The Sea Shell Girl

by Linda Finlay

  ‘I’m afraid your mother’s injuries were fatal,’ Mr Fairbright said gently.

  ‘But how … ? Why?’

  ‘All we know is,’ the constable said, opening his notebook and reading, ‘a female body was found on the beach at first light by fishermen hauling their long lines. The injuries sustained suggest a fall from the cliff. Dislodged rocks, turf and soil were found scattered on the beach.’ He snapped his book shut. ‘Until we have the result of the autopsy we won’t know for sure what happened, miss, and even then …’ He looked at Mr Fairbright and shrugged.

  Merry put her head in her hands. Was it her fault? Had her mother been so upset she’d … ? No, her mother wouldn’t have. Grozen would have … Grozen … She must go home straight away. She jumped to her feet then felt the room sway around her. Mr Fairbright gently helped her down onto the chair again.

  ‘Take it easy, Merry. You’ve had a terrible shock.’

  ‘I must go home …’ she whispered.

  ‘As soon as I heard, I took the liberty of sending a dispatch to Lieutenant Meredith. Mrs Smale is at this moment packing some things for you.’

  The door burst open.

  ‘Merryn, my dearest, I’m so very sorry,’ Carey whispered, kneeling beside her and pulling her close for a moment. ‘I will take her to Porthsallos immediately, sir,’ he said, getting to his feet and addressing Mr Fairbright.

  Merry remembered nothing of the journey home. The only thing that penetrated her numb mind were the heart-breaking sobs coming from Grozen as they entered the cottage. Delen and Marya were trying to comfort her but stood back when Merry flew across the room and threw her arms around her grandmother.

  ‘Kelys has gone for the doctor, sir,’ Delen said to Carey. ‘Mrs Dyer’s been like this ever since she heard and we think she needs something to calm her.’

  ‘Oh, Grozen,’ Merry cried.

  ‘She’s dead, Merry. My darling Karenza’s gone.’

  ‘What happened?’ Merry whispered.

  ‘I don’t know for sure. She was that upset after you left. Said she should have listened to what the lieutenant had been trying to say, then explained herself. Insisted she’d go to Plymouth to tell you,’ Grozen sobbed.

  ‘Tell me what?’ Merry asked, but Grozen shook her head. ‘You mean she was on her way to see me when she fell?’

  ‘I don’t know, Merry, I really don’t know,’ she sighed, peering at Merry through red swollen eyes. ‘Her bed was empty when I woke.’

  ‘But what did she have to tell me that was so important?’ But her grandmother was too upset to speak as her bitter sobs racked the room once more.

  Merry turned and stared at Carey in despair, hot tears falling unchecked down her cheeks. She felt consumed by grief but how could she help her grandmother when she knew nothing of the cause of this tragedy?

  CHAPTER 36

  Through the long hours of darkness, Merry kept a vigil beside her grandmother’s bed. Although the doctor’s draught had rendered the woman unconscious, she still cried out from time to time as if the terrible tragedy was invading her sleep. Merry heard Carey moving around downstairs, banking up the fire, tidying crockery away, but remained where she was. Thoughts of that last meeting with her mother went round and round her head. Was it her fault the woman had died? Had her mother been so upset at the thought of her not marrying Nicco and staying in the village that she’d … ?

  Merry glanced at her grandmother. She seemed calmer now, her sleep deeper. Unable to be still, Merry moved over to the window. A pearly moon was paling against the grey light of dawn. Already she could hear the sounds of activity in the harbour. Everything seemed to be carrying on as usual. How could it when her whole world had changed? Oh, Mother, she sobbed, what were you doing out in the dead of night by yourself? What was so urgent you couldn’t wait until my next visit? Turning away from the window, she saw her mother’s nightdress neatly folded on her pillow and the tears flowed faster. Impulsively, she snatched it up and held it to her face. As she breathed in the scent that had been her mother, something clattered to the floor. She stared down at the little blue stone on its golden chain and gasped. Her mother had worn her necklace at all times so if she’d taken it off that could only mean one thing, couldn’t it?

  Hearing her grandmother stir, she hastily stuffed the necklace in her pocket. Grozen was upset enough as it was.

  ‘Karenza, is it morning already?’

