‘Ideally, but 11.30 on a windy April morning will probably do just as well.’
She took the pen. She paused for a moment, recognising that, with this act, she was beginning a new chapter in her life that could lead she knew not where. She bent over the document.
Amanda Cadabra signed her name.
Chapter 49
Flamgoyne and Cardiubarn
Amanda brought the two cups of tea and plates of saffron cake back to the café table, and said to the gentleman seated opposite,
‘I wanted to say goodbye and to thank you for the times we’ve had together, and all the help you’ve given me with my Cornish. It really has been a treat. And so I ... I would like to tell you who I am.’
He leaned back in his bench seat. ‘You’re welcome to the treat ... Amanda Cadabra.’
She nodded. ‘Ah. Mr Flamgoyne, how long have you known?’
‘Oh, pretty much from the start. You’ve something of your grandmother Senara Cardiubarn about you. She were taller and thinner o’ course and all that red hair, but even so. And it was never no secret up on the Moor that she eloped with Perran Cadabra.’
‘Did you ever meet my grandfather?’ Amanda asked her eyes sparkling.
‘Cadabras ... now that was forbidden back then. They were an enemy that wouldn’t surrender and wouldn’t fight – not in any way our two clans could understand. Peace was a bitter pill for us all to swallow.’
‘Yes, of course .... So ... now we have our cards on the table ... you don’t mind?’
‘I’ve no grudge against you. And with the rest of them all gone, it’s just you and me, and Master Kyt and Master Thomas o’ course. But you’re the last, last of the Cardiubarns as I am the last of my name. And perhaps no bad thing either. Unless o’ course you, er, …’
‘No. No, Pasco, the buck stops here. The house of Cardiubarn ends with me. But is it too much to hope that the war between our clans ends here today with us?’
‘I’ve no will to fight more. The glory days of Flamgoyne are gone. You should have seen it though.’ The man’s face glowed for a moment. ‘The splendour, the power, the magic. But now it’s done. And I am old enough and wise enough to know it. Very well, Cardiubarn Arlodha, it ends here. And there’s my hand on it.’
She shook it willingly. They sipped their tea for a while in silence savouring the moment.
‘Mind you,’ Pasco said presently, ‘the two clans wasn’t all pushin’ each other off cliffs and down wells. Mostly it were a cold war truce. Like the Russians and British before the Wall come down.’
‘John le Carré? Smiley’s People?’
‘Read that, ’ave you? Well, it weren’t far off. I own that I did my part in that circus, but I weren’t no enchanted bondservant, like the rest. I ’ad my free will.’
Amanda leaned forward, curious. ‘May I ask? You are a good man, Pasco. How did you manage to act according to your conscience all these years?’
‘Hm. I’m not sayin’ as my hands is lily-white clean. Some things ... but I done my best, see? A good man and a good Flamgoyne.’
Amanda nodded and ate some of her cake. A new question occurred to her.
‘Pasco, do you wish Flamgoyne was yours?’
‘I know you ask out of personal interest, and I like you for it. So here it is: I don’t Amanda. It’s too big now they're all gone. One man and a bit of help in that great place. To be honest,’ — he leaned in — ‘I’d prefer a nice cottage. Just the land to keep an eye on. Rent it out, make sure the farmers care for it. ’Ave a little garden for myself.’
‘And Flamgoyne? The mansion itself?’ she asked.
‘The House has already fallen. P’raps it fell a long time ago; the building will follow. As I say, I am last of that name.’
‘There might be others. Out there still,’ she suggested.
‘Hm. Who’s to say? But as far as I’m concerned, it’s done, Amanda. It’s done.’
He raised his teacup to her, she responded in kind, and they drank in companionable silence.
Chapter 50
Revelation
Back in the cottage, Amanda opened the French windows to let in the sound and scent of the sea. Her meeting with Pasco had left her with a new question that surely her grandparents could answer.
‘Granny, Grandpa?’ They obligingly appeared beside her.
‘Yes, dear.’
‘Well done, bian. We’re pur proud of you. I am prouder of you than I’ve ever been.’
‘Grandpa … I nearly ….’
‘But you didn’t, pet.’
‘I heard your voice.’
‘You’ll always hear my voice, bian, and you chose to listen. You let it go.’
‘And I let The Grimoire go. I had to choose, and …I’m sorry I didn’t get it, but I’m not sorry about why, Grandpa. How could I ever have looked you in the face again?’
‘Now then, Ammee love, I had faith in you. I always do. And see how I’m always right? Now then, no need to get yourself all upset.’
‘Quite, dear,’ pronounced Granny, ‘you came back alive, with the information and managed not to put an end to either of your parents. I must say, I’m impressed.’
‘You came back alive is the most important thing. Narrow squeak that was in Growan House. Good thing the inspector was there at the end, wouldn’t you say?’
‘All right, Grandpa, I admit it. I was glad he insisted.’
‘Yes, well done,’ said Granny, ‘in spite of opportunity and temptation, not gunning down your mother, or was it your aunt? No matter. Tremendous effort.’
‘And if you hadn’t had asthma, you’d never have had Tempest,’ Perran reminded his granddaughter.
‘Oh yes, and wouldn’t have missed that for the world!’
