The Golden Oldies Guesthouse (ARC)

by Dee MacDonald

  ‘Be with you dreckly!’ Pearly yelled at them as she microwaved Dominic’s pasty.

  ‘Don’t suppose you do sushi?’ asked the man in an American accent.

  ‘No, I don’t,’ Pearly said, transferring Dominic’s pasty into a paper bag. ‘But we have lovely pasties.’

  Dominic paid and departed, then sat on a hillock on top of the cliff and ate it. He’d like to have lain down in the tufty grass and thrift and dozed off, but was terrified he wouldn’t wake up in time for his rendezvous with Gideon. Instead he walked and walked and then, finally, when it was time, he sat himself on a large boulder at the foot of Penhennon cliff and waited. It was nearly half an hour before he saw Gideon strolling along the beach. Dominic only wanted to rush towards him and envelop him in his arms, but knew he mustn’t. Not yet anyway.

  ‘Oh, Giddy!’ he said. ‘I’ve been so excited I’ve not been able to concentrate on anything!’

  Gideon smiled. ‘It’s great to see you, Dominic.’

  Dominic looked at him expectantly. ‘How did it go?’

  Gideon shrugged. ‘It’s been so busy that there’s not been time for a proper chat.’

  Dominic was beginning to panic. ‘But you’ve told them?’

  ‘Well, not exactly,’ Gideon replied. ‘Like I say it’s been helluva busy because we’ve started getting busloads of tourists stopping off.’

  ‘So they don’t know yet?’

  ‘Not yet, Dominic, but I will tell them. They’ve been asking where you are.’

  Dominic sighed. ‘I’ve been avoiding the pub because I didn’t know if you’d told them or not.’

  ‘I’ve missed you,’ said Gideon.

  Dominic was feeling slightly irritated. ‘But, Gideon, surely you could have told them after the buses had left, when you were stacking the glasses away and all that?’

  ‘Didn’t seem to be the right moment.’

  Dominic wiped his brow. ‘I’m going back to London on Friday, and I need to know if you’re coming with me or not.’

  ‘Of course I am, Dominic! I just need another day or two to tell them. The timing’s got to be right, know what I mean?’

  ‘I’ll want to know tomorrow, Giddy. You must tell them tonight, but after I’ve popped in for a drink. It may be the last time I’m in there. And, let me repeat, I’m leaving on Friday, with or without you.’

  ‘I’ll be with you,’ said Gideon.

  38

  MORE FAREWELLS

  Celia loaded Jackie’s case in the back of the BMW, along with the painting, which she’d bubble wrapped and sandwiched between two large pieces of cardboard.

  ‘It would have been a lot less bulky if you’d just rolled it up,’ Celia said.

  ‘Oh no, I wanted to keep it flat,’ Jackie said, looking a little tearful as Tess waved goodbye. It was a beautiful day and The Sparrows’ Nest seemed to smile in the golden sunshine.

  ‘They might make you put it in the hold.’

  ‘I’ve got a “fragile” label I’m going to stick on, but if it’s got to go in the hold it’s got to go in the hold. I’ll just have to pay up.’

  Celia shook her head. ‘It really has no value, Jackie.’

  ‘Doesn’t matter. It was painted by my friend. And thanks for being my friend, Celia.’

  Celia felt strangely moved. She was about to say goodbye to the second person she’d begun to be fond of and knew she wouldn’t see again. She’d had a friend once in school, Linda Lawson, but they’d lost touch when Linda left school early to take up a hairdressing apprenticeship, and Celia had never set eyes on her since. She’d had little time for friendships with working long hours at the garage and attending to Mummy. Perhaps she’d make friends when she got to wherever she was going. It was a comforting thought.

  ‘You’ll keep in touch, won’t you, Celia?’ Jackie asked as they entered the terminal. ‘I’ve given you my mobile number, haven’t I?’

  ‘Yes, yes, you have, and of course I’ll keep in touch,’ Celia lied. ‘And good luck with the divorce and the house and everything.’

  ‘Thanks. And when I do get my little flat you can come to stay any time you like. We’ve got some beautiful scenery in Essex, you know, so bring your paints.’

