Page 79 of Tricks & Treats at The Cosy Cornish Bakery

CHAPTER 37

Chloe stomped off her bad mood. It didn’t take long. She wasn’t sure how angry she was with Josh, in any case. She’d seen the way he’d looked at Ginger. As if he couldn’t decide whether to sweep her up and kiss her until breathless, or hold her to his heart and never let her go. She’d got a good feeling he was sincere and they’d work it out. With Ginger having such an open heart she was sure, once Josh explained himself, she’d be putty. Ginger always saw the best in people. Suppressing a sigh, she thought she had a lot to learn from her. Perhaps if she was more willing to be open to people, life would be kinder?

She found herself sitting on the bench in front of the sea. The one where, only a few weeks ago, Ginger had found her. She watched as the sea moved languidly and dark under a starlit sky, Grey Seal Island a jagged black silhouette on the horizon. Behind her she could hear the chatter of the crowds, the thump of the music from the funfair.

Pulling her jacket higher around her ears, she contemplated the mess in her head. She suspected her temper had had more to do with jealousy. She was jealous at what Ginger and Josh might be building between them.

Jealousy.

She kicked a pebble out of the way. It was a horrible emotion. It tore into you, soiling everything. She’d been jealous of Cindy and what she and Jasper had together. It had topped off nicely the fury and self-pity she’d felt when Jasper had left her, and the shock when she’d lost her job. It could be argued her jealousy of Cindy had been justified, but she couldn’t allow herself to feel that way about her best friend. Ginger deserved only good things and, should it work out between her and Josh, Chloe was determined to be happy for them. Burying her nose into her collar, she thrust her hands into her pockets. It really was getting cold, with that damp Cornish chill that penetrated even the youngest of bones. She remembered it well from her childhood. Winter was rolling in off the sea and it looked as if she’d be here to endure it. She stayed immobile for a while, something she rarely allowed herself to do, feeling her nose grow numb and her breathing slow. If she was to seek out Nik, she needed to be calm. Even so, her insides squirmed with excitement at the thought of seeing him.

When she felt ready – and couldn’t cope with the cold anymore – she rose. Dodging round a couple heading towards the green, she skirted behind the queue on the slipway, still waiting for burgers, and put up a hand to Ivo. She didn’t think he’d remember her but he did.

‘Hey there, Chloe,’ he called, waving a pair of tongs, resplendent in chef’s hat and blue striped pinny. ‘Good to see you back.’

Was she back? Was she staying? She was committed until after Christmas and maybe longer. And after all, January meant a new year and a new start. Maybe she could wait until then before getting serious about finding a new job. It was only a couple of months away, after all.

Dulcie laboured up the slipway with Pinky holding her arm. Demelza clung to Pinky’s shoulder looking thoroughly disgruntled.

‘Chloe child,’ her mother said cheerfully. ‘You having a good time? Good turn out tonight. Waiting to see the fireworks?’ She gestured to Ziggy who was dancing on his toes with excitement. ‘Going to take Zig back to the house. He’s never liked them. Makes him bark. We’ll play some Aladdin Sane nice and loud to drown them out, won’t we, Pinky, my ’andsome?’

‘Buggerin’ Bowie,’ squawked Demelza, her neck extending and one foot clawing the air.

‘Ar,’ Pinky growled. ‘Demelza don’t like ’em neither. And Bowie’s not a patch on the Spice Girls. We’ll have a little dance instead, won’t we, girl?’

Chloe wasn’t sure who he planned on dancing with but suspected it might be the parrot. The thought made her grin. She really did come from a mad village.

‘You seen our Hannah and the kids anywhere?’ her mother continued. ‘That girl works too hard. She could do with some fun.’

Chloe shook her head. She observed her mother. She’d aged since the near drowning incident. The white was beginning to show at the roots of her orange hair and there were new lines about her mouth. She was still young in spirit but seventy, no matter how optimistic your view on life, was still heading into old age. She felt a twinge of guilt at missing Dulcie’s seventieth birthday. It had apparently been a huge bun-fight in The Smugglers. Hannah had sent an invite but it had arrived too late to rearrange any work commitments. Chloe organised a hamper and an enormous bouquet of flowers but they’d never been acknowledged. Maybe it would have been her presence her mother would have valued more.

‘Hi, Pinky,’ she said now. ‘Having a nice time, Mum?’

‘Having a rare old time, lovely.’ She nodded behind them. ‘Been down on the beach for the lighting of the bonfire. Gurt biggun this year. ’Tis always a good night. Last blast of fun before the winter storms set in and we all hunker down.’ She shivered. ‘Getting cold already, mind.’

Before her mother could say it, Chloe butted in with, ‘Winter drawers on.’

Dulcie chuckled. ‘So it does, maid.’ She nodded towards Chloe’s thin jacket. ‘You want to get yourself a proper coat if you’re staying on for the winter. That excuse for a rag won’t do you no favours.’

‘I keep meaning to get myself into Polveanan to get kitted out. Need better walking shoes too. I’ll go next week.’

Her mother’s face softened, her eyes glistening. It could have been the cold wind that was making them water, but Chloe thought it was maybe the unspoken promise she’d made. ‘Been enjoying the food, Mum?’

‘I had one of them nice faffalelly things. And some salad.’

‘Nothing else?’ Chloe’s brows rose in disbelief. ‘No burgers or hotdogs? No candy floss or toffee apples?’

‘Course not. Taking my diet seriously, I am.’

‘So that’s not tomato ketchup I see on your chin.’

‘Too sharp a knife for the kitchen, you are, my girl. Want to watch yourself, might cut yourself.’

Chloe smiled. ‘Just looking out for you. I don’t suppose the occasional burger will do you much harm.’

‘That’s all right, then, Chloe girl,’ Pinky put in, ‘cos she had three.’

Chloe rolled her eyes, lacking the energy to argue.