Making waves at penvenna.., p.28
Making Waves at Penvennan Cove, page 28
It was perfectly understandable given his situation, but tough to think that he didn’t have anyone to turn to who could help him through that period.
‘You might not remember, but Polly spent some half-terms and a part of the summer holidays up with my parents over in Norfolk, back then. But when my dad developed dementia, it was tough on my mum. And Polly got to an age where she wanted to stay here and be around her friends. Her mother walked out on us when Polly was a toddler. The last I heard she was living in the States, but that was a long time ago.’
I don’t interrupt him as it’s cathartic to talk and he knows it will go no further.
‘Then when Polly went to college, she was only able to help out evenings and weekends. The holiday lets were a big drain on my time and staff turnover was causing problems. I should have realised then that things were going one way, and that was downhill. I appreciate it’s time to give this some real thought and what you’re saying about getting professional advice, Kerra. But you’re saying you’d be interested investing that sort of money if I consider taking on a partner? The reason I ask is that the pub is rife with talk and it won’t be long before someone asks me outright if I’m selling up. Polly’s new venture hasn’t gone unnoticed for all she’s trying to be discreet and it’s sounding warning bells.’
Poor Sam. No doubt Zacky isn’t exactly his favourite customer right now.
‘I would, Sam, but remember that talk is cheap, and you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. Just don’t be pushed into making a quick decision for the wrong reason.’
He hangs his head, expelling a deep breath.
‘A pub is supposed to be a relaxing place to visit, but everyone is watching every little thing that happens behind the bar. Polly is on such a high – even if no one knows the full ins and outs of what’s going on, it’s obvious something is up. And I’m… well, frowning more than I’m smiling these days, fearing I’ll do the wrong thing for her and for me, and end up being miserable.’
‘Then put an end to the speculation. Say that you’re considering your options and thinking of refurbishing the holiday lets.’
Sam looks up at me, laughing. ‘Spin a tale, like, but that’s only half the story.’
‘No, it’s not. You are looking at all your options and that’s one of them. At least it would put a stop to the fear-mongering. There’s no point in people getting het up when you don’t even know what you’re going to do yet. And information like that is commercial in confidence, anyway.’
‘You’re right!’ he replies, robustly. ‘It would give me some breathing space.’
‘Long enough to get the advice you need to understand what you have here and get those outside offers on the table. If you decide it’s not the way you want to go, that’s when I’d be happy to sit down and talk figures. It wouldn’t be right to do that now, Sam, as I don’t want to influence you either way. When it comes to business you have to think with your head and not your heart, and that’s not easy when you have such a connection to this place. Share your thoughts with Polly, as she knows you better than anyone.’
‘I’m proud of my girl and you’re right: she’s got a business head on her. I hope we’ll be sharing the same roof for a few more years to come. Thanks, Kerra. There is one other thing… and this is just between you and me for now. I don’t want to unsettle Polly while she has a lot on her plate, but I’m, um, seeing someone.’
Keeping my expression under control while I flounder for a suitable response isn’t easy. ‘Well, that’s… wonderful, Sam. Naturally I won’t say a word to anyone.’
‘We met online and we talk most days, as it’s not easy for me to get away. Occasionally I can slope off for a couple of hours and I’m being discreet because it’s not something I planned. I know you can sympathise with that. It just happened and no one is more surprised than me. But now it might be another thing to consider going forward if it works out well.’
‘Ah, I see. Ironically, the timing couldn’t be better, then. It’s important that you end up with no regrets… about anything, Sam.’
Twenty-Nine
United We Stand
Sy, dressed in full Santa regalia, is sitting in the sleigh, waving at the audience.
‘Off we go, Rudolph! We’re heading to Alaska as we have a special request this year from a queen who lives in an ice palace!’
The curtains close to a rapturous round of applause and it’s time to change the scenery. Zacky pulled out last-minute as he has a cold and I’m the fallback option for tonight. I suspect that the real reason is that Arthur read him the riot act and Zacky is sulking.
Santa is about to arrive at the Winter Palace and meet the Dark Queen, who is going to freeze him into a man-sized ice cube so he can’t deliver the presents on Christmas Eve.
‘That was amazing, Sy,’ I comment, as he steps out of the sleigh.
It’s gone from an enthralling silence to a loud rumbling of chatter as the audience make their way out to queue for refreshments.
‘Did you notice the not-so-deliberate mistake?’ Sy looks at us, anxiously.
Ross and I shrug our shoulders, a blank expression on our faces.
‘Thank goodness for that. I got in a bit of a muddle and ended up saying a bad word by mistake. If Nettie were here, she’d have picked it up immediately, so I’d better make sure I don’t repeat it tomorrow night,’ he confesses.
‘Does anyone know why she isn’t around?’ I enquire, tentatively.
‘A problem cropped up as she was about to set off. She sent her apologies and said she’d get here as soon as possible. Sod’s law, eh?’
‘It’s a real a shame. But you’re all doing a grand job, Sy. I’ve been peeking from behind the curtains and judging by the expressions on the faces of the kids in the front row, they were spell-bound. I always said you’d be a natural at amateur dramatics and I was right.’
‘Cheek,’ he throws back at me. ‘I miss the old days.’
‘How did you put up with her, Sy? That’s what I’d like to know. I can’t keep up with her!’
I shoo Sy off to get a drink, so that Ross and I can start moving things around. It’s not difficult, but you need to know what you’re doing and keep a close eye on the floor markers.
The Winter Palace is the most complex bit of scenery because it’s comprised of two rooms. At one point the action is going on in both rooms at the same time, which is hilarious – it’s a real, old-fashioned farce. The Dark Queen goes from one to the other, so that she can reveal her evil plan to the audience, while Santa is unaware. When the Dark Queen turns Santa into a block of ice, the lights are dimmed for a few seconds. The two rooms are on a simple turntable, which Ross operates from the back. When the lights go up all the audience can see is the room with a full-sized, stuffed version of Santa inside a see-through box. With one arm extended in the air as if he’s pointing, it really does look like the Dark Queen has frozen him solid. Ross and I spent ages scratching large areas of the shiny surface to make it look more like an actual block of ice.
‘How did your talk with Sam go this morning?’ Ross asks as we begin doing up the fastenings anchoring the walls to the floor.
‘It’s not easy for him, he has a lot of history at The Lark and Lantern. It’s already obvious that Polly’s interior design business is going to fly, and he knows that. But he’s a little overwhelmed and he needs to appoint a professional adviser to talk to the parties interested in buying him out.’
Ross nods his head in agreement.
‘He’s sitting on a valuable plot of land and I don’t think he realises that, Kerra. I vaguely remember the orchard from my childhood, but it’s been left untended for so many years, it’s an impenetrable forest of brambles. That stunning sea view is non-existent now from the holiday lets. Aside from the renovation work, it would take a small gang of men with the right equipment maybe two weeks to cut it back, thin out the trees and turf it. If it were me, I’d gravel an area for sitting out. It’s all doable and the potential to grow his business is there alright.’
‘I thought the same thing. He has a lot to think about.’
‘Do you fancy grabbing me a drink and bringing it back here?’ Ross asks as he fiddles with the turntable beneath the palace.
I lean in to give him a quick kiss and hurry away, as the interval is only twenty minutes long. On the way I bump into Tom and Georgia in the corridor.
‘How are you both? It’s been a while. Is James here?’
‘Hey, Kerra. No. We did buy him a ticket, on the off chance he wanted to come but he’s doing a late delivery for Sissy. Somewhere the other side of St Columb, as the customer doesn’t get home from work until 6 p.m.’
‘Ah, shame.’
Georgia grins at me. ‘We didn’t think he’d want to come with us – not really. He would have made some excuse, or other. I bet he pops along over the weekend, though, on his own. Still, he loves his job and he’s happy. We can’t ask for any more than that.’
