'I hadn't noticed.'
Ella rolled her eyes. 'You're already settling in to being a country bumpkin. So where's this door?' She dumped Garrick's case outside the blue room and her own suitcase in the doorway of the room she was having and rested her hands on her hips.
Mia put her suitcase in her new bedroom and pointed to the door at the end of the hall. They walked towards it, grinning at one another. The fading twilight outside cast the hall into shadow but neither of them looked for a light switch. A cold draught met Mia and she shivered as she stood in front of the door, which was odd as it was a warm day. Mia tried several keys before one eventually clicked into place and with a final glance at Ella, she turned the key.
This time the door did creak and Ella and Mia shot a look at each other and sniggered.
The door didn't lead to a small room; it led to a flight of steep and narrow stairs. A flight of stairs covered in dust and cobwebs. There was a wooden banister on one side of an off-white wall and it looked as if it hadn't seen a duster for a while. From where they stood they had to lean in to see the top of the stairs but neither of them wanted to. Mia spotted a light switch and that did look as if it came out of the Edwardian era. She gingerly flicked the tarnished brass knob but nothing happened.
'It doesn't work.'
Ella linked her arm through Mia's. 'I can see that. Have you got a torch?'
Mia shook her head and then remembered what Garrick had said. 'Matilda probably did. It may be in the kitchen.'
'Well, I'm not going up there without one. I've seen too many horror films to not know how this will end if we do.'
'What's that?'
Garrick's voice made Mia and Ella scream before they looked at one another and laughed.
'You nearly gave us both a heart attack,' Ella said, one hand on her chest, the other still linked with Mia's. Have you got a torch?'
'Not on me, no. Isn't there a light?'
Mia nodded. 'Yes. But it doesn't work. There's a flight of narrow stairs leading somewhere.'
'Probably to an attic,' Garrick said, with a hint of sarcasm. 'Thanks for bringing my case up. Is this the room I'm having?'
Mia nodded again. 'Unless you want the one next to mine. It's got the view of the garden and the sea. Ella needs the road noise so she doesn't want it.'
'Road noise? Here? Good luck with that, sis. I'd love the room with the view, if that's okay with you.'
'Of course. If we find a torch, will you come upstairs with us? It looks pretty creepy and it's really dark. So dark that we can't even see the top of the stairs.'
He frowned. 'I'll happily go up there, but can't it wait until the morning? Not because I'm scared, before you make any sarky remarks. Just because I'm tired and hungry. Besides, it may be easier to see up there in the daylight and it'll give me time to find a replacement bulb for the light.'
'But … what if something's up there?' That sounded ridiculous even to Mia and she wished she hadn't said it.
'If something's up there, and I think we all know there isn't, it's been locked in. Lock the door again and it'll stay there.'
'Garrick's right,' Ella said. 'Lock the door and we'll look tomorrow.'
Mia took a final peek at the stairs and quickly locked the door, shivering slightly as she did so. Whatever was up there could wait until morning. Although she wasn't sure she'd get much sleep.
Chapter Eight
It was almost dark by the time they strolled up Lily Pond Lane to The Frog and Lily pub and a light drizzle started a few seconds after they left the front door of Sunbeam Cottage. It had been a very warm, spring day and they hadn't got a jacket between them.
'It's only a shower,' Ella said, as they cooed at the ducks and ducklings on the pond.
'You always say that and then it pours hard,' Mia reminded her.
'It's less than a three-minute walk,' Garrick pointed out. 'We'll be there in as much time as it'd take to go back. Once we're inside, it'll probably stop. Sod's law I think they call it. Come on. We can look at the ducks tomorrow.'
They quickened their pace but by the time they reached the front door of the pub, they were running and it was bucketing down.
'Only a shower,' Mia said, not bothering to hide her sarcasm as Garrick pushed open the door and held it for her and Ella to pass.
Ella shook her curls and grinned as she stepped inside. 'A heavy shower.'
The three of them stopped just inside the doorway and looked at one another. The Frog and Lily not only appeared to be heaving at the seams, it appeared that everyone in there had suddenly stopped talking and was staring at them.
