Page 29 of A Cornish Wedding Retreat
Maggie laughed along with him, but a sliver of uneasiness ran through her.
‘Hey, honey, it’s just a house. It’s nothing to do with us.’ He slid his arm around her shoulder.
She wanted to be reassured but knew it hadeverythingto do with them. This wasn’t real life for either of them. It didn’t matter whether it happened in three days or three weeks, at some point the fantasy would blow up and they’d be faced with the truth.
Gently he turned her to face him. ‘Don’t create obstacles. Be open to new possibilities.’
‘You sound like a fortune cookie,’ she jibed.
‘If you weren’t guarding that cake with your life I’d kiss you senseless to stop the nonsense you’re spouting. But sadly it’d only give Audrey looking down on us from her vantage point more ammunition.’
‘Do you think she’s watching?’
‘Yep, I’d bet anything on it and if we’re even thirty seconds late I’ll get the blame.’ He grinned and brandished the flowers like a weapon. ‘Come on. Let’s go and have tea.’
‘Right.’ With a resigned sigh Maggie led the way. She opened the front door and stepped into the massive rectangular entrance hall.
‘Very dramatic. The architect knew how to make a stunning first impression.’ Chad’s dry comment made her smile.
Maggie loved the dark green and white geometric tiles, stained glass windows and sweeping wrought-iron staircase, always imagining herself arriving here ready for a glamorouscocktail party. ‘We could take the lift but I’m sure Audrey would prefer us to walk. You’ll get an amazing view over the beach and the town plus appreciate the design of the house far better.’
* * *
I also get to spend longer with you, always a bonus. Chad let Maggie walk on up first and followed slowly behind her. On the way he made mental notes of everything he saw, determined to come back and take pictures another day. His father wouldn’t believe it unless he had proof.
‘Here we are.’ She gestured towards a set of stainless steel and glass doors. Chad sensed her nervousness increase and her fingers tightened around the square white cake box.
Before Maggie could touch the doorbell a young woman popped her head out around and beckoned them inside. ‘Mrs Trembarth is waiting for you. I’m Louise Giles, her assistant.’
Out of the corner of his eye Chad spotted an intriguing sculpture sitting in the middle of a small oval table and couldn’t resist taking a closer look.
‘Do you recognise that?’ Audrey’s challenge rang out from the far end of the room.
‘Of course. Eric Gill’s Divine Lovers. 1923. Excellent copy.’
Maggie stifled a laugh and he winked to tell her they were in this together.
‘Hmm. Come over where I can see you both.’ Audrey beckoned to them, her silhouette framed by the distinctive radius bay windows behind her; one aspect of Art Deco style he particularly admired.
‘These are for you.’ Chad proffered the flowers and caught the older woman’s quick flash of surprise before she gave him a slight nod. ‘Louise will take them away to arrange later. Do sit down so we can have our tea and talk.’
You mean you’ll talk and we’ll listen.
‘I made one of your favourite coffee and walnut cakes this morning,’ Maggie ventured, holding out the box. She received a slight half-smile in return which he guessed indicated extreme happiness in Audrey’s book.
‘Thank you, dear. Louise will cut it up for us,’ Audrey decreed, passing the box over.
A tea tray loaded with striking brightly coloured china was set down on the glass coffee table in front of them and Chad stared in amazement at the distinctive triangular pattern. It was probably bad manners but he picked up the nearest cup and upturned it to read the words on the bottom. He let out a low whistle.‘Hand painted Bizarre by Clarice Cliff, Newport Pottery England.’
‘Do you like it, Mr Robertson?’ Audrey’s sharp tone was belied by the shine lighting up her pale blue eyes.
‘I sure do, ma’am.’ He didn’t attempt to hide his admiration. ‘My father has been an avid collector for years and I’m a particular admirer of Clarice Cliff’s early works. This is nineteen twenty-seven or eight I’d say. The on-glaze enamel colours are what make it so bright. I’ve never seen a complete set outside of a museum.’
Maggie scrutinised them both as though they’d come from another planet. He’d forgotten she knew very little about him outside of his non-existent cooking abilities and his talents in . . . other areas that he didn’t dare think about right now.
‘They were a wedding gift from my late husband in homage to my Clarice Cliff obsession. We’d recently inherited this house from my parents and the china was a perfect fit,’ Audrey explained and turned to Maggie. ‘I’m afraid your new boyfriend would prefer to drool over my Art Deco collection rather than discuss what Ireallybrought you here to talk about.’
‘Not at all. I’ll come back another day to . . . drool, as you so delicately phrased it, if I’m invited of course,’ Chad said, hoping he’d succeeded in convincing her that he wasn’t an ignorant lout.
