The Sea Shell Girl (6 page)

‘Come on, Grozen, you can't carry on like this. You're wasting before our very eyes. Jenna would be so upset if she could see you,' Merry coaxed a week later when the woman had refused to eat her meal yet again.

‘Merry's right, Mother,' Karenza said, patting the woman's shoulder. ‘And you always said everyone has their allotted time to come and then to go.'

‘Happen I did. But that don't make it right for a girl the same age as our Merry to die, or for that wean not to have a chance. Don't seem any point in doing anything any more.' She gave such a long, drawn-out sigh, Merry and her mother exchanged worried looks. The older woman had been with many people when their time had come but it had never affected her like this before.

‘Oh, Merry, I don't know what I'd have done without
you these past weeks. Things can't go on like this, though,' Karenza said as they made their way to the pallace that evening. ‘I'm at my wits' end trying to make her see sense.'

‘Perhaps she'd listen to someone else,' Merry suggested.

‘Like who? She's refused to see the vicar.'

‘I know. It's so peculiar the way she's blaming herself. I mean, it's tragic about Jenna but so many die in childbirth, and as for Ma Somers, well, she was an old lady. No, Grozen needs someone who can see beyond …'

‘Merry, you're a genius,' her mother cried, grabbing her arm. ‘I know the very person. Can you stay with Grozen tomorrow morning whilst I pay a visit?'

‘Of course, but who …'

‘Good evening, ladies.' They'd been so engrossed in their conversation, they hadn't heard Nicco approaching.

‘Good evening, Nicco,' Karenza said, looking worried. ‘I hope we're not late?'

‘You are right on time as ever, Mrs Dyer. Why, I can set my pocket watch by you. May I ask how your mother is?' he asked solicitously.

‘She's improving, thank you,' Merry said quickly, ignoring the look her mother gave her.

‘I'm very pleased to hear it. Does that mean you will be making your trip to Plymouth sometime soon?'

Devil's dewdrops; that man was such an opportunist, Merry thought.

‘Merry will indeed be keeping her appointment at the end of the month,' Karenza said. ‘Now if you'll excuse us we must get to work or we'll be letting the others down.'

‘Of course,' Nicco said, smiling widely as he stood aside so they could enter the pallace.

‘Whatever did you have to tell him that for?' Merry hissed as they took their places and began salting the fish.

‘What do you mean?' Karenza asked, feigning innocence.

‘Don't play games with me, Mother. I am not travelling with him again, got it?'

Her mother smiled but didn't answer.

Although still cross with her mother, the next morning Merry fulfilled her promise and sat with her grandmother. She tried her best to make conversation but the woman stared morosely into the fire. Seeing her pins lying idle in the corner, Merry tried again.

‘I need to get on with my knitting. Why don't you do some as well, Grozen? It will take your mind off things and you might find the rhythmic motion soothes your nerves.' The ticking of the clock sounded loud in the ensuing silence. Perhaps she'd try shock tactics whilst her mother was out. ‘I don't know what I'm going to say to Mr Fairbright if I don't have the dozen I promised him. Mother and I can't manage any more, especially now we're salting the fish of a night.'

Still there was no answer.

‘You don't mind letting me down, then?'

The woman gave a gimlet look, then returned her gaze to the fire. Now it was Merry who sighed for she really was worried about letting the new agent down. She knitted as fast as she dared but knew she'd never be able to fulfil her grandmother's quota as well. Still, if she didn't have the knit frocks, there'd be no need for her to go to Plymouth and no need for her to evade Nicco. She could kill her mother for having told him when her next visit was; she could see by the way his eyes had lit up that he intended accompanying her.

Her musing was interrupted by the murmur of voices as the door was opened.

‘Look, Mother, I've brought an old friend to see you.'

Merry stared in amazement as a tiny man with snowy hair and eyes like jade darted across the room and squatted beside her grandmother.

‘Rozen, my dear; long time no see.'

‘Cador! Well, I'll be,' she cried, holding out her arms in welcome.

‘Come along, Merry,' Karenza whispered. ‘We'll knit outside and leave them to it.'

They took themselves round to the point and perched on the wall. For the first time that year, the sun had real warmth in it and Merry lifted her face in delight.

‘You'll get freckles,' her mother teased, looking happier than she had for some time.

They knitted in amiable silence for a few moments, watching the fishermen in their boats and the gulls squawking hungrily above them.

‘Looks like we'll be busy again tonight,' her mother said.

‘So who was that funny man?' Merry asked, unable to contain her curiosity a moment longer.

‘Cador, you mean? He's a Cornish Charmer, and if anyone can reach your grandmother he will.'

