which meant having my hair shorn,’ she told him.
‘Oh Cali, I had no idea,’ he gasped.
‘Don’t worry, it’s almost back to normal now,’ she assured him when he grimaced.
‘No, I meant I had no idea you were suffering like that. Your mother told me you were safe and that you’d be writing to me, so I waited to hear from you. That’s why I learned my letters – so I’d be able to reply.’ She was about to ask him about the schoolmistress but he was already speaking again. ‘It was holding your necklace that gave me comfort.’ Automatically her hand reached inside her dress.
‘Yes, I missed it but I’m glad it helped you. I swear blind it has magical properties. Anyhow, in answer to your question, I took to wearing a scarf while my hair was growing and, well, have continued doing so. I quite like the effect, and of course it’s practical when I’m making sweets.’
‘I think you look wonderful,’ he murmured, giving her that intense look she remembered. ‘Quite like the hoops too, they make you look like a gypsy.’
‘Here we are, lovers,’ Polly said, her comment clearly meant for Kitto as she placed his mug in front of him. ‘Wouldn’t dare risk eating one of them meself,’ she added, placing the scones down on the table and looking pointedly at Colenso. ‘Wouldn’t want to spoil me figure.’ Turning to Kitto, she tittered and ran her hands over her slim hips.
‘Luckily Colenso doesn’t have to worry about that,’ he replied. As the girl pouted and flounced back to the counter, Colenso stifled a giggle.
‘Oops, I think you’ve upset your admirer,’ she whispered.
‘There’s only one admirer I want, Cali,’ he said, looking serious as he took hold of her hand. ‘And I want her to wear my ring,’ he added, delving into his pocket and bringing out a little box. Flipping open the lid, he held it out to her. Her eyes widened as she saw the little red stone winking up at her.
‘It’s a garnet, which represents constancy, faith and loyalty. I’m hoping you will accept this ring as a token of my love and intention,’ he told her. ‘I was hoping to offer this in a better setting but the seafront was too cold. Besides, I didn’t want one of those waves washing it away. Well, Colenso, what do you say?’ She looked from the ring to the earnest expression on his face, heard her heart trying to beat down the door of the cage. And yet, there was still that niggle that if he loved her as much as he purported, then the first thing he’d have done on arriving would have been to find her.
‘Can I think about it?’ she asked.
The necklace stabbed frantically at Colenso’s chest but she didn’t need it to tell her she’d said the wrong thing. Her heart was doing that. Before she could say anything, though, Kitto had snapped the little box shut and replaced it in his pocket. She knew she’d hurt him, but by the time he turned to face her, he’d regained his composure.
‘I’ll not deny I’m disappointed, Cali, especially as being able to buy you a nice ring was the main reason for me taking the job at Wherrytown. But if you’re not sure about us, well …’ he shrugged.
‘I thought I needed time to think but …’ she began.
‘You’ll have plenty of that while I’m away,’ he cut in, smiling sadly as he got to his feet. ‘I’ll be in touch when I get back.’
‘Back?’ she frowned. ‘Back from where?’
‘London. I’ve to supervise delivery of a cargo of serpentine shopfronts. Like I said earlier, being the new boy, I get given all the good jobs at the works.’
‘How long will you be away?’
‘Depends on the weather. Hopefully I’ll be back for Christmas. Take care of yourself,’ he said, hurrying towards the door.
‘And you,’ she whispered, too stunned to move. It was the pentacle’s sharp stabbing that brought her to her senses. Why was she letting him go like this? Jumping up, she rushed to the door but by the time she’d got outside, he’d already disappeared. It was only then she realized she didn’t even know where he was staying.
Tears welled as she stood there cursing her stupidity. A gust of wind blew in from the sea, bringing with it a squall of rain and, knowing it would be futile to walk around looking for him, she headed back to the shop. As she let herself into the workshop, Garren looked up from the copper he was stirring, his eyes widening in alarm.
‘Whatever’s the matter? You look half-drowned.’
‘For heaven’s sake, son, don’t waste time asking daft questions,’ Mr Goss snapped. ‘Go and get out of those wet things, my girl. We’ll have a hot drink ready when you get back,’ he told her, putting down the mould he was using and gently leading her to her room. His caring concern brought a fresh flood of tears as Colenso hurried inside. Then, heedless of her wet clothes, she threw herself down on her bed, crying as if her heart would break.
It was some time later when, exhausted and with no tears left, she changed out of her wet things and emerged. Garren and his father were working at the cooling tables.
‘Ah, there you are,’ Mr Goss said. ‘What do you think of this little lot?’ Grateful for his tact, she went over and looked at the new batch of sugar mice. Their little pink eyes must surely reflect her own, she thought. ‘Good eh? Thought it was time I supervised the making of the Christmas confections. Right, now sit yourself down, girl. Garren, have you got the tea poured yet? I could murder a slice of that shortbread her next door brought round earlier,’ he added, rubbing his hands together. ‘Thought there must be another fire, the way you rushed in,’ he told Colenso.
His easy chattering and the hot tea revived her somewhat, although she was still cursing her stupidity. Still, Kitto said he should be back by Christmas and that was only three weeks or so away. She’d tell him she would be delighted to accept his beautiful garnet then.
‘There’s always so much to do at this time of year,’ Mr Goss was saying. ‘Although it won’t be the same without Meggie.’
‘Oh Mr Goss, I’m so sorry. There’s me wallowing in self-pity while you’re suffering.’ Without thinking, she reached out and patted the old man’s hand. ‘And I’m sorry about earlier,’ she said, feeling she should explain. ‘Kitto, my follower, told me he has to take a cargo to London and I got upset because he’ll be away for three weeks or so.’ It was the truth if not the whole story, but she didn’t feel up to admitting her folly.
‘Life can be difficult, throwing unexpected things our way,’ Mr Goss murmured. ‘I thought having a bit of free time would be of benefit, but it’s keeping busy that stops me moping. Silly old fool, I’ve only just realized that.’ Knowing he was trying to help, Colenso smiled. As he sipped his tea, lost in his memories, she became aware of Garren watching her.
‘I’ll not be going out on Sundays between now and Christmas, so I’ll be pleased to help with the extra preparations,’ she told him. When he didn’t reply, she added: ‘If you want me, that is.’
‘Oh, I do,’ she thought he murmured but he’d buried his head in his mug and she couldn’t be sure.
✳
The
