The Secret of Trefusis Cove – Episode 09
The Secret of Trefusis Cove by Pat Thornborough
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- 9. The Secret of Trefusis Cove – Episode 09
- 10. The Secret of Trefusis Cove – Episode 10
- 11. The Secret of Trefusis Cove – Episode 11
- 12. The Secret of Trefusis Cove – Episode 12
“Wake up, Betty!”
Betty Silk woke from the dream of a delightful aromatic bath with candles and a glass of wine to find Val in dressing-gown and slippers, shaking her shoulder.
“What is it? What’s happened?” She threw back the duvet, sat up and shuffled her feet on the floor to locate her slippers.
“Nothing, I just want you to come and see this!” Val helped her into her dressing-gown and guided her to the open front door of Tangara Cottage.
Betty rubbed her eyes.
“Oh.” She sighed. “I never imagined it could be as lovely as this.”
They looked out over the cove. Betty had no idea of the time but it felt early. There was a cool breeze and the tide was halfway across the bay.
The whole scene was magical, the sun dancing on the wavelets, making the water look as if it were scattered with diamonds.
A stretch of sandy beach reached nearly to the grass in front of the cottage.
“We have to have breakfast out here,” Val decided. “I don’t want to miss one moment of this.”
“There will be lots of mornings like this one, Val.” Betty smiled.
“But this is the first. Stay where you are. I’m going to get my camera.”
She left and returned with her camera and a hairbrush.
“Here, let me settle your hair down. You look like the wreck of the Hesperus.”
Betty grinned as her friend tidied up her unruly hair.
“Now, stand on the grass with your back to the view.”
“Wearing my tatty old dressing-gown?” Betty grimaced, but didn’t have the heart to deter her old friend from her creative moment.
“It’ll look lovely in the photo.” Val aimed the camera. “Smile!”
“Good morning, ladies.” Kit Pelago approached, carrying a carton of milk and a loaf of bread. “I thought you’d like something fresh.”
“How kind.” Betty smiled. “We’re breakfasting out here – it’s so lovely.”
“Isn’t it?” Kit gazed over the water. “I never tire of it. Did you sleep well?”
“Like a top,” Val said.
Kit handed the milk and bread to Betty.
“These are on the house. If there’s anything you want to keep fresh you can stow it in my fridge in the shop.
“Peter does that at times, although he mostly dines at the Crab and Mermaid of an evening. He’s hardly any need for a fridge.”
“Thank you. Kit, can I ask you something? You may be able to solve a mystery.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“Just after eleven last night there was a sort of heavy rumbling sound. We thought at first it was thunder, but there was no rain and no lightning.
“It sounded as if it was high up at the back of the cottage. It was just for a moment or two, then all was quiet again.”
Kit was silent for a moment then turned and looked out at the cove.
“Don’t worry yourselves about that. It’s no harm, and nothing that you should get involved with. We take no notice; Aircut and me just ignores it.”
“But what is it?”
“Least said the better. It happens most nights. You won’t pay no heed after a while.”
He turned back to them.
“I must get along to the shop now, there’ll be folks wanting bread, milk and the papers. Come and see me if there’s anything you want.”
He gave a wave and made his way back in the direction of the little store.
“That was odd,” Val said.
“He can’t have that many customers. The place seems deserted apart from Aircut’s place and us.”
“We don’t really know that yet,” Val replied. “We haven’t explored. Let’s have breakfast and then take a walk around.”
