It wasn't for want of trying. Hettie Burnstall, as she was then, had tried everything.
And then it dawned. That was it!
Hettie suddenly knew what was niggling at her.
It was Aurelia Jenkins.
Seeing her at Mia and Jet's wedding had stirred up emotions long since buried and long-forgotten memories.
Surprisingly enough, despite the fact that Hettie and Aurelia both lived in such a small village, Hettie couldn't remember the last time the pair had come face-to-face. Aurelia was the type of person who would be described as a hermit. And the only person within a sixty-mile radius about whom Hettie would never, ever gossip.
Aurelia hadn't visited The Frog and Lily in decades – until the wedding. There was no point really. The woman never touched alcohol and being a hermit, didn't particularly want to socialise, so Hettie never bumped into her there. And being a pagan, Aurelia didn't go to church. She baked her own bread, so was never at the bakery, Lake's Bakes as it now was. But the one place she did go, was Little Pond Farm. She raised her own chickens, so she didn't need eggs, but she had always loved fresh milk, and had been getting it from the farm long before Jet had bought the place. When Sarah Cross, Jet's mum, was alive, Sarah had told Hettie that Aurelia had acquired a passion for Jet's cheese. Sarah also told her that Aurelia visited the farm around eight a.m. most days, so Hettie had always made a point of never visiting before nine.
But seeing Aurelia at the wedding was a bit of a surprise. They didn't speak of course, and the fleeting glance they exchanged was on the icy side of cool. They avoided one another at the reception, which Hettie was even more astonished to see Aurelia attending. But the woman hadn't stayed long. Just time enough to toast to Mia and Jet's happiness and then she was gone. Back to Witt's Cottage. Or Witch Cottage as some of the locals over the years had called it. But not within Aurelia Jenkins' earshot.
Even after Aurelia had left, the woman remained in Hettie's thoughts for several hours. And since the wedding, she had popped in and out of Hettie's mind from time to time. More so than Hettie would have liked.
Yes. Hettie now knew what it was that was niggling at her.
It was Aurelia Jenkins.
And as if by magic, she suddenly knew why. And exactly what she needed to do.
Chapter Four
Tabbie was surprised by the clothes Aurelia had left on the bed for her. They weren't the rags that for some reason she had expected. They weren't drab. They weren't even that old.
Tabbie dressed quickly. She had spent longer than planned in the bath but the fragrance from Aurelia's potion had been so relaxing that she was sure she'd drifted off to sleep for a minute or two despite the dreadful storm that had momentarily raged outside. Probably not the wisest thing to do in a bath filled with water but she felt so much better for it.
The clothes on the bed smelt mildly of lavender. They'd either been washed in a scented liquid or powder, or been hanging in a wardrobe with a lavender bag or pomander. The cotton skirt and blouse were colourful and bright, but not garish, although the skirt skimmed Tabbie's ankles and was a couple of sizes too big. Aurelia had obviously thought of that because she'd also left a belt. It was long and made of twisted strands of multicoloured silk; real silk, not the faux kind. It had little charms on each end that jingled when Tabbie tied it.
At least the larger sizes meant the buttoned blouse fitted across her chest without gaping. There was also a pair of open-toed slippers with a thick band across the front. They looked brand new, which was rather surprising. Even more surprising was the fact they fitted Tabbie perfectly.
She heard voices as she made her way down the creaking stairs. One was clearly Aurelia – and she was laughing. Not the cackle Tabbie had heard earlier but a warm and friendly laugh. The other voices were male and one had a hint of a Texan drawl.
Was Aurelia married to an American? Did she have sons, perhaps? Camilla hadn't mentioned that. In fact, now that she came to think about it, Camilla hadn't told Tabbie much at all about her friend, save for the fact that they hadn't seen one another for years but despite rarely being in touch, they were still friends. Good friends.
Which was why Tabbie was here.
