by Linda Finlay
‘Why not,’ she replied brightly, ignoring his faux pas as she perched on a rock to remove her shoes.
‘Love the colour,’ he grinned.
‘Mara, the lady who took me in, bought them for me. I didn’t know until after she passed,’ she explained, letting out a long sigh.
‘Poor Colenso, so much sadness,’ he said, patting her shoulder. ‘But today is my birthday and my wish is for you to relax and enjoy it with me. Come along, we’ll walk down St Michael’s Way. Have you been across to the Mount?’
‘Yes, I saw the sun rise there at Litha – or the summer solstice, as Mara called it.’ She let out another sigh, remembering how the woman had told her to make a romantic wish at the magic rock. A fat lot of good that had been, she thought.
‘Oh, ye of little faith.’ The words were so loud that for one moment Colenso thought Mara was at her side. She shook her head.
‘Life is full of memories,’ Garren murmured, staring out to sea. ‘Still, as you haven’t been out recently, we’ll not go as far as there today, just settle for a gentle amble.’
With the Mount ahead of them, they began walking, their toes sinking into the still cool sand. In the distance, she could see three large black lumps of rock.
‘That big one is Long Rock, for obvious reasons,’ he laughed. She stared at the elongated shape and smiled. They walked for another mile or so before Garren suggested stopping for their picnic. As they sat in the shelter of a cove, feasting on bread and cheese, they each began to open up about their past.
‘You mean Miss Chenoweth actually asked you to accompany her to a concert?’ she exclaimed.
‘Sinful, wasn’t it?’ he laughed. ‘And in the church hall as well. As soon as they moved next door, she made it plain she had plans, as she put it, to combine her epicurean establishment with my confectioners.’
‘You didn’t fancy the idea?’ Colenso asked, the reason for the woman’s increasing hostility towards her now becoming clear.
‘No fear. She’d have me wearing a starched collar and suit and offering my customers – or clientele, as she prefers to call them – violet and rose creams. Now, don’t misunderstand me, there’s nothing wrong with those confections but they’re hardly for children, which was her idea. Nasty, smelly little blighters is how she referred to them.’
‘But you love children,’ Colenso cried, recalling how patient he was with them.
‘Precisely,’ he nodded. ‘In fact, when I marry, it is my intention to raise a whole brood of them.’
‘And do you have anyone in mind?’ she asked. ‘Oh sorry, that was dreadfully rude.’
‘I did have but it turned out the woman I had in mind already had a follower.’ He said it lightly but was staring at her so earnestly, she had to turn away. ‘Of course, it’s much too soon for me to declare myself but maybe one day,’ he added quietly. ‘Now, come along, we’d best get back or Father will be wondering where we’ve got to.’ It could have been awkward on the walk back but he kept up such a flow of chatter about the sweets he was hoping to make for Easter that they were back outside the shop before she knew it.
‘I’ve had a lovely time,’ she told him, surprised to find that it was true. For a few hours at least, she had managed to put the tragedy out of her mind.
‘Me too. Perhaps we could repeat the experience,’ he replied.
As she lay in bed that night, she thought back over the day. Garren had been good company, undemanding but attentive, and she could enjoy spending more time with him as long as he realized she wasn’t ready to take things further.
For her heart belonged to Kitto, it always had, and although she’d accepted he was never coming back, she couldn’t envisage ever feeling the same about anyone else. In fact, she knew she wouldn’t.
Chapter 33
‘Sun, sea and sweets, what more can tourists ask for?’ Garren asked as the door closed behind another gaggle of happy children clutching twists of confections in their hot little hands. It was early summer, and the warm weather and longer days had brought the visitors flocking to the seaside town.
‘Laughter and lollipops,’ Colenso replied.
‘Lollipops?’ he frowned, hazel eyes thoughtful.
‘You said we needed to come up with a novel idea if we were to stay ahead of your competitors and I noticed how sticky the children’s hands get in this weather. When I was working on the Panam, we sold lollipops, and it occurred to me that sweets on sticks might prove popular with the visitors.’
‘That’s a splendid idea,’ he cried. ‘We shall make some as soon as we close. What particular flavour did you have in mind, Miss Carne?’
