Page 58 of A Snowy Seaside Christmas
‘I’ve printed off a copy of the ledger for you to have for your own records.’ Louisa passed her an A4-sized envelope.
‘Thank you.’
‘And as for the pistol, I’ve locked that away in the safe until my friend can get here. We’ll need to get it decommissioned before it can go on display. But as soon as I have any further information about it, I’ll let you know.’
‘Thanks, Louisa, I appreciate that.’
‘You’re welcome. Now, after all that excitement, can I get you a cup of tea?’
‘Actually, how would you feel about having a cuppa back at my place? There’s something else I’d like to show you.’
‘That would be lovely, and I have to say, after the last lot of stuff you had to show me, I’m more than a little intrigued.’
‘I think you’ll like what it is, but I won’t say anything more. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.’
‘The plot thickens.’ Louisa grinned. ‘I’ll just fetch my coat.’
Moments later Louisa was back, shrugging her bag on her shoulder. ‘Is there any point me driving to your house?’
Lark explained how there was no direct parking but that she could use the small parking area for locals which was closer to Seashell Cottage than the heritage centre, though not by much.
‘But my logic is the less time spent in that savage wind, the better,’ said Lark. Louisa readily agreed.
‘Oh, this is so cosy!’ Louisa stood in the living room of Seashell Cottage as Lark headed over to the wood burner and opened the spin wheels to let more air into the firepit. Then, she threw on a handful of sticks followed by a couple of eco-logs. In a matter of seconds, flames were leaping around behind the glass.
‘It’s usually a lot toastier but with me being out most of the day, the fire’s died down a bit. It’ll warm up quickly though.’
‘It’s a good deal warmer than my house at the moment. I think the boiler’s on the blink so I’ll have to get it looked at or replaced. How typical that it starts to act up just before Christmas.’ Louisa gave a resigned shrug.
‘I’ll make us a cup of tea in a minute, but there’s something I’d like to show you first. Make yourself comfy, I’ll just be a tick.’
Lark was back in a flash, a large leather suitcase in her hand. ‘Here’s what I wanted to show you.’ She eased the coffee table out of the way and set the suitcase down on the rug. ‘It’s Betty’s suitcase.’ She flicked open the clasps and lifted the lid.
‘Oh, how wonderful!’ Louisa said, pressing her hands together as she peered in at the items Lark had replaced with care.
After the two women had finished poring over the garments, Louisa sat back and said, ‘That’s a snapshot of Micklewick Bay history captured in a suitcase. It’s incredibly rare to have so many items of clothing kept together from the same era. And as for that wedding dress, I’d say it’s definitely made of parachute silk.’
‘Which is why I’d like to donate them to the museum. It struck me the other day that it didn’t feel right to sell them in my shop. They’ve been together all these years, and they should still be kept together.’
‘I don’t know what to say. You and Nate have already been so generous.’
‘It’s not about being generous. It’s more that if it helps resurrect Betty’s memory, and gives visitors a proper idea of a real person from the town at a particular time in history, with her actual clothes, then I’m more than happy.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m positive.’
‘Goodness, it’ll be quite a draw and increase our footfall. Thank you so much, Lark. I can see why your father is so proud of you.’
The two women drank their tea, chatting about Micklewick Bay, Lark’s Vintage Bazaar, and the museum Louisa had worked at before the heritage centre. Lark kept mention of her father to a minimum, not wanting Louisa to think she was being interrogated.
When she’d gone, with Betty’s suitcase in hand, Lark acknowledged to herself that the more she got to know Louisa, the more she liked her. And more than that, she was struck by the feeling that her father and Louisa were destined to have along relationship. She got a sense of marriage, and contented days with their matching laid-back and genial personalities.
The understanding that her dad was in a pair of kind and caring hands, meant Lark was free to head to Thailand with a clear conscience and without worrying she was leaving her dad on his own.
THIRTY-SIX
FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER
