The Cornish Cream Tea Christmas: Part Four – All I Want for Christmas is Cake!

Copyright

Published by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

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First published in Great Britain in e-book format in 2020 by HarperCollinsPublishers

Copyright © Cressida McLaughlin 2020

Cover design Caroline Young © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2020.

Cover illustration © May Van Millingen

Cressida McLaughlin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book 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.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780008408718

Ebook Edition © October 2020 ISBN: 9780008408770

Version: 2020-09-09

Dedication

For Kate, Tim, Clara and Pete

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Part Four: All I Want for Christmas Is Cake

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Acknowledgements

Cressy’s Christmas away from home …

Keep Reading …

About the Author

Also by Cressida McLaughlin

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Hannah Swan sat in the snug, the lounge-cum-bar of the Crystal Waters Spa Hotel, her eyes starting to cross as she stared at her iPad. She would happily pay a significant sum of money for someone else to organize her train journey back to Edinburgh, give her tickets and an itinerary of where she had to be and when. But there was nobody to do it except her, and she couldn’t put it off any longer. She had been on borrowed time in Porthgolow long enough.

A hot nose gently nudged her knee and she looked down to see Spirit, the scruffy white dog she had rescued from the beach the night the storm hit. She patted his head and noticed he had something in his mouth, something that glittered in the light.

‘What have you got there, Spirit?’ She chucked him under the chin so that he lifted his dark eyes to meet hers. It was a biro, with hologram print on the outside and a plume of soft purple fluff at the end. It reminded Hannah of school, and the treasures she and her friends used to have in their pencil cases at the beginning of each term. ‘Whose is this? Where did you get it?’

The snug was empty so early in the morning, only the Christmas tree with its softly sparkling lights keeping her company. Many of the guests would still be having breakfast, and the bookings were down since the storm had taken out the train line at Dawlish. Glad to have a distraction from her journey planning, Hannah left her coffee on the table and walked into reception.

‘Hannah.’ Daniel smiled at her from behind the desk. ‘Still with us, I see.’

‘Despite my best efforts,’ she said, then realized how that sounded. ‘I would happily stay here for ever, but I’m not one of those old Victorian ladies who can afford to live in a hotel, and I do have things to get back to.’

His smile faded. ‘You’re not having any luck with the trains?’

‘The services are still disrupted, but I’m going to have to bite the bullet. It’s only going to get worse the closer it gets to Christmas.’

‘If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.’ As she approached the desk, he slid a piece of paper off it and into his pocket. It was a smooth, efficient manoeuvre, but she still saw it. She was going to say something, but then decided she’d had enough of trying to unearth secrets – especially ones that turned out to be in her imagination. Her theory that there might be some significance to the time she’d spent in Porthgolow as a child had proved to be even less substantial than Audrey’s ghosts.

‘I will, thank you. Oh … is this yours?’ She held up the shimmering, fluff-topped pen. Daniel raised an eyebrow. ‘Maybe Chloe’s, or one of the other staff? Spirit had it.’

‘He’s a proper magpie dog,’ Daniel said. ‘Keeps nicking the stapler off my desk. I think it’s because it’s silver – he’s not interested in the black hole punch. Or maybe he knows they’re redundant. Who uses hole punches these days?’

Hannah shook her head. ‘You’ve had no luck tracking down his owner?’

‘No, and I’ve tried everywhere. All the online message boards and Facebook groups. I might have to take him to a shelter.’ There was real pain in his eyes.

‘You and Charlie can’t have him?’

‘We’re just about managing with Jasper and Marmite. Marmite’s happy on Gertie when Charlie’s at work, but I already ask my neighbour, Lily, to look after Jasper a lot during the day. She’s got two dogs of her own and it wouldn’t be fair to add another mutt to her babysitting duties, however lovable he is.’

‘And he is lovable,’ Hannah said, tears stinging her eyes. ‘Oh, poor Spirit. He’s far too affectionate for a shelter.’

Daniel ran a hand through his hair. ‘I’m going to hold onto him until after Christmas. There still might be a chance that … Hannah, are you OK?’ He hurried around to her side of the desk and put a hand on her shoulder.

