The Cosy Teashop in the Castle

by Caroline Roberts

  They reached the far end of the lake and the last of the trees. There was a track that led out through a small wooden gate to the open fields. She was a little nervous of the cattle loitering at the far side of the field, but she followed Joe closely up the rise of the hill, keeping near to an old stone wall. She could always leg it over there if they came charging. Her legs began to ache as the bank began to rise steeply, and she was getting out of puff. Joe was marching on ahead, the muscles of his bum still looking rather appealing ahead of her. He turned, realising that she was no longer by his side, ‘You okay?’

  ‘Fine.’ But she didn’t sound fine. It was hard to breathe, walking up this incline, let alone speak. The furthest she’d ever walked in the city was to and from the metro station, going to work and back, usually teetering on high heels and being crushed in the rush of commuter bodies.

  ‘Here.’ He strolled back a few paces and offered her a hand. The defined muscles of his lower arm were revealed as the sleeve rode up on his jacket. She felt his strength as he took her weight, and suddenly the uphill climb was a lot easier. His hand felt warm and strong around her own.

  ‘Thanks. So how long have you been here at the castle, then?’ She was very aware of his touch, but was trying to sound completely normal.

  ‘Oh, over four years now.’

  ‘What brought you here?’

  He looked a little uncomfortable as he answered, ‘It was the chance of a different kind of job, a different way of life. I was working for a small hotel back in the Newcastle area. I was doing pretty well, managing the office and the staff, but it was a small family business and there wasn’t really any way of getting a promotion. I’d done various other jobs as a teenager, too, anything I could put my hand to, really.’

  She smiled at him. Yes, he seemed the sort that would be a hard worker, and determined to get on.

  ‘And then I came here. The manager had upped and left and Lord Henry, well …’ He smiled, as though he didn’t want to run him down, ‘Well, let’s just say, he doesn’t have an awful lot of business sense. He loves this place, but he still can’t get his head around the fact that he has to let visitors in to make it viable.’

  ‘Hmn, I can understand that. It’s always been his home, I suppose. Was there ever a Lady Hogarth?’ Ellie was curious.

  ‘Yes, she died about eight years ago.’

  ‘That must have been tough for him.’

  ‘I’m sure it was.’ His tone was a touch curt, as though that was enough said.

  They were nearing the brow of the hill now. Joe let go of her hand to open a five-bar gate. He didn’t take her hand again, and it seemed wrong for her to reach for his; he’d only been helping her up the steep bit, after all.

  ‘Do you like it out here in the wilds?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, I do.’ He looked around at the scenery.

  The Cheviot Hills rose majestically in the distance. There was a dusting of snow still lingering over the peaks, which reminded her of icing sugar.

  ‘It’s an amazing place,’ he continued, ‘Very different from Byker.’

  ‘Yeah, and Heaton.’

  ‘It kind of gets into your blood. The countryside. One minute you’re moaning about the lack of restaurants, cinemas, bars, but then you go outside and you have all this. And Lord Henry is good to work for – once you get to know his foibles. I love it that I can make a difference. And gradually I’ve turned things around. We’re starting to make a profit. I’ve got the farm up and running as a business again. It’s been a huge learning curve – I knew nothing about farming when I got here. It’s not your usual job, but I like it. I like the people, the responsibility, that it’s never the same from one day to the next.’

  They strolled along the track, starting the climb towards the peak of the hill.

  ‘And you, what brings you here, Ellie?’ He looked at her with searching dark eyes.

  She really didn’t want to answer that question, not in any depth. ‘Oh … just the challenge of something new. I was stuck in a rut at work. Office work, so monotonous. I’ve always loved baking and cooking, and when I saw the ad, I knew I just had to go for it.’ The truth, in a limited version. No point revealing all the personal stuff.

  They reached a couple of craggy rocks that marked the top of the hill.

  ‘There you go. Just look around you.’ He motioned to the 360-degree view; the hills one side, the sea the other, and their castle down there in the valley below. It was stunning and she had to admit worth the effort of getting up here. ‘Right out on the coast, that’s Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island.’ He stood close behind her as he pointed out the landmarks. The view was amazing. She could smell the warm citrus of his aftershave.

