Page 102 of The Little Flower Shop By the Sea
‘Do you have a board?’ Ash asks. ‘’Cos you can borrow one of mine if not?’
‘I have a board, just don’t use it very often.’
‘Then we’ll have to get her waxed up!’
Ash and Charlie begin to talk enthusiastically to each other about surfing, and after a few minutes I decide this might be a good time to slip away. I have something important to do.
After Stan had told me the story of the Victorian pictures, we’d talked some more about his collection:
‘Stan, would these pictures be worth anything, do you think?’ I ask, an idea springing into my mind. Ever since he’d confided in me about his financial situation, I’d been trying desperately to think how I might help him remain at Camberley.
‘Oh yes, without a doubt. Especially if they could be sold as a set with the letter from Queen Victoria. If we knew where they all were, it would be a very valuable collection indeed.’
I nod, still thinking. ‘Well, we know where the purple rose is – I have that back at the cottage. The sweet pea is definitely at Lou’s – I’ve seen it myself.’ Although the last time I’d been in Lou’s cottage, the hall walls were bare because she was decorating. But I was pretty sure she wouldn’t get rid of the picture if Stan had given it to her. ‘But what about the other two?’
‘I left one at the castle,’ Stan says, looking shame-faced. ‘A forget-me-not.’
‘Why did you leave it there? You must have known it was worth something.’
‘I was in a bad way when I had to leave Trecarlan, Poppy. I barely remembered to pack my toothbrush, let alone a picture of a flower I’d long forgotten the importance of. And the picture is worthless on its own, the value comes from it being part of a set.’
‘Of course.’ Not wanting to dwell on the subject of him losing his home, I ask, ‘But what about the picture of a pink carnation, the one you gave to this Isabelle? That can’t be in St Felix. How on earth are we going to find that one?’
‘Oh, what does it matter, Poppy?’ Stan sighs. ‘That was all a long time ago. You need to concentrate on the present, on your flower shop and your beaux.’
‘No, Stan, I won’t rest until I know you’re secure here at Camberley. I owe it to you.’
‘Poppy, love, you don’t owe me anything.’
‘I do, Stan. I abandoned you for over fifteen years while I wallowed in my own misery. Now I’m going to make it right.’
I take a quick look around the ballroom; everyone seems to be busy dancing, drinking or chatting.
‘I’ll be back in a bit,’ I murmur to Ash.
‘Yeah, babe,’ he says, immediately turning back to Charlie. Finding a fellow surfer seems to have cheered Ash up no end.
I take another quick look around the room. Jake is still dancing with Belle, the tempo has slowed, and they are swaying to the music together. Belle’s arms are draped provocatively over Jake’s shoulders, but Jake’s hands, I’m relieved to see, are resting formally on Belle’s waist. As I watch them I notice he’s looking around as if he’s wondering how to get away. Amber has asked Woody to dance – it must have been that way around; I’m sure Woody wouldn’t have had the nerve to ask Amber. Lou, surprisingly, is dancing with Ant, and Rita and Richie are busy serving drinks to Dec at the bar. Great, everyone that might notice is otherwise occupied, there’s no one else that will miss me if I slip away for a while.
Unnoticed by Charlie and Ash, I make my way towards the door. Then, taking one quick look to check I haven’t been seen, I slip out into the hall.
Stan had told me that he’d hidden the last picture, along with the original letter from Queen Victoria, in the cellar of Trecarlan.
So that is where I’m heading.
This was my first opportunity since Stan had told me the story to be at Trecarlan without someone else present. On my previous visits I’d either been with Bronte and Charlie, overseeing the arrangements for tonight, or Amber, setting out the beautiful pedestal arrangements full of flowers from Jake’s nursery. Even when I had tried to come up here with Basil on the pretence of a walk, Ash had intercepted us along the way, saying he was heading up to the castle to trim the lawns.
Tonight, even though the castle is full of people, everyone’s busy having fun in the ballroom. There’s not a soul in sight as I head through the main hall, then down some stone steps into the original servants’ quarters, flicking on lights as I go. Although we’d used this area of the castle during the wedding, it was freaking me out a bit, being down here on my own. The castle was hundreds of years old, what if it had ghosts?
‘Stop it, Poppy,’ I tell myself. ‘There’s no such thing. You’ve been spending too much time with Amber.’
The cellar entrance, as I recall, is not far away from the kitchen. I’d noticed it the other day when I’d been down here. But as I rattle on the handle of the wooden door, I realise it’s locked.
Damn!
Where would the key have been kept?
The kitchen, perhaps? I remember Babs keeping a collection of keys pegged up on some black iron hooks inside her pantry. Could they possibly still be there?
