Evie spotted Robin in the distance and waved to him. He ran towards them, sending droplets of brown sludge into the air which landed on his already muddy jeans.
‘Merry Christmas,’ he said, beaming from ear to ear, his Santa hat lopsided on a shock of short hair the colour of golden treacle. His complexion resembled the mud beneath his work boots, but as he spent all his free time helping his parents in the fields, that came with the territory.
He was the same age as Roland but where Roland was tall and agile, Robin was slightly shorter and solid muscle. A gazelle against a donkey. Perhaps that was unfair. Robin might be shorter than Roland but he was still taller than Evie. Then again, most people were. Not many people were less than five foot three.
‘Merry Christmas, Robin,’ Evie said. ‘You’re looking well.’
‘I’m looking muddy,’ he replied, ‘but thanks. You look good too. At least it’s not raining. I can’t remember the last time I saw the sun. Here to pick your trees? Hi mate.’ He glanced at Roland and they did an odd little fist bump. ‘Hello Raven. I haven’t seen you for months. Still into black, I notice.’
‘How observant of you,’ Raven said, backing away from him. ‘Still into mud and ridiculous hats, I see.’
Robin grinned as he looked Raven up and down. His wink was met with a scowl.
Evie held down a laugh and turned her attention to the trees. ‘We’re broke, so we need two of whatever you’ve got for the cheapest price possible, please. Dad offered to pay in beer, if that’s of interest to you.’
Robin shook his head and laughed. ‘I know. Your mum’s already agreed a price with mine. I think it involved a free lunch for us and some mince pies and shortbread. Take your pick. There’re some good ones near my hut. Fancy a drop of mulled wine? I was just about to make some coffee, so you’re welcome to join me.’
Evie couldn’t remember whose original idea the mulled wine had been, but Robin had been serving a small glass of it to customers for at least the last five years, although due to his age when this tradition started, his mum, Ava had had to be the one to serve it.
‘Thanks. I’d love some,’ Evie said.
Raven rolled her eyes. ‘Why am I not surprised?’
‘Yeah,’ Roland said. ‘May as well get into the festive spirit.’ Evie threw him a look and as if he understood he added, ‘but as I’m driving I’ll have to give it a miss.’
‘Oh. I’ll have one then,’ Raven piped up, clearly not wanting Roland to consider her a killjoy.
They followed Robin to an old shepherd’s hut which he’d done up on the outside to look like an igloo. Michael Bublé grew louder the closer they got.
‘Wow,’ Evie said when he opened the door to let them in. Obviously, there was no sign of Michael, only a Tablet running through its playlist of Christmas songs. Robin lowered the volume as they stepped inside. ‘This looks completely different to the last time I saw it. You’ve done a brilliant job. Is this where you bring all the girls?’
He may have blushed but it was impossible to tell with his dark complexion. He shot a look at Raven and cast his eyes to the floor for a brief second.
‘I wouldn’t mind bringing someone here,’ Roland said. ‘It’s pretty romantic, don’t you think, Evangeline?’
Evie didn’t look at him but she saw Raven’s eyes light up with hope. The hut did look like the perfect place for a bit of romance. Two sheepskin rugs lay on the dark wood floor and in one corner sat a wood burning stove on which mulled wine simmered in a large cast iron pot. Close by was a wooden bench and a small table and several dumpy cushions were scattered around the floor. There were Christmas-themed curtains at the two side windows and the one in the front door, with smaller cushions to match on the wooden bench.
‘It’s lovely,’ Evie said. ‘Don’t you think so, Raven.’
‘Gorgeous,’ Raven replied, staring at Roland.
‘No time for girls,’ Robin said, with a hint of sadness. ‘What with college, the farm and this place, I don’t have much time for anything else.’
‘You love it though, don’t you?’ Evie asked.
Robin nodded. ‘Yeah. I just wish I could afford to farm full-time, but it’s not the good living it once was and Dad and I both think I should keep my options open.’
‘You’re both very wise. Sometimes I wish I’d carved out a career for myself and not gone directly into helping to run the inn. A separate income would be good about now.’