  ‘Wow, it’s pretty dramatic. It’s also bloody freezing.’ The wind was whipping around them on the exposed summit of the hill.

  ‘Come on, let’s hunker down below this rock for a minute or two. It’ll be out of the wind. I’ve brought a couple of apples for us.’

  ‘Well that’s exciting,’ she joked.

  ‘Okay, just because you make gorgeous cakes all day. I don’t think a slice of lemon drizzle would have fared too well in my pocket.’

  ‘Maybe not,’ she conceded.

  They sat in a huddle with their backs against the big stone, munching on crisp Granny Smith apples in companionable silence. He finished his apple and threw the core into the heather. Ellie followed suit, launching hers higher and further.

  ‘You’d have made a great shot-putter,’ he grinned.

  ‘Thanks. I think.’ She gave him a friendly shove.

  The ground was beginning to feel cold and there was dampness from the grass soaking into the seat of her jeans. She was wondering about getting up, when Joe turned to her with a serious look on his face.

  ‘Ellie? What upset you so much the other night? When I found you sitting alone in the tearooms? What had happened?’

  It took her aback. She’d hoped he’d forget about that little incident. ‘Oh, nothing.’ She tried to make light of it.

  ‘It can’t be nothing to make you that sad … But if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay, I understand.’

  She took a deep breath. Did she really want to go into this? Something about his tone told her that she could trust him. But, then again, he was her landlord, kind of her boss, did he really need to know the ins and outs and disasters of her love life?

  ‘It was something that didn’t happen, to be honest … But it’s all over now. I just had a little blip, that’s all. I’m over it now.’ But there was a damned tear crowding in her eye.

  ‘You can tell me. It’ll not go any further. Mouth zipped and all that.’

  ‘Batman’s honour?’ She tried to smile.

  He laughed, ‘Yeah, definitely, Batman’s honour.’

  She remained silent, weighing up the pros and cons of disclosure, building up the courage.

  ‘Ellie?’ He leaned towards her, his gaze on hers. ‘It’s alright, you don’t have to say anything.’

  She gave a heavy sigh, ‘No, I think I want to.’ She leaned in a little further towards him, but looked out across the valley. ‘Um, ah, that day … the day you found me all upset,’ and she was so aware of his warmth next to her, arms and hips touching through their clothes. ‘Well, it was meant to be my wedding day.’ And the whole story came out, how Gavin had betrayed her with a so-called friend, how she had caught them having sex on the sofa when she’d got away from work early one day, and how, even though she didn’t love Gavin any more, the burn of betrayal and the hurt was still there. Tears welled in her eyes and traced a trail of sadness down her face.

  Joe put his arm around her and they sat close, ‘Oh, Ellie.’ He took a strand of hair from across her face, tucked it behind her ear and wiped the tears away with his gentle fingertips.

  ‘Well, there you go, now you know all my jilted, messed-up past.’ She tried to make light of it, but the bitterness and hurt was apparent.

  ‘The
bastard … What an idiot. But, maybe I’m glad too …’

  She screwed up her face confused. How could he be glad when some pig of a fiancé had let her down? But the look in his eyes gave her a clue and before she could register it, he took her face in his hands and his lips were on hers, gentle at first and then passionate as her mouth accepted and responded. The taste of apples, a tang of salt, and him. Her hands reached into his hair, cupping his head as they kissed. After a while, they pulled away slowly, resting their foreheads together, still huddled against the rock.

  What had brought that on?

  He looked a little stunned too, as though neither had expected that to happen. And then it began to feel a little awkward. They shifted apart. He stood up first, ‘Right, I suppose we’d better head back down, then.’

  No more hand-holding. The conversation slightly strained. Striding down the hill, with a space and a sense of confusion between them.

