Stormy Weather at Castle Court

by Holly Hepburn

  She concentrated on her work, creating rows of perfect jewelled crosses to grace the Bishop’s table on Easter Sunday. Daniel kept out of her way as he cooked; Sadie was only really aware of his presence when she smelled the rich scent of the chilli starting to take shape and blinked in surprise as her mouth began to water. For most of their married life, she would have sworn Daniel didn’t know one end of a saucepan from the other; he’d changed a lot in the year they’d spent apart.

  ‘Dinner is served,’ he announced a few minutes later, holding out a tray. ‘I thought we’d eat on the sofa, since the table is out of commission.’

  It took Sadie a moment to realise it wasn’t a dig at her; more often than not, her kitchen table was covered in biscuits that had either been iced or that were waiting to be decorated. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten at the table. ‘Thanks,’ she said, getting to her feet and taking the tray.

  ‘This is delicious,’ Sadie commented, once they’d settled on the sofa and she’d taken a mouthful of the steaming food. ‘Maybe Cat had a point after all.’

  ‘Sorry?’ Daniel said, looking puzzled. ‘I don’t follow.’

  Sadie waved her hand. ‘She asked if you were looking after me, making sure I ate. And I told her I was quite capable of cooking for myself.’

  ‘You are,’ Daniel said. ‘You used to cook for me all the time. And now it seems like the least I can do is return the favour.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Sadie replied and she meant it. ‘I really appreciate all the help you’ve given me lately. I know it isn’t easy and it seems like I lurch from one disaster to another but it won’t always be like this.’

  ‘I know,’ he said. A wry smile tugged at his lips. ‘And for the record, you lurch beautifully.’

  Sadie laughed. ‘Thanks. I think.’

  They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Daniel fixed Sadie with a speculative look. ‘I’ve got something I wanted to ask you.’

  ‘Oh?’

  He cleared his throat. ‘I’ve been invited to a christening at the end of May – one of the partners in the business is having a ceremony at the cathedral. And I wondered whether – you don’t have to, of course – well, whether you and Lissy might like to come with me.’

  Methodically, Sadie finished chewing the food in her mouth, although it had suddenly ceased to taste of anything. The last time she’d gone to one of Daniel’s work functions, it had been as his wife. And although she was still his wife now, everyone knew they’d been separated. Everyone knew he’d had an affair. Was she really ready to face them all again?

  ‘I don’t know,’ she said slowly. ‘What date is it?’

  ‘I’d have to double-check,’ he said, watching her. ‘It’s the last Sunday of the month, if that helps? Are you doing anything?’

  Sadie shook her head, trying to squash the sudden squall of anxiety his invitation had caused. With all the upheaval at Smart Cookies, she had no idea what was in her diary past next week, let alone the following month. ‘I don’t know. Will – will Emma be there?’

  His gaze was steady. ‘No. She’s changed jobs – works in Manchester now, I think.’

  Relief seeped into Sadie’s heart. That made things a little easier; knowing she wouldn’t have to face up to the woman Daniel had been cheating on her with was something, at least. That just left everyone else.

  ‘Can I think about it?’ she said. ‘Let you know tomorrow, maybe?’

  ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Take as long as you need. I expect it will be a lovely ceremony and we needn’t stay long – I just thought it might be nice to do something together. In public, as it were.’

  She nodded, concentrating on loading her fork with chilli and rice. ‘It is a nice idea.’ She paused. ‘Thanks for asking.’

  His eyes crinkled round the edges as they met hers. ‘Thanks for saying maybe.’

  Chapter Six

  It was just before midnight when Cat’s phone vibrated with an incoming message. She glanced across at the faint glow on the bedside table then turned her gaze back to the darkened ceiling, resisting the temptation to pick the phone up. Weren’t screens supposed to disrupt the brain’s ability to rest and make it harder to sleep? She certainly didn’t need that; her own brain had been racing from the moment she’d turned off the light and tried to go to sleep – it didn’t need more stimulation. On the other hand, who was she trying to kid? Seb would be coming up from the bar any minute and his arrival would put paid to sleep far more effectively than a quick glance at her phone. Besides, it might be something important . . .