  ‘I will, I will.’ She’d parked in a drop-off bay. ‘I’d better get back to my car before they tow it away.’

  ‘Bye then, Celia!’ Jackie hugged her and pecked her on the cheek. ‘I’ll miss you!’

  ‘I’ll miss you, too,’ Celia said, turning rapidly away towards the entrance and her car. As she got into the driving seat she wiped her eyes. This was ridiculous! She must not allow people to affect her like this. Not that she was ever likely to see any of them again because she’d finally decided where she was going. She was going to Shetland. It was the furthest away and most remote outpost of the British Isles and she’d always had a hankering to go there. Perhaps it was the Ann Cleeves books. Anyway, that’s where she was going. She knew there were no trees there but there was lots of sea, and she’d come to love the sea in all its moods.

  The boat sailed from Aberdeen so that was going to be a very long drive. But she felt she could manage seventy now on the motorways, and anyway she was in no hurry.

  39

  FAREWELL TO PORTMERRYN

  Titania had gone, Jackie had gone, Celia and Dominic were both leaving on Friday. Four new lots of guests would be arriving. They were booked solidly until late October, and then again over Christmas and New Year, and already the bookings were coming in for next year. It was going to take a little time to pay off the bills and the bank loan, but it now all seemed possible, whereas at one time Tess had despaired.

  And today Orla was arriving.

  She’d phoned two days previously. ‘Is Buckingham Palace available?’ she asked.

  ‘No idea, but Windsor Castle is free. And so is Room 4, for three days.’

  ‘Either will do me just fine,’ said Orla.

  ‘So, is Ricky heading down this way again?’

  There was a moment’s silence. Then, ‘He’s history, Tess!’

  ‘I suspected he might be. I don’t suppose it would have something to do with that Danny what’s-his-name, would it?’

  ‘Cobbledick,’ Orla said. ‘It just might.’

  ‘Orla! Has he been in touch, then?’

  ‘Yes. He wanted me to come down if possible because he’s not going to be able to get up to Milbury until the roof goes on his barn or something. And I’m going to drive down this time.’

  ‘Drive? Why don’t you fly?’

  ‘Because I’m worried about my carbon footprint, and besides, the flights are all full, and I have to be back on Saturday to sell the hats. And I’ve treated myself to a sat-nav, so I’m not needing directions.’

  ‘She must really fancy this bloke,’ Tess said to Simon. ‘I’ve never known her to drive nearly three hundred miles for anything or anybody.’

  ‘I don’t suppose we’ll be seeing much of her, then,’ Simon said.

  So, when Orla arrived at three o’clock and informed them she’d be going out at seven, they were hardly surprised.

  ‘Now you’re not to ask questions,’ she said, as she sat down at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee, ‘because I won’t know how I feel until I see him again.’

  ‘My lips are sealed,’ Tess said. ‘How was the drive?’

  ‘About three and a half hours too long.’

  ‘Well, I just hope he’s worth it.’

  ‘So do I,’ said Orla. ‘Now, tell me about these batty guests of yours.’

  ‘Titania left this morning and she’s probably back in London by now. Celia’s taken Jackie to the airport because she’s left today, too. And both Celia and Dominic leave on Friday.’

  ‘And have they been behaving themselves?’ Orla asked.

  Tess giggled. ‘I’m not at all sure that they have!’

  ‘Tell me all!’

  ‘Well,’ Tess said, ‘Dominic’s never away from the pub, and he’s been ferry
ing Gideon home every evening from some course or other he’s been doing in Bodmin. I think everyone’s twigged what’s going on except Jed and Annie. Jackie’s going back to confront her horrible husband and get a divorce, and Titania’s behaved herself, as far as we know.’

  ‘What about Celia?’

  ‘Ah, now, here we have a tale!’ Tess said. ‘Celia rescued a coastal path walker called Mitch, who I’d guess is about her own age. He’d sprained his ankle so she brought him and his tent back here. He then pitched the thing up in the garden, over there, and that night we had the most awful thunderstorm. Neither Simon nor I got a wink of sleep. And there, creeping out in the middle of the night, was Celia!’

