understand that.’ Jules wrapped Charlie in a hug. ‘Just don’t be too rash with your decision. For what it’s worth, I love having you here, and can barely imagine the place without you in it. Also, I don’t think it’s right that you’re taking on this Mary Poppins role! Sweeping in, fixing the village with your food market and sweeping out again. I might have to confiscate all your umbrellas – and your bus keys, for that matter. If Gertie can’t leave, then neither can you. Besides,’ she added, giving Charlie a fierce look, ‘you still need to talk to Daniel.’
Charlie stared at the hob, the drifts of flour where she had been less than careful with her ingredients. She made a pattern with her finger. ‘I know that,’ she muttered. She still had to find out who was responsible for her bus being taken out of action, but the thought of seeing Daniel again, after he’d left her with that kiss burning through her, set her emotions spinning.
‘You’ll get to see him at the meeting tomorrow, anyway,’ Juliette added.
Charlie rolled her eyes. The WhatsApp message had pinged onto her phone that morning, encouraging everyone to attend an urgent meeting and asking whether, as she couldn’t open Gertie to paying customers, Charlie would be happy to host it. ‘Any idea what Myrtle wants?’
‘Nope,’ Juliette said. ‘But it’s bound to be something important.’
‘Bound to be,’ Charlie echoed. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach as she opened the oven door. Not even the delicate waft of a cooked-to-perfection lemon drizzle cake could lift her spirits.
Everyone was there. Juliette and Lawrence, Rose, Frank and Hugh, the entire Kerr family – including Jem in her buggy and Jonah sitting poised with a pen and notepad. Myrtle had bustled on board, all business, and Lauren had sneaked in and sat at the back, her white shirt and dark skirt in stark contrast to all the colourful T-shirts and shorts of the other villagers.
Anton and Stella had been first to arrive, offering Charlie beaming smiles that made her feel slightly unsettled, as if they knew something she didn’t and, just as she was serving pots of tea and laying plates of her lemon drizzle cake on the downstairs tables, Reenie appeared.
‘Reenie Teague, as I live and breathe.’ Hugh stood up to greet her.
‘I’m not the queen,’ she said, though she was smiling as she accepted his peck on the cheek.
Charlie looked at all the expectant faces and wiped her sweaty palms down her skirt. But this wasn’t her gig; today she wouldn’t be the one offering suggestions, trying to change the way things were run in Porthgolow. It didn’t stop her being nervous. Maybe whoever had gone to the council was watching and would try to get her shut down permanently this time. She had got in touch with the licensing department just in case, confirming she was entitled to use Gertie for private, unpaid events once Myrtle had asked her to host the meeting. She wasn’t taking any chances. But was that why Daniel wasn’t here? Was he worried about being seen on board a condemned bus? She took a deep breath and leaned against the kitchen counter.
Myrtle cleared her throat. ‘Thank you, all, for comin’ today,’ she started. She had her hands clasped together in front of her, and Charlie thought that she might not be the only nervous person on board.
‘What’s this about, Myrtle?’ Hugh asked. ‘Are we here to find out what’s happened to Gertie, why someone is threatening the food market?’
‘The market is safe,’ Charlie said. ‘I won’t be able to take part tomorrow, but that doesn’t stop everyone else. It’s only my bus that can’t trade.’ She had pulled the notice off the door the day after it had appeared. Not that that would reinstate her consent – and it certainly hadn’t stopped the Porthgolow rumour mill from getting hold of the news – but she hadn’t wanted to leave it there for everyone to gawp at. Even though she hadn’t done anything wrong, she couldn’t help feeling ashamed.
‘I could be a spy,’ Jonah said, raising his hand. ‘Follow the clues, do some digging. You like Bond films, don’t you, Lawrence? Do you want to team up?’ There was a smattering of laughter.
‘Sounds grand, Jonah mate,’ Lawrence said. ‘Let’s talk about it later.’
‘What has happened to Charlie’s bus is a – a travesty.’ Myrtle bristled. ‘When will you be up and running again, d’you know?’
Charlie was momentarily stunned into silence. ‘A few days, I think. I’ve got my inspection on Monday and so as long as that goes well, I should get my consent back straight away.’
‘Good, good. You can’t keep a Porthgolow maid down, that’s what I say. Which means our plan can still go ahead. A three-day food market for the August bank holiday.’
Rose and Frank nodded energetically and Stella gave Charlie a wide, pretty grin.
Charlie gasped, her eyes shooting to Juliette, but her friend looked as surprised as she felt.
‘That’s a grand idea,’ Hugh said. ‘It’s been going so well. Makes sense to end the summer with a bang.’
‘But it’s not the end,’ Amanda piped up. ‘We don’t want it to just be a summer thing. It’ll be harder in the winter, of course, but we were thinking we could hold them once a month in the off-season. There are foodie treats more suited to autumn and then, of course, there’s Christmas. We’ve done some research on other markets. Well, when I say we, it’s all been Jonah.’ She held out a folder and Charlie took it, peering inside at the sheaves of paper covered in photos and information.
‘You want it to continue?’ she asked.
‘I know I’ve not always been the easiest to get on with,’ Myrtle said, ‘but there’s no denying it’s brought life to this place. Bill was singin’ its praises, and I’ve, uh, sampled a few bits, here ’n’ there.’
‘The market is wonderful, Charlie,’ Anton said. ‘There’s no way we could stop it now.’
‘Best thing to come to Porthgolow for a long time,’ Rose agreed, her arms folded tightly across her chest.
Charlie felt the sting of tears. She couldn’t quite take it in. She caught Reenie’s eye and the older woman smiled back at her: a knowing, smug little smile that made Charlie want to hug her.
‘You think everyone will be on board for three whole days?’ she asked. ‘It’s a lot of work. A lot of effort.’
‘Don’t be so negative, cheel,’ Myrtle chided gently. ‘We’re all goin’ to help. We’ll promote it where we can, spruce the village up a bit in preparation. I’ve cleaned tables in my time, so you won’t be on your own in the bus if you don’t want to be.’
‘Benji’s going to create a special Porthgolow burger,’ Jonah piped up. ‘We’re already looking at sauces and recipes. Maybe you could come up with some new cakes, Charlie? Just for that weekend. Like a bank holiday special or something?’
She nodded. ‘I could certainly give it a go, Jonah.’
‘And I’ve been brewing my own ale for a while,’ Hugh said. ‘I could see about having a stand out here on a Saturday. Nothing fancy, mind, but I could launch it on the bank holiday, then sell it in the pub, too. I’ve been inspired by all those artisan brewers with beards and no socks.’ He laughed. ‘I want to be a part of
