The Cornish Cream Tea Bus: Part Two – The Éclair Affair. Cressida McLaughlin

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      ‘Oh my God!’

      ‘What the hell?’

      ‘Whose dog is that?’

      The last exclamation, from the man in the navy suit, was surely unnecessary, Charlie thought as she raced forward and scooped Marmite into her arms, trying not to look at the pod’s now less-than-elegant display. Marmite licked her face, his tail wagging, as if he’d just achieved something magnificent. Navy Suit Woman stared at what was left of the dinner table, while the man, having found the answer to his question, strode towards her.

      Charlie shrank back, covering Marmite with her arms, but before the man could reach her, Daniel placed a hand on his chest and spoke to him in a low voice that didn’t carry. She scuttled back to Oliver’s side and saw that he was laughing silently, his hands over his mouth, his head bowed.

      ‘Not helping,’ she whispered, and had to bite down on her bottom lip so as not to be infected by his laughter.

      Navy Suit Man retreated, and Daniel approached her. His fingers were flexing at his sides and she wondered if that was some kind of calming technique, the same way Juliette had taught her how to take deep, even breaths that expanded her entire torso before reacting to a situation. She could do with a few deep breaths right now.

      ‘Daniel, I am so sorry,’ she said instead. ‘I’ll pay for any damages, of course.’ She prayed that they amounted to tablecloths and a couple of plates, and that Marmite hadn’t smashed any of the cut-glass crystal or the glass of the pod itself.

      Daniel looked from her to Marmite, then Oliver. He frowned. ‘I know you’re determined, but I hadn’t expected sabotage. I can see I’m going to have to be on my guard from now on.’

      ‘Daniel, I honestly didn’t mean for that to happen.’

      His serious expression cracked into a grin.

      ‘Wait, you’re not—?’

      ‘We’re covered for accidents at these shows,’ he said. ‘It’s probably a good idea to have one pod empty anyway, so customers can imagine something that’s more to their style. Not everyone goes in for silver cutlery and Royal Doulton.’

      ‘Royal Doulton?’ Charlie murmured. ‘Shit.’

      ‘I know. Didn’t take that into consideration when you were planning to set your dog on me, did you? You should always budget properly for attacks of vandalism. You’re lucky I’m such a generous guy.’ He glanced at Oliver, his smile slipping, and held out his hand. ‘I’m Daniel Harper, owner of The Crystal Waters Spa Hotel.’

      ‘Ollie, The Marauding Mojito.’ Oliver shook his hand. ‘This all looks pretty swanky.’

      ‘It did, until Charlie came along.’ Daniel ruffled Marmite’s ears. ‘Are you and your dog always this accident prone?’

      ‘No,’ Charlie said quickly. ‘And just because my dog’s a tearaway, doesn’t mean I’m clumsy.’

      ‘The first time I met her, the bus had had a bit of an accident,’ Oliver said. ‘It was actually pretty spectacular, the way—’

      ‘We don’t need to get into that,’ Charlie said, grabbing his arm. ‘I’m sure Daniel doesn’t have time to stand here gossiping.’

      ‘I just came to see how Mark and Ali were doing. I left Jasper in the car because I thought he might cause trouble.’ He glanced behind him, where Ali was crouched inside the pod, retrieving bits of broken crockery. ‘Clearly a precaution I needn’t have taken.’

      ‘Maybe our dogs should get together for a doggy date.’ She didn’t know why she’d said it – maybe to distract him from what Oliver had said about Gertie’s accident. She couldn’t cope with the two of them ganging up on her.

      ‘Doggy date?’ Daniel laughed, and Charlie felt her cheeks burn.

      ‘God, is that the time?’ she said. ‘I’ve left Juliette and Lawrence for far too long. Nice to see you, Daniel, sorry again about Marmite. Your pods are beautiful, by the way. I didn’t see them in the garden that time.’

      ‘They’re new,’ Daniel said. ‘Been installed a week.’

      ‘Great. Lovely. I’ll have to … drop in.’ She started to pull Oliver away.

      ‘I’m looking forward to your festival even more now,’ Daniel called, giving her a wave when she glanced behind her. She was unable to stop herself from waving back.

      ‘He’s in the village where you’re staying?’ Oliver asked, when they were out of sight of the Crystal Waters stand.

      ‘Yes, he is,’ Charlie СКАЧАТЬ