‘Have we missed Twelfth Night?’ Marta asked ironically, pointing to an area of lawn where two men with ropes were laying a huge Christmas tree on its side.
‘They’re taking it down before the storm does it for them,’ Trannack said. ‘If you don’t mind waiting a moment, I’ll call in at the Change House and get someone from the castle to come down and meet you. I won’t be long, but feel free to stretch your legs and look round if you’d like to.’
‘Can’t you just drive us straight up there?’ Lancaster asked impatiently.
‘I’m afraid it’s not as simple as that, sir. Cars don’t go much further than this.’
Lancaster glanced doubtfully at the steep ascent to the summit. ‘So what about our luggage?’
‘Ah, there’s a service tram that runs up to the castle, so no need to worry about that. Your cases will be taken to your rooms as soon as they get here.’
‘But we’ve got to walk?’
‘There is another option, sir. The pilgrims used to crawl up on their knees, but we don’t insist on that nowadays.’
His remark came with a charm that cancelled out its insolence, and Josephine hid a smile as Trannack walked off to make his call, heading for the building nearest the causeway which presumably functioned as a reception point for the island. The cart laden with provisions and luggage was making swift progress across from the mainland and the driver touched his cap as he passed, then continued along the harbour, stopping outside a single-storey granite shed to unload. Elsewhere, vast amounts of logs and coal were being hauled off boats, and there was a strong sense of the islanders stocking up and hunkering down against the weather, rather like an old-style military siege. Rising to the challenge, the first flakes of white began to fall – hardly the blizzard that Trannack had forecast, but enough to soften the Mount’s predominant greys and hint at how enchantingly the island might be transformed if the snow had a chance to settle.
The silence in the car grew more awkward as they waited, and Josephine was casting round for something harmless to say when Rachel Lancaster beat her to it. ‘I don’t want to stay here,’ she announced from nowhere, and Marta and Josephine looked at her in surprise. ‘Gerry, please – let’s leave now, while we still can. This was a mistake.’
Lancaster turned round, and Josephine felt his wife flinch in the seat next to her. He must have caught her expression because he seemed to check himself, responding more kindly than he had intended. ‘You’re just tired, darling. It’s been a long day,’ he said, but there was a cajoling note in his voice which was almost as unpleasant as his temper. ‘You’ll feel better once we’ve settled in.’ Rachel stared out of the window, refusing to meet his eye, and he looked at Josephine instead. ‘Perhaps you could give us a moment in private?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Marta got out and Josephine followed, glad to feel the air on her face after the stuffiness of the car.
‘Well, that wasn’t very comfortable, was it?’ Marta said as they walked over to the quayside, putting a discreet distance between themselves and the argument. ‘I hope we’re not seated next to those two at dinner – if they’re staying for dinner, that is.’
‘The very thought of it fills me with horror,’ Josephine admitted. ‘I think I might come down with something infectious and have a tray in my room.’ She glanced back to the car, where the Lancasters seemed to be in animated conversation. ‘Did you see the bruise on her arm? I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, but …’
‘Bastard. If I see him lay a finger on her …’
‘Sssh, it will only make things worse if they know we’re talking about them.’ She looked over to the Change House, hoping that Trannack would soon be back to dilute the tension, but the only person on that side of the harbour was a solitary figure, dressed in black, who had just come out of the cemetery; for no apparent reason, the man turned at the head of the causeway and stared back in their direction, looking at the car for a long time before moving on. He strode out towards the mainland with his head bowed against the stiff Atlantic breeze – exposed and vulnerable, and yet somehow threatening. Unsettled by the image, Josephine shivered.
‘Let’s have a look at that museum,’ Marta suggested. ‘We’ll catch our deaths if we just stand here.’
There was no light coming from inside the building, although the sign on the door said it was open. The window display featured various local curiosities – cannon balls fired during the Civil War, a spider crab with four claws – and a handwritten notice promised many more inside. ‘At least we’ll be out of the cold,’ Marta said, ‘and I’ve always wanted to know more about tin mining.’
She pushed at the door and a bell rang as it opened, but a voice from behind distracted her. ‘Excuse me! Hello!’
A woman was hurrying down one of the paths from the castle, waving frantically to get their attention, and Josephine smiled at Marta. ‘Looks like your education will have to wait. This must be our welcoming party.’
Sure enough, the woman introduced herself as Nora Pendean, the castle’s housekeeper. ‘Welcome to St Michael’s Mount,’ she said when Josephine and Marta had given their names, ‘and a very happy Christmas to you both.’ She paused to get her breath back, and Josephine wondered if her agitation was down to the general workload of a house party or the arrival of one guest in particular. ‘I hope you’ll be comfortable with us,’ she continued, ‘and please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything you need – anything at all. I’ll take you up to the castle now and show you to your rooms, and Miss St Aubyn would be delighted if you would join her for drinks in the library at six. All our guests should have arrived by then. In the meantime, we’ll bring you some tea.’
She glanced behind them at the open museum door, and Josephine felt obliged to explain. ‘We thought we’d have a look round while we were waiting,’ she said. ‘You’ve obviously got a fascinating collection.’
‘Oh yes, there are one or two things here that you won’t find anywhere else, but I’m very sorry – it’s closed now until after Christmas.’ She reached inside to turn the sign round and shut the door firmly behind her. ‘Family commitments. This shouldn’t have been left open today, but I’m sure there’ll be time for you to have a look round before you leave. Now – shall we go up and settle you in?’
Trannack had returned and was by the car with the Lancasters; other than an embarrassed glance towards Marta and Josephine, they made no reference to the earlier conversation, and when Mrs Pendean began the steep climb to the castle, they followed her without another word.
4
The temptation to call in at his uncle’s house and introduce his travelling companion to his family was almost too much for Archie, but their progress through Devon had been hampered by icy roads and snowbound villages, and he wanted to reach Marazion before the causeway closed. In spite of sending luggage on separately as she had promised, Marlene could never be described as someone who travelled light, and the idea of transferring everything she had brought from his car to a boat was a mountain which he would prefer not to face at the end of a long journey.