  ‘Hush, Grozen, it’s only me,’ Merry whispered, going over and stroking the woman’s arm. ‘It’s early, go back to sleep.’

  To her relief her grandmother closed her eyes again and, leaving her to sleep, Merry slipped downstairs.

  Carey was tending the fire but as soon as he saw her he jumped to his feet.

  ‘How are you?’ he asked.

  Merry shrugged.

  ‘I boiled some water – would you like a drink?’ She nodded. Now Carey seemed more like a stranger than the man who’d recently proposed. Was that really only two days ago?

  ‘Thought I’d go to Logh and see how the aut … how the investigation is proceeding,’ he said, pouring hot water into the teapot. ‘Can I get you something to eat before I go?’

  Merry shook her head. How could he think of food at a time like this?

  ‘You need to eat to keep your strength up,’ he added as if reading her thoughts.

  ‘I’ll have something when Grozen wakes,’ she whispered, holding her cold hands out towards the flame.

  ‘I’ll go now then, shall I?’

  She nodded again but still couldn’t speak.

  ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’

  The morning dragged by. Merry felt an overwhelming need to go to the cliff top but knew she had to stay here with Grozen. Frustrated, she prowled around the tiny room like a caged animal but her thoughts continued to rage. Seeing vegetables on the shelf and realizing Carey was right when he said they needed to eat, she snatched them up and began chopping madly.

  It was afternoon before her grandmother came downstairs. She looked as if she’d aged a generation overnight and Merry hurried to help her into her chair, then threw more sticks into the grate. Then she poured tea, cut a thick wedge of bread and handed it to the woman.

  ‘You must eat something, Grozen,’ she said.

  ‘And have you? Eaten something, I mean?’

  Merry shook her head. ‘I’ve made broth,’ she said, pointing to the pot over the fire. ‘We’ll all have some when Carey returns. He’s gone to Logh.’ Grozen nodded and sipped at her tea. They sat listening to the wood spitting and crackling, and after a while Merry was pleased to see some colour return to her grandmother’s cheeks.

  ‘Do you think she did it on purpose, Grozen?’ she burst out, unable to keep her thoughts to herself any longer.

  ‘What makes you think that?’ Her grandmother eyed her sharply.

  ‘This fell out of Mother’s nightdress,’ she said, retrieving the necklace from her pocket and holding it up. ‘She never takes … took it off and …’ Her voice tailed off and they watched as the necklace glittered in the light of the fire. Then her grandmother reached out and took it, letting out a long sigh.

  ‘After you and Carey left on Sunday, I went upstairs to see how your mother was. I was just in time to see her hurl this across the room.’

  ‘But why?’ Merry frowned. ‘I know she was upset because she wanted me to stay here and marry Nicco, but that didn’t have anything to do with it, did it?’

  ‘Oh, Merry, I told Karenza she should have explained. She said she’d go straight away but I begged her to wait until the morning. After all, this has been hanging over her for eighteen years, so another week or so till you returned wouldn’t make a halfpenny of difference. But you know your mother,’ she sighed. ‘Once she decides something she has to do it immediately. Had to, I mean. Oh, it’s all my fault she’s dead,’ the woman sobbed. ‘If I hadn’t insisted she tell …’ her voice trailed away and she stared into the fire.

 
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Merry hurried to open it to find the Reverend Mr Mabey on the doorstep.

  ‘I’m so sorry to hear of your sad loss and have come in the hope of being able to offer a small measure of comfort to yourself and Mrs Dyer,’ he explained, doffing his hat.

  ‘Please come in, sir,’ she invited. ‘Can I get you some tea?’

  ‘That is very kind, but thank you, no. Please don’t get up, Mrs Dyer,’ he said, looking over to where Grozen was struggling to her feet. As if the effort of standing had been too much, the old woman sank back into her chair.

  ‘Karenza was a fine, upstanding woman and I offer my sincere condolences for your loss, Mrs Dyer.’

  ‘Thank you, sir. I’m sure I can count on you to say more wonderful things about her at her funer …’ She broke off with a sob.

  ‘Of course. I understand an aut … ,’ I mean, when you are in a position to discuss the date let me know.’ He looked at Merry. ‘In the meantime, if there is anything I can do, please say.’

