Page 89 of The Christmas Retreat
‘Yes, a couple of times. She says she was a talented young artist and the ward of Cosmo Caradoc.’
She took another sip of coffee and cut herself a chunk of brie.
‘Gwendoline also mentions later on hearing that Cosmo Caradoc had died in a tragic accident and then, next day, that it seemed Arwen had taken the opportunity to run off with the friends who had been staying in the village. Her absence hadn’t been immediately noticed.’
‘So, if Gwendoline is right, and she ran away, then she can’t have been very happy here, can she?’ I asked.
‘It wouldn’t seem so,’ agreed Evie.
‘My step-grandmother did tell me that Arwen wanted to live with her friends in Cornwall, but Cosmo didn’t think that was suitable and refused his permission – I’d quite forgotten that,’ said Nerys.
Evie gave her one of her bird-bright looks. ‘Well, now we know exactly when she left and why. The death of her guardian obviously meant she was left in peace to make her life in Cornwall, with her friends.’
‘Youaretying up the loose ends, Ma,’ I said. ‘Did Gwendoline have anything else interesting to say?’
‘One or two things – and of course, when I come to writeherbiography, too, the diary will be invaluable.’
As we were finishing lunch, a small, rectangular package arrived for Evie, which she fell on with glad cries.
‘At last! This must be the painting by Arwen that I bought on eBay.’
We gathered round as she took it to one of the small tables and unwrapped it, using kitchen scissors fetched by Rhys.
It was another tiny seascape like the photos I’d seen of thetwo that Charlotte Vane had, but despite its small size, it was a very powerful depiction of the elements: stormy sky and sea.
Nerys seemed particularly interested. ‘I’ve never seen any of her work, and it’s hard to believe this was painted by someone so young!’
‘It is. Unfortunately we can only imagine what she would have become had she not died so tragically early,’ agreed Evie. ‘This one is even better than the two Charlotte Vane has, so perhaps it was painted slightly later.’
She carried off her prize and, while Timon and Pearl returned to the pottery, I got ready to go into St Melangell with Rhys to see the solicitor, feeling rather nervous and glad he would be with me.
But I needn’t have worried, because Mr Jenkins, a pleasant, middle-aged man with sandy hair and eyes the colour of faded denim, assured me that Will had no claim on the proceeds of the cottage and that no solicitor – assuming Will had given him the true facts – would have advised him otherwise.
‘He’s coming here tomorrow and told me to meet him at eleven, at the Star and Stone. Rhys and my mother will be present too, but he doesn’t know that.’
‘It might be best if I was there as well,’ suggested Mr Jenkins. ‘If he arrives thinking he will be meeting you alone, and finds a reception committee, he’ll quickly realize that his position is untenable. I can also advise him that any attempt on his part to have further contact with you would amount to stalking.’
‘That would be wonderful,’ I said gratefully.
‘We’ll pop into the pub and book one of their small private function rooms for an hour tomorrow,’ Rhys said. ‘I know the landlady and I’ll get her to direct Will to the room when he arrives.’
‘There, that’s all settled,’ said Mr Jenkins.
When I thanked him, he added that it all made a change from the usual run of business.
*
It turned out that Rhys had arranged to meet up with Max Prynne in the garden centre cafe before we picked Cariad up, to discuss whether there might be something I could rent for a couple of months.
He was waiting for us when we arrived and once we’d sat down he said, ‘I’ve been thinking about it since you rang me, Rhys. It would just be a short-term let, a couple of months?’
‘Yes, it’s while I find a cottage I want to buy,’ I explained. ‘I’ve sold my old one and put everything into storage so I’m ready to move when I find the right place.’
‘And we all hope she’ll choose to settle round here,’ Rhys put in.
Max grinned at him. ‘I see. Well, in that case I could let you have the West Lodge for two months, if that would suit? It’s at the rear gates near the cliffs. It’s not huge, but it’s been modernized, with a small kitchen and bathroom extension. The head gardener usually lives in it, but the new one has bought a bigger house locally.’
‘Sounds perfect,’ I said gratefully. ‘It would give me the breathing space I need.’