  ‘You are kidding!’

  ‘I’m not! Simon saw her from the window, crossing over to the trees in torrential rain.’

  ‘Well, she wouldn’t exactly be going for a walk at that time and in that weather, would she?’

  ‘Then,’ Tess continued, ‘we saw her leading him back into the house and up the stairs. He’d crept out again before we got up and she must have come downstairs with him to bolt the door on the inside. We said nothing to her but we let him stay in Windsor Castle until his ankle was a little better and then Celia visited him every afternoon for a good couple of hours. And I must say she’s been very distracted lately. He’s gone now, and she even drove him to Exeter.’

  ‘Unbelievable! What a turn up for the books! Didn’t I tell you Celia was a dark horse!’ Orla said.

  ‘They’re both from the Midlands so this could be the beginning of a big romance, even if they’re both about seventy!’

  ‘I tell you, this is where you come if you want to find a partner!’ Orla said. ‘You’re getting everyone paired off. Certainly beats that awful online dating agency we joined a few years back, doesn’t it?’

  ‘Don’t remind me,’ Tess said, rolling her eyes.

  * * *

  Orla was picked up at 7 p.m. by Danny Cobbledick, who whisked her away with a smile and a wave, and didn’t bring her back until nearly midnight. Tess, sleepless and agog to know how they were getting on, waited until she heard the car drive away and Orla come creeping in. She eased herself out of bed and tiptoed into the hall.

  Orla jumped. ‘Jaysus, you gave me a fright! You’re acting just like my mother used to! Are you going to ask, “What time of night do you call this?”’

  ‘No, I’m not. I just want to know how you got on with delectable Danny.’

  Orla sat on the bottom step of the stairs. ‘We got along just great. It’s no good, Tess, I need to be sleeping with him, even if it is in another bloody caravan! Would you mind if I went back to his place tomorrow?’

  ‘Of course not! But if you want to bring him back here that’s fine with me. I know you don’t like roughing it as a rule.’

  ‘Danny says he’s got mains drainage in his caravan, and it’s quite spacious. So I might give it a try.’

  Tess grinned. ‘I’m beginning to think you’re right; we should be setting ourselves up as a dating agency!’

  40

  TITANIA’S BURNING AMBITION

  It was midnight and very dark when Titania set off for the Lizard. She didn’t like driving at night these days and particularly not on these country roads where she was momentarily blinded by oncoming headlights. Fortunately, there was little traffic on the roads at this time of night, which was just as well as she felt very disorientated at times; everything looked so different in the dark. She was relieved to pass The Fiery Witch which was in darkness except for the illuminated sign. The witch was still glaring out at the world with her beady eyes and her long, hooked nose. Titania drove slowly then because it would be almost impossible to find that postbox in the dark. In fact, she almost drove right past it and had to reverse a few yards before she saw it and the turning opposite to the wishing well.

  It was pitch dark but – in the beam of her car’s lights – she saw something move. She braked, just as a large fox darted across the road. Titania was relieved she hadn’t hit it, beautiful creature. She carried on past the farm and the cottages until she came to the car park. She parked, switched off her lights and sat in the car for a few minutes to adjust to the darkness and to make sure there was no one around. Then she got out and picked up her torch and her bag. All was silent except for the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks beneath.

  She tried not to use her torch as she let herself in through the gate, but then decided she needed to see where she was putting her feet because it wouldn’t do if she was to fall and hurt herself in this isolated spot. How to explain she was heading towards Clarice D’Arcy’s house in the middle of the night! Just paying a social call, officer! Not likely!

