Page 54 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘And Bill’s mentioned you too,’ I say, keeping up my smile. ‘I understand you’re the president of our local WI.’
‘I am, amongst many other things.’
‘Well, I hope Bill has also told you that we’d love it if you’d bring some of your groups to visit the castle. Once the new tea room and gift shop are open I hope to welcome lots of local societies to the castle for visits and tours.’
‘He did, and I’m sure we’d be delighted to accept your offer. Of course, as the new Countess, you would be most welcome to join us any time at one of our WI group meetings.’
‘Er . . . yes, of course . . . that would be lovely. But I think I should point out I’m not actually a countess.’
Hetty raises an eyebrow and gives me a peculiar look.
I’m aware that lots of new customers are approaching the stall. Tiffany and Tom are dealing with most of them, but I’m soon going to be needed.
Hetty looks as though she’s about to launch into some very detailed questioning about why I’m not a countess, so smiling at her I say, ‘It’s been lovely to meet you, Hetty, but as you can see we are starting to get a little busy now. I do hope you enjoy the sale.’
‘I’m sure I shall,’ Hetty says, obviously deciding now is not the appropriate time for her questions. She picks up one of the romance novels and I see her eyes widen as she glances at the text on a random page.
I leave Hetty and begin to take money from people eager to make purchases from us. Ours is by far the most popular stall at the moment – with everyone making a bee-line towards it when they come through the gates. Partly to buy things, I note, and partly just to have a nose at what we’re getting rid of.
But soon all the stalls seem to be equally busy and I feel a tad less guilty at hogging all the customers.
In a rare lull, I notice Tom talking to an attractive woman with highlighted hair tied up into a bouncy ponytail on top of her head. The woman doesn’t seem to be that interested in buying anything that’s on our stall. Her interest appears to be solely in the stall-holder behind it.
‘Amelia,’ Tom calls, beckoning me across. ‘Come and meet Rachel; she works at the Chesterford Arms – the pub I was telling you about.’
‘Hi,’ Rachel says, nodding her blonde head towards me in greeting. ‘You must be the new lady of the manor I’ve heard so much about.’
‘Hardly,’ I say, smiling at her. ‘Someone just left me in charge, that’s all.’
‘U-ha,’ Rachel says, weakly acknowledging my joke.
‘I was just saying to Rachel that we should get you down to the pub and introduce you to a few more people,’ Tom says eagerly. ‘They’re a good crowd down there. I’m sure they’d love to see you one night.’
Rachel’s expression suggests this was not likely to have been her idea. I get the feeling she’d probably prefer to have Tom to herself.
‘That could be fun,’ I say, smiling deliberately at Rachel. ‘What sort of things do you get up to down there – apart from drink beer, obviously?’
‘We’ve got a pool table, and a dartboard,’ Rachel says flatly, as though this should be more than enough entertainment for anyone.
‘Cool.’ I nod.
‘So what do you reckon, Amelia?’ Tom asks. ‘You up for coming down there one night?’
‘Sure.’ I smile. ‘Why not? Oh, do excuse me, won’t you? We have customers again. Nice to meet you, Rachel.’
‘Likewise,’ Rachel says, barely able to hide the disdain in her voice, and I wonder if the local pub might not be quite as friendly towards me as the school playground has been so far.
‘How can I help you, sir?’ I ask, bounding over to a stout little man waving his hand impatiently at me.
‘How much is this?’ He’s holding up an ancient stuffed dog with a crazy wild-eyed expression, one of my least favourite items on the stall.
‘Er, twenty pounds?’
He pulls a face. ‘I was thinking more like ten.’
‘Shall we meet in the middle, then?’ I suggest cheerfully. ‘How about fifteen pounds?’
He thinks about this. ‘Twelve,’ he says flatly. ‘It’s probably flea ridden.’
