'She tripped and fell. We think she's broken her ankle but she says the whole of her left leg hurts so it may be her leg that's broken. I suggested Ella stay and I come back but then we realised that if Mum needs to be carried and lifted, Ella can't do it and Dad's back's playing up again, so neither can he. I'm worried about you though. I said you should've come with us.'
'And spent the evening in A&E? No thanks. I'll be fine. Give Ella and your mum and dad my love. I'll see you tomorrow. Now try to stop worrying. I'm sure your mum'll be fine. And I'll be fine. I may even go and spend the night at Hettie's. I'm sure she won't mind.'
'That's a brilliant idea. Do that. That'll stop me worrying.'
'Okay. I will. Bye, Garrick.'
'I love you, Mia,' he said.
'I love you too,' she replied, before hanging up.
Then she cursed herself under her breath.
She did love him. That was true.
So why had she spent the day trying on dresses?
And why had she just lied to him?
There was no way she was going to spend the night at Hettie's.
And why was she counting the hours until sunrise?
Because it sure as hell had nothing to do with the Summer bloody Solstice.
Chapter Fifteen
Mia's head shot from the pillow and she sat bolt upright when her alarm went off at three a.m. Her eyes were burning, her throat was sore and her body must have been used by rugby-playing ghosts all night because it ached and creaked as she clambered out of bed.
She padded to the shower then dried her hair as best she could. She dabbed her mascara brush over her lashes but couldn't really focus so gave it up as a bad job and swiped her lipstick across her mouth, climbed into the dress she had chosen, slipped a cardigan over her shoulders and slid her feet into her sandals. She clumped downstairs, still half-asleep and, after two mugs of coffee and a few digestive biscuits, headed out into the garden, illuminating the path with the torch on her mobile until she made it to the open sands of the beach.
The stillness was amazing as was the near-silence that surrounded her. All she could hear was the gentle lapping of the waves somewhere in the distance. She hadn't checked the tides, but the sea looked a long way off and she was sure it wouldn't be a problem. Besides, Jet would be there if she succumbed to her fear, and there was no good reason why she should.
She breathed in the salty air and watched as the sky grew lighter by the minute. Twilight would give way to the sunrise before too long; she just hoped she wasn't too late to see it hit the rocks of Rainbow's End. She increased her pace to make sure she didn't but when she turned the corner of the bottom of Frog Hill where the hill met the beach and saw the long strip of rocky land that was obviously Rainbow's End, there was no sign of Jet.
She hurried onwards and clambered up onto the rocks at the base of Rainbow's End, then walked along the crest of the rocky outcrop. It protruded quite a way from the bottom of Frog Hill and she could see that to get the best view of the soon-to-be sunrise, she needed to move further along. She hadn't gone very far when she spotted what looked like a chair, carved out of the rocks. It was misshapen and obviously made by the elements rather than man but when she sat on it, it felt like a throne of sorts and she smiled, remembering Jet's remark about King Canute and holding back the tide.
She wasn't sure how long she sat there but the sun was rising. She could see it peeking slowly over the horizon and she kept looking back towards Frog Hill but there was still no sign of Jet. The sun crept higher and all colours of the rainbow danced around her legs as the rays hit the rocks of Rainbow's End. It was beautiful beyond description and she had never seen anything like it. No wonder Jet loved it here. Except he wasn't here. Where was he? She yawned and stretched and watched the sun. She glanced towards the top of Frog Hill and thought she could make out some people but from this distance she couldn't tell who they were.
She yawned again and as the rays of the sun reached out to her and warmed her skin she could tell it was going to be a sweltering day. Her lids were heavy and so was her body. She closed her eyes for a second, basking in the warmth, and the waves in the distance were like one of those CDs people buy to soothe themselves to sleep or into meditation. She leant further back against the rock and revelled in the peace and tranquillity. Jet might not have turned up which was very disappointing, but this was bliss. Just the warm summer breeze, the rays of the sun bathing her skin, the sound of the waves.
The warmth, the sun, the waves.
The warmth, the sun, the waves.
The warmth …
She jolted awake and opened her eyes, and was overcome with terror.
