you,’ she stuttered.
‘I can see from your face it’s important, so why not take it to your room to read? I’ll mind the shop,’ he added, solemnly.
Colenso sank onto her bed and stared at the envelope. It was addressed to her c/o Hawkins Fair but Marazion had been crossed out and Penzance written in its place. Goodness, she hadn’t even known Big Al’s name was Hawkins. Beside her name, the question ‘Bonbon?’ had been added in another hand. With trembling fingers, she tore open the flap.
Dear Colenso
I was really happy when I received your letter. Forgive the delay in replying but so much has happened since then.
It grieves me to have to tell you that Mother and Wenna met with a terrible accident when the drayman’s horses reared out of control. Sadly, they are both now buried in the churchyard.
The good news is that Alys has secured her position at Bochym Manor while Daveth has been taken on by the seining company and is lodging with Mrs Trevallis. Which means, Cali, that at long last I am free from responsibility and can follow after you. I leave with the carter first thing in the morning. He has agreed to take me as far as Helston, after which I will head for Marazion and be with you as soon as I can.
Love
Kitto xx
Poor Mrs Rowse and Wenna. What a terrible thing to happen. She let out a long sigh as she remembered how kind Mrs Rowse had been and the pranks mischievous Wenna had delighted in playing. Then her heart flipped. Kitto still loved her and he was on his way to Marazion. Only she wasn’t there. However, if his letter had been forwarded to Penzance, then surely the post office would direct him here too, she reasoned.
She couldn’t wait to see him again. But when would he arrive? Snatching up the envelope she saw it was postmarked 30th October, the date they’d left Marazion. Why, that was nearly a month ago. If he’d secured a lift as far as Helston, what could be keeping him? Perhaps he’d had an accident on the way? Been hijacked even. Her imagination ran riot until another thought hit her. Perhaps he’d changed his mind, she thought, her spirits sinking.
Remembering she’d left Garren taking care of the shop, she returned the letter to its envelope and placed it in her basket. As she did, she noticed Jago’s books and snatched them up.
‘Everything all right?’ Garren asked, staring at her intently when she joined him behind the counter.
‘Yes. It was a letter.’
‘Well, I gathered that,’ he grinned. ‘The postmaster asked if I knew anyone by the name of Bonbon, what with me having the confectioners. I remembered you saying you used to be called that at the Panam. Of course, the envelope also had your full name on, but he didn’t know anyone called Miss Carne.’ He looked at her quizzically.
‘It was just from an old friend,’ she murmured, not wishing to pursue the subject. ‘Anyway, talking of the Panam, you remember me telling you about Jago the journeyman? Well, these books here contain his grandmother’s receipts, some of which are for Christmas confections.’ Garren’s eyes lit up as she placed them on the counter.
‘It’s nearly noon so let’s shut up shop and take a break. We can peruse them in peace while we enjoy a cuppa,’ he said excitedly.
As they sat at their customary seats at the table in the workshop, exclaiming with delight as they leafed through the pages, Colenso felt her earlier tension draining away. Of course, she’d have known if anything bad had happened to Kitto. Realizing Garren was talking, she pulled herself back to the present.
‘Jago’s grandmother must have been talented to pen such detailed illustrations,’ he marvelled, pointing to candied orange peel that looked as if it was shimmering with sugar.
‘And those sugar mice and jellied pigs look positively real,’ Colenso smiled. ‘I’m sure they’d sell well so shall we make some?’
‘Why not. Should be easy enough now we have synthetic dyes and colourings. Those natural plant ones were messy and time-consuming and didn’t always give even coverage.’
‘Can we make sugar plums and jewelled lollies as well? They’d look beautiful displayed in the window.’
‘They would,’ he agreed, snapping the book shut. ‘I’ll see about the ingredients right away and we’ve got plenty of decorative starch trays,’ he said, pointing to the moulds on the shelf.
‘I’ll look forward to seeing how those work,’ she told him.
‘Good, because you’ll be using them many times between now and Christmas. We’ll also make some cheap jellied sweets. Although sugar’s coming down in price, the orphanages and the workhouse still can’t afford it so we always ensure the children there get a few confections on Christmas morning.’
‘That’s nice of you,’ she replied, staring at him in surprise.
‘Well, Mother always used to say “there but for the grace of God”.’
Colenso shivered, knowing the truth of that, for if she hadn’t been taken on by Garren, who knew where she might have ended up. Realizing he was speaking again, she once more pulled herself back to the present.
‘If we manage to make all the confections we’ve spoken about, our competitors won’t know what’s hit them,’ he grinned. His enthusiasm was infectious and Colenso found herself fizzing with excitement as she reopened the shop.
Having made sure the jars were replenished, Colenso perched on the little stool behind the counter, mulling over the confections they were going to make and how she’d display them. They’d never really celebrated much at home, for Father would be propping up the bar in the tap room while Mamm always seemed to be called out to some emergency or other.
‘Babies don’t stop coming just cos it’s Christmas,’ she’d say, snatching up her bag and leaving Colenso to finish cooking their meal. She sighed, thoughts of home reminding her of Kitto’s letter. If he really wanted to find her then he surely would have done so by now?
It had started raining, huge drops splattering against the window panes. The pavements were empty and she knew there’d be no more customers that afternoon. As the aroma of mint wafted her way, she decided her time would be better spent helping Garren in the workshop. Jumping down, she crossed the room ready to turn the sign around when the bell jangled.
‘I was just …’ she began, then saw who it was. ‘Kitto?’ she gasped, her heart thudding as she took in the handsome face that had haunted her dreams these past months.
‘Colenso, I’ve been looking all over town for you,’ he cried. They both spoke at the same time then gave an awkward laugh as they stood staring at each other.
‘Cali, I can’t believe I’ve found you at last,’ he murmured.
‘At last is right,’ Colenso replied, the worry and uncertainty of the past months bursting out of her.
‘I’ve been going from shop to shop, asking …’ he began. ‘Look,