  * * *

  Joe

  So much for a walk as bloody friends – he didn’t usually go and kiss people out of the blue. And he was damned well meant to be keeping some air of authority and distance. Well, there was no way he was going to let history repeat itself. Working relationships were a bloody nightmare. Relationship, what was he thinking about? There was no relationship. It wasn’t going to happen. She was just a bit upset, that was all, and he’d taken advantage of the situation, hadn’t he? Got her at a low point. Yes, she was a really nice girl. She was probably as taken aback by the whole thing as he was. Well, that was as far as it would go. Back to professionalism from now on. Mind you, he’d love to deck that prick of a fiancé for hurting her so much.

  15

  Ellie

  Though the kiss still burned pleasurably in her mind, she tried to carry on as normal over the next few days, back to work at the teashop; baking, cleaning up, trying her best to avoid Joe and that awkward yet oh-so-lovely kiss. Malcolm and Derek had taken to calling in for their morning coffee just before opening time, a welcome diversion. They made her laugh with their stories – of the kid who tried to steal a fake-silver plate and a candelabra from the Great Hall’s dining table. It looked rather obvious under his anorak – the parents swearing they knew nothing of it, with guilty expressions on their faces as they clipped him around the ear. Joe had had to become involved, apparently, and the local policeman, just to be seen to be giving out the right message. The kid and his family were let off with a caution. And then there was the story of the old man who sneaked under the security rope for a nap on one of the old chesterfield sofas. They found his wife in the gardens about an hour later, who had ‘wondered where he might have got to’, but was obviously used to him wandering off, and seemed far more interested in quizzing Colin, the gardener, on the variety of roses in the walled garden.

  The weekend was fairly busy, which was good, but still the takings weren’t brilliant. After allowing for wages and costs, there was very little left. She began to wonder how on earth she would cover next month’s lease payment. At least the days were passing quickly. She realised she hadn’t seen Joe except at a distance – perhaps he was avoiding her.

  Deana popped in for a slice of cake late on the Sunday afternoon, once the trail of visitors had dissipated. She sat with a mug of tea, perched at the kitchen bench. She had started dropping by more often; Ellie liked her company.

  ‘Don’t know what’s up with Joe these past few days. Been like a bear with a sore head,’ she piped up. ‘It’s not like him at all.’ She sounded genuinely concerned.

  Ellie felt herself flush and carried on stacking cups and saucers into the dishwasher. ‘Oh,’ was all she could muster. It probably had nothing to do with her or the kiss anyhow. Might just be pressure at work, something to do with the castle or the farm.

  Doris came through with a tray of empties, her ears pricking up at any sign of gossip. She’d obviously been earwigging, ‘Hmn. Yes, something’s got into that boy. Hardly managed to raise a smile this morning when I said hello on my way in. I hope the castle’s doing okay. Not struggling financially or anything?’ She raised her eyebrows at Deana, fishing for information. ‘Or maybe there’s personal issues.’ Doris’s eyes lit up, no doubt thinking of all the awful possibilities and scenarios there might be behind Joe’s gloom.

  Ellie wished the nosy old bat would dump the crockery and get back to wiping the tables out front. ‘I’ll do that.’ She reached across, intercepting the tray. She didn’t want the castle staff gossiping about Joe.

  ‘That’s enough tittle-tattle now, Doris. I’m sure the castle’s doing just fine. And as for Joe, he won’t need you meddling in his affairs.’ Deana’s tone was sharp.

  The put-down seemed to work wonders, sending Doris scuttling back to the tearooms with a shrug of her shoulders and a tight furrow of annoyance across her brow.

  Ellie felt like high-fiving Deana, but kept her thanks to a smile of gratitude. Deana seemed protective of Joe, she noted. She obviously had a soft spot for him.

  Well, if there was something up with Joe, then maybe she should ask him about it privately. After all, he’d been supportive in listening to her troubles. It was the least she could do. And if he was anxious about the kiss, then she could tell him it was all fine – forgotten, a white lie that wouldn’t hurt. And hopefully they could get back to being friends and work colleagues again.

  She didn’t have to wait long to ask him. He was coming down the winding stairway as she was heading back to her room. He had a scowl across his face as he met her.

  ‘Hi.’ She tried to sound bright and breezy.

