The Sea Shell Girl (33 page)

‘Come on in, our Merry. Since when did we stand on ceremony?'

As her grandmother's strident voice carried through the open window, Merry laughed. She might have known the old woman would be watching for them. Before she could lift the latch, her mother had opened the door and enfolded her in a tight hug.

‘Welcome home, Merry. It's been too long, but my, you're looking good.'

‘It must be this lovely shawl you made me, Mother. Thank you so much. I'm thrilled with it. It's really warm, and I made this to match as well,' she said, pointing to her hat.

Her mother smiled, then turned to Carey and gave him an appraising look.

‘You must be the friend we've heard about.'

‘It's good to meet you, Mrs Dyer. My name is Carey Meredith, but please call me Carey,' he said, holding out the posy.

Karenza paled as she stared down at the flowers.

‘It's a tussie-mussie, Mother. Carey chose the flowers especially. They all mean something, you see,' Merry explained.

‘Yes, I know,' Karenza whispered, then seemed to make an effort to pull herself together. ‘They are beautiful, thank
you, Carey. Welcome to our humble home.' As she stood aside to let them pass, Merry blinked. She'd quite forgotten how gloomy it was inside the tiny cottage.

‘That's it; keep our visitor to yourself, why don't you? Haven't I taught you better manners than that, our Karenza?'

Merry smiled at Carey, who had removed his cap and tucked it under his arm.

‘Come and meet Grozen,' she whispered, leading him over to where her grandmother was sitting in her customary chair beside the fire. ‘This is Carey, Grozen,' she said, bending and kissing the woman's cheek.

‘I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs Dyer, and what a welcoming blaze to greet us on this blustery day.'

The older woman looked at Carey for a long moment. ‘Like a wood fire, do you?'

‘Indeed I do, Mrs Dyer.'

‘Better than that dirty coal?' she enquired, staring at him with her birdlike eyes.

He nodded. ‘I think the crackling noise and smell of wood makes a place feel homely, and you do have a lovely home here, if you don't mind me saying,' he said, glancing around the room. Merry looked at him in surprise.

‘So what improvements would you make, young man?'

‘Grozen,' Merry gasped, darting Carey an apologetic look.

He smiled. ‘Well, I'm surprised you don't have a picture of yourself adorning the wall. A fine woman such as yourself should be portrayed for all to see.' The room was silent apart from the spit and hiss of the fire. Then, to Merry's amazement, the older woman burst out laughing.

‘You'll do. Now, Karenza, where's our tea? I'm right parched and I'm sure these young people are too after their travels. Now, Merryn, come and tell your old grandmother what you've been up to,' she added, patting the stool beside her. ‘You can take that chair, young man,' she said, pointing to the one furthest from the fire. Merry stared at the woman, knowing she was testing him.

‘Thank you, Mrs Dyer, but first may I help you with the tea?' he asked, turning to Karenza.

‘Goodness, whatever next?' the old woman muttered. ‘Sit yourself down.'

Not in the least bit put out, Carey smiled at Merry, then did as he'd been told.

‘I see you're wearing the shawl your mother made.'

‘I love it, and the matching gloves are cosy. Thank you so much, Grozen. I was so sorry not to be able to make it home for Christmas but I've brought your presents with me.'

‘It was a right shame about that snow; deepest they've ever had round these parts and that's saying something. Still, couldn't be helped. We'll open our presents later, shall we? I'm starving,' she said, looking pointedly at Karenza, who was pouring their tea. ‘Had to look at that all morning, wasn't even allowed a tiny taster,' she moaned, pointing to the jam sponge cake on the table.

‘I would have made the traditional hevva cake for you, but with the pilchards not in yet it would have been unlucky,' Karenza said, passing Carey a slice.

‘Just as well, or you'd have had that blessed stargazy pie for luncheon. All them eyes staring puts a person off her food,' Grozen grumbled.

Carey frowned a question at Merry.

‘It's a fish pie with pilchards' heads peering through the top crust,' she explained.

