by Linda Finlay
Eliza looked at the dear man with his sensible business brain, her heart sinking. ‘You want me to leave?’ she whispered.
‘Not necessarily,’ he said. ‘As you know my old body’s not up to the demands of running an apothecary’s any more and I’ve been thinking of retiring. Happen I need to do a bit of rethinking about my plans,’ he said enigmatically. ‘Now, first things first, count those notes then I’ll enter the amount on the first page of a new ledger and lock the money in the safe.’
‘These pictures are beautiful, Eliza,’ Nan said. ‘That Fae was a talented lady and she’s signed every one too. It’s an unusual way of spelling her name – F. A. E. – don’t you think?’
‘Oh, I hadn’t realized,’ Eliza said, her mind still spinning with shock from the woman’s death and the amount of money she’d been left.
‘While Sam locks that envelope safely away, you’d best go and collect the young rascal up from school.’
‘Goodness, is that the time?’ Eliza gasped, jumping to her feet.
As she sped through the town, the salty tang of the ocean wafted her way. She inhaled again. Although it wasn’t quite the same as the lingering fragrance in her black bottle, she could see what Luke had been getting at. The sea breeze cleared her head and lifted her spirits but when she reached the school, Luke greeted her glumly.
‘Had a good day?’ Eliza asked.
He scowled and shook his head. ‘Not going back again,’ he declared.
‘Look, the tide’s out, why don’t we go over to the beach and you can tell me about your day?’ she suggested. Immediately he brightened and moments later was haring along the sand, kicking at the piles of seaweed.
Her thoughts returned to James. She would go and see him, for after much thought she knew her love for him was greater than her fears, and in future she would make more effort to control her feelings.
‘Hey, Eliza,’ Luke called, breaking into her thoughts. She looked over and saw he was holding up some seaweed to his nose.
‘This smells even more like that stuff in your bottle,’ he cried, presenting her with the string of shiny weed.
She leaned forward and inhaled deeply. Then she smelled it again. Maybe Luke had something after all, she thought, gathering some to take home. She hadn’t been getting anywhere with her flowers so it was worth a try, wasn’t it?
‘Luke, I could kiss you,’ she cried.
‘Yuk, I’d sooner be back in school,’ he muttered, taking off along the beach.
38
It wasn’t until Luke fell asleep that Eliza had time to reflect on the strange events of the day. Then she lay back against her pillow and let the tears come. She’d been fond of Fae and would always be grateful for the kindness she’d shown in taking her in and encouraging her to believe in herself. If only the woman had confided in her so that she could have looked after her during her illness. She’d never even had the opportunity to thank her for her incredible generosity in funding her apprenticeship. And now she’d left Eliza a sizeable legacy along with her beautiful pictures.
It had been wonderful to see Duncan. Dear, sweet Duncan, who’d made sure he kept Fae’s secret, then ventured all this way from his beloved woods to find her as he’d promised. She would always remember him with affection, and be grateful for all he had taught her. He was right, she had grown up and now she understood the feelings she had for James were the grown-up love of a woman for a man.
James! She sat bolt upright in bed and stared out at the moonlit night. In the excitement of discussing her future plans with Grandfa Sam, and then her discovery on the beach, she’d forgotten to go and see him. As soon as she’d dropped Luke off at school tomorrow, she would visit him and explain everything. She just hoped she hadn’t left it too late.
Next morning, as if he was sensing her impatience to be away, Luke took his time over breakfast, moaning about having to go to school until Grandfa Sam looked at him sternly.
‘So you don’t want to be an apothecary, like me?’
‘Course I do, which is why it’s a waste of time going to school,’ he declared.
‘Right, so know your sums, do you?’
‘No, but …’
‘And you can read and write?’ Grandfa continued on relentlessly.
‘Not yet, but I can roll out and cut tablets,’ he said, puffing out his little chest.
‘Indeed you can, lad, and that’s a great start. However, in order to become an apothecary, you need to be able to count so you can make up medicine and measure out the correct doses. You’ll need to be able to read so you know what ingredients to use and you need to write so you can pen the instructions for the patients, many of whom are unable to do it themselves.’
Luke thought for a few moments then grinned. ‘All right, if I go to school today and learn all this stuff, can I work in your dispensary tomorrow?’
‘When you can read, write and do your sums then you may join me,’ Sam agreed, winking at Eliza.
‘Come on, Eliza, hurry up,’ Luke cried, suddenly eager to be away.
No sooner had they reached the school than Luke dashed inside. Shaking her head, yet relieved he had listened to Grandfa Sam, Eliza hurried to the beach. Although the sea was on its way in this morning there was still weed strewn along the tide line. Quickly she filled her basket, inhaling the distinctive briny scent. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t made the connection that Luke had. Excitement tingled at the thought of trying her hand at this new perfume, for surely it would match the one in the black bottle? As soon as she’d finished here, she would go and visit James, apologize for her behaviour and promise to try to overcome her fear.