She pushed the door open and stepped into the hall, making her way to the kitchen from where the voices and laughter emanated. The earlier storm had abated and the entire cottage exuded an air of cosy tranquillity and warmth. Three men, one tall, muscular and blond, wearing a Stetson; one not quite as tall but slightly more agile looking with chestnut coloured hair, similar to Tabbie's and expensive-looking glasses, and one with jet black hair and a physique somewhere between his companions, stood with their backs to her. Aurelia, who was seated and facing towards the hall, spotted Tabbie immediately and beamed a welcoming smile as if it had been days, not merely an hour since they had seen one another.
'How are you feeling, Tabbie? Come and meet the boys. They've got your car out of my pond and in that sudden downpour too.'
Boys? These strapping males were hardly that, and as three pairs of eyes each scanned Tabbie from head to foot she felt the colour rise in her cheeks. Something she hadn't expected and hadn't experienced for a long time. But then she had rarely been under such scrutiny.
'Much better, thank you. I'm sorry I've been so long. Did you say they've got my car out? And during that storm? Gosh. Thanks a million times over. I really mean that.'
'It's our pleasure, ma'am,' the tall blond Texan said, removing his Stetson momentarily.
'Meet Franklin, Gill and Justin.' Aurelia pointed to each one in turn, beginning with the Texan. 'Boys. This is Tabbie, the daughter of a dear friend of mine.'
'Pleased to meet you,' the men said in unison.
'And I'm very pleased to meet you. Thank you again for saving my car.' Tabbie gave a little laugh. 'How did you manage it?'
Gill removed his glasses and wiped each lens with the tip of his shirt as he replied: 'Franklin brought a tractor, I got in the pond and tied the rope, and Justin supervised.' Putting his glasses back in place, he gave Justin a sardonic smile. Justin grabbed him by the neck in what appeared to be a wrestling hold, but both of them were laughing. Gill's jeans were sodden, so he was probably telling the truth about getting in the pond, but all three men were wet from the torrential rain.
'Someone had to,' Justin said, releasing Gill who gave him a playful shove in return.
Was that behaviour why Aurelia had called them boys?
Tabbie smiled at them. 'Well, thank you again. I'm hoping it'll start once it's had time to dry out.'
Justin shook his head. 'I wouldn't count on that.'
Not only was he extraordinarily handsome, he somehow seemed familiar.
Tabbie furrowed her brows and he clearly mistook her expression because he added: 'Sorry. But I don't think you've got a hope in hell of that happening.' He gave a light shrug and an oddly nervous smile.
'I expect you're right. Oh well. I can call the RAC and get them to tow it to a garage, I suppose. But I'll call the insurance company first and see what they suggest. I hope you don't mind me saying this, and I'm sure you've heard it hundreds of times, but you look remarkably like the Hollywood movie star, Justin Lake. You even have the same Christian name. You could earn a fortune as a celebrity double.'
The three men exchanged glances.
'Yeah. I get that a lot.' Justin emptied the contents of the cup he was holding and put it on the table. 'Thanks for the tea, Aurelia, but I think it's time I was on my way. Lovely to meet you, Tabbie. I hope you get your car sorted.'
'I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It was so clichéd. I don't want to chase you away.'
He met her eyes and Tabbie's stomach gave an odd little lurch. She must be hungrier than she thought.
'You're not. I'm supposed to be meeting Bear in the pub. I hadn't realised how late it was.'
'Bear? I hope that's someone's nickname and not a real bear.' Why had she said that? What was wrong with her? She wasn't usually so soc
ially inept? But then she didn't usually drive her car into a ditch, meet a real live witch, and end up in the company of three incredibly handsome strangers.
Justin smiled benevolently. 'Bear's a friend. His real name's Rupert. But everyone calls him Bear. Although not for the reason you might think. It's actually his middle name. Rupert Bear Day.'
'Rupert Bear Day? Gosh. I bet he was teased mercilessly at school.'
Justin winked at her. 'He still is.'
Her heart gave a little flutter. The man really was gorgeous. But then all three of them were. What were the chances of three such incredible hunks of manhood all being in one tiny village?
'Bear's the local vet,' Aurelia said. 'And a first responder. Perhaps I should've called him after your accident.'
'No, no.' Tabbie raised one hand in the air in a stop gesture. 'I'm fine.'
'It might be wise to let someone give you a once over,' Justin said.