‘It’s been a tough year for many people,’ Robin said, ‘but at least the residents of Snowflake Cove and many of us from Michaelmas Bay always pull together to help one another. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.’
‘I can’t wait to travel the world,’ Roland said. ‘Think of the excitement, the adventure, the fun.’
‘Same here,’ Raven added.
That was the first Evie had heard of it. Raven had the chance to go to New York. That was pretty exciting, adventurous and fun, but she chose to stay behind. Being forced to come to Snowflake Cove had been like being sent on a major expedition full of hardship and hazards if Raven’s constant complaints were anything to go by. If the girl couldn’t cope with a door knob coming off in her hand without having a tantrum, Evie couldn’t quite see her travelling the world. But love can overcome all obstacles, so they say. Evie had never been that much in love so she had no idea.
Robin poured Evie and Raven glasses of mulled wine and made coffee for Roland and himself.
‘If you pick your trees,’ he said, ‘rather than come and collect them later, I’ll drop them over if you like. I’m delivering one to Jane Dorset in Bridge View Cottage at two, so I won’t be going out of my way. I’ll help set them up. It’ll only take about fifteen minutes.’
‘It’ll take you longer than that to set up Jane’s. She has to have it in precisely the right place. I remember I helped her once. I was there for almost an hour.’
‘Ah, but I tell her I’m an expert, so she lets me put the tree wherever I think it should go. Trust me. I’ll be out of there by two fifteen at the latest. Hers won’t take that long, but I have to stay for a cup of tea and a quick chat, so Mum says.’
Evie laughed. ‘That’ll definitely take longer than fifteen minutes. But thanks. If you’re sure you don’t mind. Why don’t you tell Jane you’re coming over to us and bring her along? Dad will walk her back over the bridge to her house whenever she’s ready to leave and Mum will bake another batch of mince pies in exchange for your help. Or you can pop back for a pint or two when you’re not driving. Can’t take any chances at this time of year. The police are out in force with their breathalysers, even in Snowflake Cove.’
Robin nodded. ‘Sounds good.’
‘I’ll help too,’ Roland said.
‘So will I,’ said Raven.
At this rate Evie wouldn’t have to do a thing. Perhaps a teenager with a crush wasn’t such a bad thing after all. It had all sorts of positive knock-on effects.
Chapter Eight
Evie, Roland and Raven returned from their shopping trip in Michaelmas Bay just as Robin pulled up outside Jane Dorset’s bijou home; a typical two up, two down at the eastern end of a row of four, former fishermen’s cottages opposite the bridge linking Snowflake Cove to Snowflake Isle.
Jane, who like Evie’s gran was in her late eighties, was waiting in the open doorway of Bridge View Cottage, with a thick, red woollen shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She waved at Evie as they passed. Evie waved back and glanced at her watch. Two p.m. on the dot. Jane was a stickler for time keeping and she liked everything to be precise and in its right place.
‘Let’s see how long Robin’s there for,’ Evie said, as Roland drove into the entrance to the small car park a few metres further on.
‘I could help him unload your trees,’ Roland offered, ‘and bring them over. That way we wouldn’t have to wait for Robin.’
‘I don’t mind waiting and besides, there’re lots of other things we can be getting on with. Didn’t Dad say he�
�d like you to give him a hand with the roof if we got back while it was still light?’
Roland switched off the ignition and they all got out of the car. ‘Yes. But I can do that too. It’ll only take a few minutes to get the trees.’
‘Thanks,’ Evie said. ‘But let’s wait for Robin.’
Why Roland was so keen to get the trees from Robin’s truck was beyond her. It was almost as if he wanted to be the only one to help. It wasn’t a competition.
‘If you’re going to be on the roof,’ Raven said, ‘could you give me a hand with the lights, please?’
Had Evie heard correctly? Did Raven say she was going to be replacing the broken and discoloured bulbs? Only yesterday, she wasn’t even prepared to hold a ladder for Evie to do that. Now she was planning to clamber up there herself? What was the world coming to?
At least they weren’t going to have to replace the entire set of lights. One of the first shops they went into in Michaelmas Bay had replacement bulbs for the current set. As that stretched along the entire façade of the inn, that would save them a fortune and hopefully, make the lights as good as new.