The sun was full in the sky, the breeze had dropped away and the tide had come in.
There was water in front of her.
Water to her right.
Water to her left.
Water lapping at the rocky outcrop and one little wave licked her toe.
She pulled her feet back and tried to force herself to stand as another wave greedily leapt up and licked her foot.
The tide was coming in fast.
Very fast.
She had to move.
She frantically looked about her and her heart skipped a beat.
The sea wasn't just on three sides, it was all around her.
The rocky outcrop of Rainbow's End had become an island, separated from the bottom of Frog Hill by the sea.
She pulled her mobile from her bag only to realise she couldn't get a signal.
She was alone. She couldn't phone for help and as she stared wildly around her, there wasn't another person in sight. They were probably all still in bed, or at the top of Frog Hill, safely away from the encroaching sea.
A wave sucked at her foot and she screamed and ran, slipping and sliding on the uneven rocks as she made her unsteady way towards the shore. To her terrified eyes, it wasn't getting any closer.
'Help me!' she screamed at the top of her lungs. 'Please! Please! Someone help me!'
'Mia!' The sound of her name was a beacon of hope.
'Jet!' She screamed.
But it wasn't Jet who waded through the knee-deep water towards her, a look of reassurance on his handsome face. It was Tom Tyburn, without his vicar's garb, and wearing nothing but a pair of swim shorts. If she hadn't been so terrified she would have been even more astonished than she was, because it struck her even then that he was tanned. His agile body was perfect in every way and when he reached out for her and lifted her into his arms, he held her safe and secure above the hungry waves.
'I've got you, Mia. You're safe. There's nothing to fear now. I'm here. I won't let the water touch you. Close your eyes and rest your head against me.'
Her heart pounded in her chest but she did as she was told and didn't open her eyes again until he finally deposited her gently on the ground several feet away from the shore on the rocks at the foot of Frog Hill.
'What happened?' he asked. 'Why were you on Rainbow's End on your own?'
'I … I wanted to see the sunrise,' she eventually managed, shivering and shaking as if her body was having its own seismic event.
'But why did you come here alone when you're still so terrified of water?'
'I … I didn't know the tide came in so far. I must've nodded off and didn't see it. I thought Jet would be here.'
'You thought Jet would be here?' he repeated as if he didn't understand.
She managed to meet his eyes, and nodded.
He shook his head and sighed.
'I saw Jet this morning. He was going up Frog Hill. He told me he fancied a change this year.'
Mia almost burst into tears but she bit her lip and forced herself to fight it. She stared at Rainbow's End and remembered that the water had only come up to Tom's knees.
'How far does the tide come in?' she asked.
'Not that much further than it is now. The highest it would get is probably up to your waist and that would be on a very high tide, which today is
n't.'
So there was no likelihood of any real harm coming to her. Other than that created by her own fear. And yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she had somehow been manipulated into coming here.
But the only people who had mentioned Rainbow's End to her were the man who had just saved her, and Bear. And she was only here because she wanted to see Jet. Had Jet heard she had been discussing this place with Tom and Bear? Had he known that she would come here to see him? Had he changed the habit of a lifetime and gone to the top of Frog Hill precisely so that she would be alone on Rainbow's End during an incoming tide?
Or was she being completely ridiculous because she was so tired and afraid? Jet hadn't asked her to come here. No one had. She was here because she wanted to be. That was no one's fault but her own.
'You must think I'm really stupid to be so afraid of water just a few inches deep. But I can't help it. And I'm finally trying hard to overcome my fear.'
Tom shook his head. 'I think no such thing. I know you nearly drowned when you were very young. That must have been terrifying. Some fears, however irrational they may seem to others, are very real indeed. I turn to jelly and break out in a cold sweat at the mere sight of a spider.'
Mia looked at him and smiled. 'No you don't. You're just saying that to make me feel better, aren't you?'
He shrugged his shoulders. 'You'll have to wait until we see a spider. I think you're very brave to try to overcome your fear. I hope today hasn't set you back. Let's just sit here and admire the view until you've regained your equilibrium.'