‘Well, sponge cake is my favourite and this is so light,' he added, lifting it from the plate and taking a bite. ‘You bake an exceedingly fine cake, Mrs Dyer.'

Karenza smiled and seemed to relax at last.

They spent the next hour happily catching up. Carey seemed content to sit and listen as Merry told her mother and Grozen about her life at the store.

‘So now you are a fully fledged sales assistant and trainee supervisor,' Karenza beamed. ‘Well done, Merry. I know how hard you must have worked to achieve that in such a short space of time. Mr Fairbright is very good at keeping us informed of your progress but it is lovely to have you sitting here telling us for yourself.'

‘Thank you, Mother. And how is life in Porthsallos? Mr Fairbright said he was pleased with the way the knitting sales have taken off in the store, especially with the cold weather we've had.'

‘Yes, he's a fair man and the ladies in the village like dealing with him,' her mother agreed.

‘Think he's taken a shine to our Karenza, though,' Grozen chuckled. ‘Always knocking on the door, needing to consult her for this and that.'

‘Now then, Mother, that's rubbish. Besides, I gave up that kind of thing long ago.'

‘More fool you,' the old woman muttered. ‘Anyhow, talking of people knocking on the door, Nicco has been very good at keeping us informed of your progress, our Merry. He's the son of the owner of the pilchard-preserving
factory at the pallace,' she said, turning to Carey. ‘He's a lovely man and a good catch, if Merry would but see it.'

Carey smiled politely then quirked a brow at Merry.

‘Grozen, please,' Merry muttered.

‘We've invited Nicco for tea this afternoon,' Karenza said, looking meaningfully at Merry. Her heart sank. Would they never give up? ‘I hope that is all right with you, Carey,' she added.

‘I'll look forward to meeting him,' Carey replied politely.

Grozen chuckled. ‘Sizing up the competition eh?'

‘Meeting it head on, I think.'

At this Grozen burst out laughing.

‘I'm sure Carey would prefer to hear about the fishermen and their boats, him being in the Royal Navy.'

‘Oh, you're a rating?' Grozen said, turning to Carey.

‘Actually …' Merry began, but Karenza got to her feet.

‘I think luncheon is cooked,' she said. As she bent to lift the pot from the fire the stone of her necklace reflected in the flames, jogging Merry's memory. Before she could say anything, though, Grozen turned to Carey.

‘Good. I'm starving. We only get a decent meal when we have visitors.'

‘Mother, that's a lie and you know it. Now if you'd like to come to the table, I'll dish.'

‘It smells delicious, Mrs Dyer,' Carey said, turning his chair to face the table. ‘May I assist you in any way?'

‘Thank you but no. Do make yourself comfortable, Carey,' she invited.

‘Would you think me rude if I removed my jacket?' he asked politely. ‘Your wonderful log fire has made me quite warm.'

Grozen smiled as she eased herself into her chair. ‘Said wood was best. Go ahead, lad. We don't stand on ceremony here. I suppose being a sailor you'd like a beer, but I'm afraid we've only elderflower cordial.'

‘Elderflower would be lovely, thank you. I'm not much of an ale man myself. Mind you, I do hear that it is quite palatable if you sprinkle it with a pinch of ground ginger.'

‘Really? I'll have to try that,' she chuckled.

‘Merry, perhaps you would pass round the plates,' Karenza said.

Merry stared down at the chicken with its roasted skin, carrots and baked potatoes and grinned. ‘My favourite meal. Thank you, Mother.'

‘Cors, chicken's always better with them skinny sausages, but the pigs' tails aren't long enough yet,' Grozen said to Carey.

‘Nor the ears large enough for silk purses, I suppose,' he replied.

Grozen hooted.

‘Really, Mother, I don't know what's got in to you today,' Karenza tutted. ‘I'm sure Carey is not interested in your drivel. Would you like gravy?' she asked looking over at him.

‘Oh …'

‘Is something wrong?' Merry asked, for her mother had gone quite pale and seemed to be staring at Carey's jumper.

