by Georgia Hill
‘He seemed to be in a hurry to get to work.’
‘They keep him on quite a tight rein, as I understand.’ Alex picked up some papers, scanned them half-heartedly and then replaced them.
‘What’s he doing? More consultancy?’
‘If only, Millie. If only. No, didn’t you know? My little brother has got himself a job with Blue Elephant.’
Chapter 5
‘Who’s that?’ Tessa asked.
Millie started. She’d been miles away. Wiping down a table, she concentrated on Tessa who was, unsubtly, trying to take her mind off Jed. ‘Eleri? I told you about her. Davey Pascoe’s granddaughter. Remember I said we hooked up in Thailand.’ Millie reined in her irritation. She was sure she’d told Tessa about her. ‘We travelled back together and I said she could help out every now and again. Need an extra pair of hands in the café now Zoe’s in Durham and Clare’s at catering college.’
Tessa stared at the willowy figure, dressed in a blue and green chiffon kaftan and bell-bottoms. Eleri sensed she was being discussed and turned around and smiled. Her light eyes rooted Tessa to the spot. ‘She’s gorgeous.’
‘Certainly is and a hard worker too.’ Millie took a loaded tray into the kitchen and Tessa followed at her heels.
‘Get you, hooking up with folk like a seasoned traveller. Remind me how you two met up, then?’
‘Well, I got myself to the same island she was living on and one morning she just appeared out of the sea. Keen swimmer, apparently. Used to do it competitively.’
‘And you offered her a job. Just like that?’
Millie plunged a stack of plates into hot water. ‘Yup.’
‘No references?’
Millie shrugged. ‘None needed really. If she hadn’t worked out, I wouldn’t keep her on. But she’s been great.’
‘Ken would die to paint her.’ Tessa peered through the porthole window in the kitchen door. ‘With those amazing eyes and all that hair.’
Eleri, her golden-brown hair tamed into a waist-length plait, was chatting to an obviously smitten Arthur.
‘Well, if she hangs around long enough, he can. She’s staying with Old Davey for the time being. You know him, lives in the last bungalow before the cliff?’
Tessa nodded. ‘Yeah. He took us all out mackerel fishing years ago, when the kids were small. Forgotten he had family, though.’ She picked up a tea towel and began to dry the plates Millie had washed. ‘If you keep getting busy like this, you’re going to have to invest in a dishwasher, bab. And you haven’t got enough crockery to turn around quickly.’
Millie brushed back her fringe from a steamy face. ‘You could be right there. I’ll add it to the list of suggestions for Clare. It was her mum’s networking group that was in today.’ Returning to the subject, she added, ‘Think Ri’s parents moved to Wales years ago. If Ken wants to paint her, he’d better be quick. She doesn’t seem to stay in one place for long.’
‘I’ll tell him.’ Tessa once again looked through to the café. ‘She looks so free.’ She sighed the sigh of a woman with a husband and three demanding sons at home. ‘Must be great to flit about the world, without a care. And there’s something mesmerising about her, isn’t there?’
‘Agreed. She’s amazingly calm. Nothing seems to faze her. She’s a bit fey too.’ Millie wrinkled up her nose. ‘Think that’s the word.’ She rinsed a couple of plates. ‘Haven’t you heard the story? Rumour is, someone in her family long ago married a mermaid and made her live on the shore with him. Apparently all the female members of the family have that spectacular hair and pale eyes.’
Tessa turned around and stared at Millie, round-eyed. ‘No way! What a story. Oh Ken has to paint her now.’
‘He might have to pay. Think she’s strapped for cash at the moment.’ Millie bit her lip. ‘And she’s not alone.’
‘How’s the sale going?’
Millie winced. ‘Slowly. I’d hoped to exchange by now, but Clare’s parents are checking out yet more things. They’re having another survey done and a feasibility report on top.’
‘Do they want to buy this place or not?’
Millie sank against the prep table. Everything threatened to overwhelm her. ‘Suppose it’s only sensible to be cautious. It’s a big thing to take on. It’s just that, oh Tes, I only went travelling on the understanding the café was sold. And now I’m so broke I don’t know what to do.’
Tessa wrapped her in a hug. She knew there was more to this than just moving stress. ‘I’m sure it’ll all go through soon. You know what they say, solicitors love making everyone panic until the last minute and then it all goes through without a hitch. And once it’s sold, think of all the lovely lolly you’ll have. You’ll be able to do anything you want. Wherever you want. Just like Eleri. Maybe even get back in touch with that Italian bloke.’ Tessa tightened her hold. ‘Berecombe won’t be the same without a Millie Vanilla’s, though.’
Millie’s answer was muffled and unintelligible.
‘And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Jed’s job. Thought it was his news, really.’
‘Why has he gone and got a job with Blue Elephant?’ Millie wailed. ‘I just don’t understand, Tes. How could he do it to me again? It’s such a betrayal.’
‘I don’t know, bab. I just don’t know.’ Tessa held her until the sobs subsided.
‘And I want the café to do well for Clare.’ Millie sniffed. ‘Jed working for Blue Elephant is going to put a dent in the profits. I just know it.’
‘What are you going to do about it?’
Millie stepped away from her hold, wiped her face with her pinny and said bleakly, ‘Have it out with him. That’s if I can ever get hold of him. He seems to be working all the time.’
‘Avoiding you?’
‘Well, he won’t do that for long. Not in a town the size of Berecombe. He owes me an explanation. And he’s bloody well going to give it to me.’
Chapter 6
Eleri twisted over. The water caressed her wet-suited body like silk. Lying on her back and floating, she stared up at the moonless night. As she’d done as a child, she located the familiar shape of the Plough and then traced the route to Cassiopeia. It gave her satisfaction to see them still there. The stars were often the only constant in her ever-changing life.
The only sound was the quiet wash of the sea around her. The only colours black and silver. Closing her eyes, she surrendered herself to how alive her senses felt. She was more at home in the sea than anywhere. A tremor ran through her. She was getting cold. The sea temperature on a Devon November night didn’t compare to the tropical seas she was more used to. She needed to get moving again. Besides, if Davey found out she was swimming at night, alone, he’d be furious. Reluctantly, she twisted again and power-crawled to shore.
Chapter 7
Millie sat at the table in the window. A grey pall of fog hung over the promenade. It blanketed out the sea and all was peculiarly hushed. Ever since she’d returned from Thailand nothing had seemed to go right. Even the weather had been unremittingly grim. Usually she didn’t mind. In fact, she used to take pleasure in the quiet, out-of-season days when she had the place to herself. It was a time to catch your breath before everything revved up again.
She stirred her hot chocolate without interest and glared at her mobile, willing Jed to return her call. It remained stubbornly quiet. She’d rung him several times and he hadn’t bothered to get back to her. The one bright thing in this sea of grey was Ri. The girl floated in and out of the café, working without seeming to put any obvious effort in, getting things done and spreading a palpable calm in her wake. Millie couldn’t afford help, but she found she lacked the enthusiasm or the stamina to do everything herself any more. Not for the first time, she wished the café sale had gone through and she was free of it. It had become a burden she no longer wanted.
The bell on the café door had her looking up in the vain hope it was Jed.
‘Hello Millie,’ Alex said. ‘I wonder if I might h
ave a word?’
Too disappointed to speak, Millie gestured to the empty chair beside her. Behind, she heard the sudden silence as Arthur and Biddy stopped bickering. Whatever Alex’s business, it would be all over Berecombe by tomorrow.
‘Hi bach, I’m Eleri. What can I get you?’ Ri appeared from nowhere, with order pad in hand. She smiled down at Alex.
‘Oh. Um. Ah.’
The tops of his ears turned pink. Millie took pity on him. Eleri had this alarming effect on most of her male customers. It was making for good repeat custom. ‘Why don’t you have one of Ri’s special hot chocolates?’ she suggested. ‘ Just the thing for a foggy day like today.’
‘Thank you. I will.’ Alex eyed Millie’s mug. ‘But without the marshmallows, if I may.’
Eleri made a face. ‘It’s not my special hot chocolate without them. See, I make them into little white chocolate and marshmallow flowers. They’re magic. Go on. Have the marshmallows. Live a little.’