Mia's gaze wandered over Tom's agile body. It was easy to admire, although that wasn't the view he meant and she grinned as she dragged her eyes from his firm thighs, towards the horizon. Looking at the sea once more sent a shiver down her spine but after taking several more deep breaths, all she felt, was tired.
'Thank you for saving me, Tom.'
'Anytime. I'm just glad I decided to go for an early morning swim today. It was only because I couldn't sleep last night. Otherwise I'd still be in my bed, for at least another hour.'
'Which is exactly where I'm going to be,' she said. 'If you'll help me to my feet. I'm still a little shaky. Oh God! I didn't mean I'd be in your bed, Tom! I meant I'll be in mine. I'm so sorry.'
He laughed. 'I thought my luck had changed. Don't worry, Mia. I knew exactly what you meant. But … if you ever do decide you'd like to be, I'd welcome you with open arms. Now let me take you home. To yours of course. Sadly, not to mine.'
Chapter Sixteen
Mia did not tell Garrick or Ella about what happened at the beach when they arrived back at the cottage late that afternoon. Their mum had suffered a broken ankle and a nasty bruise on her leg but other than that she was fine, and had insisted they could leave her in their father's loving care but it was obvious Garrick was worried and Mia didn't want to add to that.
'I can't believe how much I missed you,' Garrick said, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her, the moment he arrived. 'Did anything exciting happen while I was away?'
'I've been busy preparing for Mum's arrival,' Mia lied, avoiding his intense gaze. With her mum arriving any minute, she didn't have time to explain and she had no desire to relive the whole experience. Besides, she didn't want to worry him. She was also still trying to get her head around that odd remark Tom had made, about her being welcome in his bed. That had been a total surprise, but he was probably only joking.
'I'll cook something for supper,' Garrick said, after kissing her again. 'I expect Lori will be tired and she'll want an early night. I wouldn't mind one of those myself.' He winked. 'Is it still okay for me to sleep with you while your mum's here?'
Mia laughed at that. 'First, there is no way Mum will want an early night, and second, yes of course it is, but maybe not tonight. I think she'll want to spend most of the night catching up and I know I'd like to spend some time alone with her. You don't mind, do you?'
'No,' he said, but his expression said otherwise.
Mia was right. When Lori arrived at Sunbeam Cottage, a little after seven, she was full of life.
'It's so wonderful to see you, darling.' Lori hugged Mia so tightly, Mia could hardly breathe, as Garrick brought Lori's bags inside. 'I've missed you more than ever this time. But isn't this place divine? It's like something from the pages of one of those posh, country magazines. I can't wait to have a nose around. And Ella, sweetheart. How are you? You're all looking so well. It must be the country air. Especially you, Garrick. But I haven't seen you for such a long time. When my darling daughter told me you two were an item, I couldn't believe it. I'm so happy I could cry. But listen to me prattling on. I'm just so excited to be here. And with my daughter so happy.' She squeezed Mia again and planted several kisses all over Mia's face.
Mia laughed and returned her mum's kisses. 'Oh, Mum. You have no idea how pleased I am to have you here.'
'Would you like to have a shower or a nap before supper?' Garrick asked. 'I'll take your bags upstairs.'
'Nap? Good heavens, no. And I had a shower on the ship before we disembarked. I can't wait to go to The Frog and Lily. I've heard so much about it and I'm dying to meet all the different people Mia's told me about. Besides, I could murder a G&T.'
Ella laughed. 'The life and soul of the party, as usual, Lori.'
'Just a little slower these days,' Lori said, linking arms with Mia. 'But first, I need a quick tour of the cottage.'
Mia proudly showed her mum around and Lori ooh-ed and ahh-ed in every room. Apart from the dining room.
'Did Matilda use a rowing machine? And in the dining room, of all places.'
Mia laughed. 'No, Mum. That's mine. We weren't sure where to put it and we never eat in here. We use the table in the kitchen. The bedrooms, as you'll see, are rather special and now with all of us here, we don't have a room we can use for junk. We thought of putting it in the attic but that room's special too.'
'Do you use it? The rowing machine, I mean?'
