Moving On (A Polvellan Cornish Mystery Book 6) Read online

  But while she was busy with that she’d have neither time nor energy for anything else. It would be cruel and wrong to accept his offer now then in a few years realise she had made a terrible mistake. On the other hand, what if her doubts were simply an attack of cold feet?

  Learning that Alex had a mistress and a daughter had crushed her, persuaded her that the fault must be hers or why would he have looked for another woman?

  The success of her business had boosted her self-esteem. Tom telling her she was sex on legs still gave her a thrill. He wasn’t glib like Colin Terrell who spread flattery like butter. When Tom paid a compliment it was sincere.

  Harry Carveth’s request for her to identify the portrait had been business. Though she could not fault his behaviour, his interest had become personal. Nor, if she were honest, was it entirely one-sided. But he would only be here for as long as it took to finish clearing his mother’s house. He wouldn’t need to stay to show prospective buyers round. The agent would do that. He’d go back home and she would stay here.

  But had they not met, she would never have uncovered the mystery surrounding Roxanne’s connection to momentous historical events. Nor would Gill now be the delighted owner of antique embroidery with a commission to make an heirloom quilt for Harry’s first grandchild.

  ‘Jess!’ Viv’s yell jolted her out of her tangled thoughts. ‘Who’s doing the serving tomorrow?’

  ‘Susan’s coming down, and Eileen Laity said she’d help in the kitchen. Rena was in the shop this morning and said she can spare Michelle for a couple of hours. Mor has already asked Brianna. I know,’ she raised a hand as Viv glowered. ‘But she’s a good waitress, Viv. She’s quick and cheerful.’

  ‘Good job Darren isn’t coming then. What I’d give to smack that smile off her face.’

  ‘Mor and Ben would love that.’

  ‘Yes, all right. I’m just saying how I feel.’

  Jess gave her a quick hug. ‘I know. But tomorrow you have to be strong.

  ‘Right, ladies,’ Claire clapped her hands. ‘We’ve done as much as we can for now. Who’s locking up?’

  ‘I am,’ Viv said. ‘Eileen got her own key. She’ll open up at nine in the morning so we can bring the food down then she’ll stay on.’

  ‘I hope the sun shines,’ Claire said as they left.

  ‘Better if it isn’t too bright,’ Annie pulled her long cardigan around her. ‘Mor don’t want everyone squinting in the photos.’

  ‘Just so long as it don’t rain,’ Viv declared.

  Jess smiled at her. ‘Even if it did, I don’t think Mor and Ben would notice. See you all tomorrow.’ Claire and Annie turned down the road, Viv crossed to the other side and Jess headed up towards her gateway.

  Elsie’s door opened as Jess approached her front door. ‘All right, bird? About tomorrow, what time shall I take my sausage rolls down?’

  ‘Eileen will be there from nine, so whenever is best for you. If I leave my cake tins out on the worktop could you take them down as well?’

  ‘’Course I can. I still got your spare key. I ’spect you’ll be up Mor’s helping her get her ready. Know what she’s wearing do you?’

  Jess smiled as she nodded. ‘I promised not to say. But I can tell you it’s perfect for her. How’s Tegan?’

  ‘All right in herself. But she’ve decided not to go. She don’t want people staring at her. I told her it’s Mor and Ben’s day. Folk will be looking at them, not her. But she’ve made her mind up so I’ll leave her be. She’s doing some lovely job with this here jewellery. She want to sell it at the Craft Fair before Christmas …’ Elsie’s mouth trembled and she covered it with her fingers.

  ‘Elsie? What’s wrong?’

  Flapping one hand, Elsie dragged in a breath. ‘Don’t mind me. It’s just – she said she want to pay me back for looking after her so well. Broke my heart that did.’

  ‘Oh, Elsie.’

  ‘I told her, she don’t owe me nothing. It mean the world to me having her here.’

  ‘You and I know that. But if she wants to show her gratitude you ought to let her.’

  ‘I can’t take money off her,’ Elsie gasped, horrified. ‘Anyhow, she haven’t got nothing but what Alan send me for her keep.’

  ‘Of course you can’t. I didn’t mean money. I was thinking maybe you could ask her to make you a necklace or a bracelet in your favourite colours. Seeing you wear it every day would show her how much it means to you.’

