Page 46 of Summer in Sunset Harbour
‘Why don’t we ask Robinson? Isn’t he a geologist? He might be able to help.’
Josie grimaced. ‘I’d rather not involve him. Anyway, he’s up in London.’
‘But he comes down every few days to check on Nat.’ She picked up a newly installed dial phone. ‘I can call Nat now, find out when he’s back—’
‘No!’
‘Mum?’
Josie lowered the hands she had lifted as though vainly trying to ward off an approaching lorry. ‘Look … I’ll talk to Hilda about it. She’ll know what to do.’
‘She’ll probably tell you to ask Robinson.’
Josie scowled. ‘Haven’t you got some web-designing to do?’
Feeling restless and unable to concentrate on any tasks needing to be done, Josie walked up to the main road, then back towards Porth Melynos, planning to drop in on Hilda. Her friend’s large house, sitting right at the top of the hill, had a spectacular view over the village and the harbour. Josie hadn’t called ahead, thinking she would surprise Hilda, and picked up a couple of scones in a little bakery along the way, just to ease the shock. Hilda would likely be out in her greenhouses, tending to her multitude of plants, some of which existed nowhere else in the world.
Hilda always had time for her, and even though Josie didn’t like to admit it, she always treasured Hilda’s advice. She had so much more world experience. She would know what to do, about the campsite, about the hole, even about Robinson.
Just act like a river and go with the flow, my wonder. Don’t fret it all so much.
Like a calming summer breeze, Hilda’s voice was already playing in Josie’s mind as she came around the last corner. It was what Josie needed; it would make everything better—
She dropped the bag of scones and let out a horrified shriek.
Outside Hilda’s front door, where her gardening van and her motorbike were usually parked, stood a waiting ambulance.
22
Hilda’s Secret
‘Excuse me, what’s going on?’Josie said, leaning through the ambulance’s open rear doors. It was empty, but just as she was wondering whether to go into the house, voices came from the garden. Two paramedics appeared, carrying a stretcher, another jogging alongside. Josie let out another gasp at the sight of Hilda lying on the stretcher.
‘What happened?’ she gasped.
‘Madam, please stand back,’ said one paramedic, waving her aside as they made for the ambulance’s rear doors.
‘It’s nothing,’ Hilda said, turning her head and trying to sit up as the two carrying the stretcher lifted her into the back of the ambulance. ‘Just a turn, that’s all.’
‘Can I come with you?’
‘I’m sorry, madam,’ said the first paramedic. ‘Are you a next of kin?’
‘I’m her best friend.’
The paramedics looked at each other. ‘We’re taking Ms. Lewisham to Derriford in Plymouth,’ one said, as another shut the rear doors.
‘Thank you.’
‘Perhaps you could bring an overnight bag?’
Josie just nodded, face roaring with heat, as they climbed into the ambulance. Then, lights blaring and siren wailing, it sped away up the road.
Josie, hands shaking, pulled her phone out of her pocket. She tried Tiffany, but it directed immediately to voicemail. Starting to panic, she nearly dropped the phone, before remembering the landline Tiffany had installed in the reception. Her daughter had called Josie’s phone to test whether it worked.
She searched her received calls list. There it was: an unfamiliar number. She quickly dialled it back.
‘Good morning, Porth Melynos Caravan and Camping Park,’ came a spritely voice. ‘This is Tiffany speaking. How may I help you on this wonderful sunny day?’