‘All sorts, Mr Goss. I can just picture the window now, a kaleidoscope of colour to stop the customers and tempt them in.’
‘If it looks half as good as the roses on your cheeks, then we will indeed attract a lot of attention.’ Although he said it lightly, the tone of his voice told her he meant it as a compliment.
Their gaze met and held. Embarrassed, Colenso turned and began tidying the counter. They’d been getting on really well together and recently Garren had been treating her more like an equal than an employee. She sensed his feelings for her were deepening and, although she liked him a lot, there was still that Kitto-shaped hole in her heart.
‘Come on,’ he said, going over and flipping the sign to closed. ‘Let’s have supper and you can tell me about the other ideas you’ve come up with. And don’t say you haven’t, because I’ve heard that brain of yours buzzing away like a bumblebee,’ he added as Colenso opened her mouth to protest. Grinning, she followed him through to the workshop, not minding that a long evening of sweet-making lay ahead. As well as having to keep the stocks replenished, they needed to come up with new ways of attracting customers to stay ahead of the other confectioners in the town.
Over plates of cold ham and pickles, they discussed various colour and flavour combinations.
‘Right, as this is your idea, you can choose the colourings and flavourings while I make the sugar syrup,’ he said as soon as they’d finished eating. A tingle of excitement, which she hadn’t experienced in months, ran through her as she looked along the little bottles, selecting orange, lemon, strawberry and even mint.
‘Mint lollipops? You have the strangest of tastes, Miss Carne.’
‘Or maybe I’m just more adventurous than you, Mr Goss,’ she quipped.
‘Is that so?’ he frowned. He returned to his stirring and was quiet for a few moments. Goodness, she hadn’t offended him, had she? Colenso wondered. But soon he was back to his joking self, and by the end of the evening the workshop was filled with the heady aroma of mixed fruits and mint, and the cooling tables lined with a rainbow of lollipops.
‘A job well done,’ Garren pronounced. ‘Any other bright ideas, Miss Carne?’
‘Yes, actually. I noticed how drab and dreary the paper twists look. If we are to complete with the other confectioners we need to address that. I believe I’ve mentioned the bright cones we used on the Panam. They were always well received by both children and parents alike and they would certainly stand out against the other confectioners’ plain bags. As it’s Sunday tomorrow, I could make some up and place them in the window.’ He shook his head. ‘Oh well, it was only an idea,’ she said, wondering why he was against it.
‘I was shaking my head about you doing it tomorrow,’ Garren explained. ‘Because surprisingly, Miss Carne, I have come up with an idea of my own,’ he told her, eyes gleaming.
‘Oh, and what may I ask are we making tomorrow?’ she asked.
‘Merry,’ he replied.
‘Merry what?’ she asked, wondering if the effects of the colourings had gone to his head.
‘Tomorrow, we are taking ourselves off to make merry.’
That night Colenso slept soundly and for once nightmares didn’t torment her, so that she woke refreshed and eager for the day ahead.
‘Oh, are we not going to the beach?’ she asked when Garren turned towards th
e countryside.
‘Time for a change,’ he smiled, clearly enjoying his little mystery. ‘Now, let’s relax and enjoy the freedom of being in the great outdoors. Look at that heather, isn’t it a riot of colour? It’s a good job we don’t have mauve colouring or you’d be making purple lollipops next.’
‘And why not?’ she asked. ‘In fact, if we were to mix some red with blue, we could create some.’
‘Mon dieu, the woman is mad,’ he cried, waving his hands in the air. ‘Ah listen, a skylark. Is that not the sound of summer?’ She smiled. He was certainly in good spirits this morning.
They tramped on, venturing deeper into the countryside alive with golden gorse, its coconut fragrance wafting on the breeze.
‘What that we could bottle that aroma,’ Garren sighed. ‘We’d make a fortune.’
‘Fortune favours those who help themselves,’ Colenso told him. ‘At least that’s what Mammwynn used to say.’
‘She was probably right. Oh look, here we are,’ he said as they arrived at a gentle sloping field.
‘Goodness, what are all those?’ she asked, hopping up and down as she stared at the circle of stones.
