by Linda Finlay
‘What might you never know?’ Jago asked as they rode through the little town waymarked Probus.
‘If there’s a letter waiting for me,’ she admitted, excitement bubbling in spite of her worries that there might not be. ‘And if there is, I shall need to purchase a card and stamp,’ she added, staring at him expectantly.
‘My, it’s busy today,’ he murmured. Colenso stared at the empty lane ahead and sighed. Getting money out of the man obviously wasn’t going to be easy. She’d have to devise a strategy, she decided, sitting back and looking around.
The air was fresh after the rain and she breathed in deeply. They were crossing a river now and as two swans glided down, her thoughts turned to Kitto. Would he have found some way to reply to the card she’d sent?
Before long they drew up outside a little cottage on the edge of Truro. Although it was small and quite run-down, it was on a corner plot and when she followed Jago round to the back she saw that an outhouse of some sort had been added.
‘Hello sister, dear,’ he called brightly, pushing open the door and beckoning Colenso to follow him into the steam-filled room. A woman in her thirties, dark hair piled messily on top of her head, white apron covering her dress, looked up from the big pan she was stirring. ‘I’ve brought Colenso here to meet you.’
‘Yer’ve brought a girl home, Jago? Well I never,’ she exclaimed, nearly dropping her spoon into the mixture. ‘’Tis good to meet yer, dear,’ she smiled warmly at Colenso. ‘I’d like to say any friend of my brother’s is a friend of mine, but sadly that’s not always true.’
‘This is Karla,’ Jago said, looking uncomfortable. ‘Learn what you can from her and I’ll be back later.’
Chapter 22
As Jago scuttled back outside, Karla burst out laughing.
‘Forgive me, dear. Bit of sibling banter. Must have got to him cos he forgot to take those,’ she chuckled, gesturing to the jars of brightly coloured sweets that were lined up along the cupboards. ‘I’ll just put this pan in water to arrest the cooking then we can get to know each other.’ There was a hiss and spitting before she turned back to Colenso. ‘Sit yerself down and tell me how yer got caught up with my brother.’
‘Thank you,’ Colenso said, perching on a seat beside the huge, scrubbed table. ‘I work on the Panam, selling sweets with him.’
‘Oh, yer not walking out, then?’ she asked candidly.
‘No,’ Colenso spluttered, the very idea amusing her.
‘Thought it was too good to be true. Mother said he wasn’t normal, like. Does he pay yer?’ Dark eyes surveyed her curiously. Colenso shook her head.
‘He keeps promising but …’ she shrugged.
‘Same here,’ Karla told her. ‘’Tis time we taught that brother of mine a lesson. I’ll think on it while I’m finishing these,’ she added, carefully adding drops from a little brown bottle to the mixture and stirring. A pungent aroma filled the air as she lifted the pan and set it down on the scrubbed table. Snatching up a spoon, she began dribbling the orangecoloured syrup over the tips of sticks that were laid out on large trays.
‘Lollipops?’ Colenso asked, staring in fascination as the liquid pooled into perfect circles.
‘Yes, Jago says you can’t have a Panam without lollipops. Course, they takes longer to make and I have the devil’s own job getting him to pay me for my time, but yer not interested in that.’
‘Actually, I might well be,’ Colenso replied. ‘And I’d like to hear more about your brother, for I really don’t know him that well.’ She smiled at the woman, thinking she might have found an ally.
‘Perhaps you could start crushing that while we talk,’ the woman said, pointing to an enormous cone of sugar. ‘I’ve finished everything apart from the rock canes,’ she said.
‘I’d love to see how you make those,’ Colenso told her as she set about her task.
‘Yer can helps me shape them later, if yer like. But first, I needs to grease this then get on with my mixing. Timing’s everything when yer making confections. That and temperature,’ she said, setting down a huge tray that almost covered the length of the table. Colenso glanced around the room, taking in the range, the sink under the window and the row of cupboards, their tops lined with the jars of jewel-coloured sweets.
‘Did you make all those yourself?’ she asked, gesturing to the containers.