‘No, of course not,' Karenza replied, absent-mindedly twiddling with her necklace, then tucking it inside her blouse. ‘Do begin, Carey,' she muttered, looking quickly
down at her plate. The room fell silent apart from the scrape of cutlery as they tucked into their meal.

‘This is absolutely delicious, Mrs Dyer,' Carey said a short time later.

When there was no reply, Merry looked at her normally polite mother in surprise. However, she appeared to be making a great study of Carey's jumper again.

‘Mother!' she remonstrated. ‘Carey was talking to you.'

‘Sorry. Tell us a bit about yourself, won't you?' Karenza smiled, but her eyes remained serious. ‘I believe Merry said you were in the navy.'

‘He's a lieutenant, Mother. Lieutenant Meredith,' Merry said proudly.

‘Meredith? That has a certain ring to it, doesn't it, Karenza?' Grozen said, staring meaningfully at her daughter.

‘Where do you hail from, Lieutenant Meredith?' Karenza asked.

‘Carey, please. My home is just on the other side of the Tamar.'

‘His house actually looks out over it,' Merry said excitedly.

Karenza's fork clattered to her plate as she gave up all pretence of eating.

‘Now what's wrong?' Merry asked. But her mother ignored her and continued staring at Carey.

‘Where did you get that knit frock?' she persisted.

Carey frowned down at his jumper. ‘It was my father's. Well, my …'

‘Will you raise your arms, please?' Karenza asked.

‘Mother, we are eating,' Merry protested.

‘No, it's all right,' Carey reassured her, carefully putting down his cutlery and lifting his arms.

‘Thank you,' Karenza whispered, and Merry noticed she'd gone as white as the milk in the jug. ‘And your father's Christian name was … ?'

‘Clayton. The thing is, Mrs Dyer …' he began, but Karenza jumped to her feet and began collecting their plates. ‘Please, Mrs Dyer, I'd be obliged if you would just listen,' Carey pleaded, but Karenza was noisily stacking the crockery on the side.

Merry glanced at Carey in dismay. He shrugged but was looking uncomfortable.

‘If we've all finished, I'll get our pudding, shall I?' Grozen said, breaking the awkward silence as she got to her feet.

Bemused, Merry nodded, then noticed the woman pat Karenza's shoulder as she passed. What was going on?

‘Spiced apples with thunder and lightning,' Grozen announced with forced jollity as she placed the dishes on the table.

‘Spiced apples, what a treat, though I can't say I've ever eaten thunder and lightning before,' Carey laughed, trying to match her mood.

‘Well, hailing from Devonshire, you wouldn't have. This is our speciality round here. Cream mixed with treacle. Of course, some have it with honey but treacle's our way,' the woman explained with a smile, but Merry noticed it didn't reach her eyes.

‘Are you all right, Mrs Dyer? You're looking quite pale,' Carey asked, frowning as Karenza returned to her seat.

‘Lieutenant Meredith, what exactly are your intentions
towards my daughter?' she asked, her usually soft voice hard as the rocks on the beach. ‘It is a game for men of your standing to toy with the affections of lowly shop assistants and housemaids, is it not?'

‘Mother,' Merry cried in dismay.

Carey, who had been about to tuck into his pudding, carefully laid down his spoon.

‘Believe you me, Mrs Dyer, I am not someone who toys with anyone's affections, least of all someone as wonderful as Merryn. She is a charming, intelligent young lady and my feelings for her are totally sincere. In fact, if she will have me, I would deem it an honour to make her my wife,' Carey replied, staring across the table at Merry. Seeing his ardent expression, her heart flipped. She opened her mouth to reply, but surprise had rendered her speechless.

‘That's completely out of the question, Lieutenant. Merry is far too young to be thinking of marriage,' Karenza said in clipped tones.

‘That's not what you said to Nicco,' Merry protested. ‘I am eighteen years old and …'

‘And far too young to know your own mind,' Karenza snapped.