  She smiled with relief when she saw it was from Sadie: Crosses are good to go! X

  Excellent, she tapped back. Now sleep! X

  Cat replaced the phone and listened for sounds that Seb was on his way. She was surprised when her phone buzzed again.

  PS Lissy saw Adam – he says he’s got honey. Tell Seb to get his order in quick if he wants some. X

  Seb would definitely want some, Cat thought as she typed her thanks. Several of his most popular cocktails used honey and Adam’s bees produced a top-quality, organic product; Seb had been complaining for months that his stocks had run out.

  She heard the scrape of his key in the lock just as she pressed send, and leaned over to flick the bedside lamp on. She might as well give him the good news now, before the chaos of preparing for a busy Easter weekend using someone else’s kitchen drove it from her mind.

  She knew the moment he walked into the bedroom that he wasn’t in a good mood. His shoulders were hunched and his face had a closed expression.

  ‘Tough night?’ she asked softly as he tossed his shoes into a corner.

  He grunted. ‘Something like that.’

  Cat wrapped her arms around her knees. ‘Want to talk about it?’

  ‘No.’

  He turned away and began to undress. Cat frowned; it wasn’t unknown for Seb to be grumpy after a busy night but he was usually keen to tell her about it. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’

  ‘No.’

  Her unease deepened. Like all of Castle Court’s food businesses, Seb had his share of difficult customers and staffing problems but he was usually able to laugh about them and he rarely brought them upstairs once the bar was closed. Whatever had soured his mood tonight must have been bad.

  She waited, watching for signs that his temper was improving. But he kept his back to her, stripping off with silent fury.

  ‘I’ve got some news that might cheer you up,’ she ventured, after a few more seconds had passed. ‘Sadie says Adam has got honey for sale if you’re interested.’

  Was it her imagination or did his shoulders stiffen? ‘I’ve got a new supplier now.’

  ‘I know you have,’ Cat said patiently. ‘But the quality isn’t as good, is it? I’m sure if you message Adam, he’ll drop some—’

  Seb gave a short laugh and turned to look at her. ‘This isn’t La Perle, Cat. I don’t think anyone is going to complain that the drizzle of honey in their Gold Rush isn’t organic, do you?’

  She sat back, stung. Seb was often evangelical about getting the freshest, best ingredients for the bar – his perfectionism was one of the things that had attracted him to her. ‘No, but—’

  ‘Besides, Adam has made it clear he’s not my biggest fan,’ Seb went on. ‘So I don’t imagine he’ll be going out of his way to supply me with honey.’

  ‘That doesn’t sound like him,’ Cat said, blinking in confusion. As far as she knew, Seb and Adam had always been firm friends. ‘Have you had an argument?’

  Seb shook his head. ‘Just forget it.’

  Cat folded her arms. ‘No. Not until you tell me what’s going on.’

  ‘There’s nothing to tell,’ he said, his voice flat.

  She stared at him wordlessly. Why hadn’t he mentioned this before? ‘Is this something to do with Sadie and me? Because if it is—’

  ‘It’s not.’ He climbed into bed beside her and lay down with his back towar
ds her. ‘So turn off the light and let it go.’

  Frustrated, Cat glared at his still hunched shoulders for a moment. Then she snapped off the lamp and flounced huffily against the pillow. She lay there staring at the ceiling once again, until gentle snoring rose from Seb’s side of the bed. Cat’s glower increased; how was it that he could fall asleep so easily, even in the grip of a seriously foul mood, while she tried every trick in the book and still found it hard to doze off? It wasn’t fair. And now she’d have to listen to him snore, which was just adding insult to injury.

  Sighing, she turned onto her side and squeezed her eyes shut, summoning up her mother’s recipe for paella and working through the ingredients and method in her head. At the very least, it should stop the argument with Seb from replaying on a loop in her head. And the memory of cooking with her mother might be exactly what she needed to soothe her troubled thoughts, although she made sure she avoided thinking about the way her mother would have sniffed at Seb’s behaviour. Something was clearly bothering him and Cat didn’t need her mother’s fiery advice to muddy the waters. Whatever it was, Seb would tell her in his own time.