  She’d done her research. Clarice was at a film premiere in Exeter, of all places, some minor West Country production in which she’d had a tiny part. The bungalow was in darkness, no outside lights on and the garage door was closed so presumably the silver Roller was locked up for the night. That should cause a merry blaze! She stopped at the door and listened. Nothing. No sound at all. There was no one in. Titania took the long woollen scarf from her bag, doused it inch by inch in the petrol she’d siphoned off into a Tupperware box and stuffed most of it through the letterbox, leaving only the end protruding out. She stood well back, lit a match and flung it at the scarf. It blew out as soon as it left her hand. She got a bit closer and tried again. Two more failed attempts and then, finally, Titania got close enough to set it alight. She waited for a moment to ensure the flames had travelled the length of the scarf and she could see the blaze through the glass panels of the door. Well satisfied, she turned and ran swiftly up the path to her car. She drove away slowly, on dipped headlights, her only regret being that she’d been rather fond of that scarf. She was also aware that she’d lost an earring somewhere. Well, she certainly wasn’t going back to look for it. Perhaps she should feel bad about what she’d just done? No, Titania thought, Clarice has quite enough money to replace everything, but no amount of money could ever replace my darling Henry. No, what I did was totally justified.

  When she got up to the postbox she put on full headlights, put down her foot and headed for the A30. She had a long drive ahead.

  41

  A NEW CHAPTER

  It was Thursday evening and everyone was talking about the fire which had destroyed Clarice D’Arcy’s house down on the Lizard last night. It had been on the local news this evening. Fortunately, Clarice had been away overnight in Exeter, but there was nothing left of her house. The police suspected arson and were questioning everyone in the neighbourhood.

  Dominic wasn’t particularly interested. He was leaving Portmerryn in the morning and he’d got his car all ready for the journey home. He’d left a generous space for Gideon’s things but had no idea what his lover would be likely to bring. Was he coming for a holiday to see how he liked living in London, or was he coming for good? Was he coming at all?

  Gideon should have told his parents last night that he’d be leaving with Dominic. He’d promised.

  ‘Just as long as I’m with you I know I’ll be happy,’ he’d whispered last night when Dominic went down to the pub for a pre-dinner drink. ‘I’ll tell them later.’

  Dominic didn’t go back for a nightcap after dinner; best not to. Let them digest the news and he’d face them in the morning. He was meeting Gideon on the beach at midnight and he’d find out how his parents had taken the news and they’d also arrange a time to leave in the morning.

  It was very dark when Dominic wandered along the beach at half past eleven. He spent half an hour listening to the sea, his heart thumping. In the distance he could see the final cars leaving the pub car park, the lights being extinguished. Then, for the hundredth time, he wondered if he was handling this the right way. Should he have gone and spoken directly to Jed and Annie, told them how he felt and how Gideon felt? But Gideon had been adamant that he, and he alone, would handle this.

  ‘No, no,’ he’d said, ‘it’s bette
r if I tell them myself and let them come to terms with it. You can talk to them in the morning when you collect me.’

  Now Gideon was ten minutes late and Dominic had begun to panic all over again; all this waiting was pure agony. He sighed with relief when he saw the beam of Gideon’s torch coming closer and closer, and then Gideon was in his arms. It was worth every minute of the anguish and the doubt.

  As they separated Dominic asked, ‘How did it go?’

  ‘OK, OK,’ Gideon answered, noncommittal.

  ‘And?’

  ‘And what?’

  Dominic was getting a bad feeling. ‘And you told them you were coming to London with me in the morning? You did, didn’t you?’

  ‘Well, I told them what a great friend you were and that you’d invited me up to London for a holiday any time I wanted to go, and they thought that was really nice of you.’

  ‘So, Gideon, did you tell them we are lovers and that you’ll be leaving with me in the morning?’

  ‘I was going to,’ Gideon said, staring at the sea, ‘but Mum had gone to bed early with a headache and Dad was really knackered and…’

  ‘So you haven’t told them. And you aren’t coming.’

  ‘Oh, Dominic, it’s just that they’re old and tired, and they really do need to have me around.’ Gideon’s voice broke. ‘I’m pulled in every direction and I don’t know what to do.’

  Dominic took a deep breath. ‘I’m leaving at nine thirty in the morning, Gideon, and I won’t be coming back.’

  Gideon blew his nose. ‘I know, and I hear what you’re saying. Let me sleep on it, please.’

  * * *

  Sleep! Dominic didn’t sleep a wink. He got up at half past five, packed his last few things, went for a final walk along the deserted beach, had breakfast at half past eight and paid his bill.