by Georgia Hill
A stocky, dark-haired man bearing an enormous bouquet of lilies strode into the room.
‘Tesoro mio!’ he proclaimed and presented the flowers to Millie. ‘I find you!’
Chapter 28
‘Savio?’ Millie stared at him in shock.
‘Buongiorno, buongiorno. I find you. Ah, sei bella.’ He stepped forward, lifted her bodily from the chair and kissed her resoundingly on both cheeks. ‘How I miss you, my little one.’
Millie teetered from his enthusiastic greeting, only too aware of Jed’s penetrating gaze. ‘How … where … how did you find me?’
‘Ah, cara mia, I hunt all over Devon. I drive the car, she come all this way and find you.’
‘In other words, you used a sat-nav?’ Jed put in.
‘Si, si, I use sat-nav,’ Savio replied, ignoring the sarcasm. ‘All to find my bella Millie.’
‘But how did you know I was here, at the hotel?’ Millie couldn’t get over the fact he was in front of her. He looked every inch the wealthy Italian, with his mustard-leather coat and maroon silk scarf knotted oh-so casually around his neck. At once foreign and very much at home in the opulent surroundings.
‘I see the trattoria. Millie Vanilla. I knock.’ He shrugged. ‘No one there. I see a bella donna, her name is Biddy, si?’ He clapped his hands together. ‘Oh so beautiful! All these English women are so beautiful. I ask her, where is my Millie? She send me here.’
‘Oh bugger, Biddy! I was supposed to meet her for the wedding planning.’ Millie clapped her hands to her burning cheeks. ‘I completely forgot.’
‘She has husband? No!’ Savio made an eloquent noise of regret and then looked about him. ‘A hotel, eh? Bene. I book room.’
‘We’re not open for business yet.’ Jed’s voice was acid.
‘Oh, I’m sure we can find a room for one of Millie’s friends.’ Alex walked in. ‘As long as he understands we’re still rather a work in progress.’
‘Say again?’ Savio looked confused.
‘The hotel is being re-built.’
‘Ah. Restaurato.’ Savio nodded solemnly. ‘In Italia too, this happens. So I stay?’
‘I don’t see that will be a problem. Will it, Jed?’
‘It’s your hotel, bro. Do with it what you like.’
‘Exactly.’ Alex shoved his glasses further up his nose and held out a hand. ‘May I introduce myself? I’m Alex Henville, the owner. Welcome to the Lord.’
‘You are a lord, vero?’ Savio was impressed.
Alex’s ears pinked. ‘Oh my goodness, no. That’s the name of the hotel. If you come this way, I’ll show you to one of the rooms we’ve actually managed to get finished. Is that your Maserati parked at the front? Wonderful bit of kit.’
‘Si si. My car. All the way from Italia to see mia bella Millie. I drive her.’ Savio began to follow Alex but changed his mind and returned to Millie. Launching himself at her, he grasped her shoulders and said in an urgent undertone, ‘We have much to catch up on, cara mia. Oh, that night in Siena, eh? Fantastico!’ He kissed her thoroughly on the lips and then went with Alex, a stunned Coral tripping behind.
The room hummed with a potent silence. Then Jed said, ‘So, Millie, are you going to explain your Italian friend, Savio? I’m all ears.’
Chapter 29
‘It’s not what you think.’
‘And what do I think?’ Jed got up. He held his shoulder as if in pain.
Millie buried her nose in the lilies to give her time to compose herself. The last person she expected to see in Berecombe was Savio. ‘You think I’ve had an affair with Savvy.’
‘And did you?’
‘Of course not,’ she replied, hotly. ‘You’ve just met him. Do you really think he’s my type?’
‘I thought I was your type once, Millie.’
Millie’s cheeks burned anew. ‘I did not have an affair, or anything else, with Savio.’
‘He seems very keen on you. Drove across Europe to find you.’
‘It’s not quite that romantic,’ Millie said crisply. ‘He’s got relatives in Padstow. He’s probably on the way to see them.’
‘But even so, it’s a bit of a detour.’
‘Hardly. Not if you’ve come all the way from Italy.’
‘Okay,’ Jed said grudgingly. ‘I’ll admit defeat on that one. But what was all this about a hot night in Siena?’