She bent her head and wiped frantically at her eyes. ‘I’m so sorry, it isn’t really about this. I know you’ve done all you can for Spirit.’

‘What is it?’ he asked gently.

She sniffed and looked up at him. ‘A combination of things. I didn’t mean to blub at you Daniel, I’m so sorry.’

‘Please don’t apologize. Give me five minutes to get someone to take over and I’ll—’

‘Hellooooo?’ called a high, lyrical voice, and Hannah turned to see a couple walk through the door, wheeling suitcases behind them. The first thing she noticed was how attractive they were. The woman was slim with long dark hair and a smattering of freckles across her pale skin, her eyes full of mischief. The man was tall, with a slightly unruly crop of dark blond hair and high cheekbones. His demeanour was easy, relaxed, while she was positively brimming with energy.

‘Lila, Sam!’ Daniel gave Hannah an apologetic glance, but her moment of sadness was gone. This was Charlie’s cousin and her actor boyfriend, back from LA? ‘I didn’t realize you were arriving today.’ Daniel stepped forward and drew Lila into an embrace, then exchanged a manly hug and back slap with Sam.

‘The journey’s been pretty shit,’ Sam said, but he was smiling. ‘The weather was awful, and I almost lost my kneecap on the flight over.’

‘That’s only because the turbulence was so bad,’ Lila said, laughing. ‘I needed something to hold onto. But we’re here now, and this place looks wonderful. Wow.’ She clapped her hands together. ‘Look at that tree! Oh Sam, this is going to be magical. It’s so good to be home. I texted Charlie and she said she’d come up in a bit, but we can always go down to Gertie. How’s everything? How are you? Was the storm really bad here? Where are Marmite and Jasper?’

Daniel grinned. ‘Steady on, Lila. Why don’t you get settled in your room, and we can have a proper catch-up when Charlie’s here.’

‘Of course!’ she said, her gaze landing on Hannah. ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation. I’m so rude, I’m just – don’t you think this place is amazing? I mean, of course you do, you wouldn’t have booked to stay here otherwise.’

‘It’s wonderful,’ Hannah managed. She’d read all about Estelle and the Cornish Cream Tea Bus’s role on set on her train journey down, and standing here with two of its stars – even if one of them was Charlie’s cousin – she felt overwhelmingly starstruck. ‘I’m so looking forward to Estelle,’ she blurted.

Lila’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, thank you! The whole production is magnificent, but Sam really makes it. He’s the complete package – a total superstar!’

‘And you’re not at all biased,’ Sam said.

Lila rolled her eyes. ‘I loved your acting before I loved you, remember?’

‘Lila, Sam,’ Daniel cut in, ‘this is Hannah Swan. She’s one of the eco-consultants I’ve brought in to help make this place more sustainable. Hannah, it seems as if you know who they are already, but this is Delilah, Charlie’s cousin, and Sam.’

‘I knew he wouldn’t wait until after Christmas!’ Lila said, shaking Hannah’s hand. ‘What do you think? Is it a lost cause?’

Hannah laughed nervously. ‘Not at all. Daniel’s already ticked a lot of the boxes, we’re just helping him get to that next level.’ She cringed at her awful business-speak, and tried to force herself to relax.

‘Are you staying here for Christmas?’ Sam asked.

Hannah shook her head. ‘I’m trying to book a train home. Everything’s been disrupted by the storm, but I’m hoping to get back to Edinburgh in time. I’ve got a few days yet.’ She gave them a timid smile. They seemed so nice, so normal, but there was a definite aura around them. They actually looked like film stars, as if they were a slightly different species to the rest of them. She was saved from saying anything else deathly dull by the arrival of Audrey.

‘Oh Hannah, my pen! Where did you find it?’

Hannah smiled brightly at Audrey, conscious of Sam and Delilah watching them while Daniel went to get their room key. ‘It’s yours?’

‘One of my favourites. Bought at the station Paperchase when I was in a rush, but I’ve grown unaccountably fond of it. I’m sure I had it in my room earlier.’ She shook her head, perplexed, as Hannah handed it to her.

