AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If he’s in folklore he can’t be real.”
“Well...” Celeste stared off into space for a moment, as if seeking the right words. “Keep an open mind. Tell me, did he try to speak to you?”
“Yes. It was as if he was too far away for me to hear what he said. Also...”
“What?”
“No. It’s silly.”
“It isn’t.”
“It was as if he knew me, and was calling to me, warning me, maybe.” Sunny glanced away as she spoke, and noticed the ladies at a couple of the nearby tables had turned to look in their direction, as if listening in. She smiled at them and they returned the smiles. The Witch’s Brew was a bit like the Women’s Institute of Raven’s Landing and everyone was friendly.
Willow, who ran the cafe, approached their table. Like Celeste, Willow was a crafty hippie type. She wore ethnic garments and colorful braids in her hair. She’d lived in Nepal and Thailand, and her style reflected her travels. “What can I get you ladies today?”
“I’ll take a full afternoon tea. I didn’t have time to get lunch,” Celeste said.
“Tea and a scone, please,” Sunny added.
Minutes later, Willow returned with their teapots and a cake stand bearing scones with cream and jam, and cucumber and salmon sandwiches. The popular afternoon tea was the specialty of the house.
“I keep meaning to ask who makes your scones,” Sunny asked as Willow filled the table with delicious goodies.
“Rowena Meldrum, a young lass here in town. All of our cakes and pastries are made here in Raven’s Landing. Your grandmother used to do a lovely apple turnover we sold for her.”
“I remember her baking. Did she use apples from her own orchard?”
“Oh yes. You could, too. Perhaps when your renovations are done, you’ll have some time to bake as well.”
“I’d love that. I love to bake.”
Celeste touched Willow on the arm. “Sunny’s been having dreams about a mysterious man. Perhaps it’s Cullen Thaine.”
“Cullen who?” Sunny asked.
Willow lit up. “A soul lost to Raven’s Landing. Have you found him, Sunny?”
“Only in my dreams. I take it this is another Cornish legend you’re spinning for me here?” Sunny figured they were winding her up. How could they possibly guess who the dream man might be?
“Yes,” Celeste responded. “Cullen’s tale is a curious one. He came from a noble local family and was due to go on board a ship to the New World, but disappeared. We call him a soul lost in time, rather than a legend, in the hope his story will one day be fully discovered.”
That made more sense. They were trying to solve an old mystery.
“Perhaps you’ve found him,” Willow said, conspiratorially.
Surely they were joking? But somehow it made her dreams seem more significant and tangible.
“I’ve given you both extra clotted cream and jam for your scones,” Willow whispered, then winked.
Celeste poured the tea. “There’s a lot of history in that house, my dear. Cornish history. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot.”
“I’d love to know more. The cottage feels like an anchor. I’ve never had that connection until I came here.”
“Because of your upbringing?” Celeste asked.
“Yes. In my early years, Dad was still working as a doctor in Africa and we traveled with him. Then I went to boarding school in England and came to Grandma in Raven’s Landing in the holidays.” She skimmed past the boarding school years, as she always did. She’d been bullied because of her mixed-race heritage. It had made her strong and self-sufficient though. “This, in here, became my home.” She put her hand to her heart.
Both Celeste and Willow beamed.