  ‘Hello.’ His eyes were low, avoiding contact. Jeez, Doris was right. Mr Grumpy, or what?

  ‘Joe, is everything alright?’

  He looked up at her, his eyes dark, brooding, ‘Yes, fine.’ And he walked on by, as though that was the end of the conversation.

  She wouldn’t get chance to start asking about the castle or the kiss, that’s if she’d even dared. She watched the back of him, three, four, five steps, down and away. Gone. She wasn’t sure why but she felt a little tear well up in her eye. They had seemed so close up there on the hilltop, huddled together, just days ago. She’d opened up her heart to him, and now he didn’t even want to speak to her. Bloody men!

  In her room, she decided she would definitely go back home for a visit this week. If she left on Tuesday after work, she’d be back in Heaton by half-six or so, stay the night, catch up with the family, and maybe see Gemma for a bite of lunch on the Wednesday or something. It’d give her chance to see everyone, and have a bit of time out from here too.

  *

  Heading home, sauntering behind a lorry on the A1 in her little Corsa, everything seemed so different to those four weeks ago. She now lived and worked in a castle – it still made her grin. Doris had actually managed to be nice to her today, offering to finish clearing up so that Ellie could get away. And, she was nearly smiling as she offered – was the woman alright? But she gladly took her up on it. It was a kind gesture and one Ellie appreciated, so she was packed and in the car before five o’clock.

  She was feeling a little nervous about going back, which was weird. But excited too at the thought of seeing Mum and Dad and Jay, and having someone else to cook for her – bliss. She’d given them a ring yesterday, and Mum had said they’d wait till she got there so they could all eat together, foregoing the habit of a lifetime of eating bang on six o’clock – it must be a special occasion. She was looking forward to some chill-out time tonight with her family, and then tomorrow she’d arranged to meet Gemma in town for some lunch. She dropped the car down a gear and overtook on a good, clear straight, then relaxed her hands on the steering wheel.

  City suburbs were soon crowding around her. The multiple rows of terraced houses cramped around Chillingham Road. She was coming home and yet it felt strange. So many cars and buses, and people everywhere. No sheep … no good-looking castle managers who ran hot and cold – no, she wasn’t meant to be thinking about that.
She’d concentrate on the traffic. That was probably wise at this point.

  Their street, their house. There was a parking space outside next to Dad’s white van. Mum must have been watching out of the bay window as the front door was flung open before she even had chance to get out of the car, Mum and Dad on the threshold grinning. She grabbed her overnight bag, her phone and her purse, and quickly walked towards them, with a big smile on her face that nearly matched theirs. Then she was crushed in a three-way bear hug.

  ‘Oh, how lovely to see you, pet.’

  ‘You’re looking good, our lass.’ Her dad pulled away to study her, ‘Though a little on the skinny side. They been working you hard?’

  ‘A bit … but I like it. It’s going well.’

  ‘Come on in, pet. The kettle’s on. The supper’s nearly ready and you can sit down and tell us all about it.’

  Jay was there in the hall, his one-arm embrace virtually turning into a headlock.

  ‘Nice to see you, Jay.’ She managed to extricate herself from his grip. ‘You alright?’

  ‘Sound,’ was his reply.

  Ah, home sweet home! How nice it was to be back. Though, she was a little worried about what she was going to have to ask her dad about later. A train rattled past, shaking the glass in the window panes. Funny, she never used to notice that when she lived here.

  Within a few minutes they were settled in the lounge. Mum had one of her soaps on, Dad was slumped in his armchair, she and Jay sharing the sofa, smells of something homely and stew-like from the kitchen, and everything was as it was before … almost. It was she who was different; she felt as if she was changing day by day, but everything here had stayed the same. Yet she’d have hated it if her family had all seemed different and her room had been painted blue or something. They wouldn’t have, would they?

  She nipped upstairs to go to the loo and couldn’t resist a peek in at her old bedroom – exactly the same, pale-pink walls, the same old duvet. Her twelve-year-old refuge. It was just tidier than usual, that was all.