A Family For Christmas (29 page)

‘I'm not going back, that's for
sure,' she said, shuddering. ‘I was thinking maybe I could make my way back to
Exmoor and Fay. See if she'd take me back. Apart from anything else, it would give me a
chance to thank her for all she did for me.'

James sat silently mulling this over.

‘'Tis a long way, Eliza, and your
foot has taken a hammering these past few days,' he said eventually.

‘Well, I've no money for fancy
travelling. Perhaps a passing carter will take pity.'

‘Or you could come to Salting Regis with
me.' She stared at him in surprise. ‘On me day off, I usually pay a visit to Father
and then have lunch with Grandfa Sam and Nan Doll. They're kind people and you'll
like them. I was thinking they might even let you bide a night or two until you've
recovered your strength.'

‘Oh, I couldn't impose,' Eliza
protested. ‘Besides, I'm scared Monsieur will return soon so I think I'd
better make tracks first thing.'

‘Tomorrow just happens to be my Sunday off,
so isn't that convenient?' he grinned. He took hold of her hand and her heart
flipped with happiness. Could she just up and go with him, though?

‘I thinks the world of thee, Eliza, and
hopes you will come to think of me …' His declaration was interrupted by the sound
of a carriage screaming to a halt and Monsieur Farrant's shouts.

‘I'd better scuttle and find out
what's going on,' James whispered. ‘Stay here.'

Eliza didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As if she could
go anywhere, with Monsieur Farrant on the warpath.

‘Blimey, he don't give up,'
James said, creeping back into the hut sometime later. ‘He insisted he had a right to look
over the premises to find out if his betrothed was hiding here. The guv told him there must be
something wrong if a woman needed to run away from him. Monsieur went berserk, insisting he
would return with the constable and a warrant to have the premises searched.'

Eliza gasped. ‘I don't want to get
you into trouble, James.'

‘In view of what you said, Farrant's
hardly likely to involve the police. However, if you comes to Salting Regis with me, we
won't be here if he does,' he grinned. ‘Guv lets me borrow the cart on me day
off.'

‘Well, put like that, how can I
refuse?' she replied, a feeling of relief washing over her. The sooner she could put some
distance between her and Monsieur Farrant the better.

‘Get some sleep and we'll leave at
first light.'

No sooner had they trotted out of the yard first
thing the next morning than there was movement from the bushes opposite.

‘Quick, get down,' James hissed.

Awkwardly, Eliza slid onto the floor of the cart
and he just had time to cover her with a blanket before Monsieur Farrant stepped out on the
track in front of the cart.

‘Going somewhere, Cary?' Monsieur
Farrant demanded.

‘Yup, as you will see from the saddle in
the back, I have a delivery to make and then I'm off to see my grandfather. He's
ailing, sir, so I'd be grateful if you would move out of the way.'

‘You're travelling alone?'

‘Unless you can see someone sat beside
me,' James answered.

Monsieur Farrant cursed and Eliza stifled a
giggle.

‘Think you're being funny, do you,
boy? Well, let me tell you, nobody makes a fool of Monsieur Farrant. Eliza is mine and I intend
to find her and return her whence she belongs, Cary. Do I make myself clear?'

‘Yup, but it seems strange to me. I mean,
nobody owns another person, do they? Surely the girl should be free to go where she wants?
I'd only want someone with me who wished to stay out of choice. Still, I'll bid you
good day, sir,' he said, calling to the pony to walk on. As the cart began to move, James
whispered, ‘Keep down in case he follows, Eliza.'

Although she did as he instructed, it
wasn't long before her foot protested and she got cramp in her legs. Just when she thought
she couldn't stay still a moment longer, the blanket was pulled back and she saw his
cheeky face grinning down at her. Easing herself into an upright
position she rubbed her legs, then looked nervously over her
shoulder.

‘Don't worry, the road here's
straight so there's no way he can follow without being seen. Good job we hid your bundle
under the saddle, though.'

‘James, if your grandfather's ill he
won't want me descending on him, will he?' she asked.

‘'Tis true Grandfa suffers badly with
rheumatics but he soldiers on. I only mentioned that to Farrant so as to get him out of our way.
Don't worry, both Grandfa and Nan will be overjoyed to meet you.'

Finally she relaxed in her seat and looked
around. They were travelling eastward and the sky before them was bathed in rosy reds, pearly
pinks and glowing gold.

‘The sea's over there, through those
trees and down the cliffs,' he said, pointing to their right.

‘Really?' she exclaimed, peering over
his shoulder. ‘I've never seen the sea before.' He laughed and shook his
head.

‘Then you've never lived. Don't
worry you'll get a proper view when we've climbed the hill. Mind you, Minty here
takes her time, don't you, old girl?' he said, leaning forward and slapping the
pony's rump.

