Читать книгу The Sweethearts Collection - Pam Jenoff - Страница 44

Chapter 34

The next morning, her head still spinning from dreaming of Kitto, Colenso let herself into the little shop. She polished the counter, replenished the jars and set about arranging fresh lollipops and rock in their rainbow window. They would need to come up with a new theme for the autumn, she thought, standing back to check the effect. A face peering through the glass made her jump. It looked like Kitto, she thought, rubbing her eyes, certain they were playing tricks. A tap on the window, that cheeky grin. It was Kitto.

Heart pounding, she unlocked the door just as he hurled himself through it. Then she was in his arms and he was hugging her as though he’d never let her go.

‘I thought you were dead,’ she gasped when he finally released her.

‘So did I. And for a long time, I nearly was,’ he murmured, pulling her close and kissing her hard on the lips.

‘Kitto,’ she began but, unable to resist, gave herself up to his embrace.

Lost in the wondrous moment, they didn’t hear Garren come in. It was only when he coughed that they realized he was there and sprang apart.

‘Oh Garren, Kitto has come back,’ she cried, tears of joy coursing down her cheeks.

‘So I see,’ he said quietly.

‘I need some time with my girl, sir. Would you excuse her for a while so we can catch up?’

‘Yes, of course. Take as long as you need, Colenso,’ he told her, his eyes grave.

‘But it’s time to open the shop,’ she began, suddenly aware of where her loyalties now lay.

‘I’ll see to the customers. You go with Kitto. I’m sure you will have much to discuss,’ he told her.

Hands tightly clasped, as if by tacit consent, they made their way down to the beach. The sun was rising, bathing the bay in its rosy glow while the light early-morning breeze carried the tang of salt. Everywhere suddenly looked so vibrant, smelt so fresh.

‘God, Cali, I’ve missed you so,’ Kitto murmured, enfolding her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head and even through the material of her scarf, she could feel the warmth of his lips. ‘I’ve dreamed of this moment so often over the past months, although I must admit I never envisaged you swathed in white,’ he chuckled. Colenso stared down at her apron and grimaced.

‘In all the excitement of seeing you again, I quite forgot to take it off.’

‘Don’t worry, it suits you. Oh Cali, you could be wearing anything or nothing for all I care.’ Realizing what he’d said, he stopped. ‘I was going to apologize but that conjures up such a wonderful vision, I’m not going to,’ he told her. Too happy to object, she contented herself with giving him a playful nudge in the side, which led to more kissing and cuddling.

It was sometime later that they became aware of people watching and so they reluctantly broke apart. They wandered along the shoreline, not speaking, just savouring the pleasure of being together again. Only when they neared the hustle and bustle of the harbour at Newlyn did they seek the shelter and privacy the rocks afforded. He spread his jacket and made a sweeping gesture with his hand.

‘If my lady would care to take a seat.’

‘Why, thank you, kind sir,’ she responded, entering into the spirit of things. They sat staring at each other for a long moment.

‘How are you?’

‘How have you been?’ As ever, they spoke at the same time. Laughing, he took her hand in his, running his thumb over her palm in the way she loved so much. ‘Good to see we’re still in tune, Cali. These past few months have been hell.’

‘I know,’ she agreed. ‘When I heard you were dead I wanted to die too. I was told that your ship had gone down with all hands lost,’ she told him, her words breaking on a sob. He pulled her close.

‘It’s true the barge sank in a heavy swell. Never seen waves like it before and never want to again,’ he shuddered. ‘All I can remember is the water covering me, filling my lungs until I thought I’d burst. Next thing I knew I was waking up in some strange bed. Apparently, I’d been unconscious for quite some time.’

‘And did they tell you what had happened?’ she asked.

‘Only that when the boat broke up on the beach I was dragged onto the sands by fishermen who’d been watching from the shore. I’d busted my leg, fractured ribs. I was a sorry sight, I can tell you. If it hadn’t been for the care of those wonderful strangers I would have been a goner.’ He let out a long sigh, his eyes on the distant horizon, lost in another world, another time. She snuggled into him, revelling in the warmth of his chest, the familiar smell that was him.

‘Then I am grateful to those strangers for nursing you back to health,’ she told him.

‘And you, Cali? How have you fared? Are you cross that I have taken so long to return?’ he asked, dark eyes turning their gaze on her.

‘No,’ she sighed, remembering her accusations of the previous year. ‘I’m just thankful you are alive and have come back.’ He smiled and pulled her tighter.

‘I’ll not return to the Wherrytown works after this. Word has it they’re in a pretty bad way anyhow. Shall we return home to Cadgwith? I’m sure I can get another start at Poltesco,’ he asked. She smiled happily for, with the Ferret gone and Father existing in a stupor, there was no reason not to go back. Then, as if someone had thrown a bucket of icy water over her, she remembered her promise.

‘Oh Kitto, I can’t,’ she wailed. ‘If only you’d come back sooner.’

‘So you are cross that I’ve taken this long getting back,’ he sighed.

‘I’m truly pleased you’re safe and it’s wonderful to be with you again but …’ her voice trailed off and she stared helplessly at him.

‘But what?’ he frowned.

‘I’m promised to another,’ she whispered.

‘You what,’ he shouted, his voice echoing as it bounced off the rocks. ‘Hell’s teeth, I’ve not been gone that long. Who … oh, don’t tell me, it’s that confectioner, isn’t it?’

‘Garren’s been very good to me, Kitto. He and his father looked after me while I was grieving for you. If they hadn’t I don’t know what would have happened to me.’

‘What you’re saying is, he’s taken advantage of your helpless state. Well, in case you’ve forgotten, I’m your betrothed.’