Tabbie got the strangest feeling that Justin wasn't necessarily talking about her health. She certainly wouldn't mind him giving her a once over. Or several.
'No really, there's no need. I'm fine. Especially after the luxurious bath I've just taken. Aurelia, you should market that product. You'd make a fortune. Perhaps you do so already?'
Aurelia smiled. 'I sell it to locals. But I don't make a fortune. And neither do I want to.'
'I'd better get back,' Gill said. 'Ella will be wondering where I am. She was in the shower when Franklin called and asked me to help so I left her a note saying I was just popping out.'
He grabbed Justin's cup from the table and together with his own, placed them in the sink. Franklin handed him his, and Gill added it to the others.
'I'd best be strolling along too,' Franklin said.
Aurelia got up from her chair. 'Thank you for your help. I knew I could count on you boys even though Jet's away.'
'You can always count on us, Aurelia, whether or not Jet's around.' Justin stepped forward and kissed Aurelia on the cheek.
'Who's Jet?'
Aurelia smiled at Tabbie. 'Jet Cross owns Little Pond Farm. It's the other side of the village. I've known him since the day he was born and a better, kinder soul you'd be hard-pressed to meet. Although he tried to hide his true nature for as long as possible. He keeps dairy cows, free range hens, and since falling in love with Mia, four reindeer.' She gave a little chuckle and shook her head. 'There's a shop on the farm and he sells milk, eggs, butter and the most delicious cheese you'll ever taste in your life. He and Mia are away on their honeymoon at the moment.'
'Mia's from the village? Sorry. I don't mean to ask so many questions. It's a habit.'
'Mia's from London, originally,' Justin said. 'She, together with her friends Ella and Ella's twin brother Garrick, moved here a little over a year ago.'
'Moved here from London? Retired here, do you mean?'
Everyone laughed except Tabbie.
Gill shook his head. 'No. Mia's in her mid-thirties, as are Ella and Garrick. Mia's great aunt Mattie left her Sunbeam Cottage on the condition, or so we thought, that Mia lived there for a year. It's a long story.'
Justin slapped Gill playfully on the arm. 'And one you've partially included in the book you've written about your grandfather.'
Gill shrugged. 'That's true. But only in the epilogue explaining that Mattie continued to use her training to the full and that her activities with regards to spying overlapped into her personal life well into her nineties.'
Justin smiled at Tabbie. 'If you're interested in history, you can read all about it. Or we can fill you in on the juicy bits, if you want to leave out the boring stuff. No offence, mate.' He patted Gill on the back.
'None taken.'
'To be fair,' Justin added, 'it's far more fascinating than you might imagine.'
'It sounds intriguing. I'm definitely interested. History was one of my favourite subjects and my degree was History and English, although I later took a bit of a detour, but that's another story. Did you say spying, Gill? Is now a good time, Justin? Oh gosh no. You said you were going to the pub to meet your friend.'
'I am. But if you're interested in history, then Gill's your man.' He gave her a quick glance up and down. 'You're welcome to join us in The Frog and Lily if you fancy a drink though. And if you like rugby, you'll be in your element. Our conversation will inevitably veer in that direction, especially as I haven't been around for … That's not important. Anyway, the offer's there if you want it.'
Something was definitely not quite right with her. She was as good as throwing herself at Justin and she knew nothing about him. But he had helped rescue her car, so he wasn't a total stranger. And he was the spitting image of Justin Lake, so wasn't it understandable that her excitement was getting the better of her? It wasn't every day that she got to stand so close to such a hot guy. To three hot guys. But Justin seemed to be the one who was sending her hormones into overdrive.
Although there was something about Gill and the twinkle in his eyes when he explained who Mia was. And the way he smiled. That alone was enough to send a tingle of excitement through any female.
Perhaps she had been too long without a man in her life? She had split from her last boyfriend more than eight months ago after a short-lived relationship, and prior to that she had gone for almost a year without a significant other. Although she'd had a week-long holiday fling during that time, so it wasn't a complete year without sex. Even so, she hadn't had so much as a one-night hook up for the past eight months.