‘He took me to dinner, Jed. We had fun. I can’t help it if he read more into the situation than was actually there. And he’s like – .’ Millie stopped, lost for words. ‘He’s like that. Flamboyant. Over the top, even for an Italian.’
‘He seemed very eager to reacquaint himself with you.’ Jed was sullen.
Millie had had enough. ‘So what if he is, Jed?’ She paused and then launched in. ‘You know what? I liked it. I liked being taken for dinner. Driven about in a flash car. Being taken to see the towers at San Gimignano. It’s hardly my fault he’s keener on me than I am on him.’ She thrust the lilies at him. ‘And what’s it got to do with you, anyway? We’ve split up, Jed. I can see anyone I like and do anything I want.’ She was aware of sounding petulant, but couldn’t stop now. ‘And if I want to be taken out by a sophisticated, cultured man like Savio, then I will.’
She turned to go, but Jed caught her by the hand, his eyes dark with anguish. ‘Millie, I’m sorry. I’m just jealous.’
‘Jealous? What right have you got to be jealous?’
‘None. I know that.’ He blew out a gutsy breath. ‘But I still care about you, Millie. I’ll never stop.’
Millie drew herself up. ‘All the time I’ve known you, Jed, you’ve asked me to trust you and, despite everything, time after time, I have. Maybe this time, it’s your turn. You’ll have to learn to trust me.’ She hesitated, then leaned forward and kissed him softly on the cheek. ‘But maybe it’s too late for that. Goodbye Jed. We’ve had, well, we’ve had quite a time. And now it really is over.’
Then she turned on her heel and left.
Chapter 30
‘Those flapjacks will need another five minutes or so, I reckon.’ Eleri came out of the café’s kitchen and deposited two steaming mugs of coffee next to Millie’s laptop. She peered over her shoulder, humming along to ‘Two Thousand Miles’, which was playing on the radio. ‘Got to be the coolest Christmas song ever,’ she said. ‘The Pretenders did such lush stuff. My Da’s fave band. What are you looking up?’
Millie clicked on Google and frowned. ‘These criminal gangs in Colombia.’
‘Oh right.’ Eleri nodded and sat down. She shoved up her collection of bangles and continued with her task of folding green serviettes into Christmas tree shapes. ‘These bandas criminales thingies. I thought the Colombian government was trying to control them. Supposed to be a safer place to travel in now. Or so they say. I never managed to get that far. Stopped in Costa Rica.’ She blew on her coffee and sipped. ‘Gorgeous country. So much wildlife. What does it say, lovely?’
‘It mentions something called BACRIM.’ Millie scanned the computer screen. ‘General term for drug-trafficking gangs. I think. There’s a lot about trying to eradicate them and the political situation. Certainly sounds like they’re trying to do something, but I’m not sure I’m really any the wiser. Nothing to do with coffee anyway.’ She let out a relieved breath.
Eleri folded the last of the serviettes and put them neatly into a tinsel-lined basket. ‘Why did you think they might have something to do with coffee?’
‘Oh, I don’t know, Ri. I can’t stop thinking about Jed. Something doesn’t gel. He goes off coffee buying, gets a fever, gets flown back, but he’s moving as if his body hurts.’ Millie thought back to how Jed had winced when trying to sit up. ‘More specifically, as if his arm hurts.’ She went silent, deep in thought.
‘Maybe the fever is making his muscles ache? Or maybe he’s just weakened by it. He looked a lot better the last time I saw him.’
‘When did you see him? Was he okay?’ Millie tried to sound casual. It had
been three days since she’d seen Jed. Three difficult days.
Eleri shot her a look. ‘On his feet, looking a lot more cheerful. Giving Coral hell for making him rest. Asking about your pal Savio.’
Millie ignored the Savio comment. The man had been hovering around constantly since he’d arrived. Genial and entertaining he might be, he was a distraction she could do without. She would have to let him down gently. ‘Good,’ she said, vaguely, and stifled a pang of jealousy. She ought to be the one looking after Jed. Then she remembered they’d split up.
‘You know, whatever the reason Jed has for working for Blue Elephant and being so mysterious, I’m sure it’s a good one.’
‘I’m glad you think so.’
‘Perhaps you should trust him?’