‘Could your room have been invaded by a dog at any point over the last couple of hours?’ Daniel asked, emerging from his office. ‘How on earth is he managing to get into other bedrooms? Is he opening doors now?’

‘He sleeps in my room,’ Hannah explained, ‘but other than that, he’s a bit of a law unto himself.’ She shrugged, apologetic.

‘Don’t worry,’ Daniel said. ‘He seems to have adopted the hotel as his own, and I don’t expect you to keep track of him the whole time.’

‘Is this Spirit?’ Audrey asked. ‘Of course! He followed me after breakfast, but I was sure I hadn’t let him in.’

‘That dog might turn out to actually be a ghost, for all we know. A ghost with very light fingers. Lock up your precious jewellery, guys.’ Daniel’s smile fell, replaced with something close to alarm. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I just need to – will you be OK, Hannah?’

‘I’m fine. Thank you, Daniel.’ She watched him hurry into his office and close the door swiftly behind him.

‘What’s this about ghost dogs?’ Lila asked. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Uhm.’ Hannah wasn’t sure it was her place to tell them when Daniel was still slightly prickly about the whole thing.

‘I’m investigating the hauntings at this hotel,’ Audrey said boldly.

Delilah’s mouth fell open.

‘What?’ Sam asked, laughing. ‘Here?’

‘We’ve already gathered some excellent evidence, and I—’

‘Oh my God!’ Lila grabbed Audrey’s arm. ‘Seriously? This isn’t a wind-up because of Estelle?’

Audrey gave Lila a blank look.

‘Sam and Lila are actors,’ Hannah explained. ‘They’re in a drama series that’s being shown on the BBC over Christmas. Estelle? It’s a ghost story.’

‘Goodness!’ Audrey shook their hands in turn. ‘It’s lovely to meet you. You should have been here for the investigation.’

‘I’m not sure how we could have helped,’ Sam said.

‘Oh, and Lila is Charlie’s cousin,’ Hannah added.

‘This trip just gets more and more interesting,’ Audrey said. ‘How wonderful!’

‘Perhaps we could meet up with you later?’ Lila tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear. ‘I’d love to hear about the ghosts.’

‘We’d better get sorted first.’ Sam gestured to their suitcases. ‘We’re filling up reception with our stuff.’

‘I’m going to be in the hotel all day,’ Audrey said. ‘Do come and find me when you’re ready.’

‘I can’t wait!’ Lila beamed at them. ‘It was lovely to meet you both. Hopefully we’ll see you later.’ They wheeled their cases across the polished floor, Sam calling goodbye over his shoulder.

‘The drama never ends,’ Audrey said, once they’d gone. ‘Are you all right, Hannah?’

The question surprised her: she thought she’d hidden her earlier wobble well. ‘Things are catching up with me a bit, that’s all. Trying to get home, you know.’

Audrey nodded. ‘What are you doing now? Fancy an exchange of information?’

‘You’ve found more out about our ghosts?’

‘Something fairly conclusive, I believe.’

‘I’d love to hear it, but I don’t have anything exciting to report in return.’

‘I just thought you might like to offload. I’m quite a good listener. Come on, let’s go and get a coffee.’ Hannah followed Audrey back into the snug, where Spirit, coffee and, perhaps, the conclusion of the ghostly tale, would take her mind off things.

‘Oh my God!’ Hannah sat back in her chair and pulled Spirit’s warm body more firmly onto her lap. This time her tears were for someone else, and it reminded her that, however much she had to deal with, she was incredibly lucky.

‘I know.’ Audrey smoothed her hand over the page of her notebook. ‘Isn’t it tragic?’

‘He couldn’t bear to live without her,’ Hannah choked out. ‘He scratched those words into the stone just before … before he jumped?’

‘His body was washed up on the beach, just like Anna’s. Only a few days later. Initial speculation was that Henry Medlin – it’s good to finally have his first name confirmed – had gone out to fish as usual, but had fallen foul of particularly rough seas, but his boat was never found, so they couldn’t be sure.’