‘But I thought you were dead, Kitto. Please understand that I was trying to get over you. I’ve been so unhappy, desolate even. When I thought I had nothing to live for, he offered me comfort and hope for the future.’

He let out another long sigh. ‘It’s been hard on us both, I can see that. Come on, let’s go back and speak with him. Ask him to release you from a promise made under duress.’

‘But it wasn’t. I like and respect him.’

‘But do you love him?’ he asked, gazing at her intently. Slowly, she shook her head.

‘Well then?’

‘I’m sorry, Kitto, I promised and I could never go back on that,’ she mumbled, tears welling as she got to her feet. ‘No, please don’t,’ she added as he made to follow. ‘I’ll go back by myself.’

‘God, you’re stubborn,’ he muttered. ‘But know this, Colenso Carne. I love you and will not rest till you are mine.’

Hot tears coursing down her cheeks, she stumbled back along the beach. How could the day that had seen her deepest dream come true end like this? Because you made a promise to a good and kind man, she told herself. A good, kind man who looked out for you in your hour of need and you will not renege on your promise to him.

By the time she got back to the shop, it was lunchtime. Garren took one look at her face and ushered her straight through to the workshop.

‘You need tea,’ he said, pushing her gently into a chair and pouring hot water into the pot. Unusually, there were no sweets set out on the cooling tables and she realized he must have spent the whole morning serving customers.

‘The shop’s been busy then?’ she said.

‘Yes, thank heavens. Nothing like keeping occupied to stop you from thinking,’ he muttered, his hands shaking as he set down a mug in front of her. ‘You were obviously delighted to see Kitto. So, what happens now?’

‘You saw us earlier then?’

‘Hard to miss with you all over each other.’

‘It was a wonderful surprise to find he was still alive, and naturally I was pleased to see him,’ she admitted.

‘Was?’ he asked, staring at her in disbelief. She nodded and took a quick gulp of her tea, hardly noticing that it burnt her mouth. ‘I will release you from your promise if you want, you know.’

‘Thank you, but my word is my bond, Garren,’ she told him, staring him straight in the eye then looking quickly away when she saw the hurt there. ‘When I was getting ready to open this morning, I noticed we’re almost out of cones. As I had the devil’s own job getting you to agree to them in the first place I’d better get on and make some more. Thank you for the tea,’ she said, her voice cracking as she took herself back to the shop.

‘You’ve hardly drunk any …’ he began but, needing time to compose herself, she ignored him. While her hands automatically formed the paper into the cones that had become so popular, her thoughts span wildly around in her head.

Seeing Kitto again had been a shock. One that had only served to prove her strength of feelings for him. She loved him with all her heart, of that she had no doubt. But she was fond of Garren and wouldn’t let him down. And yet could she really marry him now she knew Kitto was alive? Yet she’d have to, for hadn’t she just assured Garren that she wouldn’t break her word? Round and round her thoughts went. It was like being on the dobbies at the fair, she thought, pressing her hand to her throbbing head.

She didn’t see Garren for the rest of the afternoon and assumed he was busy in the workshop making up for the time he lost this morning. The shop was busy, the incessant tinkling of the little bell making her headache worse. For the first time ever, she cursed her bright ideas of the rainbow window that constantly drew in the excited customers.

Her brain never stopped processing the events of the morning, and by the time she was able to close the shop she was certain her decision was right and honourable. She was just turning the sign to closed when Mr Goss appeared.

‘Oh, I was just shutting,’ she explained.

‘Thought you would be,’ he said abruptly. There was no trace of his usual smile as he made his way through to the workshop. ‘I hear Kitto’s turned up,’ he said without any preamble. ‘I’m pleased for him, of course, but need to know what that means for my son.’

‘Nothing has changed, Mr Goss. I still intend honouring my promise to marry Garren.’

‘Honour, promise, piffle,’ he replied, snapping his fingers after each word. ‘I don’t want my son cheated, Colenso.’

‘But I wouldn’t ever do that. I will remain faithful to Garren both before and after our wedding.’

‘Honourable words,’ he agreed, then his tone softened. ‘You are young, Colenso, and have the idealism of youth. However, I have lived life, and with age comes realism. Believe me when I say that whatever you might think, you will be cheating on him if you marry him when you love another. He deserves better than that, so please, I urge you, think carefully about your decision.’

All night, Colenso tossed and turned. Yet no matter how much she thought, it still came back to the fact that whilst she loved Kitto, she owed it to Garren to honour her promise. Whilst Mr Goss had a point, the fact remained that Garren had been good to her and there was no way she could let him down.

As the grey of morning filtered through the tiny window, Colenso dressed ready for another day in the shop. On impulse, she took her necklace from her basket and held it tightly in her hands.

‘This is the right thing to do, isn’t it?’ she asked. But the pentacle remained cold and lifeless. ‘Oh, you’re no help,’ she cried, throwing it back in despair.

To her surprise, Garren followed her through to the shop. He seemed on edge as he coughed and cleared his throat.

‘Colenso, I have spent all night deliberating and …’ He paused and cleared his throat again. ‘I have decided it wouldn’t be fair to hold you to your promise.’

‘But …’

‘Go to Kitto, Colenso. When I saw the way you were gazing at him yesterday, the love shining from your eyes like diamonds, well, I admit I was hurt. You’ve never looked at me that way and sadly, I know you never will.’

‘But I am fond of you and …’ she began but he held up his hand to silence her.

‘Fond isn’t love, though, is it? Like I said, Colenso, go to Kitto and be happy.’ She stared at him sadly, knowing what he said was true.

‘Thank you, Garren, for everything,’ she whispered, wondering how it was possible to feel so sad and elated at the same time.