Garrick was the first to speak. 'Hello. It's chucking it down out there.'
No one said a word.
'We've only just arrived,' Mia said. 'Well, we arrived earlier today but what I meant was, we're new to the village.'
Still not a word.
'Do you serve food?' Ella asked. 'We're starving.'
'Aye. We do.' A voice that sounded as if it would be more at home in the Highlands of Scotland than in a remote village on the English South coast, piped up. 'But not the scran you're used to, I'd as like.'
'Scran?' Mia whispered, looking at Garrick. He'd lived in Scotland for five years. He'd know what the gruff-looking man pulling a pint behind the bar was talking about.
'Food,' Garrick said, in a low voice.
'As I said, we're starving,' Ella repeated. 'I could eat a horse right now.'
'No horse here,' a woman said, jovially. She appeared from nowhere and was wearing an apron with the words: A Scottish Moon, emblazoned across the front above an illustration of a man wearing a kilt, bending over and showing his bum. Her accent was definitely English though and her smile was warm and welcoming. 'We don't have a large menu but the food we serve is good and wholesome. There's a free table over there.' She pointed to a table near a crackling log fire. 'Take a seat and I'll bring the menu over. What can Alec get you to drink? Alec's my husband. I'm Freda. Say hello to these lovely young people, Alec.'
The gruff man looked up and thumped the glass of beer he'd poured, down on to the bar.
'Hello,' he said. And he suddenly smiled.
'And what are you lot staring at?' Freda continued, casting a beaming smile around the pub. 'Mia will think she and her friends aren't welcome.'
As if awoken from a trance, the throng of people smiled and nodded at Mia, Ella and Garrick, then instantly broke into animated chatter.
'You know my name?' Mia said to Freda.
'Aye,' Alec answered.
Freda smiled. 'Hettie was in earlier. She didn't think you'd be popping in tonight. She said you had a lot of unpacking to do.'
'Oh did she?' Garrick said.
'And you're Garrick. You're just as handsome as Hettie said you were. And single, I understand? The girls round here will soon try to do something about that. I'd try myself if I didn't have my darling Alec.'
Mia grinned. Garrick looked flustered and Ella burst out laughing.
'And you're Ella,' Freda continued. 'Hettie said you'd be a box of trouble. But don't take any offence at that.'
'I won't,' Ella said. 'I like the idea of being trouble.' She grinned and glanced around the pub. 'Speaking of trouble. Where are all the single young guys tonight?'
Freda laughed heartily. 'Rugby. Not the place, the sport. All mad about it, they are. There's a rugby pitch off Seaside Road. You probably passed it when you arrived today. They'll all be there throwing their balls all over the place.'
Ella looked excited. 'Throwing their balls all over the place? I like the sound of that.'
'Rugby balls. They're doing a training session tonight. They should all be in soon. It's almost dark. The rugby pitch isn't as grand as it sounds. It's really a field with a few benches but it does have a couple of floodlights, but they're only brought in during game nights. We play other villages throughout the season, which is almost at an end. The final game is next Saturday. Come along and watch.'
'Hunky men
in tight shorts,' Ella said. 'I'll definitely be there. And so will Garrick. But not for the men in the shorts. He's a bit of a rugby fanatic too.'
Freda shook her head. 'Most men are. I can't see the appeal, myself. But all to our own. Now, have you decided what you're drinking?'
'A pint of your best bitter, please,' Garrick said. 'And two glasses of wine. Chilled white wine. Pouilly Fumé, if you have it.'
'And what about you girls?' Freda quipped. 'Apologies. Just my sense of humour. I'm afraid we don't have any posh wine. Just basic Sauvignon Blanc, which is the grape the posh stuff's made from anyway. I don't know much about wine but I do know that.'
'That's absolutely fine, thanks,' Mia said.
'Sit then, and I'll bring the menu.' Freda walked towards the bar but she stopped to chat to at least three people on the way.
'I don't think Pouilly Fumé's posh,' Ella said, taking a seat beside the fire and pulling out the chair beside her so that Mia could sit by the fire too, for which Mia was grateful. The soaking from the shower had chilled her to the bone.
'Are you cold?' she asked Garrick.
