Secrets and Lies: A Polvellan Cornish Mystery by Rachel Ennis

Author:Rachel Ennis [Ennis, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2016-04-24T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

At 6.45 the following evening, Tina Parry, slim as a reed in skinny white jeans, wedge-heeled mules and a multi-coloured short-sleeved tunic, walked up Jess’s path carrying two large holdalls.

Seeing her through the window, Jess hurried to meet her, took one of the bags and felt her arm dragged down. ‘This weighs a ton.’

Tina grinned. ‘You said a make-over so I brought everything. I haven’t had to walk far. Sam dropped me off by your gate. He’s gone back to the marina for an hour then he’ll be coming up to the pub. How many you got coming?’

‘With me there’ll be six: Gill, Annie, Viv, Mor, and Claire Griffin, the vicar’s wife…’

‘She got lovely hair. But it’s some wild. Think she’ll let me trim it do you?’

‘Ask her. I bet she’s sitting in the chair before you’ve got the words out. Listen, this is our treat for Mor. I’ll settle up with you before you leave.’ Jess led the way inside, dropping the bag on the worktop.

Tina nodded. ‘I been wanting to get my hands on her for years. A decent cut and restyle and the right make-up will take years off her.’

‘She’s never had the opportunity to make the most of herself.’

‘You got that right,’ Tina said. ‘My nan knew her mother. Nan said Brenda Crocker never had a good word for anyone.’

‘People like that are usually very unhappy.’

‘Trouble is they try to spread it around. I’ll never know how Mor stood it all those years. She never turned bitter neither, though she could’ve.’

‘Mor’s a dear. That’s why we wanted to do this for her. The wedding is still a while off, but having the make-over now gives her time to get used to the new her.’

‘Good idea.’

‘There’s four towels,’ she pointed to the neat pile. ‘If you need more –’

‘No, I brought some with me.’

Hearing voices approaching up the path, Jess turned with a smile. ‘Brace yourself.’ She opened the door.

Viv and Gill came in first, followed by Annie who had Mor’s arm through hers. Claire brought up the rear. They were all carrying a cake tin or plastic container and Jess was warmed by the laughter and teasing as everyone put their contribution to supper on the worktop.

‘You can let go of her, Annie,’ Viv said. ‘Now we got her in here, she isn’t getting out again ’til Tina’s finished.’

‘I don’t want nothing too –’ Morwenna began, visibly nervous.

‘Park your bum, Mor.’ Viv pointed to the sofa Jess had moved to the other side of the woodburner, to face the kitchen and the tall stool in the middle of the floor. ‘Jess’ll make you a nice cuppa tea.’

Tina grinned. ‘And while you drink it you can watch me give Viv a trim.’

‘Me?’ Viv yelped, one hand flying protectively to the twist of thick, fair hair anchored to the top of her head with an enormous purple and silver slide. As Tina raised an eyebrow she shrugged. ‘Come to think of it, p’rhaps I could do with –’

‘If nobody minds,’ Claire interrupted, ‘I’d like to be first.

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