Christmas Weddings
Millie Vanilla’s Cupcake Café, Book Three
GEORGIA HILL

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First published in Great Britain by HarperImpulse 2017

Copyright © Georgia Hill 2017

Cover illustrations © Shutterstock.com

Cover design by Holly Macdonald ©HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

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be identified as the author of this work

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is available from the British Library

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

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Ebook Edition © September 2017 ISBN: 9780008211080

Version 2017-09-28

To the people and town of Lyme Regis, Dorset. Thank you for the fabulous holidays.

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Keep Reading …

About the Author

About HarperImpulse

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

It was weird coming back. Weird and cold.

Berecombe looked at once comfortingly familiar and slightly distorted, as if seen through a special-effects lens. Alf the Taxi dropped Millie off on the promenade outside the café, helped her with her rucksack and drove off with a cheery wave.

Feeling desolate, she looked around her. The sea was churning a dull grey in Lyme Bay and the sky was threateningly low and of a similar hue. In fact, Millie decided, everywhere was grey. The town had lost its bright bunting and bedding plants and was shuttered up for the winter. It was home, but it all looked smaller, inward-looking. After the vibrant noise and colour of Thailand, Berecombe, in the first week of November, was depressing.

She shivered violently. She was freezing and bone-weary. Heaving her rucksack onto her back, she made her way to the flat. All she wanted to do was to crawl under a duvet.

Chapter 2

‘The wanderer returns!’ Tessa threw her arms around her friend and ushered her inside. ‘Come inside, pet, it’s brass monkeys out there.’

As usual, the Tizzard family home was in a state of chaos. Several very male-smelling pairs of trainers littered the hall and Millie had to navigate around an airer over which hung a pile of school uniform. She followed Tessa into the kitchen, which was an oasis of calm in comparison and smelled comfortingly of freshly made bread.

‘Cup of tea and then you can tell me all about it. Oh bab, it’s so good to have you back.’

Before Millie could answer there was a frantic scrabbling at the kitchen door. ‘Think there’s someone a bit desperate to see you,’ Tessa said, as she grinned and opened it. A barking woolly blur hurled itself onto Millie’s lap.

‘Trevor!’ Millie surrendered to his ecstatic welcome. ‘Oh, how much have I missed you.’

While dog and mistress became reacquainted, Tessa made tea and, once everything had calmed down, perched herself on a stool. She shoved a mug across. ‘First English cup of tea since you’ve been back?’

Millie nodded and reached over Trevor’s head to pick it up. After the first sip, she sighed in ecstasy. ‘Heaven!’

‘Digestive biccies there. Just don’t let Trev get hold of them. He’s a devil for them. Worse than the kids.’

Millie dunked half and crammed it into her mouth, ravenous. She gave Trevor a sneaky fragment while Tessa’s back was turned. ‘I still don’t understand why you ended up taking him,’ she said, with a full mouth. ‘Back in the summer Jed said he was happy to look after him until I got back. So, he and his brother are living at The Lord of the Manor now? What’s the deal with that?’

‘Alex has bought it. Taking a sabbatical or something from hedge-fund managing, or whatever he does in the city.’ Tessa made a face.

‘Blimey,’ Millie said, impressed. ‘How much money must he have? What are the plans for it?’

‘Don’t know, kiddo. He and Jed are living there while he decides what to do. Reckon it’ll be another swanky-wanky place with scraps of food and hot and cold running helipads.’

‘Plenty of room for a dog, though,’ Millie said thoughtfully. ‘Not that I’m not very grateful that you took Trevor in,’ she added hastily. She hid her nose in the dog’s fur and received rapturous licks in return. ‘I know he adores it here.’

‘The boys have loved having him. It was no bother. In fact, Trevor can stay and I’ll boot Roland out. Trev makes a lot less mess than my youngest.’

‘I hope you weren’t put out that Jed had him. It’s just that he offered and it all happened so quickly.’

‘We’ve loved having him, Millie.’ Tessa’s voice was firm.

‘So, why did Jed not keep him all autumn? Poor Trev, he must have been so confused,’ Millie said indignantly.

‘Think he’s working long hours. Didn’t want to leave the dog on his own.’

‘I suppose that makes sense. What’s this new job of Jed’s, then? You mentioned something when I rang but I was too knackered to take anything in.’

Tessa concentrated on drinking her tea. ‘Dunno. I’m sure he’ll tell you all about it when he sees you.’ She put the mug down. ‘Now come on, I don’t want to talk about Jed, I need to hear what you’ve been up to. It’s been a miserable, wet autumn in Berecombe and I need to hear about sunshine and hot men.’

Millie could tell that Tessa was holding back, but there was no point pressing her. She took another life-affirming slug of tea and launched in.

Chapter 3

‘So you stayed at Dora’s villa? What was that like?’

‘Oh, Tes, it was amazing. In the hills just outside Siena, swimming pool and everything. The most wonderful views across the olive orchards. I had the use of a tiny Fiat and there was a family-run trattoria nearby that did the most gorgeous food. I’ve come back with a notebook stuffed full of recipes. You’ll have to try the lemon polenta cake, it’s heaven on a plate.’

‘Can’t wait. No equally heavenly men?’

‘Well, there was Savio. He took me out and about a few times.’ Millie got out her phone and flicked through some pictures. ‘Here he is.’

Tessa’s eyes widened. ‘Well, he’s a spunk on a stick, isn’t he?’

Millie took the phone back. ‘Not bad,’ she said airily. ‘Very charming and quite wealthy too.’ She caught Tessa’s look and giggled. ‘Purely platonic, Tes, at least on my part.’