‘Right.’ Alex gulped in the face of all her gorgeousness. ‘Okay. Whatever you say.’
‘Wonderful. Can I get you another, Millie?’
‘No, I’m fine, Ri. Thank you.’
Alex twisted to watch her as she made her way back to the kitchen. ‘My word.’ He unwound his scarf and unbuttoned his coat. ‘Eleri. What a pretty name.’
Millie smiled. ‘Welsh, apparently. And yes, it is pretty, but she prefers Ri.’
‘What a shame to abbreviate it. Eleri.’ He sounded it out with relish and shook his head. ‘Never encountered an Eleri before.’
‘I think she’s one in a million. Alex, it’s lovely to see you, but I can’t imagine you came to discuss my staff.’
‘Ah. No I didn’t.’ He took off his specs, de-misted them and popped them back on his nose, clearing his throat slightly as he did. ‘Bit awkward this. I’ve come to apologise, actually.’
‘Whatever for?’ Millie was taken aback.
‘For blurting out that Jed is working for Blue Elephant. I had no idea he hadn’t told you.’ Alex tugged at the collar of his crew-necked sweater. ‘I feel awful. I had no right. It was Jed’s news and I understand Blue Elephant has caused some, shall we say, friction between you.’
‘Just a little.’
‘I really thought he’d mentioned it.’
‘Strangely enough, Jed forgot to email me the news that he is working for my biggest rival.’
‘Ah yes.’ Alex paused to take off his coat. He folded it neatly, put it on a chair and then remained standing as Eleri returned with his chocolate. ‘Wonderful. Thank you.’ Pushing his glasses back up his nose, he added, ‘Marvellous.’
‘Just pop the flowers in the hot chocolate when you’re ready,’ she said, in her soft Welsh accent.
She and Alex gazed at one another. Even through her fugged-up state Millie could feel the attraction zinging between them. Goodness me, she thought. Now, that’s a match I wouldn’t have predicted. Opposites must attract.
‘If there’s anything else you need,’ Eleri added, staring wide-eyed at Alex. ‘Just let me know.’
‘Eleri, I need another coffee.’ Biddy’s overloud voice broke the moment.
‘Coming right up,’ Eleri murmured, her eyes not leaving Alex’s face.
‘And I’d like it now, please!’
When Eleri had gone, Alex subsided into his chair. ‘I say,’ he breathed. As instructed, he put the white marshmallow flowers into his hot drink and was taken aback to see them open up. ‘Now, how does that happen?’ he murmured in astonishment.
‘Some of Ri’s magic, I think. Actually, I think she got the recipe off the net. Fun, though.’ Millie watched him sip his drink, fascinated to see him approach it as if it were something alien. ‘Alex, thank you for your apology, but I don’t really think it was yours to make. What I’d really like, what I really need, is an explanation as to why Jed feels he can do this to me.’
Alex fidgeted with his serviette, nervously. He cleared his throat again. ‘Millie, my dear, I’m afraid I can’t add much to what you already know.’
‘But that’s it,’ Millie burst out. ‘I don’t know anything at all. Jed was pretty good at keeping in touch when I was in Italy but it all tapered off a bit last month.’
Alex nodded. ‘That’s about when he got the job.’
‘Figures,’ Millie said acidly. ‘What exactly is he doing?’
‘He’s in charge of buying, from what I can gather.’ Alex shrugged. ‘If I’m honest, he hasn’t said all that more to me, but then I’ve been busy.’
‘I just don’t understand why he’s working for that company again, of all people.’
‘Well, he had to get some kind of employment. He’d been fund-raising for the theatre and the Arts Workshop, but that wasn’t paid.’
‘Isn’t his trust fund enough?’ Millie tried not to sound bitter.
‘Ah.’ Alex stared into his mug. ‘Oh dear. You haven’t heard about that either?’
‘What? Oh what now, Alex?’
‘Jed hasn’t been taking his allowance. I understand it has something to do with how you feel about trust funds? Something to do with proving he can manage without it?’
Millie let out a breath. One she hadn’t known she’d been holding. She felt very tired. ‘We had a conversation, an argument, I suppose.’ She shot Alex a rueful look. ‘I made it quite clear I don’t approve of those who don’t have to work for a living.’