'No. I'll be fine over here.'
He sat down opposite the fire and Mia saw the glow from the flames dancing in his eyes. At least she thought it was the flames, but he seemed to be staring at something above her head. She turned in her seat and noticed a large painting of a beautiful redheaded girl, about the same age as them.
What was it with him and redheads? Fiona was a redhead too. And so was his girlfriend before Fiona. Mia had even dyed her own hair red once, just to see if she could get him interested, but it was a complete disaster. It ended up the colour of a bright red post box. It was her own fault. She shouldn't have told the friend of a friend who was training to be a hairdresser and had offered to do it for free, that she wanted bright red hair. Especially as the hairdresser's own hair was a vivid lime green. Mia should've said mahogany, or Titian, or something less striking. She was so pleased when it finally grew out and she was back to her natural golden brown. Not that Garrick even seemed to notice at the time.
'That's a lovely painting,' Garrick said to Freda when she returned with the drinks and the menu.
Freda looked as proud as a peacock. 'That's our daughter, Alexia. She's a real stunner. I don't know where she gets it from. It certainly isn't from me or her dad.'
'I would say she looks just like you.' Garrick laid on the charm. 'Does she live here?'
Freda gave him a playful shove. 'Get away with you. I never looked as good as that when I was her age and I know I don't look like that now. But thank you for the compliment. Alexia lives with us and so does our son, Toby. They'll both be here later, after rugby.'
Garrick took a sip of his pint and looked thoughtful.
'Is she watching her brother training?' Mia asked.
Freda chuckled. 'Watch? Not our Alexia. She'll be in the scrum with the rest of them.'
Garrick choked on his beer and Ella slapped him on the back.
'I think my brother's fallen in love,' she said.
Why did that statement send a chill through Mia? It wasn't as if it mattered to her who Garrick fell in love with.
Rowdy laughter and a cacophony of male voices made Mia and Ella glance towards the door and Garrick swivel in his seat. Perhaps that's what had sent the chill through Mia; the pub door was flung open as a crowd of people barrelled in.
Freda placed her hands on her hips and beamed. 'The boys are back.' She tapped Garrick on the shoulder. 'And so is Alexia.'
Mia, Ella and Garrick looked to where Freda was pointing and Mia gave a little sigh. The painting of Alexia was beautiful – but it was nothing compared to Alexia in the flesh. And there was a lot of flesh to be seen. Perfect breasts were crammed into what was possibly the tightest, low-cut T-shirt in living history. Tanned, gleaming arms and hands pushed the thickest, richest-red hair on the planet from an angelic, porcelain face. And bronzed legs, longer and shapelier than a super model's, sashayed the dream body towards the table where Mia, Ella and Garrick sat.
'Bloody Nora,' Ella said. 'I think I'm half in love with her myself.'
'Hi, Mum,' the goddess Alexia said, leaning forward and kissing Freda on the cheek. 'Need any help?'
'Hello angel. You can tell Mia, Ella and Garrick about our specials if you like, while I help Alec behind the bar. Those boys will all want drinks, and food of course.' She winked at Garrick. 'You'd better decide what you fancy fairly quickly, or those boys will leave nothing for you.'
Mia wasn't sure if Freda was talking about Alexia, or the food, but when Freda smiled and walked away, Alexia gave Mia and the others the friendliest smile.
'Mum's right. You'd better get your food order in because that lot will eat everything on the menu and still want more. I'm Alexia, by the way. Which one of you is Mia? Oh wait. It must be you. I can see the resemblance to Mattie.'
'Mattie?' Mia queried.
'Your great-aunt,' Alexia said, still smiling but looking perplexed.
'You called her Mattie?'
Alexia nodded. 'Didn't everyone?' She glanced from Mia to Ella to Garrick, who seemed to be having trouble closing his mouth, or moving his love-struck gaze from Alexia's face.
'I don't know,' Mia said. 'I never met her.'
'Oh.' Alexia frowned, but even frowning, the girl looked gorgeous. Life really wasn't fair sometimes. 'I didn't know that. How peculiar. She talked about you all the time.'