‘Oh? How?'

‘He has these powers. Some call him a white witch.'

‘A witch? But I thought witches were women,' Merry said.

Her mother smiled. ‘There are men with the gift too. Cador is special. He can cast charms and heal. He'll spend
a while talking to your grandmother and find out what's troubling her.'

‘But we already know that,' Merry frowned.

‘Do we? All we know is that it has something to do with that dreadful night Jenna and Ma Somers died. We don't know exactly what happened, though, do we?'

Merry put down her pins and thought for a moment. What her mother said was true.

‘And if he does find out, then what?' she asked.

‘He'll help her heal.'

‘How will he do that?'

Karenza shook her head. ‘That will be between him and your grandmother. Now let's get knitting or you'll not have enough to take to Mr Fairbright.'

Merry opened her mouth to say how betrayed she felt that she'd told Nicco when she was next going to Plymouth, then saw how much happier her mother was looking and shut it again. There'd be time enough to take her to task when Grozen was well again.

As she resumed her knitting, she saw Lady Sutherland come out of her granite house on the opposite side of the harbour. Today she was dressed in a rose-pink dress with a toning cape draped elegantly around her shoulders. As she stepped daintily into the waiting carriage, Merry thought of the stalls she'd seen in Plymouth with their brightly coloured cloths and trimmings, and her spirits rose. If she saved hard she might have enough for the fabric to make an outfit just like that. Next time she went she would be sure to look at the prices. Oh, there was so much to see, so much to experience; she couldn't wait.

‘Come along, Dolly Daydream,' her mother's voice
interrupted her musing. ‘Let's go and see if Cador has worked his magic on your grandmother.'

‘I hope he has, Mother, for I can't bear to see Grozen so unhappy.'

‘Me neither, Merry.'

‘I've never heard of this Cador before. Is he local?' she asked as they made their way back down the path.

Her mother shrugged. ‘He just seems to be around when you need him.'

They arrived back at the cottage just as the man was taking his leave.

‘Is everything all right?' Karenza whispered.

‘Do stop whispering, Karenza – haven't I told you it's rude?' As Grozen's strident tones rang through the living room, they smiled. It seemed everything was very all right.

‘Why, she sounds back to normal,' Merry gasped.

‘I don't know what you've said or done, Cador, but once again you have my undying thanks,' her mother said. ‘Won't you stay and share our midday meal? You're most welcome.'

‘That is kind, my dear, but I have to be in another place. Your daughter has grown into a beautiful young woman,' he said, looking at Merry.

Karenza smiled. ‘Yes, you were right, Cador. Although I found it hard to believe all would be well at the time.'

Merry hardly heard her mother's words for this strange man's intense gaze seemed to be burning into her. Then he smiled.

‘Your sister in blood wants you to know she is happy and at peace.' Merry stared at him in astonishment. How
could he possibly know? But those green eyes were on her again. It was as if he was peering into her very soul. ‘I see the yen to travel. You will, however, find your life and love lies here in Porthsallos. Good day.' And with a nod he was gone.

What rubbish, Merry thought, pushing the door firmly shut behind him. Yet how did he know about her and Jenna being blood sisters? They'd been the only ones in the yard when they'd nicked their wrists and swapped blood to tie them together all those years ago. They'd sworn each other to secrecy and Jenna would never have told. Her grandmother's chuckle jolted her back to the present.

‘Are you all right, Grozen?'

‘Never felt better, young Merry. That Cador's like a tonic. Made me see the error of my ways about Ma Somers, he did.'

‘What do you mean?' Merry asked.

Her grandmother sighed. ‘I was blaming myself for the way the poor woman took so long to pass. She just wouldn't go. Hung on and hung on even though I could see it was her time. Cador explained that dying can be a difficult process especially if the person persists in fighting it.'

‘And that's what Ma Somers did?' Karenza asked.

‘Yes, and how. She didn't want to go and clung on until … well, that's where Cador put me right about everything. He also said Jenna's wean had a misshapen head and would never have been right had he lived. I was that upset, I never noticed. Didn't think Cador had seen the mite but then you never know with him. He seems to know everything.'

‘But how?' Merry asked, but her grandmother shook her head.

‘He just does. You'd do well to pay heed to what he told you, our Merry, for Cador is never wrong. Now where's my luncheon?'

Merry looked at her mother and they burst out laughing.

Never had their bread and cheese tasted so good. It was a relief to see her grandmother normal again and for that Merry was thankful. Cador was wrong about her life not lying beyond Porthsallos, though.