‘Yes, he mentioned that.’ Alex spooned out a marshmallow flower and ate it cautiously. ‘I would imagine, by taking on this job, that Jed is trying to prove to you that he can work his keep.’
‘But why Blue Elephant, of all places?’
Alex shook his head. ‘I’ve no idea. He was rather keen to stay in Berecombe for when you came home. And from what I’ve gathered since I’ve been here, there are not many employment opportunities, and especially at this time of year. Maybe he had little choice?’
‘True,’ Millie said slowly. A thought struck. ‘Your mother can’t be very happy about it.’
Alex gave a short laugh. ‘I think that might be the understatement of the year. She’s apoplectic.’ He sighed. ‘Jed’s never really found what he wanted to do with his life. Or hadn’t until recently.’ He smiled kindly. ‘I’ve never known him so enthusiastic over anything as he was about your café. Your lifestyle. It really speaks to him. And this,’ he spread his hands to include the town. ‘Having spent some time in this part of the world I’m beginning to see the appeal.’
‘Then why hasn’t he said all this to me? Explained himself?’
‘Ah. May I tell you something about Jed?’
Millie nodded. ‘Please do. I feel as if I’ve never really understood him. Never really go to know him properly.’
‘I understand.’ Alex took a deep breath.
Chapter 8
‘Jed has always had, shall we say, a difficult relationship with our mother. I seemed to fulfil her expectations as a son. Did what I was told, did well at school, university, went into a career of which she approved. Jed, on the other hand, was rebellious, even as a baby. Fought her on everything and anything.’
‘I can well believe it.’
Alex gave Millie an old-fashioned look and pushed up his glasses. ‘I’m not sure mother knew how to handle him after sailing though motherhood with me. But, even though Jed can be rebellious and doesn’t take orders very well, underneath it all what he most likes to do, especially for those he loves, is please them. Make them happy. The more pressure mother put on him to settle down to something, the more frustrated he became that he couldn’t find a career that both he and mother wanted. And I’m afraid, when Jed is in that position, he simply clams up. Keeps his secrets very secret.’ Alex leaned back and pursed his lips. ‘We all thought he’d settled to his management consultancy, he was certainly very good at it and then he met you and went in another direction altogether.’
Millie was silent for a moment, digesting this new information. It made a mad kind
of sense. Whenever Jed had done something he thought she disapproved of, he’d simply avoided telling her.
‘It still doesn’t explain why he felt he needed to work for my biggest rival.’
‘No,’ Alex agreed. ‘It certainly doesn’t explain that.’ He stood up. ‘I’m sorry I can’t shed any light on that, my dear. But there must be a good reason. Jed doesn’t do anything to hurt people in such a blatant way. It’s simply not in him. He’s a loving man.’ Alex coughed again, embarrassed at all this talk of emotional matters. ‘And I think he loves you very much.’
Millie stood too. ‘He’s got a funny way of showing it.’
Alex’s eyes twinkled. ‘That, I can’t argue with.’
Eleri came to collect their empties. ‘Was everything alright?’
‘It was delicious,’ Alex said. ‘Especially the marshmallow flower things.’ He reached into his pocket. ‘I nearly forget to pay. That wouldn’t do at all, would it?’
Millie stayed his arm. ‘On the house. I appreciate you coming and trying to put things right.’
‘Just trying to help.’ He shrugged back into his coat and wound his scarf around his neck. He reminded Millie of a well-meaning giraffe.
‘Good morning, ladies,’ he said and went.
Eleri picked up their mugs. ‘What a lovely man,’ she said. ‘Such a kind face.’
‘He was very taken with you.’
‘Was he?’ She concentrated on clearing the table, but Millie detected a quickening of interest.
‘Absolutely. Wound up tighter than that cashmere scarf he was wearing, though.’
‘Yes, I got that impression too.’ Eleri laughed. ‘I’ll just have to try and do something about that then, won’t I, cariad?’ Then she rolled her eyes as Biddy shouted another demand from behind them.
Chapter 9
Eleri was delighted when, only a few days later, Alex made a return visit to the café.