‘Whatevs, bab. And you left all that and came back to Berecombe?’ Tessa pulled a disbelieving face.

Millie hugged Trevor. ‘Well, I had one or two things to come back for.’

‘Fair enough. So why did you go onto Thailand?’

‘Eleri got in touch with me.’

‘Elle-Lairi,’ said Tessa, pronouncing it with difficulty. ‘Who’s she, when she’s at home?’

‘Maybe you don’t know her? Old Davey’s granddaughter? She hasn’t been to see him since she was a kid. She’s changed a lot since then. She’d heard from Davey that I was doing a bit of travelling and said she was on this fantastic island in Thailand. Koh Phangan. Would I like to go over and join her?’ Millie put Trevor down as he was wriggling and obviously wanted a drink. She watched as he slurped noisily from his bowl. ‘I’ve always wanted to go to Thailand.’ She made a face. ‘To be honest, Savio was getting a bit keen so I needed an escape. It was cooling down, too, so I thought I might as well head for some sun.’

‘Yeah well,’ Tessa put in drily. ‘That’s the problem with gorgeous Italian millionaires. You just have to get away from them.’

‘He wasn’t a millionaire, Tes.’ She reconsidered. ‘Actually, he might have been, he did have a Maserati.’

‘Oh well, in that case, you did the right thing, bab. Run. Run away as fast as you can.’ Trevor put a nose on Tessa’s knee, soaking her jeans with his wet whiskers. She pulled a face at him. ‘Your Millie needs her head examined, Trev, my boy. So what did you do in Thailand once you’d got away from this Maserati-driving monster of an Italian hunk?’

‘Had a good time. Sunbathed, swam in the sea, helped out in the bar that Ri, that’s what Eleri likes to be called, was working in. I played with the baby monkey that the bar owners had as a pet, went to some pretty wild beach parties. It was cool.’

Tessa stared at her friend. ‘It’s done you good too. You’ve changed, Mil. The suntan suits you.’

‘I’ve got some incredible Thai recipes.’

‘Not changed that much, then.’

Millie laughed and finished her tea. ‘Maybe not. And I don’t think I’ll try out the chicken-feet stew on Arthur and Biddy.’

‘Has it got something out of your system?’ Tessa asked curiously.

‘Ah Tes, that I’m not too sure about.’ Millie traced a finger over the pattern on her mug. ‘Now I’ve seen what the world outside Berecombe can offer,’ she added. ‘I’d quite like to see some more.’

‘What’s the plan now, then?’

Millie broke off another bit of biscuit and crunched thoughtfully. ‘I suppose the first call has to be to Jed,’ she answered eventually.

‘And what you going to say to him, kiddo?’

‘Ah. That’s the problem, Tes. I have absolutely no idea.’

Chapter 4

Millie strode into the hall of The Lord of the Manor hotel two days later. She hadn’t been for years. There had been no need. Nothing, as far as she could see, had changed. The massive mahogany desk was still dominating the space, with the moth-eaten stag’s head above. The ancient Persian rug remained to trip you up as you entered and there was still an enormous chipped blue and white vase acting as an impromptu umbrella stand by the door.

There was no one around. And it was freezing cold. Millie, in four layers and her father’s overcoat, shivered. She knew Jed was here as his Golf was parked up outside. Spying an old-fashioned brass bell on the desk, she rang it.

Somewhere high above her a door slammed and there came the sound of feet running down the stairs. Jed came into view. He stopped dead when he saw her.

Millie stared back, her heart thumping uncomfortably under all the layers. He looked paler than she remembered, but that could be in comparison to Savio. He also looked thin and tired and far less glamorous.

He came to her, his hands stretched out to take hers. ‘Millie,’ he said, on a long breath. He held her at arm’s length. ‘Jeez, you look good. So brown!’

‘Hello Jed.’ It came out on a whisper. She didn’t know what to say or how to react to the man. He looked so unfamiliar. Had she been away for only three months?

He pulled her to him and enveloped her in a hug. This was slightly better. Jed smelled as he always had, of some expensive cologne.

‘Oh, it’s so good to have you back.’

Millie let herself be held, relishing the feel of his strong arms around her.

He released her, perhaps sensing her reserve. ‘Got time for a coffee? Can’t say it’ll be anywhere near as good as yours, but it’ll be hot. You need something to keep yourself warm in this barn of a place. Come into the office.’ Taking her by the hand, he led her through a door behind the desk. It opened out into a crowded and shabby room. Its only redeeming feature, a floor-to-ceiling window, which gave views onto the gardens.

Jed swept a pile of papers off an ancient chesterfield. ‘Won’t be a moment. I’ll put the kettle on.’ He disappeared through another door and shouted back, ‘It’s a shocker, this place, isn’t it? Alex’s really taken on a mammoth task. I’m not entirely sure he’s sane.’

He came back bearing two steaming mugs and a packet of custard creams. ‘I’ve been missing your cakes. These are a very poor substitute.’ He put everything down on top of a desk groaning under the weight of yet more paper.

Millie picked up her mug of instant, wrapping her frozen fingers around its warmth. ‘I can understand why the Simpsons sold up, but why on earth has your brother bought it?’

‘God knows,’ Jed said cheerfully. He slid into the chesterfield’s twin. ‘More money than sense, I’ve always said. Had enough of the city and got money to burn. He’s got friends who run hotels; you remember that one we went to in Poole? Chap that owns that has a chain. Alex has been taking advice from him. Fancies setting this up as some kind of retreat for burned-out execs. The only thing that’s burning is money at the moment. It’s cost Alex a packet already and he’s only got as far as building repairs. He wants to do a complete refurb eventually.’