  *

  ‘He said what?’

  It was Thursday morning and Sadie had stopped filling up the cart with stock for the day to stare at Cat in total confusion.

  ‘I know,’ Cat said, shrugging. ‘I’ve got no idea either.’

  ‘But Adam really admires Seb,’ Sadie said. ‘He told me so himself, when we were driving back from one of Seb’s after-hours drink-ups.’ Her forehead crinkled in dismay. ‘This doesn’t have anything to do with me getting back together with Daniel, does it?’

  ‘No,’ Cat replied, determined to prevent Sadie from feeling any more pointless guilt about the way things had worked out with Adam. ‘I asked Seb if it was because of us and he said no. But I haven’t got the foggiest what they could have fallen out over.’

  Sadie picked up a pile of biscuit boxes and started to load them slowly into the cart. ‘I suppose I could always ask Adam,’ she said slowly. ‘I could pop down to his cottage and pick up some honey at the same time.’

  Cat did her best to keep her face neutral. She hadn’t given up hope that Sadie might eventually realise she was wasting her time with Daniel and rekindle her fledgling relationship with Adam; it was definitely a good idea to keep the two of them talking where possible. But Cat also knew better than to push Sadie towards Adam; she had to come to the realisation in her own time.

  ‘That’s an idea,’ Cat said. ‘I really could use some of that delicious honey for the premium biscuit recipe I’m tinkering with.’

  ‘Really?’ Sadie replied, looking up. ‘I didn’t know you were working on a new recipe.’

  ‘It’s early days,’ Cat went on quickly. ‘I’m always looking for ways to improve the product, you know that.’

  Sadie nodded. ‘So the sooner I get the honey, the better?’

  ‘Yes,’ Cat said, crossing her fingers behind her back. ‘In fact, why don’t you leave a bit early today and see if you can catch him before you pick up Lissy?’

  ‘Oh, but Lissy will be disappointed.’ Sadie smiled. ‘I think she’s hoping to catch sight of the bees putting the honey into the jars.’

  ‘Take her another time,’ Cat suggested. ‘Besides, you don’t really want to ask Adam about his argument with Seb in front of Lissy, do you? There might be some dark and twisted back story we know nothing about.’

  Her best friend laughed. ‘I can’t imagine anyone less likely to have a dark and twisted back story than Adam. But I suppose that makes sense – he might not want to talk in front of Lissy.’

  ‘It makes perfect sense,’ Cat said. A little bubble of glee rose up inside her and she clenched her hands into fists to stop it bursting into a laugh. ‘You can have a nice leisurely catch-up and bring the honey in tomorrow.’

  ‘Okay,’ Sadie said. ‘I’ll let you know what I find out.’

  Cat’s happiness faded as she pictured Seb’s sullen body language the night before. ‘Please do.’

  *

  ‘Sadie!’ Adam’s face lit up when he opened the door of his cottage and saw who was standing there. ‘What a lovely surprise.’

  His light brown hair was sticking up and she could see the start of a tan building on his face but otherwise, he looked exactly as Sadie remembered. She swallowed the sudden nervous lump that had lodged itself in her throat and summoned up a smile. ‘Hello, Adam. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by – Lissy said she’d seen you and I wondered if I might be able to buy some honey.’

  His hazel eyes widened. ‘Of course!’ He glanced over his shoulder and then back at her. ‘Do you – er – want to wait here or have you got time to come in?’

  It wasn’t the first time he’d invited her inside his home and from the resigned expression on his face, he expected her to say no, the same way she had in the past. Taking a deep breath, Sadie smiled and tried to ignore the sudden thudding in her chest. ‘I’ve got time.’

  ‘Right,’ he said, stepping back. ‘Come in. And excuse the mess – I wasn’t expecting a visitor.’

  Sadie almost laughed; it had become a standing joke between them that Adam’s home was rarely what he called guest-fresh. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ve seen worse.’