‘Those, Miss Carne, are known as the Merry Maidens and you’d better not jig around like that,’ he instructed, laughing at her puzzled expression. ‘For I have it on good authority that these were once young girls who were turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath.’
‘You’re joking, of course,’ she chuckled.
‘Maybe, maybe not, but it is the Sabbath so I wouldn’t risk it,’ he replied, his grin belying his serious tone. ‘Look at the way they’ve been placed. See how they get smaller from the south-west to the north-east there,’ he said, gesturing with his arm. ‘Some tales suggest they were arranged to mirror the waxing and waning of the moon, though personally I prefer the Merry Maidens story,’ he grinned.
‘Hence making merry today?’ she replied.
‘Absolutely,’ he nodded. ‘And that stone over there tucked into the hedgerow is known as the Gun Rith Standing Stone, which could have formed part of the processional alignment with the Merry Maidens.’
‘So this place was used for sacred ceremonies?’ she asked, gazing around in wonder.
‘Well, it was also known as Dans Meyn, which would suggest that here was used for rituals involving dance.’
‘You can feel the magic in the air. Mammwynn would have loved it here,’ she cried, surprised not to feel the necklace thumping madly at her chest. Then she realized she was no longer wearing it. She would put it back on tonight, she vowed. Suddenly, she became aware of Garren gazing at her intently.
‘I can feel magic in the air too,’ he said quietly. ‘And I’m hoping it will look favourably on what I am about to ask.’ He swallowed hard. ‘Colenso, I have loved you from the moment I first saw you standing all bedraggled in my workshop. Would you … could you consider becoming my wife?’
‘Oh,’ she gasped, her eyes widening.
‘I’m reliable and would always look after you,’ he declared, taking her hand in his. ‘We both love children and I could provide you and them with a good home, so … what do you say?’
‘Well, you’ve taken me by surprise,’ she stammered.
‘I know I can never replace your Kitto. I’m not half as good-looking, for one thing,’ he gave a nervous laugh before continuing. ‘However, we do get on well together and in time you might even come to return my affection.’
‘I am fond of you, Garren,’ she told him, blinking back tears as she stared at the stones. But was that enough?
‘To my mind that’s a good start,’ Garren replied.
But what did she want from life? It was the first time she’d thought about it since Kitto had died. Kitto, her heart almost stopped for a moment. She still loved him, but he wasn’t coming back, was he? He wouldn’t have expected her to stop living, she knew that. She was only eighteen, after all, and didn’t want to end up like Mara, remaining frozen in the past for the rest of her years.
Having her own home and family had always been her dream. Garren would make a good husband and father and, in return, she’d make sure she was a good wife and mother. Slowly, she turned back to face him.
‘Thank you, Garren, I would be proud to become your wife,’ she told him. His face lit up and, letting out a whoop of glee, he lifted her off the ground and swung her round and round in the air.
‘I hope this doesn’t count as dancing,’ she laughed.
✳
‘Father, we have some good news for you,’ Garren said, as they burst into the little upstairs living room where he was sitting.
‘It had better be good an’ all, rushing into the room like that. If a man can’t rest his eyes in peace in his own home, then it’s a poor show,’ the old man grumbled, although Colenso could tell he didn’t really mind at all.
‘Colenso has agreed to become my wife,’ Garren announced proudly.
‘Has she now?’ Mr Goss asked, eyeing her shrewdly. ‘Well, in that case we’d best break out that port I keep for special occasions. It’s in the dresser in my room.’ He waited until Garren had left then turned to Colenso.
‘And is this news good for you, my dear? Are you ready to move on? I wouldn’t want to see Garren hurt.’
‘I’d never do that, Mr Goss. I admire and respect him too much.’
‘I didn’t hear the word “love”,’ he murmured, just as Garren reappeared carrying a bottle. He went over to the sideboard and poured a small amount into three glasses before handing them round.
‘To you both,’ Mr Goss said, getting stiffly to his feet and raising his glass. ‘I hope you will be as happy as Meggie and I were,’ he added, his eyes looking suspiciously bright.
‘Thank you, Father. Colenso has made me the happiest man. To our future,’ he said, clinking his glass against hers.