‘And how are things with you, Tom?’
‘I’m doing a lot of fishing these days,’ he replies, grimly. ‘There’s a bit of work on the fabrication side, but it’s not enough to keep me fully occupied. I might start clearing out some of the junk that’s rusting away for something to do.’
Georgia puts her hand on his arm, giving it a squeeze. ‘It’s for the best, m’dear. Perhaps make a bit of space and put up a few garages to rent out. And people are always looking for places to store stuff. You just bought Gwel Teg, we hear, Kerra. Now that doesn’t have any parking. A secure place to park the car is a bonus for holidaymakers, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, it is, Georgia. I’m going to rent it out, though.’
‘Even better,’ she replies, cheerfully. ‘There you go, Tom, and you could put an ad in Gryff’s shop window.’
Tom looks totally uninterested and I give them both a polite smile. ‘Well, I hope you enjoy the second half. I’m just off to get Ross a drink. Say hello to James for me, when you see him later.’
Moving on quickly, I join the queue for the refreshments. The doorway into the kitchen is blocked by a fold-up table with a cloth over it and there is a selection of snacks and three people behind it serving drinks. Turning to peer through the open doors to the meeting room, I see it’s jam-packed with people.
There’s a tap on my shoulder and I’m delighted when I turn around to see Gawen and Yvonne.
‘What a surprise. How lovely to see you!’ I hug Gawen first.
When Yvonne leans in, she whispers in my ear. ‘We’re so excited about next Friday. Sy and Tegan still don’t know, do they? We’ve booked the table.’
‘They don’t suspect a thing. I bought the vouchers. We’ll hopefully arrive at The Lobster Pot around midday. Ross and I are so looking forward to it.’
Gawen comes closer. ‘Is everything okay with Ross?’
I raise my eyebrows heavenwards. ‘It’s been a stressful time but he’s hoping things will begin to settle down now. The Launceston depot is up and running and they’re on their own. It should be business as usual, although he’s one foreman down.’
‘That’s sounds like par for the course. But if Jago is off his back, that’s all that matters, Kerra.’
‘Next please!’
I turn to Ross’s two best friends before stepping up to order some soft drinks. ‘If we don’t catch up before, see you next week!’ It’s wonderful to be involved in keeping a happy secret for a change and I think Sy and Tegan are going to be touched.
In the car on the way home our spirits are high. A gathering like tonight really pulls everyone together and Penvennan needs more events like this one. The wonderful cast received a standing ovation, and it was well deserved. But Nettie wasn’t there to see it as she failed to appear. As Ross drives us back home it’s troubling me.
‘I must phone Nettie, Ross. It’s such a wonderful storyline and everyone left on a high. Now we’re all buzzing about Christmas and that’s down to her. No matter what prevented her from coming, I have no doubt that she’ll be wondering how it went.’
‘I agree. Why don’t you call her now?’
I dial her number and just as I fear it will kick into voicemail, she picks up.
‘Hello?’
‘It’s Kerra, Nettie. How are you?’
‘Oh, Kerra. Thank you for calling – how did it go?’ She sounds anxious.
‘Like a dream and the buzz was amazing. They’ll all be trimming up for Christmas this weekend if they haven’t already. Everything went perfectly and there was a standing ovation for the cast, and for you. You’ll see for yourself tomorrow night,’ I enthuse, hoping she’ll confirm that’s the case.
There’s a pause. ‘You are going tomorrow night, aren’t you?’ I continue.
‘Oh, I am. I’m just, uh, a little overcome right now.’
‘I’m in the car with Ross and you’re on speakerphone, is that okay?’ I query.
‘It’s fine. I was going to ring you, anyway. As I was leaving early this evening, Alice rang and asked if I could call in to Green Acre on my way to the village hall. My initial reaction was a firm no, but she talked me into it.’
Nettie sounds shaken and my stomach turns over while we wait for her to continue. Ross pulls into a lay-by, leaving the engine idling.