Her heart singing at the thought of seeing him, she set to filling her basket with the shiny weed. She was just stamping the sand from her boots when, as if her thoughts had conjured him up, James came striding down the other side of the street. Her heart gave a jolt.
‘James,’ she called, hastily dodging horse-drawn carts and carriages as she tried to cross the busy thoroughfare. In her haste, her foot twisted and she tripped just before reaching him. His hand shot out and drew her safely onto the pavement.
‘If you wore those shoes we made you wouldn’t stumble,’ he said gruffly.
‘But they’re much too nice to wear on the beach. Oh, James, I’ve missed you so much. I was coming to see you later.’
There was a momentary spark in his eye, then his expression became stiff as a mask. ‘To tell me your glad tidings?’ he scoffed. ‘You needn’t bother. Father has already told me about curly-haired Duncan.’
She stared at him in surprise. ‘Duncan?’
‘He heard you call his name,’ he said, glowering.
‘But you don’t understand …’ she began.
‘That you found a replacement so soon? No, I don’t. But you needn’t worry about me, if you ever did.’ He gave a harsh laugh. ‘Anyhow, no time to waste, I’m on my way to join the others for training with the breeches buoy. They, at least, know what loyalty is,’ he spat over his shoulder.
‘But you’ve got it all wrong …’ she called, but he lengthened his stride.
Stunned by his antagonism, she watched his retreating back. After a moment she made to follow him, then stopped. Nan would be waiting for her to take over in the shop. Sighing, she crossed back over the road. She’d call and see him at the cobbler’s after collecting Luke from school. The misunderstanding needed sorting out before she could tell him about her decision.
When Eliza got back to the shop, Nan insisted she get on with making her perfume
while she served the customers.
‘To tell the truth, I’m finding it a bit lonely upstairs without young Luke to mind. A good chinwag will do me the world of good,’ she declared. ‘I can keep an eye on Sam at the same time. He’s getting clumsier by the day and I’m beginning to think he should retire sooner rather than later.’
‘Well, let me know if you need me,’ Eliza said, wrapping a clean white apron around her, then eagerly beginning her preparation. Her thoughts still on James, she chopped the seaweed and made a distillation. It produced a curious aroma and she tried blending it with a few drops of the one she’d made from the pink flowers. Inhaling deeply, she shook her head: that didn’t work well at all. Just like her attempt to talk to James, she thought. Then she tried mixing the seaweed distillation with some from the yellow flowers. That was better but still not the result she’d hoped for.
Disappointed, she was about to throw the liquid away when the doorbell tinkled and Amos appeared. He was smartly dressed in a grey high-buttoned frock coat, stiff choker collar and knotted tie, and his hair had been cut.
‘Amos, you’re looking very smart. What are you doing here?’ she asked, her mood lifting at the sight of her friend.
‘I have an appointment with Mr Cary,’ he answered.
‘He has a customer with him.’ She pointed to the partition.
‘I’m early so I’ll wait, if I may?’ Eliza nodded and was about to ask him what had brought about the change in him, when he came over to where she was working.
‘Something smells, er, interesting,’ he said, sniffing the air. Then he pointed to her alembic. ‘Cripes, that’s old-fashioned, isn’t it?’ he laughed.
‘I know, but I’m hoping I’ll be getting a new one soon.’
‘Lucky you! What are you brewing?’ he asked, bending over her jar of liquid and inhaling deeply.
‘I’m trying something new. What do you think?’ she asked.
He wrinkled his brow. ‘Erm, it’s quite nice, but a bit bland and one dimensional, don’t you think? A bit Schubert,’ he proclaimed.
‘Pardon?’
‘Unfinished. Remember, Mademoiselle, the perfume, it should have all the notes of a symphony, non?’ he intoned in a perfect imitation of Monsieur Farrant.
‘Of course,’ she said, shaking her head. How could she have forgotten? Amos dipped a paper into the jar and waved it in the air between them.
‘Non, Mademoiselle, this will not pass the test,’ he imitated, wagging his finger at her.
As they dissolved into hysterics, the little bell tinkled. Looking up, she saw James had entered the shop and was staring at her in disgust.
‘I thought I might have been hasty earlier, but now I see even Father underestimated your appetite for men,’ he said, his voice so cold it sent shivers spiralling down her back.
‘Hey, that’s not fair …’ Amos replied.
‘James, it’s not what …’ Eliza began. But James had gone, slamming door behind him, setting the little bell jingling and jangling.
‘James,’ Eliza shouted, hurrying after him, but he’d been swallowed up in the crowd and she couldn’t see any sign of him.
Upset by his accusation, she took herself back inside just as Nan came scurrying in to see what the fuss was about.
‘What’s going on? Oh, Amos, how lovely to see you, though you could have been gentler with my poor bell,’ she said.
He laughed. ‘Sorry, Mrs Cary. May I thank you again for that delicious meal the other evening?’
‘It was my pleasure, Amos. Sam won’t be long, so you go on up and pour yourself a cuppa.’
‘Thank you. You all right?’ he asked.