‘Mother helped. It’s how we makes our living, supplying the fairs. When we gets paid, of course,’ she sighed. ‘Oh good, yer’ve finished enough for me to get started,’ she said, scooping up the sugar Colenso had filed from the cone. As she tossed it into another huge pan on the stove, Colenso noticed the livid mark on her finger spread all the way down to her hand, and remembered how Jago told her she’d burned it.
‘You need more?’ Colenso asked, not wishing to be caught staring.
‘Yep, yer gets through an awful lot of the stuff when you makes confections,’ Karla laughed. ‘Cors different ones need different textures so yer has to be careful how yer controls the melting and recrystallization process. Needs to know which part of yer range is hottest and which is cooler.’ As she talked, she was busy spooning ingredients from different containers onto the sugar in the pan. Then she poured over a jug of water and stood back. Just has to let that start dissolving now,’ she said, sitting down beside Colenso.
‘’Tis a shame Mother’s not here but she’s earning extra, helping them down at the fair. If Jago paid us she wouldn’t have to. Yer’ve done enough now,’ she said, nodding to the pile of sugar. ‘Yer can put that into the jar there and place the rest of the cone back on the side. Those trays of lollies can go on the side too. We’ll need all the table to work on.’ They jumped up and she turned back to her stirring and before long the mixture began to bubble. Colenso did as she’d been asked then watched as Karla picked up the brush and began washing down the inside of the pan.
‘I watched someone making tablet the other day,’ she said, reminded of her morning with Caitlin.
‘’Tis a similar process ’til you get to the colouring and kneading bit. Different ingredients other than the sugar, of course,’ she grinned. ‘Now for the tricky bit,’ she frowned, quickly dipping the finger next to the scarred one into the pan and licking off the mixture. ‘Right, that’s done,’ she said, taking the pan off the heat. ‘Just need to leave that to cool down a bit. Fancy a drink?’
‘Yes please. It’s so hot in here, although it looks like you’re very well organized,’ Colenso told her as Karla poured lemonade from another jug on the dresser and handed her a glass.
‘Hot? More like a raging furnace,’ the woman said, downing her drink in one. ‘Phew, that’s better. Jago got one of his, er, friends to help him add on this room. Said we could make more sweets and more money. Ha ha to the second. How did yer come to be working with him?’
‘It’s a long story but I’m travelling with Mara in her van and, well, thought it would be a good way of contributing towards my keep.’
‘Mara the fortune teller?’ Karla asked. ‘I keep meaning to have mine told. I’ve heard she’s good. Mind yer, I think I already know my future,’ she said, her hand going to her stomach.
‘You mean …?’ Colenso said, her eyes widening. Karla nodded.
‘Not that Jago knows. Denny, that’s my follower, and me are getting wed. Cors it’ll have to be sooner rather than later now,’ she chuckled as she crossed the room and lifted the pan into the sink. Luckily Colenso was saved from answering, as the noise of hissing and spitting filled the room.
‘I thought Mother’d go mad, but Jago’s away so much she quite likes the idea of having a man around the house. Says we’ll be the only ones to make her a grandmother anyhow,’ she said, lifting out the pan and stirring before pouring the syrup into the prepared tray. She let it cool for a moment then cut it into two portions, one twice the size of the other.
‘Right, now we add flavouring to the bigger piece,’ Karla said, carefully shaking out two drops from a tiny phial
.
‘That smells so good,’ Colenso cried, inhaling the floral aroma. ‘It’s just like roses.’
‘Rose rock, see? If yer wants to help yer can wet yer hands and start kneading this,’ she said, placing the flavoured piece in front of Colenso. ‘I’ll colour the other portion.’ She added a couple of drops from a phial and began massaging it in. As Colenso worked her mixture she was surprised to see it turn from clear and glass-like to white and satiny.
‘It’s like magic,’ she cried.
‘Alchemy, they calls it,’ Karla grinned. ‘Now, you roll the mixture into a long sausage while I roll the red one into a strand. They need to be the same length. That’s it,’ she said, taking her red one and placing it deftly over Colenso’s white. ‘Now I’ll roll them together like so.’
