Free Caught Out in Cornwall by Janie Bolitho Page B

Promenade. St Michael’s Mount was obscured by the rain. In such weather even walking on the opposite side of the road was no guarantee of not getting hit by a wave, and the sand and weed that came with it.
    Jack was waiting in the car. He didn’t look very happy. Perhaps it was because of the missing child but Arthur thought it was more likely something his daughter had said or done. For once he was wrong.
    Jack was thinking as he sat in the car. They had made the relevant enquiries and discovered that Sally Jones was not claiming benefits for herself and the child. So how was she managing to live? She had said that she had had no contact withPoole for years. But Poole had been uncontactable that day so the matter would have to wait until the morning. Jack was determined to relax and enjoy the evening. No one could work properly when stressed.
    According to Poole, Sally had convinced him it was better for them all if Beth never knew him. And if Sally met someone else Beth could treat that man as her father. ‘It nearly broke my heart but I began to see that she might be right,’ he had continued. Were those sentiments genuine or were they just an excuse for Poole to start a new life unencumbered by a child? And what to do about Sally Jones? Perhaps there was some private income they did not know about. There were other things on his mind, too, but they could wait. He didn’t want to spoil the evening for Rose and Arthur.
    Arthur and Rose hurried towards the car and got in. Jack drove off. ‘We’ve time for a quick drink,’ he said once he’d manoeuvred the car into a space in one of the side roads near the restaurant.
    ‘Suits me,’ Arthur said, willing to go along with whatever they wanted.
    They walked the short distance to the Dock, a pub Arthur had not been in before. It was busierthan they had anticipated, but they wouldn’t be there for very long.
    ‘Do you both know everyone in Penzance and Newlyn?’ Arthur asked when Rose and Jack had greeted several people. Some they knew jointly, others, individually.
    ‘It sometimes seems like it. You will, too, Dad, in a little while.’ She hoped she was right. She had already found someone to introduce him to the captain of one of the bowls clubs, which he hoped to join.
    Several more customers arrived. They drank up quickly and went back out into the rain but the Ocean Palace was almost next door. They sat by the fire whilst they ordered their food from the extensive menu. Then they were taken to their table which was up a short flight of stairs. The interior was on several levels and the decor was reminiscent of a Spanish restaurant rather than a Chinese one.
    Not once throughout the meal did Jack refer to Beth although Rose guessed she was uppermost in his mind. And he had not relaxed. She could see by the way in which he held himself and the grim expression on his face when he was unaware he was being observed.
    ‘That was delicious, Jack. Many thanks,’Arthur said as he wiped his mouth with his serviette. ‘My turn next time.’
    Rose smiled at him. Her father had a dread of not paying his way. ‘If you’re ready I’ll run you both home.’
    The rain had eased to a steady drizzle and the tide was ebbing. The waves were less fierce but it was not a night to be at sea.
    They dropped Arthur outside his house and Jack made sure he was safely in with the lights on before carrying on to Newlyn.
    ‘Do you want some coffee? Only if you do, Doreen insists you have a piece of her lardy cake.’ Because Jack was driving Rose and her father had drunk most of the wine. ‘Or if you prefer, I’ve got some of your favourite whisky.’
    By offering him spirits he knew she was also offering him a bed for the night. ‘Whisky sounds wonderful.’
    Jack parked behind Rose’s car in the drive whilst she unlocked the kitchen door. It was still quite early, not long after nine o’clock; there would be time to talk. Rose could sense that that was what Jack wanted but had