‘Minty? What kind of name's
that?'

He laughed. ‘Apt, as you'll see when
we stop.'

Eliza smiled, thinking how nice he was. His
easy-going nature was a tonic after Monsieur's fiery temper and pernickety ways. Lost in
thought, she hardly noticed they'd crested the hill and turned south so that the breeze
hitting her full in the face took her by surprise. She pulled her cloak tighter round her, then
noticed the wide expanse of blue shimmering in the distance.

‘Oh, look,' she pointed.

‘That's the sweep of Lyme Bay and the
buildings you can see in front are where we're headed,' he said. She sniffed the
air. ‘What's that smell?'

‘'Tis called ozone, the fresh, pure
air you get by the sea.'

She inhaled again. ‘Well I've never
seen the sea before but that scent reminds me of something.'

‘Some flower perhaps?' he asked. She
thought for a moment then shook her head. ‘I don't think so, but it will come to
me.'

As the fields gave way to buildings, she looked
around. The broad street was bustling and James had to concentrate on steering the cart around
several carriages pulled up beside the church and people dismounting for morning service. Then
he turned right onto a cobbled road, where the pony automatically came to a stop before a shop
fronted with latticed windows. Jumping down, James secured the reins to an iron ring then helped
Eliza down from the cart. As the pony nuzzled his pocket, James laughed.

‘Here you go, old girl,' he said
giving her a mint. The pony crunched, swallowed then opened its mouth for more. ‘Now you
see why she's called Minty,' he said, placing another sweet on the animal's
tongue. ‘I'll just get the saddle for father. You go on down the entry.'

However, Eliza's attention had been caught
by the display of boots and shoes in the window.

‘These are beautiful, James,' she
said when he joined her.

‘Father's the finest cobbler in
Salting Regis. Course, he used to be a fulltime cordwainer before Mother went,' he said
frowning from behind the saddle.

‘Oh, I'm sorry, James,' she said.

‘It was a long time ago but best you
don't mention it in front of Father. Come on, I'll introduce you,' he said,
leading the way down the side passage, then nudging a door open with his shoulder.
‘It's me, Father,' he called. ‘'Tis your lucky day for I've
brought the saddle you wanted – and a visitor.'

An older man, dark hair greying at the temples,
appeared, wiping his brow on his kerchief. He assessed Eliza with eyes that were the same colour
as his son's but without the glow, then nodded.

‘How do, I'm sure.'

‘Delighted to meet you, Mr Cary,' she
smiled.

He grunted then turned to his son. ‘Been a
fine bit of tanning done there,' he said, running his hand over the shiny saddle James had
placed on the workbench. While they discussed its various merits, Eliza stole a look around the
room, which seemed filled to bursting with tools, lasts, spools of coloured threads and
beautiful-smelling leather.

‘Well, better get down to
Grandfa's,' James said a few minutes later. ‘Mustn't be late for
Nan's roast,' he grinned, rubbing his stomach. ‘Why don't you come,
Father? You know you'd be welcome.'

The man gave another grunt and shook his
head.

‘See you soon, then.' James patted
his father's shoulder and opened the door.

‘Goodbye, Mr Cary,' Eliza said.

The man nodded and grunted before turning back to
the saddle.

‘Don't mind Father,' James
said, once they were seated in the cart. ‘That's the way he is these
days.'

The reception they got from his grandparents was completely
different. Eliza followed James to the stairs that led up from behind the apothecary's
shop into the living quarters above. As the succulent smell of roasting meat drifted towards
them, he turned to her.

‘Beef, my favourite,' he
whispered.

‘James, how lovely,' a voice cried,
as a tiny woman with cherry-red cheeks darted out of the kitchen and threw her arms around
him.

‘Nan, I'd like you to meet
Eliza,' he said, when she finally released him. The woman turned dark beady eyes towards
Eliza, gave her a long appraising look, then smiled. ‘Welcome, Eliza. Let me take your
things,' she said. As Eliza handed her the cloak, she stroked the soft material before
hanging it on the coat stand. ‘That's lovely, dear. Come away into the parlour. Your
grandfa's reading the paper. Samuel, look who's here to see us,' she cried,
ushering them into a large airy room where a man sat in his easy chair before a blazing
fire.

‘Still planning on putting the world to
rights, Grandfa?' James asked as the man folded his paper and got stiffly to his feet.

‘Someone needs to,' he replied,
shaking James by the hand. ‘Who's this pretty young lady, then?' he asked,
smiling at Eliza.

‘This is Eliza, Grandfa,' James said.
The man held out his hand and as Eliza took it, she was struck by the family resemblance, for he
too had blue eyes that twinkled with mischief like James's, although his hair was snowy
white.