Colenso watched fascinated as the combined mixture was rolled to twice its original length before being folded so that they became two red stripes. Then taking up a pair of scissors, Karla began snipping the mixtures into six-inch lengths.
‘Right, you can help me roll and bend the tops back into the shape of a crook like this, see?’ she demonstrated. Colenso smiled as she saw the formed shape of the walking cane then tried herself. ‘That’s it,’ Karla said moments later. ‘Now we can take a rest while they cool.’
‘That was fun,’ Colenso said as they collapsed back onto their chairs.
‘Don’t know about that, but it’s bloomin’ bakin’,’ Karla groaned, fanning her face with her hands. ‘Want another drink?’
‘I’ll get them,’ Colenso replied, jumping up and refilling their glasses. She handed Karla hers then ran her fingers along the jars lined up in the cupboards. ‘They’re like priceless jewels,’ she murmured.
‘Well, Jago certainly thinks they’re beyond price,’ Karla moaned. Then her lips widened into a broad grin. ‘That’s it. We won’t hand them over until he pays what he owes.’ She jumped up and began hiding the jars in the cupboards. ‘The lollies are set now, so help me pack them into cones then we can hide those away too,’ she said, snatching up a little pile and placing them on the table. ‘Can’t believe I didn’t think of this before.’
By the time Jago came back, they’d cleared everything away and the room was looking neat and tidy.
‘There’s people milling around all over the fairground. Should bode well for selling lots of sweets,’ he grinned, rubbing his hands together. Then he frowned as he took in the clear table and bare work surfaces. ‘Where are they?’
‘Where’s what, brother dear?’ Karla asked innocently.
‘All those sweets you were busy making.’
‘Yer mean the ones yer intend selling for lots of money?’
‘Of course, er … well, hopefully,’ he amended as they both stared stonily as him.
‘Yer’ll get the sweets when we get our money,’ Karla told him, holding out her hand.
‘I haven’t the time to play games,’ he blustered.
‘Best get on with it then,’ Karla countered. He stared at them for a moment then, realizing he was beaten, took out his leather pouch. Slowly he counted coins into their outstretched hands. ‘And the rest, you skinflint,’ Karla urged. ‘Mother helped as well.’ With a muttered oath, Jago handed over a few more coins.
‘Thank you, brother dear,’ Karla said sweetly while Colenso stared at her money with relief. She had enough to give Mara a fair amount for her board and to purchase another card and stamp should she receive a reply from Kitto. Her heart leapt at the thought and she pocketed her money before helping Karla unpack the confection from the cupboards.
By the time Jago had loaded them onto his wagon and Colenso had thanked Karla for the lesson in sweet-making, it was late afternoon.
‘I’d like to stop at the post office, please,’ she told him as they headed down a road of elegant Georgian houses with their splendid walled gardens and on past the newer townhouses that led into the town.
‘Not sure I’ve got the time,’ Jago muttered, still sulking from being outmanoeuvred by his sister.
‘Well, drop me off here then and I’ll walk. Mara told me the green is only just out of the town.’
‘I suppose I could take you, as long as you promise to help me arrange everything in the Panam. This fair’s only on for two days so I’ll need to make the most of every minute if I’m to earn any profit at all. And we’ll need more cones as well,’ he added, letting out a long sigh.
‘I’d be happy to help,’ she told him sweetly. The sooner she could get to the post office the better. She was longing to find out if there was anything waiting for her. As Kitto had never learned to write she couldn’t see how he could possibly reply, but Mara had seemed so sure.
And Mara was right. A letter was waiting for her. Hugging it to her body, she almost danced out of the building and clambered back onto the wagon.
‘Happy now?’ Jago asked, urging his horse on.
‘Very,’ she smiled widely, tempted to open it there and then. Somehow she resisted and happily watched as they made their way out of the town and along the estuary towards Sunny Corner. Seagulls swooped and called, boats bobbed on white-tipped waves. She had a letter from Kitto and she was happy.
They arrived at the green to find it bustling with noise and activity. As ever, burly men assembled the attractions while children ran in and out of the stalls laughing. Flags flew from tent tops and there was an air of anticipation and excitement.
