ‘Yeah. Had a bite on the way down.’ He looked at me and his eyes alighted on my choker. ‘Hey, you’re wearing the surfer beads I gave you. Didn’t think you still cared.’

  ‘Well, you know me, Dan, a sentimental old fool,’ I said, slipping easily into the casual banter we had always shared.

  ‘Fistral Beach. Yeah, I remember that weekend well,’ he said with a smirk.

  ‘Look, I’ve still got tables to serve but I’ll be back in a bit.’

  I returned to the restaurant wondering where the fantastic Lucy was, tonight of all nights. I served coffee and chocolates to table two and then Peter called me over and asked if they could have coffee and liqueurs in the bar area. I told them to come through when they were ready. Sarah was talking vivaciously with Nick. He laughed and put his arm around her. Immediately, she stared up at me with something like victory in her eyes. I tried to shut out the stab of jealousy, reminding myself they were a couple after all.

  I walked back to the bar. Brian was in conversation with Dan, but at my approach he discreetly withdrew to the other end of the bar. I sat on a stool and, facing Dan, placed my hands on his knees.

  ‘So, why did you have to come and see me after all this time?’

  He searched my face. Why did I get the impression I’d done something wrong?

  ‘Well, that’s just it – after all this time. You haven’t been in touch for ages. I needed to know you were all right.’

  ‘What do you mean, I haven’t been in touch?’ I removed my hands from his knees. ‘It’s you who didn’t return my call.’

  ‘What call?’ he asked, looking at me in confusion.

  ‘And you couldn’t be bothered to send a Christmas card either,’ I added, sulkily.

  ‘I did send a card,’ he said defensively. ‘It’s you who didn’t! At least, Lucy told me she’d sent it…’ He paused and we held each other’s gaze for a long moment. ‘I think someone’s been making trouble for us.’

  ‘I think you could be right,’ I agreed.

  ‘Come here.’ Leaning forwards, Dan drew me into a warm embrace. A safe, comforting, familiar act I knew so well.

  As I glanced over his shoulder, I noticed Nick and Sarah standing at the bar a few feet away. Nick watched us and I could have sworn I caught a fleeting look of hurt in his eyes before he turned away. Surely not?

  ‘No, just your pathetic, hopeful imagination,’ answered my unrelenting inner voice.

  I extricated myself from Dan.

  Brian placed four liqueurs on the bar and as Sarah took them over to the alcove where Helen and Peter were sitting, I called over to Nick. ‘This is Dan. A good friend of mine from London. We used to work together.’

  ‘And play together…’ added Dan.

  ‘Pleased to meet you,’ Nick responded politely. ‘Nick Corbin.’

  ‘Nick’s helped me with the cottage,’ I explained. ‘He’s sorted out the window for me.’

  ‘No more draughty nights and puddles on the floor then?’ Dan laughed.

  I watched Nick’s face. There was that flicker again, however fleeting.

  ‘He’s also fitted a bread oven door, which looks great,’ I continued.

  ‘Swell,’ said Dan.

  ‘Oh, I’ve got so much to tell you!’

  Dan laughed at my enthusiasm.

  Sensing Nick’s discomfort, I wondered if I was being presumptuous and overstepping the mark, assuming there was a friendship between us when, in fact, there was none. I was considering how to proceed when Sarah returned.

  ‘Helen and Peter want to know if you’ll join us.’ Putting her arm through Nick’s, she gazed up at Dan with a coquettish look in her eyes. She smiled brightly. Nick shifted awkwardly.

  I quickly made an excuse. ‘I’m still on duty, but thanks anyway.’

  ‘That’s OK, Maddie, go and enjoy yourself,’ said Brian from behind the bar. ‘I can spare you for a while.’

  I gave him a sharp look. Was he enjoying this at my expense? But he’d turned away to stack the glass-washer, and I couldn’t see the expression on his face.

  And, so, I found myself sitting at the Corbin table, feeling as uncomfortable as Nick obviously did, while Sarah flirted with Dan. Helen and Peter appeared oblivious to any undercurrents… or simply chose to ignore them. When Dan told Sarah he was a cameraman with a film company, she was so excited I thought she was going to burst a blood vessel. Although she appeared to be only a few years younger than me, she seemed quite unworldly and immature. She fell silent when Dan said I was the assistant director at Hawkstone before giving it all up to come and live in Walditch. I might have imagined it, but I thought I saw a look of pride, tinged with sadness, creep into Nick’s eyes. Helen – lovely woman – congratulated me on having the courage to give up an establ
ished career to follow my dreams.

  ‘Maddie will always be OK wherever life takes her,’ Dan commented.

  If only he knew. I was taut from the strain of it all.

  Dan threw me such a warm smile that I was caught off guard and thought I was going to burst into tears. Frantically, I searched around for some form of distraction. Luckily Peter provided me with one.

  ‘Will you concentrate on journalism now?’ he asked.

  ‘Well, I’ve been commissioned to write more eco-based articles but, first, I have to find some subjects.’

  ‘I could put you in touch with a work colleague,’ he suggested amiably. ‘He runs an organic smallholding. What with the ever-looming oil crisis, he’s turned part of his land over to sustainable woodland.’

  How strange life is. Just when everything seems to have reached a dead end something turns up.

  ‘Charlie?’ asked Nick, the first words he had uttered for quite a while.

  ‘Yes, my partner,’ Peter explained to me.

  ‘Charles Bosworth is a lovable rogue,’ Helen said. ‘I swear, if he hadn’t been ordered by his father to train as a solicitor he would have found himself on the wrong side of the law by now!’

  ‘He sounds quite a character,’ I said. ‘Thanks, Peter. That would be great. Perhaps you could introduce us?’

  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Sarah move closer to Nick. Laying her head on his shoulder, she gazed at Dan with big, wide, innocent eyes.

  ‘How long have you two known each other?’ she asked.

  ‘Oh years,’ Dan answered cheerily. ‘As soon as I saw Mads I knew we would have history together. She was like a breath of fresh air.’

  The look on Nick’s face was inscrutable.

  ‘History being the operative word,’ I said pointedly.

  ‘Well, history has a way of repeating itself,’ countered Dan gently.

  Suddenly I turned ice-cold and shivered.

  Totally ignoring the others around the table, he drew me close and, looking deep into my eyes, twisted a loose tendril of my hair between his fingers. I was incensed. How dare Dan assume he could simply pick up where he had left off just because something might have happened between him and Lucy! And where was the amazing Lucy anyway? Abruptly, I got to my feet and, apologising to the rest of the table, said I had to get back to work. I cleared away my tables and then started to help the other girls clear theirs.