‘I don’t think you should be climbing a ladder,’ Roland said. ‘I’ll sort out the lights while I’m up there.’
‘Thanks, Roland,’ Evie said. ‘That’s one more thing I can tick off my list.’
Raven didn’t argue and Evie enjoyed the peace and quiet as well as the sunshine as the three of them strolled across the bridge. After the bitter cold and rain of the last few weeks, it was a delight to feel the warmth of the sun’s rays on her skin, although it was cold in the shade and certainly not warm enough to go without a coat. The sea was calm and the waters of Michaelmas Bay were as smooth as glass. The tide was on the turn and it flowed into the channel beneath them, sparkling in the sunshine. Every so often, it lapped at one of the many inlets, sending a little wave into the air as if water nymphs were splashing each other in play. The resulting spume fell like soft snowflakes.
‘What a glorious day,’ Evie said, disappointed that she couldn’t spend the afternoon walking along the sand before it was covered by the incoming tide. She hadn’t walked along the beach for weeks and hadn’t realised how much she’d missed it. If this good weather held out for a few days, perhaps she would get a chance to do that. After Zachary Thorn had been, and gone, of course.
‘It’s too nice to be indoors,’ Raven said. ‘Perhaps I can help Grandpa with something outside – apart from the roof.’
‘There’s lots to do both inside and out. I’m sure we can find you something.’ Without thinking, Evie linked her arm through Raven’s. For the first time in years, Raven didn’t seem to mind. She even smiled at Evie as they reached the front door. Raven tugged the door handle and it didn’t come off in her hands.
Chapter Nine
It was a few minutes after three and there was still no sign of Robin. Evie didn’t mind. She knew Jane would keep him talking. Jane Dorset loved to talk. Evie was alone in the reception. Raven was outside, probably being more of a hindrance than a help but at least she was happy. Jessie was having an afternoon nap in her room and Molly had nipped over the bridge to take some mince pies to Winnie and Arthur Beadleshaw, who lived in Water’s Edge, one of the two, semi-detached Victorian villas at the far end of the tiny village. Evie had made tea for herself, her dad, Roland and Raven and was just about to take a sip when the landline rang.
‘Snowflake Inn, Evie speaking. How may I help you?’
‘I want to book some rooms,’ a rather prim voice said.
‘Some rooms?’ Evie liked the sound of that. ‘Yes, of course. How many would you like and when are you hoping to stay with us?’
‘We’ll be with you by tomorrow evening. Possibly late afternoon. It depends on traffic.’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘Yes. Is that a problem? You’ve got rooms, haven’t you?’
Evie didn’t like this woman’s tone. She sounded somewhat demanding. She’d no doubt be the type who’d complain about not being able to drive to the door.
‘As it happens, we do have one or two rooms vacant due to a cancellation. How many do you require?’ There was no way Evie was telling this woman that she could virtually take her pick. Only two of the fifteen guest rooms were taken – and one of those was by Raven.
‘Ten.’
‘Ten!’ Evie coughed uncontrollably.
‘Are you choking on something?’ The woman sounded more irritated at the delay than concerned for Evie’s health.
‘Sorry. I had a bit of a tickle in my throat. Um. Ten rooms. From tomorrow night. Until when?’
‘Six until Christmas Eve. The other four until the 27th. I’ve had a quick look at your website and they all seem to be doubles, is that right?’
‘Um. Yes. Sorry. Until the 27th. So … you want to stay with us for Christmas?’
‘Six of us, yes. Is that a problem?’
‘Six? I thought you said four.’
‘Four rooms, six people.’
‘Oh. I see. Um. The thing is …’ Evie hesitated. ‘May I ask you to hold for just one second please whilst I check availability?’
‘Fine.’
What should she do? The inn usually closed to guests the day before Christmas Eve and reopened the day after Boxing Day. It said that on the website, but if this woman had only taken a quick look perhaps she hadn’t seen that. Or perhaps she didn’t care. The Starrs liked to spend Christmas together as a family, not running around after guests. With finances the way they were though, could they really afford to turn down this sort of booking? Her dad and Roland were fixing tiles on the roof; her mum hadn’t taken her phone to the Beadleshaw’s house and her gran was no doubt sound asleep. Evie didn’t have time to run outside and ask her dad.