  From the outside, the house looked like a typical farm cottage; the walls were whitewashed, with small windows and a grey slate roof. Wisteria climbed around the door in thick green boughs; Sadie made a mental note to bring her sketchpad in May so she could capture it in bloom. Inside the cottage, the rooms were as small and low-ceilinged as she’d anticipated. Adam led her into a living room and Sadie was surprised by how uncluttered it was. The wooden floor was clean and polished, the bookshelves well organised and the mantelpiece over the fireplace was conspicuously clear of the letters and takeaway leaflets that covered Sadie’s own. From Adam’s embarrassment, she’d expected almost student levels of untidiness.

  ‘It’s lovely,’ she said, gazing around in open astonishment. ‘But if this is your idea of untidy, I’d hate to imagine what you think clean means.’

  ‘In here isn’t so bad. Wait until you see the bedroom.’

  A look of horror crossed his face the moment he’d finished speaking and he blushed a deep rosy red that travelled all the way to the tips of his ears. ‘I didn’t mean that I expect you to go in there,’ he said, almost tripping over the words in his hurry to correct himself. ‘No reason you would, obviously.’

  Sadie took pity on him. ‘Did you mention a cup of tea?’

  ‘I didn’t,’ he said. ‘But it sounds like a really good idea.’

  He vanished through a doorway that Sadie supposed led to the kitchen. Moments later, she heard the faint hum of a kettle and the rattle of spoons in a drawer. She edged closer to the bookshelves, wondering what he liked to read; there were several non-fiction titles about bees and bee-keeping, which didn’t surprise her, and quite a lot of novels, ranging from everything to Iain M Banks to Terry Pratchett and Ursula Le Guin.

  He found her there several minutes later, prowling the spines with her fingers.

  ‘I don’t think I realised you were a reader,’ she said, as he handed her a mug of tea.

  ‘Why would you?’ he said, with a shrug. ‘It’s the kind of thing you only really find out about when you visit someone’s home, isn’t it?’

  ‘True,’ she said, thinking of her own living room with its heavily-laden bookshelf. Between her and Lissy, they had quite a collection. ‘I’m glad you like reading.’

  ‘I’m glad you’re glad,’ he said. ‘I thought you would be.’

  They stood for a moment, smiling beside the books. Then Adam cleared his throat. ‘So, how much honey do you want?’

  ‘A few jars, at least,’ Sadie replied. ‘Cat is experimenting with a new recipe.’

  He nodded. ‘The bees have been busy so my spring harvests are pretty good so far,’ he said. ‘It helps that the farm produces a large crop of borage – they se
ll it on to make Evening Primrose Oil and the bees love it.’

  Sadie pictured the fields she drove past almost every day. ‘The blue flowered crop?’

  ‘That’s right. You can taste it in the honey, too, if you know what you’re looking for.’

  Sadie couldn’t help glancing towards the back of the cottage. ‘And your hives are out in the garden, are they?’

  Again, Adam nodded. ‘That’s right. I’d let you take a look but it’s a warm day and there’ll be a lot of traffic around the hives.’

  Sadie frowned. ‘Traffic?’

  ‘Bee traffic,’ he clarified. ‘It helps if you think of the area at the front of a hive as the main road – all the bees travel along it as they enter and leave. If something gets in their way then word gets around and the hive might decide it’s under attack. You don’t want that, believe me.’

  ‘No, I can imagine,’ Sadie said, wondering whether she should start to discourage Lissy’s interest in bees. ‘Do you get stung much?’

  ‘I did at first,’ he said wryly. ‘Back when I didn’t have enough respect for them. But now I make sure I’m fully suited and approach the hives in a way that’s designed to cause the least upset.’ He paused. ‘I’ve got plenty of spare kit if you’d like to have a proper look inside a hive sometime.’

  It was a generous offer; Sadie knew he took his work seriously and didn’t let just anyone near his bees. ‘I’d like that,’ she said. ‘And I think it would probably blow Lissy’s mind.’

  Adam grinned. ‘Probably. The key to bee-keeping is to stay calm. I’m pretty sure they can sense panic but if you’re slow and methodical with your movements, you shouldn’t have a problem. Bee-keeping is actually a pretty zen thing to do.’

  His enthusiasm was very appealing, Sadie thought, taking refuge in her cup of tea; she thought she could listen to him talk about the habits of bees all afternoon. But the honey was only part of the reason she was there; she had something else to tackle too.