A Perfect Cornish Christmas

‘Yes, I knew that Joan had left it to your mum.’

‘Did you know my aunt very well?’

‘Not as well as you, obviously, but I saw her at least once a week or so when I was foraging in her grounds.’

Scarlett giggled again. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I know it’s juvenile of me, but foraging is such a funny word. It sounds a bit …’

‘Pervy?’ Jude suggested, with a glint of amusement.

‘Well, kind of.’

‘It does sound weird to make a living from collecting wild food. I’m convinced that a few of the locals think I’m some kind of wizard, brewing up potions from the hedgerows, but you would be amazed by all the wonderful things you can find by the seashore, woods and even in your own backyard.’

‘I’m sure I would. Though there wasn’t much to forage in my backyard in Birmingham.’

‘Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong.’ Jude’s glow was back. ‘You can find all sorts in parks and gardens. Birmingham’s renowned for its parklands. Like chickweed, for instance. You can find that all year round and it’s very tasty in salads or in a dip.’

‘Really? I’d no idea …’ Scarlett thought of the bare branches of oaks around the manor and the russet bracken on the moorland, wondering what there was to actually forage. ‘But are there really that many edible plants around at this time of year?’

‘You’d be surprised,’ said Jude with a smile. ‘There are still plenty of nuts and green leaves at this time of year if you know where to look, especially on the coast. I also have blackberries and bilberries in my freezer and a great stock of cherry brandy ready for the Solstice Festival. I could show you some of the things you can find around the manor, if you like, the next time I come over? Ellie too,’ he added quickly.

She hesitated. It had been a long time since she’d agreed to go out with a guy, not that hunting plants was a ‘date’, but actually, that might be exactly why she should say yes: the invitation seemed genuinely innocent. ‘OK. I’d like that. And I’m sure Ellie would,’ she tagged on hastily, though she guessed Ellie might decide she was too busy with Aaron …

Jude’s pleasure showed in his eyes. ‘Great. I’ll give you my number so we can arrange a time?’

They talked about Cornwall for a while longer, Jude’s passion for nature and his birthplace lighting up his face and his voice even more. Once or twice he mentioned his time in London but it was obvious that he’d missed his homeland during his botany PhD. When Ellie signalled that it was time to head home, Scarlett was surprised how disappointed she felt to have to go, especially when compared with the dread she’d experienced when she’d first walked in.

They got up and said their goodbyes.

‘You’ll call me, then,’ Jude repeated as she was about to leave.

‘Yes. Soon as I’ve asked Ellie.’

‘Great.’ He pushed his hair out of his eyes and Scarlett had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. There really was something extraordinary about Jude Penberth, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

Chapter Six

‘You have to tell me if I’m getting in the way. Or if you want me to move out.’

Ellie hid her smile as Scarlett rested the back of the chair against the café table. Scarlett had come to pick Ellie up from work, and was helping her clear away after closing time. Ellie was in charge while the owner, Tina, had a hospital appointment. As it was half-term, the café had been very busy and Ellie felt knackered, so she was glad to have Scarlett’s help to pack up.

‘After you’ve only been here a week?’ Ellie asked, amused and touched by Scarlett’s eagerness not to get in the way of her lifestyle.

‘Well, I won’t want to leave, obviously, but if you need me to make myself scarce one evening so you and Aaron can … you know … you must tell me.’

‘It’s early days with Aaron,’ she said, slightly alarmed by how keen Scarlett was to pair her off. She was ready to admit that she and Aaron had been flirting with each other, but hadn’t quite realised the impression they were giving to people around them. ‘We’ve only known each other for a few weeks,’ she said, as much to remind herself not to let her feelings run away with her, as to put Scarlett off the scent.

‘Oh, come on. You two are practically glued together whenever I see you. I reckon he exaggerated the damage to the car, so he could spend more time with you.’

‘That’s crazy,’ Ellie insisted, but had to admit that the very idea of Aaron made her grow shivery. She hadn’t felt this way about a man since she was a student – and look how that had ended.

Scarlett rested the final chair on the table. Aside from locking up, they were almost ready to go. ‘You do like him, though,’ she said.

Ellie decided she might as well be honest. ‘Yes, I like him. A lot. Who wouldn’t? He’s gorgeous and helpful.’

‘And he’s been serving his country. He’s a genuine real-life hero.’ Scarlett came over to her, grinning wickedly.

‘He is, but apart from that I don’t know an awful lot about him. Obviously, his mum and dad worship him and it seems as if he’s been dedicated to his army life. I think his job’s been all-consuming for him. I guess that kind of lifestyle couldn’t be any other way.’

‘Even if he’s been in the forces, there must have been some time for, you know … Has he talked about any other women – or men?’

‘He mentioned a female officer from a different regiment who he was involved with for a few years, but he said it was very difficult to maintain a relationship when they were both posted to different locations.’

‘I suppose it must be. But he’s home now and I bet he wants to put down some roots.’

‘Who knows?’ Ellie said, reminding herself not to get her hopes up. ‘He’d like to make a go of the security business, but these days, nothing’s certain, is it?’

‘You can say that again. I’m grateful for every job I get because I never really know if it will be my last. We live in interesting times, but it’s a good sign if Aaron’s trying to settle down here. Is the fact he might not stick around stopping you from taking things any further?’

Ellie laughed, hiding her discomfort at Scarlett’s probing. ‘I don’t know. Maybe. Though if he knew my track record, he might keep well away. I’ve hardly put down any roots myself, even tiny ones.’

‘Apart from in Porthmellow.’

Ellie returned a high chair to the alcove. ‘True,’ she said, and walked back to Scarlett. ‘But really, we hardly know one another yet. He’s charming, he’s fun and, I’ll admit it, he’s hot. But beyond that, who knows?’

‘Aaron can’t be that bad if he’s Troy and Evie’s son. There’s no gossip going around, is there? No rumours of skeletons in his closet?’

‘Not that I’ve heard, but you know yourself how secrets can surface. None of us really know our families, do we?’

Scarlett sighed. ‘I did, once upon a time …’ she said wistfully. No matter now often their father had reassured her he loved her, Scarlett had told Ellie, she still felt like the very foundations of her existence had been shaken.

Ellie patted her arm. ‘Come on, lovely, let’s finish up here, nip into the Co-op for some supplies and then get home in front of the fire. I’m done in after a day dealing with wild kids high on Hallowe’en cookies.’

After picking up some groceries, Scarlett drove them to the manor. Ellie tried not to tense up or reach for the grab handle as Scarlett whizzed around the steep bend out of Porthmellow in the dark. It was only a five-minute journey by road, but it was a white-knuckle ride at the hands of Scarlett, who, Ellie pondered, might possibly turn out to be the daughter of The Stig. Scarlett didn’t indicate until it was almost too late, and made a sharp turn down the lane that caused Ellie to let out a squeak and Scarlett to protest: ‘It wasn’t that scary! I had plenty of time.’

Ellie closed her eyes as Scarlett barrelled down the lane, hoping that Aaron – or anyone else – wasn’t coming the other way. She heaved a silent sigh of relief when they arrived at Seaholly Manor.

Once the trauma of the drive had worn off, she reflected how lovely it was not to have to come home alone to a dark house, and that some company was very welcome now the days were so short. Knowing that someone else was in and out of the house while Ellie was at work was comforting, too.

However, she had to admit that, much as she loved her sister, sharing her space after having free rein at the manor had been trickier than she’d anticipated. She hadn’t realised how much she’d like to spend time with Aaron Carman when she’d agreed to let Scarlett move in.

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