‘Ri, that’s all I’ve ever done.’ Millie snapped the laptop shut. ‘And it’s got me into a mess time and time again. No, I’m done with being asked to trust Jed Henville. I’m afraid we’re finally over. Thanks for doing the serviettes, by the way. And the white lights in the glass vases look great. Very festive.’ She picked up her mug and drank her coffee.
Eleri accepted the change of subject matter. ‘Thought they’d be good centrepieces for the wedding tables. Has Biddy suggested anything else?’
‘Once she’d calmed down after I’d missed the meeting, you mean?’ Millie smiled tightly. ‘What hasn’t she asked for? Think we’ve compromised on rows of lanterns with tea lights creating the aisle and an arch covered in white silk camellias and ivy.’
‘Nice. The vases will go well, then. I could add some fresh greenery, if you like? Is she still going with a green and white colour theme?’
‘As far as I know.’
‘Are they still getting married on the beach?’
‘Yes. Just out there.’ Millie nodded to the stretch of flat sand in front of the café’s terrace.
Eleri shivered. ‘Won’t it be cold, though? Weather’s set for a really chilly spell.’
‘Arthur’s sourced a load of cast-iron braziers, apparently. They’ll be lit.’ Millie shrugged. ‘Suppose the guests will just have to wear coats.’ She grinned, enthusiasm for Biddy’s wedding beginning to break through her numb misery. ‘Biddy has insisted on the guests wearing red or white.’
‘That’s never popular.’ Eleri laughed. ‘People hate being told what to wear.’
‘She says it’s to make the photos look Christmassy.’
‘Suppose she’s got a point. How are the hot chocolate recipes coming on?’
‘Tried a rum and salted caramel one last night. That might be a winner. Thought it would warm everyone up when they come in after the ceremony. And Biddy mentioned a problem with the invitations, so I’ve customised a load of Christmas cards. Oh and I thought I could make a batch of teeny mince pies and ice them with B and A.’
‘Cool.’ Eleri gazed at Millie. ‘It’s all going to be fab. Considering you’ve never hosted a wedding before, you’ve got a real knack for it, you know.’
‘Have I? Thanks, Ri.’ Millie shrugged. ‘I feel I’m winging it, to be honest, but I suppose it’s just an extension of what I’ve been doing at the café all my life. Making people happy.’ Her voice quivered. ‘Just a shame I couldn’t make myself happy, isn’t it?’ She concentrated fiercely on drinking the last of her coffee.
‘Millie, all will be well. Everything will work out, you’ll see.’ Eleri stood up and went to the door. ‘There’s an end to our peaceful morning,’ she laughed. ‘Here come the happy couple and Zoe too. Ooh,’ she added, as a thought struck. ‘Flapjacks!’
Mille stared at Ri’s long, elegant back as she headed to the kitchen. She wished she could be as certain. All would be well? Fat chance.
Chapter 31
The arrival of Arthur and Biddy, with Zoe and the dogs, heralded a rush of customers. Chilled by the biting wind whipping off the sea, people crowded in for an early lunch. Millie’s carrot and coriander soup served piping hot with Tessa’s walnut bread sold out. For the first time in a while, the café was back to its fugged-up, cosy winter best and Millie, too busy to think, was almost content.
Once everyone was served, she leaned against the counter, overcome by affection for the place. It was made all the more poignant by knowing that Millie Vanilla’s days were numbered.
She watched as Eleri chatted to Zoe. How could the woman be so certain about everything? Experimenting, she mouthed Ri’s words, ‘All will be well.’ How on earth could she know? She tried it again, attempting more conviction this time. Looking about her, everything appeared to be exactly the same. Biddy was still eating her scone and slipping morsels to Elvis waiting under the table. Arthur was still looking through council papers. Davey Pascoe and friends were still spooning up carrot soup and tearing into the granary bread. ‘All will be well,’ she repeated, one more time and gave up. She shook her head and regarded her friend. If Eleri had magical powers, Emilia Fudge sadly lacked them. Nothing had changed. She still faced having to sell up.
Having chatted to Biddy who had wholeheartedly embracing her role as a bridezilla, Eleri was now having an equally calming effect on Zoe. The girl had trailed in behind her grandfather, looking pale and withdrawn, but was now talking animatedly.
Millie glanced up as the door’s bell tinkled. It was Alex. He put up a quick hand to Eleri and then approached her.
