The Secret of Trefusis Cove – Episode 33


When they went inside it was to find that quite a lot of plaster had come off the wall above the worktop. The dusty mess was all over the sink, cooker and tin bath.

“We must set to and clear this up,” Betty said.

“Not now, you won’t,” Aircut declared. “You’ll come back with us for a spot of lunch. I’ll check my moorings and then we’ll all set to and help.”

“I’ll phone Peter John again with the latest news. It will be nice to say that there’s no real harm done.” Kit hurried away.

“Can we phone the hospital to ask about Alex?” Val asked. “They probably kept him in overnight.”

“Has Val gone sweet on him?” Aircut whispered to Betty. “She seems more than a bit concerned.”

“Of course she isn’t. She’s just a bit worried, as am I.”

Aircut didn’t answer but called the hospital.

“He discharged himself last night and went home in a taxi. Said he had to look after his horse,” Aircut reported, putting down the phone. “So all’s well apart from the pick-up. That was an old rust bucket already, so it won’t be much loss.”

“He’s OK!” Val clasped her hands together. “Maybe we should call in.”

“He’s fine, Val. Remember he’s the man who is still capable of signing away a complete way of life for the people who rescued him.” Betty spoke firmly, praying her friend wouldn’t grow fond of him.

Sally came from the kitchen with sandwiches and a pot of tea.

“Tuck in. Then we’ll get stuck in to cleaning up the mess at Tangara.”

Despite their large breakfast, they did.

“I’ve a casserole I cooked yesterday,” Sally added. “We’ll take that with us for an evening meal.”

“There’s the rest of the pavlova, too,” Val recalled. “If the cream isn’t sour.”

“Pavlova, what’s that?” a curious Aircut asked.

Val described her evening at Land’s End with Alex.

“That man’s an enigma. He’s almost being nice!” Aircut marvelled.

“Maybe he is nice, deep down,” Val said.

“Remember his motives,” Betty warned. “He might go to any lengths to get us to influence Peter. We have to come up with an idea to stop him getting Tangara and pulling it down.”

“He almost got his wish last night!” Aircut laughed. “But I doubt he engineered it. He could’ve been killed.”

“Of course he didn’t plan it,” Val protested. “He swerved to miss the rabbit!”

Sally put a comforting hand on Val’s shoulder.

“Something will turn up.”

“I know Alex will come round,” Val insisted.

Betty noticed Sally exchange a glance with Aircut. She got the feeling the pair knew something of which she and Val were unaware.

Abigail Phillips

Abbie is the newest member of the fiction team at the "Friend." She loves how varied the role is - every day is different and there is always a new story to read. She is keen to work closely with established writers and discover new writers, too.