‘And the fact that he ended up below these cliffs,’ Hannah added.

‘And now we have the message he left, saying he would see her again soon.’ Audrey shook her head. ‘I feel both triumphant and desperately sad that we’ve found out what happened.’

‘Wasn’t his boat in the village? If he’d jumped from here, then shouldn’t his boat still have been moored up?’

‘In the report it says it wasn’t, which was why it was thought it had been lost at sea. He may have cast it adrift himself, knowing he’d no longer have need of it, wishing that to be the version everyone believed.’

Hannah stroked Spirit’s ears. ‘So Anna and Henry both died here, and it could be either of them still haunting the hotel? Edward went back to London and carried on with his life, despite all the rumours about what he’d done?’

Audrey nodded. ‘Remarried, had five children. Lived a good, long life, unlike the lovers he left behind.’

Hannah shook her head. ‘It’s so tragic. Poor Anna, poor Henry. I know they weren’t necessarily in the right, having an affair like that, but they didn’t deserve to die for it.’

‘Sometimes the heart wants who the heart wants, regardless of logic or morals.’

Hannah looked up from Audrey’s notes, and found the researcher watching her closely. She tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry despite the large latte she’d just had. Audrey held the silence, and Hannah began to squirm. ‘You’re not psychic like Spirit, are you?’ she asked. ‘I thought you weren’t a medium, just a paranormal enthusiast?’

‘You don’t need to have special powers to see what’s been happening between you and Noah.’

‘I thought he had a girlfriend,’ Hannah admitted. ‘I couldn’t help being attracted to him, but I thought he wasn’t free. When he – we almost … when something happened, I was so confused.’

‘But he’s not in a relationship?’ Audrey asked gently.

Hannah shook her head. ‘I found out a couple of days ago. He’s just come out of one, and he was discreet about it because he’s a careful person. He never told me he wasn’t single, I just assumed. We’re nothing like Anna and Henry.’

‘Sometimes the present mirrors the past. Patterns repeat.’

Hannah laughed. ‘When we were on our investigation, things got pretty … intense, and I thought maybe we were getting mixed up in their story. I’m Hannah, she’s Anna. Noah’s not a fisherman but his dad is. When he—’ she took a breath. ‘I thought maybe the spirits were manipulating our feelings.’ Spirit whined and put his paw on her forearm, his claws gently scratching her skin. ‘But they weren’t. I mean, it was just us.’

‘Sometimes it’s easier to think there are other forces at work when you’re not entirely comfortable with how you feel or behave,’ Audrey said.

Hannah shrugged. ‘And it turns out that we weren’t doing anything wrong. I missed my chance, and in a few days I’ll be back in Edinburgh and we’ll each carry on with our own lives. It’s a tale as old as time, but at least it’s not going to end in tragedy for anyone. Tell me more about Henry and Anna.’

‘There isn’t much more to tell,’ Audrey said. ‘I’m delighted to have found out what we have.’

Hannah sighed. ‘So what happens now?’

‘Now I document it all. The love affair, the repercussions, the hauntings. The fact that the investigation here ended with your and Noah’s discovery ties the whole thing up brilliantly. I couldn’t have asked for a better, more rounded story for Richard’s book.’

‘Your book too,’ Hannah said. ‘You’re writing it now.’

Audrey nodded, her eyes bright behind her glasses. ‘I need to collect my thoughts and write it up for Daniel. I need him to know what I’m planning to say about his hotel.’

‘I think he’ll be OK,’ Hannah said. ‘Perhaps he’s come around to the idea that his hotel is haunted?’

She and Audrey exchanged a smile. Hannah was pleased that at least one of them had found answers while they were here.

‘Thank you, Audrey, I appreciate you telling us.’ Daniel rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. Hannah was surprised he didn’t look more relieved. Audrey had everything she needed: she could go away and write her chapter now.

