Page 31 of Snowfall Over Halesmere House
‘Are you always this suspicious, Stan?’ Ella spotted a range of small, hand-carved animals on a shelf. They were beautiful, delicate and lifelike. ‘Did you make those? They’re lovely.’
‘Aye, when I ’ave a few minutes spare.’
‘Are you coming to the pub or not?’
‘Who’s payin’?’
‘Me, of course. I wouldn’t expect Max to without asking him first.’
‘Aye, I’ll come. Anyone else you want me to fetch?’
‘Anyone you think might be interested in helping Halesmere support local arts and food producers.’
‘An’ who would I know who does that?’
She gave him a smile and put her mug down. ‘Because you know everyone, Stan, and I think you might just be Halesmere’s secret weapon.’
‘Am I?’ His chin rose a fraction at her praise. ‘Aye, well, Pearl always said I was dangerous.’ He winked. ‘If you know what I mean.’
‘I get the picture very clearly.’ Ella winked back and saw him grin. ‘Let’s talk about those barn doors – and the big window frame at the back is rotting too.’
‘I can’t be too long.’ Stan checked a wooden clock on the wall. ‘Noelle needs me for me sittin’.’
‘You what?’ Ella nearly choked on her last mouthful of mince pie and a few crumbs hit the sawdust on the floor. ‘Did I hear you right?’
‘Can’t say, Ella, you’ll just ’ave to wait an’ see. Noelle says she’s puttin’ me in ’er exhibition. I’m keepin’ me ’at on.’ He pulled a face, head on one side. ‘It’s not a five-minute job, you know, them doors.’
‘I do.’ Ella had almost recovered from the idea of Stan sitting for Noelle and quickly explained her ideas. He was enthusiastic, telling her he didn’t really have enough to do and was afraid of being forced to retire, or ‘slung on the slag ’eap’, as he preferred to call it. They parted a few minutes later and Ella headed back to the house. She had work to do and for that she needed Wi-Fi.
Rowan was younger than Ella expected when they met in her unit on the tiny industrial estate on the edge of town, probably mid-twenties, with short brunette hair and warm hazel eyes. She was very happy to show Ella around her bakery and interested to hear of her career and what had brought her to Halesmere. She wasn’t familiar with the house and accepted an invitation to the supper Ella was planning next month, and they promised to keep in touch.
Ella carried on into town and found the coffee shop where she and Marta had arranged to meet to discuss the candles Ella had found in the community shop. The cafe, just up the road from the college where Marta taught, was all pale wood and Scandi in style with Christmas decorations to match, not the cosy country tearoom Ella had been expecting. She recognised Marta from her social media, sitting at a table at the back, and headed over.
‘Hi, I’m Ella.’ She offered a hand and Marta took it, standing to greet her with a grin.
‘Ella, hi, come and join me. Marta.’ Marta pushed a laptop and a glass of water out of the way. ‘I haven’t ordered yet. I can recommend the Florentines if you’d like a treat.’
‘That sounds perfect, I’d love one.’ Ella still felt a little tired after the late night with Max, and she thought the sugar might help. She took a notebook from her bag. ‘Thank you for agreeing to see me.’
‘A pleasure. My candles have become a bit of an obsession, so it’s lovely to chat to someone who’s happy to listen.’ Marta’s rich dark hair suited her colouring, and her eyes were a velvety brown above full lips. She had an attractive and expressive face, and Ella already sensed they were going to get on.
‘Pearl said you make them alongside your career at the college?’
‘Yes, I teach art and design. Full-time, so evenings and weekends are often spent pouring.’ Marta beamed at the waitress who’d come over, and she and Ella both ordered Florentines with flat whites. ‘One of those hobbies that quickly became a passion. I gave some to friends and before I knew it, I was getting requests that turned into orders and now I have a website.’
‘How brilliant. I’ve seen the website and I’m following you on Instagram. Your social media is gorgeous, and the candles are so elegant and simple. I’m already part way down my first, I light it whenever I’m in the house.’
‘Thank you, Ella, I’m so happy you’re enjoying it. Which one did you choose?’
‘Autumn. It’s lovely, it reminds me of being outdoors crunching through leaves and the scent of berries.’
Marta clapped her hands together. ‘Then you have the meaning exactly. I was trying to capture the warmth of amber with the scent of moss I find everywhere here.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘So many stone walls, so many ancient woodlands.’
Their coffees arrived and Ella picked up her delicate Florentine, already detecting the aroma of dark chocolate and ginger. ‘I read on your website that you’re inspired by the Cumbrian landscape?’
‘Yes, so very different to San Sebastián, where I grew up.’ Marta wiped a trace of coffee from her lips. ‘I see you wondering how I ended up living in the damp English Lake District instead of the Spanish sunshine.’
‘I was. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be nosy.’