Seeing the concern in his eyes Eliza forced a smile and nodded.
‘Next time, try drying that weed before you use it; it might help,’ he suggested, making his way towards the stairs.
Her upset at James’s outburst turned to anger and Eliza slammed the jar down on the table. How dare he say such nasty things? She wasn’t sure she wanted to walk out with someone who jumped to conclusions all the time. Mr Cary’s bitterness had obviously rubbed off on him. Well, she wasn’t going to waste her precious perfume-making time fretting, she thought, pushing his harsh words to the back of her mind and turning her attention back to her creation.
Inhaling her mix again, she had to agree it wasn’t right and was definitely lacking something. But the question was, what? She referred to Fae’s book but couldn’t find anything relevant to the plants she’d been using. Perhaps she should try drying the seaweed, as Amos had suggested. As she sat mulling over what he’d said about blending and notes, Grandfa Sam emerged with his customer.
‘Two twice a day should cure that, Mr Jackson,’ he instructed, handing over a bottle. As the little man scurried from the shop, Grandfa Sam turned to Nan, who was dusting the shelves. ‘Did I hear young Amos?’
‘He’s waiting for you in the parlour, Sam.’
‘I’d better go on up then. How’s it going with you and that seaweed, Eliza? There’s certainly been some unusual aromas wafting around in here this morning,’ he grimaced.
‘I’m sure I’m on the right track but it’s not quite there yet,’ she sighed.
‘Oh, well, don’t be disheartened. Even mighty oaks come from little acorns, don’t they?’
‘Grandfa Sam, you’re a genius,’ she cried, jumping to her feet and snatching up her basket. ‘Nan, can you manage without me for a little while?’
The woman looked around the empty shop. ‘Think I can handle this rush,’ she quipped.
Eliza hurried up to the big oak tree in the woods behind the little town, her mind going into overdrive as she gathered up the bright green velvety plants growing to the north of its base. Only when her basket was filled did she pause for breath.
A cuckoo calling from somewhere nearby reminded her of Grampy, and how he’d told her about the parent laying its egg in another bird’s nest, expecting it to feed and look after its chick when it hatched. She sighed. Wasn’t that what she was: an interloper in Grandfa and Nan’s home? They’d become like grandparents to her, looking after her and guiding her. But they weren’t getting any younger and, with Grandfa’s health failing, Nan wanted him to give up work. Then there was Luke, a lovable but strong-willed child who tested them all to the limits. Now she had Fae’s money, surely it was only fair to move out and give them the peace and quiet they deserved? Perhaps she could treat them to a holiday, offer to look after things whilst they went away? Goodness knows, she should do something for these dear people who had shown her so much kindness.
She wandered back through the fields where the bluebells were already wilting. One minute they were waving about in all their beauty, the next they faded and disappeared. Just like everyone she cared about, she thought, the crash of the waves pounding the beach below reminding her of the last time she’d been here with James. He’d been so loving then, and nothing like the tight-lipped man who’d stormed out of the shop today, she thought, hurrying back towards the apothecary’s.
To her surprise Grandfa Sam and Amos were bent over the worktop in the dispensary.
‘Nan’s gone to collect young Luke from school so put that basket down and come over here. I’ve things I wish to discuss,’ Sam said.
Pulling up a chair, Eliza glanced at Amos, who winked back.
‘Right,’ Grandfa Sam said. ‘As you both know, my health is not what it was. Nan has been nagging me for ages to retire, but of course there is the running of the shop, the income from which keeps us in food and pays our rent.’
/> ‘I was thinking about that, Grandfa. Now I have that legacy I feel Luke and I should do more to help. Perhaps I could invest in your shop? Or we can move out and rent somewhere to live?’
‘I agree you should pay rent, Eliza,’ he said. ‘That’s what business people do.’
Although she smiled, her heart sank. Before she could ponder where she could go, Grandfa Sam was talking again.
‘Now, young Amos here is a clever lad, eager to put his training to good use.’ He paused as Amos beamed and nodded her way. ‘And you’re a bright girl with a very good nose, so combine the two and what do we have?’
‘Two bright, eager people, ready to run your shop and dispensary,’ Amos supplied.
‘Exactly, and once you have learned the trade, that is exactly what I see,’ Sam agreed.
Eliza stared from one to the other, certain she was missing something. ‘You mean I can stay here?’ she asked.
‘Of course,’ he replied. ‘My proposal is to rent one half of the shop to you, initially for making and selling Nan’s soaps then, later, your perfumes. Meanwhile, I shall train Amos up as an apothecary with a view to him taking over the dispensary side.’
Eliza stared from Grandfa Sam to Amos in disbelief. ‘Really? You hatched all this up this afternoon?’
Sam laughed. ‘Not exactly. When I saw how interested young Amos here was in my work, I invited him over for a discussion. He is keen to learn and take over from me, and his previous training will give him a good foundation on which to build.’
‘And I can help you find the missing notes to your symphony,’ Amos added.
‘Well, I don’t know what to say,’ Eliza said, her heart swelling with happiness.