There was a silence as they drank their coffee. Jed offered Millie a biscuit and took one himself when she refused, crunching it loudly with his white teeth.

‘It’s so good to see you again, Millie.’ He smiled at her, his dark eyes warm. ‘I only wish there was time to catch up properly. We’ll have to do dinner. I want to hear all about your adventures.’ He took his phone out of his breast pocket and grimaced. ‘No time now, though, I have to get to work.’

‘Yes, that’s what I was going to ask you about.’

He double-guessed. ‘Is Trevor okay? I loved having him. There’s so much space for him here, but when I got this new job the hours were just killers. I couldn’t leave him on his own and Alex is up to his proverbials with all the repairs. Tessa didn’t mind and I knew you’d be happy he was with the Tizzards.’

‘He loved it with them, but it would have been nice if you had told me what you had planned for my dog,’ she said crisply.

Jed looked shamefaced. ‘I’m sorry about that, Millie. Didn’t want you to worry about him.’

‘Not the point, Jed. The first I knew was when I rang Tessa when I got back.’ She blew out an exasperated breath. ‘Whatever. He’s fine. And it wasn’t what I was going to ask, though. What’s this new job?’

Jed’s phone beeped. He leaped up. ‘I’m late. I’ve got to go, Millie darling.’ He dropped a kiss on her head. ‘I’ll give you a bell about dinner.’ His phone beeped again. ‘I’m so sorry. When the call comes through, I have to go.’

Millie twisted to watch Jed as he ran out. He deftly avoided his brother coming the other way.

‘Ah, Millie,’ Alex said. ‘How very lovely to see you again. Has my errant brother been looking after you? He always seems to be in a tearing hurry these days.’ They heard the sound of the Golf’s engine gunning down the drive. Alex peered into Millie’s mug. ‘Instant,’ he said with some disgust. ‘He could have made time to make you some proper coffee.’ He sat in the chair Jed had just vacated and took a custard cream.

‘He seemed to be in a hurry to get to work.’

‘They keep him on quite a tight rein, as I understand.’ Alex picked up some papers, scanned them half-heartedly and then replaced them.

‘What’s he doing? More consultancy?’

‘If only, Millie. If only. No, didn’t you know? My little brother has got himself a job with Blue Elephant.’

Chapter 5

‘Who’s that?’ Tessa asked.

Millie started. She’d been miles away. Wiping down a table, she concentrated on Tessa who was, unsubtly, trying to take her mind off Jed. ‘Eleri? I told you about her. Davey Pascoe’s granddaughter. Remember I said we hooked up in Thailand.’ Millie reined in her irritation. She was sure she’d told Tessa about her. ‘We travelled back together and I said she could help out every now and again. Need an extra pair of hands in the café now Zoe’s in Durham and Clare’s at catering college.’

Tessa stared at the willowy figure, dressed in a blue and green chiffon kaftan and bell-bottoms. Eleri sensed she was being discussed and turned around and smiled. Her light eyes rooted Tessa to the spot. ‘She’s gorgeous.’

‘Certainly is and a hard worker too.’ Millie took a loaded tray into the kitchen and Tessa followed at her heels.

‘Get you, hooking up with folk like a seasoned traveller. Remind me how you two met up, then?’

‘Well, I got myself to the same island she was living on and one morning she just appeared out of the sea. Keen swimmer, apparently. Used to do it competitively.’

‘And you offered her a job. Just like that?’

Millie plunged a stack of plates into hot water. ‘Yup.’

‘No references?’

Millie shrugged. ‘None needed really. If she hadn’t worked out, I wouldn’t keep her on. But she’s been great.’

‘Ken would die to paint her.’ Tessa peered through the porthole window in the kitchen door. ‘With those amazing eyes and all that hair.’

Eleri, her golden-brown hair tamed into a waist-length plait, was chatting to an obviously smitten Arthur.

‘Well, if she hangs around long enough, he can. She’s staying with Old Davey for the time being. You know him, lives in the last bungalow before the cliff?’

Tessa nodded. ‘Yeah. He took us all out mackerel fishing years ago, when the kids were small. Forgotten he had family, though.’ She picked up a tea towel and began to dry the plates Millie had washed. ‘If you keep getting busy like this, you’re going to have to invest in a dishwasher, bab. And you haven’t got enough crockery to turn around quickly.’

Millie brushed back her fringe from a steamy face. ‘You could be right there. I’ll add it to the list of suggestions for Clare. It was her mum’s networking group that was in today.’ Returning to the subject, she added, ‘Think Ri’s parents moved to Wales years ago. If Ken wants to paint her, he’d better be quick. She doesn’t seem to stay in one place for long.’

‘I’ll tell him.’ Tessa once again looked through to the café. ‘She looks so free.’ She sighed the sigh of a woman with a husband and three demanding sons at home. ‘Must be great to flit about the world, without a care. And there’s something mesmerising about her, isn’t there?’

‘Agreed. She’s amazingly calm. Nothing seems to faze her. She’s a bit fey too.’ Millie wrinkled up her nose. ‘Think that’s the word.’ She rinsed a couple of plates. ‘Haven’t you heard the story? Rumour is, someone in her family long ago married a mermaid and made her live on the shore with him. Apparently all the female members of the family have that spectacular hair and pale eyes.’

Tessa turned around and stared at Millie, round-eyed. ‘No way! What a story. Oh Ken has to paint her now.’

‘He might have to pay. Think she’s strapped for cash at the moment.’ Millie bit her lip. ‘And she’s not alone.’

‘How’s the sale going?’

