Page 35 of Tricks & Treats at The Cosy Cornish Bakery

Ginger groaned. ‘What’s he gone and done this year? Pinky is notorious for going off-piste with the scarecrow competition.’

‘Reckon he’s going doolally in the head, like.’ Amber tapped her forehead to emphasise the point. ‘He’s made a scaled down version of the Wicker Man.’

‘The what?’ Pammy asked.

‘It’s an old horror film, a classic,’ Chloe explained, ‘from the seventies. In the film they forced a man inside this great big straw figure and set it alight.’

‘Oh my good Lord above,’ Pammy exclaimed. ‘What a thing to do! Daft goon.’

Chloe wasn’t sure whether Pammy meant the film or Pinky’s actions but agreed. She stored daft goon away as a phrase to pick over and bring out at an opportune moment.

Amber nodded vigorously then gave a shudder. ‘I saw that film on the telly the other night. Gave me the right ick. Pinky’s straw man isn’t as big as the thing in the film but it’s about five metres high.’

‘How’s that in real money?’ Pammy asked.

‘Don’t know,’ Chloe said, doing the conversion in her head. ‘Must be well over fifteen feet. How did he keep that a secret?’ she asked Amber. ‘It must have taken a while to build.’

‘He had it covered over with a tarpaulin, didn’t he?’ She slurped some tea. ‘Gets worse, though.’

‘How?’ Chloe asked, enjoying this tremendously. She knew Pinky had always had a reputation for eccentricity, but this was next level.

Amber leaned in, her eyes huge. ‘Only gone and put a sign on saying, “Emmets Beware. Trespassers will be Burned”.’

‘No!’ Chloe said, shocked.

‘That’s terrible.’ Ginger peered through the window at where their scarecrow sat at a table they’d dragged out, dressed in pink and purple shorts, a yellow Hawaiian shirt, and a battered panama shoved on top of the grey wig. ‘You know,’ she began slowly. ‘Our chap reminds me of–’

‘Who?’

Ginger began to giggle. ‘I mean, he needs a parrot, of course.’

The four women stared at one another and then burst into laughter.

‘It’s decided, then,’ Chloe intoned solemnly. ‘Our scarecrow shall now officially be known as’ – she paused for dramatic effect – ‘Pinky!’ She lifted her mug. ‘Cheers!’

CHAPTER 18

Josh had been out for a run at breakfast, so Ginger had left bread and eggs out for him to cater for himself on his return. She’d spent a happy hour or so ordering essential oils and candles, searching all her favourite sites for the best deals. Going into The Sanctuary’s kitchen to make a cup of ginger and lemon tea, she was surprised to see him sitting at the table nursing a mug. Dressed in sweats, his hair was spiked up, his cheeks flushed.

‘Good run? Did you get yourself something to eat?’

He shook his head. ‘Just a coffee.’

Ginger poured him a glass of water and added a lemon slice. ‘Drink this, too. You need to rehydrate.’ She put it in front of him. ‘Can I make you something now?’ To her surprise, he reached out and held on to her hand. ‘Are you all right, Josh?’ She frowned. ‘You don’t seem yourself.’

He dropped the hand. ‘I’m fine. Just mulling something over. I can usually run any decisions off, but it didn’t work this morning.’

‘I’ll make scrambled eggs, shall I? And crispy bacon. Late breakfast, or early lunch.’

‘Sounds good.’

They ate in silence. It was unusual. Ever since Josh had come to stay, they’d always been able to have an easy conversation over the many meals they’d shared.

When they’d finished eating and Josh had collected the plates, stacking them neatly in the dishwasher, he sat down with another coffee.

‘Too much caffeine will make you jittery,’ Ginger said. But she was feeling the same, and her tea was caffeine free. There was a strange electricity zigzagging between them. It made the air hum and her skin prickle.

Josh stretched. ‘I’m getting stiff. Need a shower. Could you give me another massage?’