No wonder she was throwing herself at these handsome and undeniably sexy strangers; not one of whom had a wedding band on their finger. Only Gill had said he had someone to go home to. That might not necessarily be a girlfriend.
And Justin had just invited her for a drink. After the day she'd had, that might be exactly what she needed. But it would be rude to abuse Aurelia's hospitality by shooting off to the pub without first telling her why she had come to see her.
'Thank you. That's very kind. And believe me, I'd love to join you. Rugby's not my favourite topic, but red wine most certainly is. However, I've come to see Aurelia and I was supposed to be on my way back to London by now. I need to sort out my car and then I must find somewhere to stay.'
'You'll stay here,' Aurelia said, in a tone that indicated she was surprised Tabbie had thought otherwise. 'And if you want to go to the pub you're welcome to do so. Don't worry about me. I'll be here when you get back. From the looks of your car, we'll have plenty of time to talk about why you're here. I don't think you'll be going anywhere soon.'
Tabbie hesitated for a split second before shaking her head. Manners were everything and it was bad form enough to drop in on someone unexpectedly; to then leave them to enjoy oneself elsewhere was simply not cricket.
'You're all so kind. But I think it's best if I stay here and explain what prompted my unannounced arrival.'
'No problem,' Justin said. 'If you're going to be around for a day or two, one, or all of us can be found in the pub at some point most days. See you around, Tabbie.' He winked again, gave Aurelia a final little wave and left, followed directly by Gill and Franklin.
'Give me a call if you want to hear about Mattie,' Gill said, cheerfully waving a hand at Aurelia. 'Aurelia's got the number.'
'Take care now, ma'am,' Franklin added, tipping his Stetson in a respectful gesture before striding along the hall and closing the front door behind them.
'Are you sure you wouldn't rather join Justin and Bear in the pub? I meant it when I said I didn't mind.' Aurelia walked to the worktop and flicked the switch on the kettle.
Tabbie hadn't spotted the electric kettle earlier and couldn't help but smile. She had been half expecting Aurelia to boil water in the pot above the fire, but when she glanced in that direction, she saw steam rising and as she walked further into the kitchen, a delicious aroma filled her nostrils. There was something in that pot and it certainly wasn't water. Or bats or toads.
'No honestly. I'd rather stay here and c
hat with you. Thank you for the offer of a bed, by the way. I wasn't relishing the prospect of having to call a cab and find a hotel for the night.'
Aurelia chuckled as she placed herbs in the teapot. 'Getting a cab to come here would be nothing short of a miracle. You'd have to walk to the junction of Seaside Road and that's a fair way in the dark. And as for finding a hotel room, the nearest hotel is probably in Little Whittingdale and that's a good twenty to thirty-minute drive. Unless Justin or Jet were driving, in which case it's about fifteen.'
'I can't believe how much Justin resembles Justin Lake. Have you heard of him?'
'Justin Lake?' Aurelia chuckled softly. 'Oh yes. I've heard of Justin Lake. Bit of a one with the ladies. Although Jet was like that once, and look at him now. True Love can change a man – or a woman – in the blink of a bat's eye.'
'Jet Cross? The man who married Mia?'
'The very same.' Aurelia poured boiling water into the teapot and brought the pot, together with a cup and saucer over to the table. 'Let that stew for a minute or two. Speaking of stew, I hope you're hungry. I've made plenty. I thought the boys might want some after getting your car out of my pond, but Justin's eating at the pub with Bear, Gill's making dinner for Ella, and Franklin and Lori are off to Little Whittingdale to have dinner at the restaurant that's co-owned by Luke Martindale and that TV chef, Xavier Sombeanté.'
'Xavier Sombeanté? His restaurant's nearby? I had no idea. Gosh, today has been full of surprises.'
'You're right about that. And there's more where they came from. Which brings us back to why you're here. It suddenly occurred to me, there's nothing wrong with Cami, is there? Take a seat, dear.' She nodded towards the chair she placed in front of the fire earlier and resumed her seat close by.
'No, no,' Tabbie said, pulling her chair closer to the table before taking a seat. 'Mum's fine. Complaining about arthritis in her fingers but other than that, she's fit and healthy.'
Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane Page 3