Chapter Nine
Mia couldn't believe it. Had Alexia just said that great-aunt Matilda not only knew about Mia but talked about her to this goddess – and possibly, the rest of the villagers?
'Talked about me? Are you sure?'
Alexia grinned. 'Unless she had another great-niece also called Mia, yes I'm sure. She even showed us a photo of you once, I think. Many years ago. I was only young at the time but I'm sure she said it was you and that you were about the same age as me.'
'How old are you?' Garrick finally found his voice.
'Thirty-one.'
Alexia winked at him and his mouth fell open again. Mia was tempted to give him a good slap. He was behaving like a ten-year-old seeing his first pin-up girl.
'I'm thirty-three,' Mia said.
Ella joined in. 'I'm thirty-four, and so is he.' She nodded towards Garrick. 'And if I don't eat soon I won't live to be thirty-five. I'm starving. Can we order please, Mia and carry on this conversation afterwards?'
'Yes. Sorry.' Mia briefly glanced at the menu. 'Scampi and chips for me, please.' She handed it to Ella.
'I'll have the same,' Ella said, without looking at it and before she could pass it to Garrick, he nodded.
'Me too.'
Alexia smiled. 'Three scampi and chips coming right up. Would you like more drinks?'
'Absolutely,' Ella said. 'But I'll come to the bar and get them, to save you a trip. Come and help me, Mia.'
'I'm happy to bring them over,' Alexia said.
Garrick rolled his eyes. 'I think my sister wants to check out the rest of the rugby team.'
Alexia glanced over her shoulder and grinned at Ella. 'I'm not sure tonight is the best time to meet them. They're a pretty rowdy bunch and you know what guys are like when there's a group of them and they've been playing rugby. So much testosterone in the air you won't be able to breathe. But it's up to you. I'm happy to introduce you if you like. If you'll take my advice though, you're better off waiting until tomorrow. They'll all be in here at some stage around lunchtime. A couple of them always stay for lunch. Mum and Dad do a mean Sunday roast. The guys will be a lot calmer and quieter then. Mum won't take any nonsense on a Sunday.'
Ella hesitated for a second but sat down the minute some of the men broke into song.
'Tomorrow's fine by me.'
Alexia nodded and headed towards the bar.
'That's a first,' Mia said. 'But I'm glad. Frankly, I'm not sure I could handle a rugby team tonight. It's been a long day and we've had one surprise after another. I think I nee
d an early night.'
'Sorry I interrupted your chat about Matilda,' Ella said. 'Or should we call her Mattie now? That was weird, wasn't it? She said everyone called your great-aunt, Mattie, but Hettie Burnstall didn't, did she? She called her Matilda.'
Mia nodded. 'That's true. Perhaps that was out of respect.'
'I'm not sure Hettie is the type of woman who worries about respect,' Garrick said, still looking at Alexia, until she disappeared from view. He turned his attention back to Mia and Ella. 'Perhaps Matilda was a snob. Maybe she felt the paid help shouldn't get too friendly. Didn't Hettie say something along those lines? Something about being friends and then she changed it to friendly neighbours.'
'She did,' Ella said, craning her neck to look at three men standing at the bar, who seemed to have suddenly noticed the strangers amongst them. Ella gave them her best – and sexiest – smile.
'Don't do that,' Mia said. 'Oh god. They're coming over.'
She was wrong. They walked right past and headed for the dart board several feet away, although they did smile and say 'Hello' as they did so. One of them had a distinct American accent, blond hair and was built like a mountain. Was he Franklin Grant? One had ginger hair but looked so much like Alexia that he must have been her brother, Toby. The other one Mia recognised. It was the sexy, tractor driver. He looked even sexier now. His damp hair was still the colour of midnight but his light blue eyes held the promise of dawn. His lips proffered a 'come to bed with me,' smile and merely the sight of his body, this close at hand made Mia want to scream. In a good way. A very, very good way. She wanted to reach out and touch him. The problem was, he gave the same smile and the same look to Ella. He even smiled at Garrick, though in a much more matey and not remotely sexy way, thankfully.
'That was the tractor guy,' Ella said, almost bursting with excitement.
The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane-Part One_New beginnings Page 5
