Page 53 of Summer at Harbour View House
‘Hey, boy,’ he said, a grin on his wisened old face. ‘I remember ‘e. You’s did work experience on me old farm one year, didn’t ‘e? I had ‘e muck out the cowshed and ‘e slipped in the crap. You got that bit in you’s mouth, didn’t ‘e? Don’t think ‘e’s washed it out since, has ‘e? Still see a bit of brown straw pokin’ out of ‘e’s lip there.’
Frowning, Paul lifted a hand and tentatively touched the side of his mouth. From behind Jago came a smattering of laughter, and even Paul’s two companions were struggling to hide their amusement.
‘Enjoy your little party while you can,’ Paul said, backing away. ‘Once Penkoe is a privately owned, beach parties will be banned.’
Someone behind then booed. Quickly it became a chorus of booing and hissing, ‘bah-humbugs’ and cries of ‘get back under your rock!’
They waited until Paul Stoat and his companions had got back into the car and driven away. The mood had soured somewhat, but someone began to beat out a rhythm on a piece of driftwood, and soon a lively chant had begun, people dancing on the sand around the fire.
Natasha realised she was still holding on to Ben’s fist. She gave it a quick squeeze as though to tell him it was over, then let go. When she looked up at Ben, though, he had a single tear running down his cheek.
‘You should have let me crack him one,’ he said.
‘It wouldn’t have helped. It would probably have just made him worse, and got you in trouble.’
‘But it would have made me feel better. You see, he’s right. He’s right about everything. I lost my career in that fall, but whatever. That’s nothing. I can handle that. But he’s not interested in just belittling me. He wants to destroy the whole village. And the problem is, we can’t stop him. There’s only a handful of local people, and they’re quickly being priced out of everything. The rich people moving in don’t care. Pinkle is doomed and there’s nothing we can do about it.’
‘That’s no way to think,’ Natasha said. ‘There must be something we can do.’
The “we” had come out before she could check herself, but as she said it, she realised it was true. It had only taken a couple of weeks for the rough, unrefined magic of Penkoe to seep into her, but it was there now, manifesting itself, making her part of it. She wanted to see this place thrive, not become a glass palace playground for Paul Stoat and his friends.
‘There’s nothing we can do,’ Ben said.
But an idea was already starting to form in Natasha’s mind. It was a long shot, but it might be worth a try.
‘I have to go,’ she said. ‘I need to speak to someone.’
20
An Attempt at Persuasion and a Surprise Party
Eddie stared at them a moment,then shook his head. ‘Sorry. Not happening. No way.’
Natasha nudged Hannah in the ribs. ‘You smile at him. Mine’s not convincing enough.’
Hannah tilted her head, rose up on tiptoes and gave Eddie her best Barbie doll grin. ‘Pleeeeeease?’
‘No. It’s been more than thirty years. Having a rage out in the front garden is one thing, but actually doing it again in front of people, that’s quite another.’
Hannah lifted the CD Eddie had given her. ‘I haven’t had a chance to give it to my dad yet, but me and Nat had a listen last night, after a glass of wine. It’s amazing. I mean, it’s a bit Eighties cheesy, but my dad and his mates will love it.’
‘And you had that big hit,’ Natasha said. ‘Wouldn’t it be great to play it in front of people again?’
‘Are you girls actually for real? How much have you drunk today?’
‘Just a glass of milk,’ Hannah said. ‘With some collagen mix.’
‘Three coffees,’ Natasha added.
‘Come on, Eddie,’ Hannah said. ‘It’s for a good cause.’
‘Jago said we could use the field,’ Natasha said. ‘He’s got a mate on the local council, so getting the regs and all that cleared won’t be a problem. All you have you do is say yes. Proceeds go to the village and the local people, and you get to say you’ve saved a community from being swallowed up by the corporate machine.’
Eddie winced and shook his head. He leaned on the doorframe as though without it he might collapse.
‘It’s not just about me,’ he said. ‘I’m just one man. Cowslip was a band.’
‘Wouldn’t the other members want to do it again? Surely it would be such a thrill,’ Hannah said.
