Silver Linings Read online

  A hungry yearning crossed Frances’s face. Taking the tin she opened the door wider. ‘Come in. I’ll put the kettle on –’

  ‘I’m sorry, I can’t right now.’ Seeing the spark of animation die she fought guilt and continued. ‘There was an incident at the rally, with a shotgun. Colin Terrell ended up with a backside full of rock salt.’

  ‘Salt? That must have hurt.’ A smile trembled at the corners of Frances’s mouth.

  Jess nodded. ‘I do hope so.’

  ‘I heard he tried for you.’

  ‘He did. I told him where to go, but he’d made me very uncomfortable. What happened today wasn’t about me. We just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tom was close by when the gun went off and the blast caught his arm. He’s OK, all bandaged up. But the story is already whizzing round the rally. He didn’t want to spend the rest of the day with people asking questions. So we’re on our way home. That’s why I can’t stop now. Will one day next week suit you? I could give you the folder at the Over-Sixties Lunch if like.’

  ‘No, I’d rather you came here, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘I’d prefer it. I really enjoy seeing everyone enjoy themselves at the lunches. But you can’t hear yourself think for all the noise.’

  ‘Would Monday afternoon be all right? I’ll make a pot of tea to have with this cake.’ She glanced at the tin, her throat working. When she looked up there were twin spots of colour on her pale cheeks. ‘I never thanked you –’

  ‘You have now. I must go. I’ll give you a ring before I come so if you don’t feel up to –’

  ‘I’ll be fine,’ Frances broke in. ‘I’m looking forward to it.’ Her smile was uncertain, rusty from lack of use, but genuine.

  ‘So am I,’ said Jess, and meant it.

  ‘All right?’ Tom said as she climbed in and pulled the door closed.

  ‘Fine. I’m taking the folder round on Monday afternoon. How’s your arm?’

  ‘Sore. My stomach feels all quivery.’

  ‘That’s probably shock. A meal will help.’

  ‘A cuddle would help more.’

  ‘No reason why you can’t have both.’

  Looking across at her he smiled. ‘I love you, Jess.’

  The End

  Rachel’s Recipe

  Cornish Fruit Loaf

  Ingredients

  1 cupful of dried fruit

  (sultanas, raisins and currants)

  1 cupful of light soft brown sugar

  1 cupful of hot tea

  1 beaten egg

  2 cupfuls of self-raising flour

  Method

  Put fruit and sugar into a basin, pour in the hot tea, stir well and soak overnight. Next morning add beaten egg and flour.

  Put into a lined loaf tin. Bake at 375F, 190C (170 for fan oven) Gas 5 for 35-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

  Turn onto a wire cooling tray.

  Best kept until following day, then served sliced, with butter.

  It’s delicious toasted and buttered.

  Grateful thanks to Shaun Babb for the cover photo.

  Published by Accent Press Ltd 2017

  Octavo House

  West Bute Street

  Cardiff

  CF10 5LJ

  www.accentpress.co.uk

  Copyright © Rachel Ennis 2017

  The right of Rachel Ennis to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  The story contained within this book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of Accent Press Ltd.

  eISBN 9781682996225