Millie winced. ‘Slowly. I’d hoped to exchange by now, but Clare’s parents are checking out yet more things. They’re having another survey done and a feasibility report on top.’

‘Do they want to buy this place or not?’

Millie sank against the prep table. Everything threatened to overwhelm her. ‘Suppose it’s only sensible to be cautious. It’s a big thing to take on. It’s just that, oh Tes, I only went travelling on the understanding the café was sold. And now I’m so broke I don’t know what to do.’

Tessa wrapped her in a hug. She knew there was more to this than just moving stress. ‘I’m sure it’ll all go through soon. You know what they say, solicitors love making everyone panic until the last minute and then it all goes through without a hitch. And once it’s sold, think of all the lovely lolly you’ll have. You’ll be able to do anything you want. Wherever you want. Just like Eleri. Maybe even get back in touch with that Italian bloke.’ Tessa tightened her hold. ‘Berecombe won’t be the same without a Millie Vanilla’s, though.’

Millie’s answer was muffled and unintelligible.

‘And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Jed’s job. Thought it was his news, really.’

‘Why has he gone and got a job with Blue Elephant?’ Millie wailed. ‘I just don’t understand, Tes. How could he do it to me again? It’s such a betrayal.’

‘I don’t know, bab. I just don’t know.’ Tessa held her until the sobs subsided.

‘And I want the café to do well for Clare.’ Millie sniffed. ‘Jed working for Blue Elephant is going to put a dent in the profits. I just know it.’

‘What are you going to do about it?’

Millie stepped away from her hold, wiped her face with her pinny and said bleakly, ‘Have it out with him. That’s if I can ever get hold of him. He seems to be working all the time.’

‘Avoiding you?’

‘Well, he won’t do that for long. Not in a town the size of Berecombe. He owes me an explanation. And he’s bloody well going to give it to me.’

Chapter 6

Eleri twisted over. The water caressed her wet-suited body like silk. Lying on her back and floating, she stared up at the moonless night. As she’d done as a child, she located the familiar shape of the Plough and then traced the route to Cassiopeia. It gave her satisfaction to see them still there. The stars were often the only constant in her ever-changing life.

The only sound was the quiet wash of the sea around her. The only colours black and silver. Closing her eyes, she surrendered herself to how alive her senses felt. She was more at home in the sea than anywhere. A tremor ran through her. She was getting cold. The sea temperature on a Devon November night didn’t compare to the tropical seas she was more used to. She needed to get moving again. Besides, if Davey found out she was swimming at night, alone, he’d be furious. Reluctantly, she twisted again and power-crawled to shore.

Chapter 7

Millie sat at the table in the window. A grey pall of fog hung over the promenade. It blanketed out the sea and all was peculiarly hushed. Ever since she’d returned from Thailand nothing had seemed to go right. Even the weather had been unremittingly grim. Usually she didn’t mind. In fact, she used to take pleasure in the quiet, out-of-season days when she had the place to herself. It was a time to catch your breath before everything revved up again.

She stirred her hot chocolate without interest and glared at her mobile, willing Jed to return her call. It remained stubbornly quiet. She’d rung him several times and he hadn’t bothered to get back to her. The one bright thing in this sea of grey was Ri. The girl floated in and out of the café, working without seeming to put any obvious effort in, getting things done and spreading a palpable calm in her wake. Millie couldn’t afford help, but she found she lacked the enthusiasm or the stamina to do everything herself any more. Not for the first time, she wished the café sale had gone through and she was free of it. It had become a burden she no longer wanted.

The bell on the café door had her looking up in the vain hope it was Jed.

‘Hello Millie,’ Alex said. ‘I wonder if I might have a word?’

Too disappointed to speak, Millie gestured to the empty chair beside her. Behind, she heard the sudden silence as Arthur and Biddy stopped bickering. Whatever Alex’s business, it would be all over Berecombe by tomorrow.

‘Hi bach, I’m Eleri. What can I get you?’ Ri appeared from nowhere, with order pad in hand. She smiled down at Alex.

‘Oh. Um. Ah.’

The tops of his ears turned pink. Millie took pity on him. Eleri had this alarming effect on most of her male customers. It was making for good repeat custom. ‘Why don’t you have one of Ri’s special hot chocolates?’ she suggested. ‘ Just the thing for a foggy day like today.’

‘Thank you. I will.’ Alex eyed Millie’s mug. ‘But without the marshmallows, if I may.’

Eleri made a face. ‘It’s not my special hot chocolate without them. See, I make them into little white chocolate and marshmallow flowers. They’re magic. Go on. Have the marshmallows. Live a little.’

‘Right.’ Alex gulped in the face of all her gorgeousness. ‘Okay. Whatever you say.’

‘Wonderful. Can I get you another, Millie?’

‘No, I’m fine, Ri. Thank you.’

Alex twisted to watch her as she made her way back to the kitchen. ‘My word.’ He unwound his scarf and unbuttoned his coat. ‘Eleri. What a pretty name.’

Millie smiled. ‘Welsh, apparently. And yes, it is pretty, but she prefers Ri.’

‘What a shame to abbreviate it. Eleri.’ He sounded it out with relish and shook his head. ‘Never encountered an Eleri before.’

‘I think she’s one in a million. Alex, it’s lovely to see you, but I can’t imagine you came to discuss my staff.’

‘Ah. No I didn’t.’ He took off his specs, de-misted them and popped them back on his nose, clearing his throat slightly as he did. ‘Bit awkward this. I’ve come to apologise, actually.’

‘Whatever for?’ Millie was taken aback.