  ‘Thank you, sir,’ she replied, seeing him to the door before returning to sit beside her grandmother.

  ‘You haven’t told me what it was Mother needed to explain,’ she said, anxious to hear before they were interrupted again.

  ‘My dear Merry, you need to prepare yourself for something of a shock. You already know that your mother left here to go into service?’

  ‘Yes, at a big house this side of the …’

  Hearing the sound of the latch lifting, Merry looked up and almost screamed in frustration when she saw Carey standing in the doorway.

  ‘Is it all right to come in? I didn’t like to knock in case your grandmother was still asleep.’

  ‘That’s all right, lad, you come on in,’ Grozen said, the strength returning to her voice. ‘Any news from Logh?’

  ‘The investigation has so far proved inconclusive,’ he said carefully.

  ‘Come and sit by the fire and tell us what you’ve learned,’ Grozen insisted. Carey looked at Merry, who sighed with impatience.

  ‘But I want to hear what you have to say first, Grozen,’ she declared.

  ‘No, Merry, that can keep for a moment longer. First I need to know everything Carey’s learned.’

  ‘Like I said, the outcome was inconclusive, Mrs Dyer,’ he said, pulling up a seat beside them. ‘The injuries are consistent with a fall, but whether she slipped or …’

  ‘Jumped?’ Merry sighed. ‘If she did, it was my fault for not staying in the village and marrying Ni …’

  ‘Don’t torture yourself, Merry,’ he cut in. ‘Apparently a squall blew up, making visibility that bad she could easily have missed her footing. They’re releasing her body tomorrow. I’ve arranged for it … her to be transported back here. Oh, and I passed the vicar on the way and he said he can arrange the service for Friday.’

  ‘She were born on a Friday. A true Friday’s child, loving and giving,’ Grozen muttered. ‘Seems apt somehow for her to be buried on Friday.’

  ‘Grozen and I were in the middle of discussing something important, Carey. Do you think you could go up to the rectory and tell Mr Mabey Friday will be convenient?’

  ‘No!’ Grozen’s voice was so sharp they stared at her in surprise. ‘Stay where you are, lad. What I have to say concerns you too.’

  Merry frowned. ‘But …’

  ‘Hush, child. The sooner this is brought into the open the better I’ll feel. Then we can bury my girl with no secrets between us. Pour us all some tea, will you?’ Impatient to hear what her grandmother had to tell them, Merry quickly did as she’d been bid.

  ‘Are you sure you’re up to this, Mrs Dyer?’ Carey asked. ‘You’ve had a terrible shock.’

  ‘Yes, lad, I shan’t rest until I get this off my chest.’ She waited until they were all seated with their tea, then took a deep breath.

  ‘Karenza left here to go into service …’

  ‘I know that already, Grozen,’ Merry snapped.

  ‘But Carey needs to know the story from the beginning,’ Grozen remonstrated. ‘Now, this is hard enough, so no more interruptions, please. Karenza fell deeply in love with a handsome man who promised her his undying love. As it turned out all he gave her was this trinket,’ she said, holding up the necklace. Carey frowned and opened his mouth to say something but Grozen held up her hand. ‘In return she made him a knit frock with his initials, C M, under each arm.’

  Hearing Carey’s intake of breath, Merry turned to her grandmother. ‘Go on, Grozen,’ she urged as her grandmother took a sip of her tea.

  ‘It was only when Karenza realized she was with child that she also realized she hadn’t seen her love for a while. Plucking up courage, she went to see him at his home.’ Merry and Carey stared at each other in surprise. ‘Yes, it was your father, Captain Clayton Meredith.’

  ‘Actually, Mrs Dyer, he was my adoptive father,’ Carey said. The old woman stared at Carey in horror as the full truth began to sink in. ‘I was adopted,’ he added. ‘That was what I was trying to tell you on Sunday but …’

  ‘You didn’t get a chance,’ Grozen finished. ‘Oh lordy, what a mess,’ she added, putting her head in her hands and sobbing again.

  ‘So my father wasn’t a fisherman like you both said,’ Merry gasped.