  A slow smile spread across Elsie’s lined face. ‘How didn’t I think of that? Be a proper job that would. Thanks, my bird. I’ll leave you get on now. See you tomorrow. Going to be some special day isn’t it?’

  Jess was soaking in the bath when the phone rang. She sat up, listening. When the caller rang off without leaving a message she slid down into the bubbles once more. But the water had cooled. Sighing, she got out.

  She put on a light robe, blow-dried her hair then went downstairs. Dialling 1471 she recognised Tom’s number. The last time they had spoken he’d told her to call him when she was less busy. If he had rung and not left a message – Was it about tomorrow? She dialled his number, praying nothing had gone wrong.

  ‘Hi, Chris, is your dad there? He phoned earlier but I was –’

  ‘No, that was me. Sorry. I was trying to ring Doug. Dad have got you next to each other on speed dial and I pressed the wrong one. He’s out.’

  ‘Oh, okay.’

  ‘Gotta go. ’Bye.’

  Jess was reaching for the kettle when the phone rang again. ‘Hello?’

  ‘’Evening, Jess. It’s Harry. I wondered if there might be any chance of a catch-up tomorrow?’ Before she could reply, and as if he had read her thoughts, he spoke again.

  ‘I’m keen to know what progress you’ve made with the investigation.’ As she shrugged off disappointment she had no right to feel, he added, ‘And I have news.’

  ‘Good, I hope.’

  ‘An offer on the house.’

  ‘That was quick.’ So that was that. He’d soon be gone.

  ‘Anyway, about tomorrow –’

  ‘I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ll be at a wedding.’

  ‘You wouldn’t be free afterwards?’

  ‘I doubt I’ll get home before late evening. The bride is a close friend. We’ve known each other since primary school. She was my first client when I set up my genealogy business. I’m her matron of honour, and we’re expecting most of the village to turn up at the church, and with the reception in the village hall –’

  ‘You’ll have a very long day. Please give the happy couple my congratulations and best wishes for their future.’

  ‘I will. Thank you.’

  ‘I’ll be in touch.’

  ‘Give me a few days and I’ll have a lot more to tell you.’

  ‘I’ll look forward to it. Goodnight, Jess.’

  ‘’Night, Harry.’

  Chapter Ten

  Jess rose slowly, reluctantly, out of a lovely dream. Even as she tried to stay in it, it dissolved like mist. Her eyes opened. Mor’s wedding.

  Throwing off the duvet, she pulled back the curtains and peered up at a sky of clear, pale blue. Sending up mental thanks, she hurried into the shower.

  Twenty minutes later, teeth cleaned, face moisturised and hair towelled dry, she stepped into soft jeans, buttoned a shirt and pushed her arms into the sleeves of a cable cardigan. Tina would be styling her hair so she didn’t want to wear anything she’d have to pull over her head.

  Slipping her bare feet into moccasins, she lifted the garment bag containing her matron of honour outfit from the front of the wardrobe, carried it downstairs and hung it on a stair-rail.

  The ice pink shift had been her mother-of-the-groom dress when Rob married Fiona. For today she had abandoned the matching jacket in favour of a shrug in deep rose. Her fascinator comprised two silk flowers, one pale pink the other deep rose.

  After cleaning out and relaying the fire, she scrubbed her hands and slathered on hand
-cream. She moved the two full two cake tins to the front of the worktop where Elsie would see them. After checking her shopping basket to make sure she had the carrier containing her tights, beige high heels, make-up, comb and the beaded clutch that matched her dress, she folded the garment bag over her arm, locked her front door and hurried up the road to Mor’s cottage.

  Wearing a pink chenille robe, Mor was sitting at the kitchen table as Jess knocked and walked in. ‘’Morning.’ She closed the door. ‘Are you just going in the shower or just come out?’

  ‘Just come out.’ Pale and trembling, she pulled at the damp ends of her hair. ‘I hope Tina can –’

  ‘Remember our makeover evening?’ Jess broke in, dropping her basket on a chair by the dresser and hanging her garment bag on the back of the door. Mor nodded. ‘That was our trial run. Today is the real thing. Tina will make sure you look every inch the bride.’

  ‘I know I aren’t much to look at,’ Mor fiddled with a button on her robe. ‘I got my voice and I’m some glad of that. But today, if ’tis only the once, I want for Ben to look at me and think I’m pretty.’

  Jess swallowed hard. Reaching out, she gripped Mor’s hand. ‘When you stand facing Ben in front of the altar, he won’t think you’re pretty. He’ll be thinking how beautiful you are and how lucky he is that you love him. How do I know? Because I know him and I know you.’

  ‘He’s some dear man,’ Mor said. ‘And I do love ’n.’

  ‘No one could ever doubt that. Have you had breakfast yet?’

  Pulling a face, Mor shook her head. ‘Can’t face it.’

  ‘We can’t go all morning without food, Mor. Think of the fuss if one of us passed out in church.’

  ‘Haven’t you had nothing?’

  ‘Not yet. I wanted to get here early. If I’d left home any later I’d have been stopped by people wanting to know about your dress. Elsie asked me. I said you had the perfect outfit and would look stunning. Look, you put the kettle on and I’ll make some toast. We’ve got plenty of time before Tina arrives.’

  ‘I’m glad you come, Jess. I been awake since six.’ She pressed a hand to her midriff. ‘My stomach’s in uproar.’

  ‘That’s because it’s empty. Once you’ve had a hot drink and something to eat you’ll be fine.’

  Ten minutes later, as Mor chewed a second thick slice of toast generously spread with butter and marmalade, Jess topped up their cups then sat down again.

  ‘I did hope to hear from my half-sister Kathleen,’ Mor picked up her cup, steadied it with her other hand and sipped.

  ‘It would have been nice,’ Jess said. ‘Mind you, if she and her husband had come they’d have had to sit in the belfry.’

  Mor gaped at her. ‘Whatever for?’

  ‘From what Gill’s heard in the shop, most of the village will be coming to the church.’

  ‘Never!’

  Mor’s genuine surprise reminded Jess yet again why she wanted the day to be perfect. ‘People think a lot of you and Ben, Mor. They want to share your happiness.’

  ‘Really? That’s some kind.’ A warm blush banished the last of her pallor, and she was smiling as she picked up her toast.

  Tina arrived at ten to wash and blow-dry Mor’s hair then do her make-up. A few minutes with a heated brush tamed Jess’s curls into soft waves and a feathery fringe. The florist delivered two small bouquets of gerbera and rosebuds. Mor’s posy was cream and lavender, Jess’s cream and deep rose.

  While Tina started packing away her brushes and make-up, Jess helped Mor get changed. Her figure-skimming knee-length lavender dress had a round neck and short sleeves. Over it she wore a matching open coat. Her fascinator of two lilac silk flowers with a fine gauze frill on a narrow Alice band was easy to put on and take off. Flesh-coloured tights and nude low-heeled court shoes flattered her legs.

  Jess stood behind Mor as she looked at her reflection in the long mirror inside her wardrobe door. ‘Mor, you look fabulous.’

  ‘Dear life!’ Mor smiled at her reflection, her eyes sparkling. ‘I never ever thought – I can’t b’lieve –’ Her gaze met Jess’s. ‘I do, don’t I?’

  As Mor walked carefully downstairs, Jess heard Tina’s squeal of delight.

  ‘Didn’t I tell you that colour would be perfect? You look beautiful, Mor. Jess?’ she shouted up the stairs. ‘Want any help?’

  ‘No, I’m fine. You can check me over when I come down.’

  Tom arrived with Ben’s overnight bag. Jess heard him tell Mor she looked proper ’andsome, and Ben was a lucky man. Mor offered him a cup of tea, but he declined.

  ‘I got to get back to Ben. Jumpy as a flea he is.’

  ‘Tell ’n I’ll see ’n dreckly,’ Mor said.

  ‘He can’t wait to get to church, Mor, and that’s the truth.’

  Jess smiled as she folded and rolled her discarded clothes into her basket. After checking she hadn’t forgotten anything she went downstairs.’

  ‘So where you going for your honeymoon, Mor?’ Tina asked, putting the last of her tools into her enormous holdall.

  ‘We aren’t having one, not right now. We talked about it and what with Percy the way he is, neither of us wanted to go away. So we’re coming back here tonight.’

  ‘Proper job,’ Tina said. ‘Being on your own you can relax, talk about the day, eat when you feel like it and please yourselves.’

  Mor sat down heavily on one of the kitchen chairs. ‘I got the shakes again. I don’t want to think it, but I’m dreading if something go wrong. We’ve had so much –’

  ‘Nothing is going to go wrong.’ Jess broke in firmly. She rummaged in the bottom of her basket and pulled out a small bottle of brandy and another of ginger ale. ‘I brought this just in case.’