‘For blurting out that Jed is working for Blue Elephant. I had no idea he hadn’t told you.’ Alex tugged at the collar of his crew-necked sweater. ‘I feel awful. I had no right. It was Jed’s news and I understand Blue Elephant has caused some, shall we say, friction between you.’

‘Just a little.’

‘I really thought he’d mentioned it.’

‘Strangely enough, Jed forgot to email me the news that he is working for my biggest rival.’

‘Ah yes.’ Alex paused to take off his coat. He folded it neatly, put it on a chair and then remained standing as Eleri returned with his chocolate. ‘Wonderful. Thank you.’ Pushing his glasses back up his nose, he added, ‘Marvellous.’

‘Just pop the flowers in the hot chocolate when you’re ready,’ she said, in her soft Welsh accent.

She and Alex gazed at one another. Even through her fugged-up state Millie could feel the attraction zinging between them. Goodness me, she thought. Now, that’s a match I wouldn’t have predicted. Opposites must attract.

‘If there’s anything else you need,’ Eleri added, staring wide-eyed at Alex. ‘Just let me know.’

‘Eleri, I need another coffee.’ Biddy’s overloud voice broke the moment.

‘Coming right up,’ Eleri murmured, her eyes not leaving Alex’s face.

‘And I’d like it now, please!’

When Eleri had gone, Alex subsided into his chair. ‘I say,’ he breathed. As instructed, he put the white marshmallow flowers into his hot drink and was taken aback to see them open up. ‘Now, how does that happen?’ he murmured in astonishment.

‘Some of Ri’s magic, I think. Actually, I think she got the recipe off the net. Fun, though.’ Millie watched him sip his drink, fascinated to see him approach it as if it were something alien. ‘Alex, thank you for your apology, but I don’t really think it was yours to make. What I’d really like, what I really need, is an explanation as to why Jed feels he can do this to me.’

Alex fidgeted with his serviette, nervously. He cleared his throat again. ‘Millie, my dear, I’m afraid I can’t add much to what you already know.’

‘But that’s it,’ Millie burst out. ‘I don’t know anything at all. Jed was pretty good at keeping in touch when I was in Italy but it all tapered off a bit last month.’

Alex nodded. ‘That’s about when he got the job.’

‘Figures,’ Millie said acidly. ‘What exactly is he doing?’

‘He’s in charge of buying, from what I can gather.’ Alex shrugged. ‘If I’m honest, he hasn’t said all that more to me, but then I’ve been busy.’

‘I just don’t understand why he’s working for that company again, of all people.’

‘Well, he had to get some kind of employment. He’d been fund-raising for the theatre and the Arts Workshop, but that wasn’t paid.’

‘Isn’t his trust fund enough?’ Millie tried not to sound bitter.

‘Ah.’ Alex stared into his mug. ‘Oh dear. You haven’t heard about that either?’

‘What? Oh what now, Alex?’

‘Jed hasn’t been taking his allowance. I understand it has something to do with how you feel about trust funds? Something to do with proving he can manage without it?’

Millie let out a breath. One she hadn’t known she’d been holding. She felt very tired. ‘We had a conversation, an argument, I suppose.’ She shot Alex a rueful look. ‘I made it quite clear I don’t approve of those who don’t have to work for a living.’

‘Yes, he mentioned that.’ Alex spooned out a marshmallow flower and ate it cautiously. ‘I would imagine, by taking on this job, that Jed is trying to prove to you that he can work his keep.’

‘But why Blue Elephant, of all places?’

Alex shook his head. ‘I’ve no idea. He was rather keen to stay in Berecombe for when you came home. And from what I’ve gathered since I’ve been here, there are not many employment opportunities, and especially at this time of year. Maybe he had little choice?’

‘True,’ Millie said slowly. A thought struck. ‘Your mother can’t be very happy about it.’

Alex gave a short laugh. ‘I think that might be the understatement of the year. She’s apoplectic.’ He sighed. ‘Jed’s never really found what he wanted to do with his life. Or hadn’t until recently.’ He smiled kindly. ‘I’ve never known him so enthusiastic over anything as he was about your café. Your lifestyle. It really speaks to him. And this,’ he spread his hands to include the town. ‘Having spent some time in this part of the world I’m beginning to see the appeal.’

‘Then why hasn’t he said all this to me? Explained himself?’

‘Ah. May I tell you something about Jed?’

Millie nodded. ‘Please do. I feel as if I’ve never really understood him. Never really go to know him properly.’

‘I understand.’ Alex took a deep breath.

Chapter 8

‘Jed has always had, shall we say, a difficult relationship with our mother. I seemed to fulfil her expectations as a son. Did what I was told, did well at school, university, went into a career of which she approved. Jed, on the other hand, was rebellious, even as a baby. Fought her on everything and anything.’

‘I can well believe it.’

Alex gave Millie an old-fashioned look and pushed up his glasses. ‘I’m not sure mother knew how to handle him after sailing though motherhood with me. But, even though Jed can be rebellious and doesn’t take orders very well, underneath it all what he most likes to do, especially for those he loves, is please them. Make them happy. The more pressure mother put on him to settle down to something, the more frustrated he became that he couldn’t find a career that both he and mother wanted. And I’m afraid, when Jed is in that position, he simply clams up. Keeps his secrets very secret.’ Alex leaned back and pursed his lips. ‘We all thought he’d settled to his management consultancy, he was certainly very good at it and then he met you and went in another direction altogether.’

Millie was silent for a moment, digesting this new information. It made a mad kind of sense. Whenever Jed had done something he thought she disapproved of, he’d simply avoided telling her.

‘It still doesn’t explain why he felt he needed to work for my biggest rival.’

