The Bonbon Girl. Linda Finlay
raucous laugh boomed around the room, spraying more crumbs everywhere. Not for the first time that afternoon, Colenso wished she was anywhere but here.
‘I hope you and your family have settled well on The Lizard, Mr Fenton,’ Caja enquired, breaking the ensuing silence. Knowing she was probing, Colenso shot her mamm a warning look.
‘Alas, I am a widower and not blessed with family. However, I’m gradually settling in, thank you. Though, as you can see, this house is sorely in need of a woman’s touch,’ he shrugged, his eyes sliding towards Colenso, who looked quickly away. He turned back to Caja.
‘Those threadbare drapes at the window, for example, were left by my predecessor and I really need to employ the services of a seamstress.’
‘Why, our Colenso’s also a dab with the needle. Helps Emily sew Her Ladyship’s attire, she do,’ Caja beamed.
‘Does she now? You are indeed useful with your hands, Miss Carne.’ As his speculative gaze sent shivers sliding down her back, the necklace stabbed at her chest. Despite her resolve, she’d found herself unable to remove Mammwynn’s gift but now, as the Ferret sat gawping at her, she wished she had. Pulling her shawl tighter around her, she jumped up and went over to the curtains. Then, as she studied the material, her eye was caught by the vista from the window.
‘Why, you can see virtually the whole of the works from here,’ she cried, staring down at the extent of the factory buildings, derricks and stream. The iron-framed overshot waterwheel with its wooden leat was supported on a huge timber framework that rose like a monster out of the basin of the pond. She could even see along the full length of the wooden jetty where the flat-bottomed barges were moored ready to transport the heavy stone out to the schooners. Being the Sabbath, nothing but the water was moving, but just how much the works had grown was evident.
‘Why, it’s enormous,’ she cried.
‘And I have plans to extend it further,’ Mr Fenton boasted, puffing out his chest. ‘There’ll be more buildings erected and something done to that stream, which I understand weakens in the summer and slows the wheel. Can’t allow production to fall.’
‘You can spy on us workers from up here, then,’ Peder exclaimed, having risen to join her.
‘I prefer the word oversee, Carne,’ Mr Fenton replied mildly. ‘As I’ve said before, I take my responsibilities as manager seriously, very seriously indeed.’
‘Of course, Mr Fenton, sir,’ Peder mumbled, returning to his chair. ‘And what other plans do you have?’ Colenso saw the spark in her father’s eyes and realized he was hoping to find out if there’d be anything in it for him. Although different in class, the two men clearly had similar objectives. However, the manager wouldn’t be drawn.
‘That’s enough talk of shop for one day,’ he said, seemingly amused by his own words. ‘You are here as my guests,’ he added, turning back to Caja. ‘In answer to your question, I have been made most welcome, thank you. Although I must confess that having spent most of my time sorting out the works, I’ve yet to see anything of the surrounding areas. Not being from around these parts, I wouldn’t know where to start. Perhaps, if I were fortunate to have the company of someone who knew the best places to visit, it would be different.’ He shrugged, letting his voice trail away as he took a sip of his tea.
‘Our Colenso here would be the perfect person to escort yer, Mr Carne, sir. She do know all the best spots,’ Peder said excitedly. ‘One turn deserves another, what with yer seeing me get on at the works, like.’
‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose,’ he demurred.
But you will, Colenso thought, a feeling of doom descending like a dark cloud.
‘She would be delighted to, wouldn’t you, Colenso?’
‘But I’m busy with my handfa …’ she began.
‘She’d love to, Mr Carne,’ Caja cut in. ‘There’s nothing you’d like better, is there?’ she added, shooting Colenso a pointed look.
‘And would you be chaperoning me, Mamm?’ she asked sweetly.
‘Goodness, maid. I’m sure there’s no need for that, Mr Fenton here being a respectable man, like,’ Peder said quickly.
‘Well, if that’s agreed, I will call upon you next Sunday, Miss Carne, and you can direct me to places you think will be of interest. I understand that the church towers around here are mostly constructed of blocks of unpolished serpentine rock – and of course, you are knowledgeable on that subject, are you not?’ he smiled, giving her a knowing look.
‘Indeed I am, Mr Fenton,’ she agreed, ignoring his obvious reference to the trinkets she fashioned from offcuts. ‘Both Grade and Ruan Church are built of the stone and the pulpit and lecterns are fine examples of polished serpentine workmanship.’ If she had to spend time with this pompous man, then she’d make sure she did it in public. There were always villagers in the churches on the Sabbath and she’d feel safer in the company of people she knew. It seemed Ferret Fenton had other ideas though.
‘Afterwards we could drive somewhere quieter, partake of afternoon tea, really get to know each other better,’ he suggested, grey eyes glinting silver as they roved over her body. Respectable indeed, Colenso thought, gritting her teeth and pulling her shawl even tighter. The twitch of his lips told her he knew exactly what she was doing but he rose to his feet, saying: ‘Well, it was good of you to come but I really mustn’t detain you any longer.’ Picking up a silver bell, he shook it and immediately the housekeeper appeared.
‘Show my visitors out please, Mrs Grim.’
‘It will be my pleasure, sir,’ she said, turning on her heel and hurrying down the hallway.
‘Thank you for the tea, Mr Fenton, sir,’ Peder said, ushering the others out after the housekeeper.
‘Don’t know why you looks like you’re sucking on a lemon, maid. You’re just the same as us,’ Peder whispered, catching up with the housekeeper as she stood waiting with the door open.
‘I don’t see how you make that out,’ she sniffed.
‘’Tis easy, maid, we’re both workers for Mr Fenton, aren’t we?’
As she sniffed again and firmly pushed the door shut behind them, Peder turned to Colenso.
‘Play your cards right and you could be her boss one day.’ Bemused, Colenso could only stare at her father, but before she could think of a suitable reply, he’d climbed into the waiting trap, her mamm following after him.
The shadows were lengthening as they made their way back up the driveway and through the country lanes. Silhouettes of twisted trees rose out of the dimpsy light, their knots like evil eyes, reminding her of the way Ferret Fenton had gawped at her chest. Gently she fingered her necklace. ‘How I wish you were still here, Mammwynn,’ she whispered. Then her father’s raucous laugh rang out, rousing the roosting rooks and making her shudder. How she hated him for putting her in such an impossible situation. Drawing the ring from her pocket, she placed it firmly back on her finger where it belonged.
To her surprise, a light was flickering in the window when they arrived home. It must mean her brother was back, she thought, her spirits rising. Sure enough, he was hunched over the table studying some papers, a half-empty mug of cold tea beside him.
‘Oh Tomas, am I glad to see you,’ she cried.
‘Hey, little sis,’ he grinned, his dark eyes lighting up. ‘’Tis flatterin’ to get a greetin’ like that. You’re shaking – what’s up?’
‘You wouldn’t believe …’ she began.
‘Remembered where you live, then?’ Peder growled, striding into the room. ‘What’s that you’re reading?’
‘Evening