  ‘I don’t drink –’ Mor began.

  ‘It will calm your nerves and settle your stomach. Tina, glasses are in the dresser.’

  Jess poured a little brandy into each glass, added the same amount of ginger, handed one each to Mor and Tina and picked up the third. ‘To a wonderful day, and to you, Mor, wishing you every happiness.’ Lifting the glass to her lips, she swallowed. Warmth curled in her stomach and raced along her limbs, soothing every ragged nerve.

  With a shrug Tina tossed hers back, then sucked in a breath. ‘Oh yes. That’s better.’

  Mor closed her eyes and drank it down like medicine, gasping as she slammed the glass down on the table. ‘Dear life! That –’ her grimace softened into surprise then relief. ‘Wasn’t so bad as I ’spected.’

  ‘Right, ladies. I’m gone.’ Tina picked up her holdall then gathered up Jess’s things. ‘I’ll drop these in your place.’

  ‘Thanks, Tina. Just knock on Elsie’s door. If she’s not there, Tegan will be.’

  ‘See you at the church.’ The door closed behind her.

  Mor gripped Jess’s hand. ‘While we got a minute on our own I want to say thank you. You found my family, and you was there for me when Mother died. But for you, me and Ben might never –’

  Suddenly close to tears, Jess fought to steady her voice. Keep it light. ‘Yes, you would, Mor. You and Ben were meant for each other. Come on, this will be our last chance for the loo until we get back to the hall for the reception.’

  They washed their hands, rinsed with mouthwash, repaired lipstick, rubbed in scented hand cream and checked each other over. The peep of a horn outside signalled the arrival of the taxi.

  Jess handed Mor her bouquet. ‘Ready to get married?’

  Morwenna held out one hand, now rock-steady. She raised shining eyes to Jess and took a deep breath, her smile radiant. ‘Can’t wait.’

  Villagers lined the sunlit path between the lychgate and the church door as Jess deliberately walked a step behind so everyone would see Mor. Everyone was smiling and murmured comments followed them.

  ‘Don’t Mor look ’andsome?’

  ‘Never seen she look so pretty.’

  ‘Some lovely day for it.’

  ‘Good luck that is.’
/>   Fred Honey was waiting in the porch beside Percy’s wheelchair. Jess hadn’t seen Ben’s father for several weeks and was shocked at how frail he looked inside a suit and shirt whose collar was now several sizes too big. But he was freshly shaved, his sparse hair neatly combed, and his smile as he looked up at Mor brought another lump to Jess’s throat.

  ‘You scrubbed up nice, maid,’ he whispered, giving her a huge wink. ‘Don’t fancy running off with me, do ’ee?’

  Mor bent and kissed his hollowed cheek. ‘You’re too late, my ’andsome. Ben asked me first. Ready are you? I don’t want to be late for my own wedding.’

  Fred leaned in and signalled to the organist who pulled out all the stops for the opening chords of ‘Here comes the bride.’ The Methodist minister waited in front of the altar, smiling over the heads in the packed pews. Tall and thin, his hooked nose and bushy grey hair would have suited an Old Testament prophet.

  Fred carefully manoeuvred the wheelchair down the steps onto the slate floor of the aisle. Mor took her place alongside the chair, holding her bouquet in one hand and Percy’s hand in the other. The church was packed and Jess was touched to see the male voice choir in their navy blazers filling several rows at the rear.

  Walking beside Fred as he slowly pushed Percy down the aisle, Jess saw Gill, Claire, Elsie, Annie, Viv and Jimmy. All wore broad smiles. She heard whispers of surprise and pleasure at Percy’s involvement.

  Tom stood beside a visibly trembling Ben. Both wore dark lounge suits that only saw the light of day at weddings and funerals. Ben’s hair had been cut and his face was shiny. His expression of awe and delight as he watched Mor walking towards him made Jess’s eyes sting and she blinked to clear them. Tom’s gaze flickered from her hair to her shoes then met hers. His open admiration and wink helped steady her and she smiled back.

  Percy gave Mor’s hand a squeeze then released it. Fred wheeled him to one side then joined Mavis and their son Jason in the pew. Jess took Mor’s bouquet and the service began.

  As Mor and Ben pledged their love and lives to each other Jess heard women sniffing into hankies and a lot of throat-clearing from the men.