‘Got a good pitch right in the centre this time. Old Taylor’s here but his cart’s up by the road,’ Jago grinned.
‘Good,’ Colenso smiled, relieved he was happy at last. ‘I can see Mara’s little tent over by the water. Oh, and there’s her van under the trees. I’ll see you tomorrow,’ she said, preparing to jump down.
‘You could at least help me unpack the confection,’ Jago muttered.
‘I’ll help tomorrow,’ Colenso called, leaping to the ground as the horse slowed. All she wanted to do was open her letter and find out what Kitto had said.
Heart thumping, she let herself into Mara’s vardo, for once thankful to have it to herself. Slumping down on the cushion, she studied the bold writing on the envelope until, unable to resist any longer, she ripped open the flap and drew out a sheet of paper.
Dear Colenso
I was so pleased to hear from you and to know you are safe.
Mary Anne, the schoolmistress, read your letter to me. When I expressed my disappointment at not being able to reply, she kindly offered to help me.
We have been meeting each evening and she is teaching me my letters. She has been really sweet and patient for I do not find it easy.
As soon as I’m able, I will follow after you, so please let me know where I can reach you.
I am keeping your pentacle safe until we meet.
Miss and love you.
Kitto
As Colenso read the letter through again, her initial elation turned to dismay. Mary Anne was as pretty as she was clever, and Kitto, her betrothed, was spending each evening with her.
‘What’s up with you?’ Mara asked, entering the van and slumping down on the cushion opposite. ‘I’d have thought a letter from your lover would make you happy not sad. That is from him, I take it?’ She pointed to the letter and looked at Colenso expectantly.
‘Yes, it is,’ she sighed, ignoring the woman’s choice of word.
‘Well then?’ Mara frowned.
‘He’s only spending every evening learning his letters with the schoolmistress,’ she cried, throwing the note down on the seat beside her.
‘May I?’ Mara asked, reaching over and picking it up. When Colenso nodded, she scanned the contents, her lips curling into a smile. ‘Well, that’s a nice letter and he’s keeping your necklace safe. He’s obviously keen to communicate with you if he’s prepared to spend his free time learning his letters, so what’s wrong?’
‘He’s learning with Mary Ann, who is fair-haired, slender and the prettiest girl in Cadgwith, that’s what’s wrong,�
�� Colenso wailed, running her fingers through her tufts of hair. ‘That and the fact that she has always had her eye on Kitto.’
‘What’s for you won’t pass by you,’ Mara said gently.
‘Oh, you and your silly sayings,’ Colenso shouted.
‘Calm down and think about it. You said Kitto loves you, and presumably you still love him?’
‘Of course I do,’ she cried.
‘Then shouldn’t you trust him?’ Mara asked, staring at her intently.
‘What do you know about it? You’ve never been married, have you?’ Colenso was so overwrought, she hardly noticed the woman flinch.
‘No, that’s true, I haven’t. But I was promised to someone once. Someone I loved with all my heart.’
‘So what happened?’ Colenso asked, feeling a pang of remorse as she saw the desolation in Mara’s eyes.
‘He died in a mining accident,’ she whispered. Then she went silent, a faraway look in her eyes. Colenso watched as, with a supreme effort, the woman continued. ‘They thought they’d found a new vein of copper and he was offered a goodly sum to go deeper underground and investigate. I had a dreadful feeling about it and pleaded with him not to go. However, we were saving to be married and, knowing the extra money would come in handy, he insisted but …’ Her voice quavered then petered out. Colenso rushed over to the woman and put her arm around her.
‘It’s all right, you don’t have to tell me,’ she murmured.
‘But I do,’ Mara said, her voice quiet. ‘The roof collapsed and he was buried under tons of soil and rock. It was too dangerous for anyone to go back down so his body was never found.’
‘Oh Mara, that’s terrible. I had no idea.’
‘How could you?’ Mara shrugged. ‘But love is a precious thing, Colenso, so think hard before you throw it away on perceived grievances. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to turn in.’
‘Thank you for telling me. I’ll write to Kitto tomorrow.’