‘No,’ Alex agreed. ‘It certainly doesn’t explain that.’ He stood up. ‘I’m sorry I can’t shed any light on that, my dear. But there must be a good reason. Jed doesn’t do anything to hurt people in such a blatant way. It’s simply not in him. He’s a loving man.’ Alex coughed again, embarrassed at all this talk of emotional matters. ‘And I think he loves you very much.’

Millie stood too. ‘He’s got a funny way of showing it.’

Alex’s eyes twinkled. ‘That, I can’t argue with.’

Eleri came to collect their empties. ‘Was everything alright?’

‘It was delicious,’ Alex said. ‘Especially the marshmallow flower things.’ He reached into his pocket. ‘I nearly forget to pay. That wouldn’t do at all, would it?’

Millie stayed his arm. ‘On the house. I appreciate you coming and trying to put things right.’

‘Just trying to help.’ He shrugged back into his coat and wound his scarf around his neck. He reminded Millie of a well-meaning giraffe.

‘Good morning, ladies,’ he said and went.

Eleri picked up their mugs. ‘What a lovely man,’ she said. ‘Such a kind face.’

‘He was very taken with you.’

‘Was he?’ She concentrated on clearing the table, but Millie detected a quickening of interest.

‘Absolutely. Wound up tighter than that cashmere scarf he was wearing, though.’

‘Yes, I got that impression too.’ Eleri laughed. ‘I’ll just have to try and do something about that then, won’t I, cariad?’ Then she rolled her eyes as Biddy shouted another demand from behind them.

Chapter 9

Eleri was delighted when, only a few days later, Alex made a return visit to the café.

‘Um. Ah. Hello Eleri. Message for Millie.’

‘I’m so sorry, I’m afraid she’s not here this morning but she’ll be back in later, mind. Can I pass it on?’ Eleri was aware Alex was staring.

‘What?’

‘The message. Shall I pass your message on?’

‘That would be wonderful.’ He gave a heartfelt sigh.

Eleri put her head on one side. ‘If you don’t mind me saying, you look exhausted.’

Alex gave her a weak smile. ‘Knackered, actually. Bloody roofers.’

‘Ah. Having work done on the hotel, aren’t you? Millie mentioned something. Look, sit yourself down, lovely, and I’ll get you a coffee. We’re quiet at the moment, so I can join you and you can tell me all about it.’ As she went to go into the kitchen, she stopped and turned. ‘How about a bacon roll too? One left over from breakfast.’

Alex gave her a painfully grateful look before sinking into the same chair he’d sat in the other day.

Once he’d eaten and Eleri had served a couple clad in cagoules and walking boots, she joined him with two more Americanos.

Alex sat back in his seat and sighed again, this time happily.

‘Now then, you look a much happier man.’

‘I am. That was just what I needed.’

‘Can’t go wrong with a bit of bacon and some caffeine. Sure to hit the spot. Whatever the spot is that’s in need.’ She nudged his coffee nearer. ‘Got some orange marmalade cake as well, if you’ve room.’

‘Thanks, but no thanks. Haven’t got a terribly sweet tooth.’

Eleri gasped. ‘That’s the most shocking thing I’ve ever heard. Please don’t let Millie hear you say that.’

Alex grinned, appreciating the joke. ‘I won’t.’

‘So, what’s got you all tense and stressed?’

‘How did you know I was stressed?’

‘Not difficult to guess, lovely.’

Alex pushed up his specs and blew out a breath. ‘The hotel. It’s a nightmare. It’s been a nightmare ever since I bought it.’ He stopped and a rueful expression overcame his thin face. ‘I don’t usually talk about my problems, especially not to a stranger.’

‘Well, no one’s a stranger in Millie Vanilla’s. And it can be good to share problems.’ Eleri picked up her coffee. Holding it between her hands, she closed her eyes and breathed in the aroma. ‘Got to be one of the world’s great pleasures.’ She drank, aware Alex was watching her avidly.

Putting her cup down she said, ‘Now, come on, why are the hotel repairs causing you so much hassle? Money?’

‘You’re very direct, aren’t you? Funnily enough, no.’ Alex took off his coat and scarf. He seemed flustered. ‘Got rather warm in here, hasn’t it?’

‘Millie likes to keep her customers cosy.’

‘Yes, it’s jolly cold today. Somehow hadn’t thought it would be by the coast.’

‘Arthur thinks we’re in for a harsh winter.’ Eleri smiled kindly. ‘I suspect he says that every winter, mind.’ She watched as Alex drank his second coffee. He ate and drank as if it was purely fuel, she observed. There was little sensual pleasure in it. A closed-up man, she decided. ‘It’s usually money that causes the renovation stress, but not with you, so what is it?’

‘Oh, it’s the untidiness of it all,’ he blurted out. ‘The men seem to turn up when they like, leave their stuff all over the place, don’t finish one job before going onto the next.’ He wrinkled his nose in such disgust, Eleri wondered what he was about to say. ‘And have Radio Two blasting out at all hours.’

‘Shocker. I’m guessing you’re a Radio Four man?’

‘Three, actually.’

Eleri sat back and laughed out loud. ‘They sound like fairly typical builders to me.’

‘Do they?’

‘Are they doing a good job? Are you pleased with the results?’

‘Well, yes, I suppose.’

‘And are you providing them with tea and biscuits?’

Alex looked at her in horror. ‘Should I be doing?’

Eleri shrugged. ‘Can’t hurt. How about you set up a drinks station with a kettle and teabags and coffee and such? Even Kit Kats maybe? Might oil the works when you ask for the radio to be turned down.’ She laughed. ‘Have you never lived with builders before?’

