Page 79 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Don’t even go there,’ I tell him. ‘I’m trying to remain positive about this.’
‘Until the bill comes in from the exterminators.’
‘Yes, that I am a tad worried about. Money is starting to run extremely short, and until our visitor numbers increase and they hopefully start spending money in the gift shop and the tea room in addition to their entrance fee, then I can’t see any way of making any fast.’
‘Oh,’ Benji says, ‘that is a worry.’
‘I know. Please don’t tell the others, though; I don’t want them worrying too. We need to remain positive that this summer we’ll see more visitors through the grounds than we’ve ever seen before.’
‘Fingers crossed.’
‘It’ll take more than crossed fingers. I’ve been working on a comprehensive marketing and publicity plan to launch Chesterford Castle back into the public’s minds and make them want to come and visit us.’
Benji, a little worryingly, simply nods.
‘Are you heading back to the castle immediately?’ I ask him when he doesn’t say anything to back my plans. ‘Or do you want to tag along and collect Charlie from school?’
‘Sure, why not? I was on my way back to do some more reading this afternoon, but I guess that can wait.’
‘What are you reading?’ I ask as we walk along together towards the school.
‘I was going to ask if I could borrow something of yours, actually.’
‘Really, what?’
‘Clara’s diaries. I started to read some of them when I was babysitting at the weekend, and I’m keen to finish them.’
‘Sure, I’ve not got through all of them myself yet. I never seem to get time for reading any more – there’s always something to do, and I’m often too tired at night, I just want to go straight to sleep when I get into bed.’
‘They’re actually extremely interesting,’ Benji begins. ‘The reason I want to finish them is there’s something that doesn’t quite make sense to me.’
‘Oh yes?’ I ask, but then I notice several mothers and children already exiting the school gates. I glance at my watch. ‘Damn,’ I say, suddenly hurrying along the street. ‘My watch has stopped working. We must be late!’
Luckily we’re only a few minutes late, and Charlie is waiting for us at the door when we get to his classroom.
‘I’m so sorry,’ I tell Miss Gardener, his teacher. ‘I’ve just realised my watch has stopped.’
‘Not a problem,’ Miss Gardener says, glancing with interest at Benji.
‘Oh, this is Benji, I mean Mr Benjamin,’ I tell her. ‘He’s a friend who lives at the castle with us.’
‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Gardener,’ Benji says, shaking hands with Charlie’s teacher.
‘Likewise,’ Miss Gardener says, smiling shyly at Benji.
‘Right, well, we’d better be going,’ I say, looking between the two of them. Miss Gardener is still gazing at Benji, but Benji is already taking Charlie’s PE kit off him and enquiring how his day has been.
‘Bye, Charlie!’ Miss Gardener calls. ‘Goodbye, Mr Benjamin!’
Benji casually lifts his hand as he departs.
‘She likes you,’ I tell him, as we all walk back towards the castle together. Well, Benji and I do. Charlie insists on dashing on ahead, then waiting for us to catch up with him when he reaches a corner or a bend in the road.
‘Who does?’ Benji asks innocently.
‘Don’t play coy with me, Benji, you know perfectly well who – Miss Gardener, of course.’
Benji still looks none the wiser.