‘When I called in, Eddie was upstairs. Alice and I sat in the kitchen and had a little chat. She told me that she’s never seen him as down in the dumps as he’s been recently. It was obvious that it was her idea, not his, to invite me around but when he came downstairs to join us for a cup of tea, he was on his best behaviour. And then she left us alone to talk. And that’s why I didn’t make it, as I’ve only just arrived home.’
I glance at Ross, making a face. Poor Nettie – this isn’t easy for her.
‘He’s confused about so many things, Kerra. And Alice is right: he’s down because he doesn’t know what to think, or what to do anymore. It’s not a case of forgive and forget, it’s never that simple, is it? His pride is hurt but what was heart-breaking for me was that… oh, I don’t want to upset you, my dear. We all loved your mum, we still do, but I didn’t realise that Eddie could return the feelings I have for him. And now I’m conflicted, because you know that your dad and I are on different sides of an argument that is still very raw.’ She stops talking to blow her nose.
‘Oh, Nettie. But it’s good news that he’s reaching out to you, isn’t it?’
A quiet sob fills the car and Ross and I look at each other, apprehensively.
‘I feared you might not understand, Kerra.’
‘If Dad needs you, Nettie, then nothing would make me happier than to know you’re there for him. Please don’t feel this is a case of divided loyalty. The argument isn’t yours, it’s between Dad and me. Your situation is no different to Ross’s, is it? You’re both caught up in it but only Dad and I can resolve it. If, and when, he’s ready.’
Nettie sniffs, determined to pull herself together and I don’t rush her. We sit in silence until she’s ready.
‘Bless Alice, she was concerned for him, and it showed. I think it worried Eddie a little, too. He said he regretted losing his temper but at the time he couldn’t even think straight. Eddie also said that he’s angry with himself, first and foremost, and that if I’m not around the likelihood is that he’ll end up alienating everyone, before too long.’ I can hear the depth of emotion in her voice and my heart goes out to her.
‘If you’re by Dad’s side, Nettie, then at least I’ll be able to sleep at night. The only chance I have of him realising how wrong he is, is for him to sit back and watch everything play out. Ross isn’t going anywhere, in fact he’s living with me for the time being at Pedrevan, as Jago is still up at Treylya. I appreciate the timing is unfortunate, but it’s how it has to be for now. Please don’t feel Ross, or I, will judge you for supporting my dad, simply because you care about him so very much. It’s a huge relief and I think I’m speaking for both of us here.’
‘Kerra is right, Nettie. Eddie is a lucky man if you give him a second chance and I imagine he’s well aware of that. I bitterly regret I wasn’t around when it all kicked off in the pub, because if I’d been there it would have been a totally different story. I’m ashamed of my father at times, and that’s the truth.’
Hearing Ross speaking from the heart, makes me feel tearful and I’m sure Nettie, too, is welling up.
‘That’s extremely gracious of you to say that, Ross. And I can’t thank you both enough. My heart is telling me that Eddie needs me more now than ever, and tomorrow morning I’ll let him know that I’m prepared to start afresh. We’ll continue to have our differences, of course, but we have a lot of genuine respect for each other. And I know he’s been pushed to the edge, but it seems he’s gradually stepping back, and I see that as a start, don’t you?’
‘I do, Nettie, I really do. And thank you for your honesty. It’s comforting to know you are going to be a part of his life going forward. I’m just sorry it’s been so traumatic.’
‘Right.’ Nettie takes a deep breath. ‘I’m thrilled the first night went well and so wish I’d been there to congratulate everyone, but I’ll make up for it tomorrow night, I promise.’
‘Sleep well, Nettie,’ I reply.
‘I hope you both do, too.’
As the line disconnects, Ross leans in to place his arm around my shoulder and I have a little cry out of sheer relief, not sadness.
Thirty
Getting Ready for the Big Day
Tomorrow is Tegan’s birthday, and it’s one she will never forget. I’m lounging on the sofa, waiting for her to arrive. My phone rings, but it’s not Tegan, it’s Ross.