‘Never.’

‘I think they run on tea and Radio Two. Chocolate digestives help too.’

‘I’ll try that. Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. My Da runs a building firm back in Wales, so call it insider knowledge. Or a plea on behalf of good will to the building trade.’ Alex didn’t comment, so she added, ‘What are your plans when the building work is done, then?’ She was dismayed to see his face crumple and his shoulders sag.

‘That’s the other, enormous black hole of a problem. I don’t know.’

‘Surely you’ve got a design consultant or an interior designer on the go?’

He shook his head. ‘Thought I’d get one on board when I’d decided what sort of place to go for. And, apart from an outline plan, I have absolutely no idea. The hotel is a bit of a gamble for me.’ He shrugged. ‘Oh I’m used to gambling with money. That’s what I did in the city, I suppose. But this,’ he spread his long-fingered hands, ‘This is something else. I’m rather out of my depth.’

He looked so forlorn, Eleri wanted to hug his too-thin shoulders. She contented herself by putting a comforting hand on one of his. ‘Oh cariad. I think you were meant to walk into Millie Vanilla’s. You were meant to meet me. You lucky, lucky man. I just happen to have a degree in interior design and I’m dying to have a look at your hotel!’

Chapter 10

They were so engrossed in discussing ideas that they didn’t see Millie burst into the café. She brought with her a snarl of vicious sea wind and had trouble closing the door against it. A shivering Trevor headed to his basket against the radiator.

‘Bugger, it’s cold out there.’ She rubbed her hands together before unwrapping her many layers and hanging them on the pink and blue hat stand. ‘Oh hi, Alex,’ she said, spotting him. ‘I’ve been trying to get hold of your brother. Again. I’m beginning to think he’s avoiding me.’

Alex blinked owlishly at her. ‘Message. Ah yes, I have a message. Jed told me to say he’s had to go abroad on a buying trip.’

Millie stood before them, hands on hips, expression mutinous. ‘How convenient.’

‘No really, it’s not, actually.’ A lock of dark blonde hair flopped forward and Alex flicked it away nervously. ‘He’s had to go to Bogota. I could have done with him being here.’

‘We could both do with him being here,’ Millie snapped. ‘He still owes me an explanation as to why he’s working for Blue Elephant, remember? And Bogota?’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Where’s that?’

Eleri stood up gracefully. ‘Colombia. South America,’ she added, as Millie still looked puzzled. She turned to Alex in concern. ‘Not the safest of countries to travel in.’

‘I assume, as it’s work, he’ll be well-protected. But, as it happens, I agree with you, Eleri. I voiced my concerns at him having to go there.’ Alex shrugged. ‘He’s a seasoned traveller, though, he knows how to look after himself.’

Irritation battled with worry within Millie. She tried not to pout. ‘I just wish I knew what was going on in his mind.’

Eleri began to pick up the cups and plates littering the table. ‘All will be well, don’t you worry. Jed would never do anything to hurt you. Either of you. He loves you both very much. I’m positive he has a very good reason for working for them.’ She smiled enigmatically and drifted to the kitchen, bestowing a serene glance on the cagoule couple, who blinked back, startled by the vision of calm and beauty.

Millie stared after her in exasperation. ‘Much as I admire Ri, and I do very much, I sometimes think she comes from a different planet. How is she so certain about these things? I think she’s off her rocker most of the time.’

‘Do you?’ Alex murmured, also staring. ‘I think she’s the most marvellous creation I’ve ever met.’

Chapter 11

Eleri accepted Millie’s offer of a lift up to The Lord of the Manor on the following Sunday. She couldn’t wait to look around. Alex had rung during the week and they’d had long conversations over some of the things he hoped for the hotel. It was an exciting project and, for the first time ever, since graduating, she was itching to put the skills she’d learned into practice.

They trundled along the pot-holed drive in Millie’s Fiesta. She changed gear to slow down and swore when the car resented her clumsy driving.

Eleri knew Millie still hadn’t heard anything from Jed. More worrying was his lack of communication with his brother. Jed had been gone for the best part of two weeks and Alex hadn’t heard from him either. From experience, she knew parts of South America could be dangerous. She’d asked her Tarot cards on the previous evening. Relieved when the star came up – her favourite – she knew Jed was okay. She’d been slightly more troubled by the moon card. His way forward, although eventually having a positive outcome, was clouded with uncertainty. She just wished he’d get in touch with those who loved him. She heard Millie swear again as she braked harshly, scattering gravel, and sensed her pain.

Alex greeted them at the main door. He wore a bulky overcoat, a beanie and woollen gloves. He clapped his hands together, causing some crows to fly up from out of the trees lining the driveway. He glanced up, following their flight into a cloudlessly blue sky. ‘Think it might be warmer out here than inside. Hope you’ve got something cosy to wear.’

Eleri reached into the back of the car for the thick woollen poncho she used as a coat. ‘We’ll be fine,’ she said. ‘Can’t wait for the tour.’ Once she’d tugged the poncho over her head, she examined the front of the hotel. An elegant building, it had a symmetrical Georgian facade. The roofers’ scaffolding was shrouding its beauty, but she could see it would be stunning once repaired.

‘Any news?’ Millie asked Alex as she locked the car.

Alex didn’t need to ask about what. ‘Nothing, I’m afraid. Not a sausage.’

Eleri watched the hope drain out of Millie. ‘It’ll be fine, Millie. Colombia is a lot safer than it used to be for Western travellers.’

‘Great,’ Millie mumbled, not looking convinced.

Alex shivered. ‘Shall we begin? It’s a little cold to be standing around too long. Thought we’d go over to where I hope to put the spa.’