‘To all our futures,’ Mr Goss said, settling himself back in his chair. ‘Sit down, dear,’ he added. ‘The good news seems to have relieved my son of his manners.’
‘I haven’t been up here before,’ Colenso said, taking a seat on the couch and staring round the bright, well-furnished room.
‘Used to be Meggie’s favourite room, this. Catches the afternoon sun. Still, you’ll be wanting it for yourselves now.’
‘Goodness, Mr Goss, I wouldn’t dream of sharing it with you,’ Colenso cried.
‘Nor would I ask you to,’ he assured her. ‘I have been thinking of removing myself to the gentlemen’s hotel. No, don’t argue,’ he went on as Garren opened his mouth to protest. ‘I have a little money saved and, to be honest, my legs can’t manage these stairs for much longer. The opportunity of having my meals cooked and laundry taken care of is too good to miss. Besides, I won’t be here to call on when you get a rush in the shop.’ His impish grin made him look like his son and Colenso couldn’t help smiling.
‘Well, if you’re sure,’ Garren said.
‘Oh, I am, son. I am. Have you set a date for the wedding?’ he asked.
‘Goodness, Garren only asked me a few hours ago,’ Colenso gasped, feeling everything was moving too fast.
‘Ah well, I dare say it will give you time to get this place as you want it.’
‘We shall visit the jewellers tomorrow and choose you a betrothal ring.’ Unbidden, the memory of Kitto and his garnet popped into her head.
‘I don’t need any fancy ring, Garren. A wedding band will suffice,’ she told him, turning away quickly when she saw his hurt look. ‘It’s only a token after all.’
‘Fair enough,’ he sighed.
Later, in her little room, she took the pentacle out of her basket but as she went to place it round her neck, the clasp came away in her hand.
✳
The rainbow lollipops proved so popular they added rainbow rock to their repertoire and Garren was busy all summer keeping up with demand as holidaymakers and day-trippers flooded to Penzance. Colenso was rushed off her feet from the moment the shop opened until it closed lat
e in the evening, and sometimes it was nine o’clock by the time they sat down for supper.
Mr Goss, eager to put his plans into action, had arranged to remove to the quiet little guest house near to the Gardens and promenade, where he was able to come and go as he pleased. The landlady, a large, amiable woman, looked after her regulars as if they were family, clucking round them like a mother hen.
Once they’d helped him settle in with his personal belongings, and Garren had been satisfied his father had enough put by to live on, they were able to turn their attention to themselves. Instead of making more confections, Garren insisted they spent Sunday afternoons getting the upstairs rooms ready for when they were married.
‘As you can probably tell, we’ve not done anything up here since Mother died,’ he said, gesturing around the little living room. ‘Feel free to change things, move anything around, get the place how you want it before you move up here.’ He hesitated. ‘When I called in and saw Father today, he offered to take care of the shop so that we can have a honeymoon. I can only run to a couple of days but it will be a nice way to start our marriage, don’t you think?’
‘Yes, I do,’ she told him. ‘Have you anywhere in mind?’ He tapped the side of his nose with his finger.
‘Well, I hope it’s somewhere restful, we’ve been so busy,’ she told him, the idea of a holiday appealing.
‘Peaceful yes, but should a honeymoon be restful I ask myself?’ He gave her such an outrageous wink that she looked away in embarrassment. While he didn’t set her pulses racing, he was a good man and she was determined to make him a good wife.
‘We’ll need to sit down and fix a date,’ he told her. ‘However, much as I would like to spend more time with my lovely wife-to-be, duty calls. I really need to make another batch of that rainbow rock or we’ll have none to sell when we open in the morning.’
That night, for the first time in ages, her dreams were of Kitto.
Chapter 34
The next morning, her head still spinning from dreaming of Kitto, Colenso let herself into the little shop. She polished the counter, replenished the jars and set about arranging fresh lollipops and rock in their rainbow window. They would need to come up with a new theme for the autumn, she thought, standing back to check the effect. A face peering through the glass made her jump. It looked like Kitto, she thought, rubbing her eyes, certain they were playing tricks. A tap on the window, that cheeky grin. It was Kitto.