  ‘To be fair, we never actually said he was. “A man of the sea” was how your mother referred to him.’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ Merry whispered. ‘But if Captain Meredith was my father why … what happened?’ As Grozen took another sip of her tea, Merry almost cried out in exasperation.

  ‘A well-dressed woman was just entering the house. She was heavily pregnant …’

  ‘You mean Captain Meredith was already married?’ Merry gasped.

  Grozen nodded.

  ‘Heaven forbid,’ Carey groaned, holding his head in his hands.

  ‘So that’s why Saphira and I look similar?’ Merry cried as the penny dropped.

  ‘I don’t know who this Saphira is, but going back to my story, apparently the woman looked radiant and was so pleasant your mother didn’t have the heart to upset her. Instead she bought a curtain ring and returned to the village. She told her father and me what had happened but let everyone else assume she’d been widowed and had reverted to using her maiden name.’

  ‘That’s why you were both called Dyer then. I always wondered,’ Merry said.

  ‘It were easier that way,’ Grozen muttered.

  ‘I do think she should have told me.’

  ‘So do I, and that’s what I told her in no uncertain terms on Sunday. So you see, Merry, if anyone is to blame for her death, it’s me,’ the old lady sighed, staring into the fire.

  ‘Not really, Grozen,’ Merry whispered. ‘If I’d stayed here and married Nicco, as she wanted, she wouldn’t have had to make that journey.’

  ‘If I’d insisted she listened to me on Sunday, none of this would have happened. If anyone is to blame it must surely be me,’ Carey sighed.

  Lost in their own painful thoughts, they each lapsed into silence.

  CHAPTER 37

  On the day of the funeral, the sun shone brightly from a clear blue sky yet Merry felt as if she was encased in a blanket of fog. She heard nothing of the service, just stood staring at the simple coffin before her, picturing her mother’s body, battered and broken inside. Even Carey’s hand on her arm felt cold as he led her outside. The knitting ladies lined the graveside, their pins bare of wool at their belts. Then as the coffin was lowered into the freshly dug hole, they solemnly crossed them over their chests in the time-honoured way of showing respect. However, Merry’s eyes were fixed on the casket. All she could think of was her mother’s crumpled and lifeless form.

  Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turned to see Nicco staring at her, his dark eyes full of sympathy.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Merry,’ he said gently. ‘Your mother was a beautiful woman.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

  ‘You and your father will
come back to the cottage?’ Grozen invited.

  Nicco glanced from Grozen to Carey standing beside her and raised an eyebrow.

  ‘Of course,’ Merry muttered, knowing that was what her mother would have wanted.

  ‘I think it’s time we were making our way,’ Carey said, nodding at Nicco, then placing one arm around Merry and another round her grandmother. With a last look at the grave that was already being filled with the turned soil, Merry let herself be led back to the cottage.

  Carey helped her hand out the prepared food and drink to the villagers who’d come back with them for the wake. Despite his solicitous attention, Merry could hardly bring herself to acknowledge him. She felt distant from everything as she moved trancelike around the room, thanking people for coming, forcing herself to nod when they all said what a lovely woman her mother had been. Without exception they commented on Karenza’s virtues of honesty and truthfulness, and it took all Merry’s willpower not to demur. If only you knew, she wanted to scream.

  ‘Whilst Mr Hospitality there is busy charming all the women, may I ask how you are, Merry?’ Nicco asked. ‘I mean, someone should be looking after you,’ he added, glaring at Carey.

  ‘I think what my son means is that we are deeply saddened by your mother’s passing and if there’s anything we can do, you must say,’ Mr Neaple said, squeezing her arm.

  Merry nodded, a lump rising in her throat. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Carey asked, appearing at her side and giving Nicco a wary look.

  ‘My son and I are just leaving,’ Mr Neaple replied. ‘We merely wanted to bestow our condolences and offer our help. Thank you for your hospitality, Lieutenant,’ he added, holding out his hand.

  ‘That is good of you, sir,’ Carey responded, shaking it.

  ‘Miss Dyer, I just wanted to say how very sorry I am for your loss. Your mother was a truly lovely lady and she will be very much missed, not least by our knitting industry.’ Merry looked up to find Mr Fairbright by her side.

  Forcing herself to nod politely she said, ‘Thank you, Mr Fairbright. She would have appreciated your kind words.’