Ella laughed at that. 'She treats it like a work of art. A sculpture or something.'
'Then it can go in the room I'm having,' Lori said. 'I could do with losing a few pounds.'
Mia tutted. 'That's right, Mum. Make me feel guilty.' She laughed.
After Lori had seen all the rooms, including the attic, she declared: 'Your great-aunt Matilda may have been trouble as far as her family were concerned, but from where I'm standing, the woman is nothing short of an angel. To leave you all this.' She shook her head and smiled, brushing away a tear of obvious happiness. 'Well. What can I say? Have you discovered anything about her yet?'
'Sadly, no we haven't.' Mia shook her head, as they headed back downstairs. 'And the weird thing is, there are no photos of her and no one knows anything very much about her. She's a total enigma, Mum. But I'm not giving up. I'm determined to find out who she was. And where she got her money from. Because it obviously wasn't her family.'
'I think it's so exciting,' Lori said. 'And the locals have made you all so welcome. I can't wait to meet them all. Shall we go?'
'What about supper?' Garrick looked disappointed and possibly a little surprised.
'Will it keep?' Lori asked, to which Garrick nodded. 'Then we'll have it when we come home. That's the one thing I did notice on my way here. A definite shortage of curry houses, and I do like a good curry after a few drinks in the pub.'
'Which is why Garrick has cooked a curry,' Mia said, smiling tenderly at Garrick.
'Have you really, Garrick?' Lori beamed at him and then at Mia. 'He's a keeper, darling.'
'I know he is,' Mia replied, and they headed out to The Frog and Lily.
'All these cottages are so quaint,' Lori said, walking arm in arm with Mia. 'Do you know all your neighbours?'
'Most of them. There're a couple I still don't think we've met and one or two we've only seen to nod to.'
'Is that the vicar?' Lori pointed at Tom who was strolling down the lane towards them.
'Yes it is,' Mia said,
before calling out as loud as she could, 'Hello, Tom. It's lovely to see you. I haven't seen you since choir practice.' She pulled a face and prayed that he would understand. 'This is my mum, Lori. She's come to stay for a while.'
'Hello, Mia and hello, Lori. I'm very pleased to meet you. You have a wonderful daughter. Hi Ella. Hi Garrick.'
'I know,' Lori said. 'And I've heard nothing but good things about you. I'd love to join your choir practice if I may?'
'Of course. The more the merrier.'
Mia breathed a sigh of relief. Tom obviously understood. 'We're going to the pub. Why don't you join us?'
'Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to see my gran. She's still a bit under the weather and I promised I'd read to her. Perhaps I'll see you there tomorrow night.'
'I'll be in there every night,' Lori replied, laughing. 'Oh good heavens. That made me sound like some sort of lush. I'm not, Reverend, believe me.'
'I do,' he smiled. 'Please call me Tom. We're all friends in Little Pondale. Enjoy your night.'
'He seems lovely,' Lori said. 'And very handsome in his way. And who's this gorgeous hunk? Two fabulous men walking down one little lane. I think I'm going to like Little Pondale.'
'That's Justin.' Ella ran to him and he swept her up in his arms as if he hadn't seen her for a year instead of only one night. Then he kissed her so passionately it made the blood rush to Mia's own cheeks.
'Wowee!' Lori gave a long, low whistle. 'I'm definitely going to like this village.'
'If you like that,' Garrick said, 'you'll love Saturday night. Not only is Justin and his dance troupe performing in the church hall, but it's Midsummer's Eve and all the locals go skinny dipping in the pond at Frog's Hollow.'
Mia cringed. 'I wasn't going to tell Mum about that until after it had taken place.'
'Why ever not, darling?' Lori asked, a crooked smile on her lips and a glint in her eye. 'I like the sound of both of those, especially the skinny dipping,'
'That's why I wasn't going to tell you. There's no way I want my mum parading around naked in front of half the village!'
'Why not?'
'Because I won't be going and I don't want the likes of Jet Cross, Rupert Day, Toby Bywater and all the rest of them, thinking that it's because my mum's got a better body than me.'
The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane_Part Two_Summer secrets Page 10