‘I expect you feel like a snooze after your tiring morning, Mother,' Karenza said as she cleared their plates.

The woman snorted. ‘What, after our Merry took me to task about my shirking?' she said, picking up her pins. As the wool flew back and forth between her fingers, Merry let out a sigh of relief. She'd been really worried about not being able to fulfil her promise to Mr Fairbright.

Although they spent the next weeks knitting furiously until their candle guttered, Merry was still one knit frock short when she packed them up ready to take to Plymouth.

‘These are really heavy,' her mother commented, helping Merry lift the parcel onto her back.

‘Well, no doubt Nicco will just happen to be waiting with his cart at the top of the hill,' she retorted, and saw a blush creep over her mother's cheeks.

‘God speed, my love,' was all she said, though, as she kissed Merry goodbye.

There was a fret coming in from the sea and the air was
decidedly chill. By the time she'd climbed the hill her hair was curling in damp tendrils and she cursed at having forgotten her hat. She'd slept heavily, the late nights of knitting having caught up with her so that she'd been late rising. Her parcel felt cumbersome, knocking awkwardly against her back as she walked, and it was actually a relief when she turned onto the path for Logh and saw Nicco. Not that she intended showing it, of course.

‘Morning, Merry. Your carriage awaits,' he said, jumping down and taking her parcel.

‘Nicco, what a surprise, I don't think,' she replied.

He grinned and lifted his hand but instead of helping her into the cart he pointed to her hair. ‘You look like a princess with a crown of diamonds on your head.'

Hastily she wiped the beads of moisture from her hair and climbed onto the seat. Chuckling, he took up the reins.

‘Talking of diamonds,' he began, and her heart sank.

‘Which we weren't,' she replied.

‘Well, it's time we did. You know it's my intention to make you mine. I meant what I said about having a special celebration on St Peter's Day and as it's only a matter of …'

‘Look, Nicco, you need to realize this is not how I want things to be,' she said, anxious to get matters straight between them once and for all.

He took hold of her hand. ‘No, I can see that.'

Thank heavens he understands, she thought, removing her hand and relaxing back in her seat. The mist was lifting and it promised to be a fine day. She looked around, noticing the trees were now a froth of white blossom, the flowers in the hedge-banks vibrant in their early summer colours.

‘We never did stop for that supper last time, did we?' Nicco asked, breaking into her thoughts. She shook her head, relieved he'd taken her rebuttal so well. ‘Well, we will this time and then Nicco will propose in the proper manner,' he declared.

‘What?' she gasped, sitting bolt upright.

‘I can see that you expect things to be done properly and so they shall.' His grin was so cocky, she was shocked into silence. What did she have to say to make him realize she had no intention of having supper with him, let alone marrying him?

‘Nicco …' she began, but he put up his hand to silence her.

‘No, don't say anything. I will make my formal declaration later and you can accept then.'

She opened her mouth and then shut it again. She was too tired to argue and if it was silence he wanted, silence he'd get, she thought, closing her eyes.

She was woken by the clanking of the chains and saw they were already on the ferry. The breeze tugged at her hair and she tucked the wayward tendrils behind her ears, drawing her shawl tighter round her.

‘I was not kidding when I said I would be marrying Sleeping Beauty, was I?' Nicco quipped, his dark eyes boring into hers. Quickly she turned to look out over the murky waters.

‘I didn't mean to sleep for so long. Too many late nights helping Grozen make up her quota for the agent.'

‘Ah, yes, your grandmother. I was pleased to hear she has recovered but I've always wondered why you call her Grozen?'

‘When I was little I couldn't manage to say “Grandmother Rozen”. It came out as Grozen and I suppose it just stuck.'

He frowned. ‘Hardly grown up, is it? When we are united in family I shall call her Grandmother Rozen,' he announced grandly.

‘Oh, look, we have reached the other side,' Merry said, suppressing a shudder. The thought of their being joined in any way was just too awful to contemplate.

As on their last visit, the place was bustling with activity and the noise was deafening. Merry lapsed into silence as Nicco guided the cart through the mingling crowds and out into the traffic. Relief flooded through her when he finally pulled up outside the agent's building.

‘Now I'm guessing your appointment will take the same time as before so I'll make sure I'm back for when you've finished. We don't want a repetition of last month's stupidity, do we?' he said, wagging his finger.

Biting down a rude retort, Merry retrieved her bundle.

‘Thank you for the lift, Nicco,' she said politely, smiling to herself as she hurried into the building. Confident this appointment with Mr Fairbright wouldn't take as long, she planned to visit the material stall when she'd finished. If she ensured she was back in good time, Nicco would be none the wiser.