‘Welcome, Eliza,' he said, repeating
his wife's earlier greeting. ‘Now, do come and warm yourselves beside the
fire. Shall we treat ourselves to a spot of
elderflower cordial as it's a special occasion, Doll?' he asked, turning to his
wife.

She smiled at him indulgently. ‘Why not?
You set out the glasses and I'll bring in a bottle,' she ordered, bustling out of
the room.

‘I'll do that, Grandfa,' James
said, hurrying over to the highly polished sideboard. As he set them on the table, the old man
winked at Eliza.

‘Don't think you've ever
brought a maid visiting before, young James. Be it a special occasion?'

‘Actually, Grandfa, I was going to ask a
favour. Eliza here needs a bed for a couple of nights and I was wondering if she might stay
here.'

There was silence save for the ticking of the
clock on the mantle over the fire as the old man scrutinized her. Eliza steadily met his gaze
and he smiled. ‘You'll do,' he nodded. ‘Doll will be pleased to have
some company. Likes a bit of a natter, she does, so you'd better watch your
ears.'

James grinned at Eliza and nodded.
‘That's fixed then.'

‘And what's that you've fixed,
young James?' Doll said, bustling back into the room with a bottle in her hands.

‘Young Eliza here is to be our guest for
the next few days, my dear,' replied Grandfa Sam. ‘Now who's going to pour
that cordial?' Eliza gazed at James's grandparents, hardly daring to believe
they'd agreed to her staying so readily.

After finishing their drinks, they sat down to
the most splendid meal of roast beef with all the trimmings. Grandfa Sam and Nan, as they
insisted Eliza call them,
went out of their way
to make her feel welcome and conversation flowed easily. Grandfa Sam was particularly interested
in Eliza's work at the perfumery, likening it to his work in the apothecary
downstairs.

‘Once you've learned what ingredients
to use, 'tis all in the mixing and blending,' he said, and Eliza nodded.

‘I'd love to see what you
do.'

‘Then you shall. It'll be nice to
have someone show an interest,' he said, looking pointedly at James.

‘You know I'm all fingers and thumbs
and end up breaking those glass tubes of yours, Grandfa,' he laughed, holding up his large
hands. ‘He's chased me out of his shop more times than I care to remember,
Eliza.'

‘Happen that was 'cos you was playing
around, my boy,' he chided.

Grinning, James got to his feet. ‘That was
delicious, as always, Nan. Now you sit by the fire while Eliza and I do the dishes.'

‘Oh, but I couldn't,' she
began.

‘No arguing now. Then, if it's all
right with you, I'll bring in Eliza's things and put them in the spare
room.'

‘Are you sure you don't mind?'
Eliza asked, looking anxiously at Doll.

‘Why bless you, no. It'll be good to
have another woman to chatter to. Samuel isn't one for conversation, are you, my
dear?' The old man winked at Eliza. ‘I'll warm a brick for your bed
later,' Nan added.

‘Are you sure I won't be
imposing,' Eliza asked James later, as he prepared to make his way back to the
tannery.

‘They love you already, Eliza, as do
… Well, let's just say I shall rest easy knowing you're away from Farrant.
Besides, Grandfa's keen to show you around
his domain. Nobody's ever shown that much interest in his work before. I've cleared
it with them that you can stay until my next day off, so I'll be back Sunday to see how
you're getting on,' he said, touching her cheek gently with his hand as he left.

‘Thank you for everything,' she
whispered.

That night, tucked up in the little bed in the
spare room, she thought back over the past few days. How kind it was of Grandfa Sam and Nan to
take her in. She couldn't take advantage of their kind hospitality, though. Tomorrow she
would look around the town and see if she could find a job with board and lodging. It was time
she stood on her own two feet.

Next morning, after breakfasting on porridge with
creamy milk, Eliza followed Sam and Nan down to the apothecary's shop. Inside, she was met
with the most wonderful fragrance and, inhaling deeply, she detected the sweet smell of lily of
the valley, along with violet, rose and lavender. While Sam went round lighting the glass globes
and Nan donned a snowy-white apron, Eliza stared around the room in amazement.

It was like an Aladdin's cave. Rich
mahogany and glass display cases lined the walls, all housing a collection of little glass
bottles, dishes and curious items she'd never seen before. Alongside each bow window was a
glass counter, one set with dishes of petals and bottles of powders, the other dominated by a
large empty dish, a pestle and brass measuring scales. Towards the back of the room was a large
workbench methodically lined with glass tubes, spoons, droppers, cutters, crushers and cups of
varying
sizes. The shelves above were stocked
with numerous green and blue bottles all filled with mysterious liquids. Eliza felt excitement
bubbling and hoped Sam would show her what at least some of them were for.