‘Good morning. Happened to be in town and wondered if you have any of those savoury scones left?’ He took off his specs and blew on them to clear them. ‘I’ve become rather partial.’ Replacing them, he blinked at her, hopefully.
‘Morning, Alex,’ Millie answered, resisting the temptation to ask after Jed. ‘I do, as a matter of fact. They’re not universally popular. Stilton? Or cheddar and chive?’
‘Either would be wonderful. And I don’t suppose you have any soup?’
‘I’ll see what I can find.’ Millie was sure she had one portion left. She’d been saving it for her own lunch, but didn’t seem to have much appetite lately.
‘Marvellous. I’ll just squeeze in here, shall I?’ Alex took off his overcoat and scarf and sat down at the only empty table, behind where Eleri and Zoe were so deep in discussion they didn’t notice. Amused, Millie saw him pick up one of Eleri’s narrow silver bangles, which must have slipped off. He held it in his hand and stared at it as if it were a talisman.
Millie checked on Trevor, who was snoozing in his bed by the radiator and went into the kitchen. As she prepared Alex’s lunch, she thought over what else Eleri had said.
‘Could I really be a wedding organiser?’ she questioned as she stirred the hot soup. She heated the scones, one of each flavour, and spread them with a good dollop of George Small’s salty butter. ‘I don’t know the first thing about it.’ As she plated up Alex’s meal and pushed open the door with her behind, a voice in her head whispered, ‘You can do anything you want. All will be well.’
Chapter 32
Alex didn’t know if it was the cold sea air or hard work but, since coming to Berecombe, his appetite had been insatiable. He stared down at his thick soup with its dollop of cream on top and his mouth watered. He bit into a scone. It was warm and buttery. Good food made with simple ingredients. It couldn’t be beaten. He took up his spoon and tasted. Hot and carroty with warming coriander. Delicious. And perfect for a winter’s day. As he ate, he became aware of the conversation going on behind him, although he really hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Biddy, having a shouted conversation with Millie about the expense of fresh flowers, along with Wizzard blaring out that they wished it could be Christmas every day from the radio, meant Eleri and Zoe had had to raise their voices.
‘I just don’t know what to do, Ri,’ he heard Zoe say. ‘Whatever I decide, I’m going to end up hurting one of them.’
‘What does your heart say?’
‘My heart?’ Zoe laughed shortly. ‘That says keep one boyfriend for college and one for when I’m at home. But I can hardly do that, can I? Just wouldn’t be fair.’
; ‘No, it wouldn’t be fair,’ Alex heard Eleri reply, soothingly. ‘To any of you.’
‘Did this happen to you? When you were at uni? Were you ever in love with two men at the same time? I can imagine you had guys queuing at the door.’
Alex stiffened. He straightened so he could better hear Eleri’s response. And hated himself for it.
She laughed. ‘Not quite, lovely.’ She paused, then went on. ‘I don’t know. Maybe it was different in my day.’
‘Yeah, ‘cos you’re, like, well old.’
Eleri ignored the sarcasm. ‘Older than you, Zoe, and I went to university at a different time. It all seemed much freer then. I didn’t have one boyfriend as such. It was all more about grabbing your pleasure how and when you could, I suppose.’
‘What, like free love, you mean?’ Alex could hear the awe in Zoe’s voice.
‘You could call it that. It was probably more like promiscuity.’ Eleri laughed again.
Her bangle lay on the table next to his soup bowl. He’d meant to return it to her before he left. Picking it up, he traced the intricate Celtic pattern with a thumbnail.
‘I’ve never seen my body as a possession,’ Eleri went on. ‘More like a tool to give me, and those I choose to share it with, pleasure. I’ve never seen why there has to be a moral code ruling over something as natural and lovely as sex.’
‘Wow,’ Zoe said. ‘That’s so awesome. So you’ve slept with lots of men?’
‘Now, what sort of question is that, cariad?’ Eleri gave her silvered laugh. ‘And here’s me thinking we were talking about you. I’ll ask you again, what does your heart tell you?’
Alex heard Zoe give a great sigh. ‘That I want to be free to be by myself for a bit. That I want … that I want to find out who I am before I share my life with someone else, no matter how much I love them.’
‘Then that’s your answer.’
‘But it’ll hurt them so much, Ri.’
‘And that’s where you have to be brave, lovely.’