Lila and Sam exchanged a glance. Sam looked anxious, but Lila was obviously trying to hide her excitement at being thrust into a drama so soon after arriving. Audrey had asked to speak to Daniel now she’d tied up the loose ends of the story, and he had suggested the hotel’s private dining room. Hannah didn’t know how Sam and Lila had got wind of it, but having had an introduction to Charlie’s cousin, she wasn’t massively surprised that she was there.

It was a beautiful room, windows on two sides giving an almost panoramic view of the sea and sky, the violet hues of one of Cornwall’s subtler sunsets. Darkness wasn’t far off, and it wasn’t even four o’clock.

‘Why aren’t you jumping for joy about all this ghost stuff?’ Lila asked. ‘Don’t you think it’s amazing to have such interesting history connected to your hotel? It’s tragic, for sure, but life sometimes is. You put this story about – is it Anna and Henry? –’ Audrey nodded her confirmation – ‘on the website and mention the ghosts, it won’t stop people coming here. It’ll have them flocking like zombies.’

Daniel gave her a sceptical look. ‘I’m not sure zombies flock, Lila.’

‘Delilah’s right,’ Reenie said. ‘Most haunted hotels are creepy. Sometimes cleanliness and comfort are sacrificed to enhance the spooky atmosphere. But if you offer hauntings and back massages, all in beautiful surroundings, you’ll have your hand bitten off – just to keep to the zombie theme.’ She grinned. ‘You need to stop being so precious about your reputation and move with the times.’

‘It wasn’t ever how I imagined marketing my hotel,’ Daniel said.

‘So adapt,’ Reenie countered. ‘You’re a smart man, Daniel. You can get into the spirit of it, as it were. As Lila says, once this book is published you’ll likely get a whole new influx of visitors.’

‘You could sell copies in reception,’ Lila added. ‘Along with DVDs of Estelle, once that’s come out. There are endless opportunities here.’

‘And the staff are bound to be reassured when you tell them the story,’ Audrey continued. ‘It’s so often fear of the unknown that causes the most upset, and once they know about Anna and Henry, everything will fall into place.’

‘I’m not sure Kevin will feel that way,’ Daniel said. ‘But I can talk to him about it, explain that there’s nothing threatening here, even if—’

‘Even if the ghosts really exist?’ Audrey asked. ‘Don’t worry, Daniel, I’ve come across more sceptics than you can imagine, and everyone is entitled to their opinion.’

‘So that’s it then?’ His shoulders dropped. ‘We can get back to focusing on Christmas?’

There were nods and murmurs of assent, and then Lila spoke up. ‘But shouldn’t we do something? For Anna and Henry?’

‘Do something for them?’ Reenie said. ‘They’re dead, Delilah. I think they’re rather beyond helping.’

She wrinkled her nose. ‘Couldn’t we help them be at peace? What happened to them was so heartbreaking, and now they’re roaming around here, tormented. Isn’t there something we can do?’

‘If we get rid of them, then the hotel won’t be haunted any more,’ Sam said. ‘And Daniel will lose his new marketing angle.’

‘I don’t think that would matter,’ Charlie replied. ‘Ghosts are never guaranteed, after all. It’s the idea of a place being haunted that’s most appealing. But can you really do that? Help spirits be at peace?’ She shrugged, and all eyes turned to Audrey.

‘There is one thing,’ Audrey said softly. ‘I know a few of Richard’s contacts in the field, and I am sure one of them could help me with a cleansing spell. I could perform it down by the swimming pool, where Henry’s message to Anna has ended up. I have no idea how successful it would be, but it would be a way for us to say goodbye to Anna and Henry, at least.’

‘A cleansing spell,’ Reenie repeated. ‘Did you ever hear such nons—’

‘That sounds perfect!’ Lila said.

‘You weren’t even part of the investigation, Lila.’ Daniel shook his head, but he was smiling. ‘OK then, if everyone’s up for it?’ He glanced around the room and got nods in return, including from Hannah, who agreed with Lila that it would be good to do something to acknowledge the people she’d come to learn about, even if they were only notes on a page or footsteps on a recording. ‘Let’s finish this thing properly,’ he said decisively. ‘And then we can put all our efforts into Christmas. I have plans, and I don’t want them to be derailed.’