She made a snap decision. If her family disagreed, she’d have to phone the woman back and say there had been a mistake. Better to do that than stall now and risk the woman looking elsewhere for rooms.
‘I’m pleased to say it seems we should be able to accommodate you. May I take a name, please? And for such a large booking, it is customary for us to take a non-refundable deposit. I hope that isn’t a problem. We accept all major credit and debit cards.’
‘Give me a moment.’ The woman seemed to be searching amongst some papers judging by the muffled rustling Evie could hear in the background. ‘OK. The booking will be in the name of Thorn. It’s an Amex card and the number is—’
‘Thorn! Did … did you say Thorn?’
‘Yes.’
‘As in … Zachary Thorn?’
‘No.’
Evie breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Joshua Thorn. But he is Zachary’s grandfather. Why?’
Evie broke out in a cold sweat. ‘No reason. Um. But I will need to speak to the cardholder to make the booking.’
‘I am the cardholder. As I would have told you if you hadn’t interrupted.’
‘Oh. I do apologise.’ Evie ground her teeth. ‘May I … may I take the names of the other guests, please?’
‘All of them? Now? Can’t I email them to you later?’
‘Yes. Yes of course. That’s fine. But … may I just ask if …?’ Evie let her voice trail off. She couldn’t say it.
‘Yes. Zachary Thorn will be one of the six people staying over Christmas, if that’s what you want to know. And I somehow suspect it is. Are you going to take this credit card number or not? I’m exceptionally busy today and I don’t have time for a fan-girl moment. This has all come out of the blue and I have a million things to do before tomorrow.’
Join the club, Evie was tempted to say. Instead she said, ‘I’m not a fan-girl. I’m simply curious because I spoke to Mr Thorn yesterday. Zachary, not Joshua. I understood he was staying at The Grand Hotel in Michaelmas Bay. I hadn’t realised he’d still be down this way over the holidays so I’m a little surprised, that’s all. I’m ready for the long number on the card, whenever you are.’
The woman reeled off the number.
‘Ms Felicia Porter-Brunsnorth.’
Evie might have guessed it would be a double-barrelled name. She grinned as she asked for the expiry date followed by the security code and, as soon as the booking system – another recent improvement that had cost a fortune to install – accepted it, Evie thanked Ms Porter-Brunsnorth for her custom.
‘May I take your telephone number, please, in case we need to contact you?’ Evie asked, and typed the number she was given into the system.
‘I’m Joshua Thorn’s personal assistant. Please ensure all future contact about this booking comes to me. By the way, what’s this business about getting across the bridge? Is that a joke? I can imagine some people find that sort of thing oddly quaint, but I’m not one of them and nor is Mr Thorn. I assume I can drive to the door and have my car parked.’
‘Sadly not, Ms Porter-Brunsnorth. The bridge is far too narrow and there’s no car park on Snowflake Isle. But don’t worry. There is a small car park in Snowflake Cove and it’s directly opposite the bridge. The horse and carriage will be there waiting for you if you let us know your anticipated time of arrival. We’d appreciate being advised of travel delays though. We only need twenty minutes’ notice to be ready.’
‘This is ridiculous. I saw the photo on the website and that is a cart, not a carriage. I really can’t see Joshua climbing into some old cart. You do know who he is, don’t you?’
‘Zachary’s grandfather. You told me just now.’
Felicia sighed as if she were dealing with a child. ‘Joshua Thorn is one of the richest men in the UK. Quite why he wants to stay at your rather odd little establishment I’m not at all sure, but I am sure he will change his mind once he hears of this.’
Evie fumed in silence. How she would love to have said, ‘Perhaps you should have read the bloody note about transport properly and checked with him before booking then, you stuck-up cow. It’s big enough for anyone to see.’ But again, she retained her composure.
Christmas Secrets in Snowflake Cove (Michaelmas Bay Book 1) Page 5