He led them behind the main building of the hotel to what must have been the old covered swimming pool. The water had been drained from the pool and it lay forlorn and lonely in the echoing space under the shabby glass dome. The sharp winter sunlight only emphasised the neglect.

‘Hoping to get the glass replaced,’ Alex said. ‘I rather like the shape of the roof, although the glass has seen better days.’ He nodded to the wall of white-painted breeze blocks. ‘That’s all coming out. It’ll be bi-fold doors that can be opened in warm weather. Not like today, eh?’ He smiled kindly at Millie.

He was so obviously trying to be extra nice to her that Eleri’s heart melted.

‘We’ll have treatment rooms behind and maybe a small café. I’d like some advice from you, Millie, about what to serve.’ He grimaced. ‘I’d like to think the fad for green smoothies is over now but I’d like healthy stuff on the menu. That will fit into the whole ethos.’

‘So you’re still going with some kind of chill zone for burned-out executives?’ Eleri asked.

Alex nodded. ‘That was always my intention but I was never sure quite how to achieve it.’

‘Well, there’s lots of things we can do. Water features, soft lighting, the right sort of music,’ Eleri said. She turned to Millie. ‘Do you remember that place we went to in Panburi?’ Millie nodded, but didn’t answer, she was obviously miles away, so Eleri went on. ‘It was this fabulous spa and hotel right on the beach in Thailand. Lots of tropical dark wood and silks. You could try that sort of thing here. Not those colours,’ she added, hastily. ‘Not in the UK, it wouldn’t feel right, but maybe stick with natural materials, local woods and fabrics, to aim for a really tranquil atmosphere.’ She scanned the sad and defeated room, visualising how it could be. ‘Beech, pale blues, creams and whites. They would look great in here and would reflect that you’re not far from the sea. You could carry them through to the main building, if you like, but warm them up slightly. Add some red and more vibrant blues.’

‘I like the colours used at Millie Vanilla’s,’ Alex put in, clearly out of his depth.

‘They look good, don’t they?’ Eleri answered, as Millie still wasn’t listening. ‘I hate to say this, Alex, but you’re right, you know. It is colder in here than outside.’ She shivered violently. ‘Could we go inside the hotel now, do you think?’

Alex led them on a quick tour of the rest of the hotel and they ended up in the shabby and cluttered office behind the desk in the foyer. He brought over a tray of coffee and sandwiches and toed an ancient electric fire closer to them.

‘Coffee, I think, to warm us up, and then maybe you can both have a look over –’

He didn’t finish, as a familiar voice sounded from the door. ‘Coffee. Just what the weary traveller needs.’ Jed dropped his case and grinned. ‘Actually, having just drunk nothing but the stuff for two weeks, I’d rather have a big mug of tea. Hello everyone.’

Chapter 12

Pandemonium ensued. Millie ran over and hugged him to her, Eleri grinned and introduced herself and Alex busied himself by making tea and shuffling another chair next to the fire.

Once everything had calmed down, Jed took a seat nearest the fire and looked about him. ‘It’s so good to be home, although it’s funny to think of the Lord as home.’ He unzipped his jacket. ‘And I know it hasn’t been long but at times it seemed I was away forever.’

‘You look tired,’ Alex said, with concern.

‘Yes well, at times it wasn’t much of a picnic. And I’m sorry I’ve been out of contact. Communications were a little ropey where I was.’ He blew out a breath so that it made his over-long fringe shoot up. ‘It’s been quite the trip.’

‘Trouble?’

Jed pulled a face at his brother. ‘You could say so. Once or twice.’

‘The gang culture still not sorted, then?’ Eleri put in. ‘They’re called the bandas criminales, I believe,’ she added.

Jed took a swig of tea and shrugged. ‘Looked to be still active where I was travelling.’

‘Why were you there, then?’ Millie asked, with an edge to her voice.

‘Work. Trying to source coffee growers.’

‘For Blue Elephant.’

‘Yes, Millie. For Blue Elephant.’

Eleri gave Alex a sharp glance. ‘Alex bach, did you say you were going to show me the old stable block?’

‘Did I?’ Alex looked surprised and then caught on. ‘Oh yes.’ Untangling his long legs, he got up and held out a courteous hand. ‘You said you had some ideas to turn them into self-catering accommodation. I’d love to hear about them.’

They left without Jed and Millie noticing.

‘I can’t believe you’re working for them.’ Millie hurled the words across the room.

Jed pushed a weary hand through his hair. ‘There are times when I can’t quite believe it myself.’ There was a heavy silence, then he added, ‘Do we have to do this now, Millie?’

‘Yes, we have to do this now, Jed! You know how I feel about that company. You know what they might do to my business. How could you get a job with them, of all people?’ Millie bit down on her anger.

Another silence. Jed dropped his empty mug onto the desk with a thud. There was a beat going in his cheek. He rose and went to the window, looking out into the grounds, as if longing to escape. He was still wearing his orange puffa and it glowed against the silvery-blue sky. ‘This place is going to be great when it’s finished. Must be Georgian. Or older. What do you think?’

‘Jed. Answer the question. I deserve that much, at least.’

He turned and leaned against the sash window frame. ‘You do, of course you do.’ He folded his arms and gave an empty sigh. ‘And I’m so very sorry, sorrier than you’ll ever imagine, but I can’t answer you.’

Millie stood up, her hands clenched to white knuckles. ‘If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation why you’re working for Blue Elephant then I can’t …’ she choked a little. ‘Jed, I can’t see how we can move forward. Everything between us will be over.’ She sucked in a shuddering breath. ‘Once and for all.’

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