Wynter's Tales

Secrets and Invites

Afternoon sun, teacups rattle, silver spoons stir and interludes of idle chatter to while away a summer’s day.

The morning was light and bright from a sun which had risen long before she woke, bringing in the heat of the day. Birds chirped as they flew low in their hunt for morning breakfast of worms and fallen berries. Squirrels scurried as they flittered from tree to tree, and leaves fluttered in the gentle breeze while rabbits hopped and hid from those around them. Idle chatter drifted from open windows as cutlery clattered in drawers opening and closing, and teacups tinkled and rattled as they were placed on kitchen tables.

As Nellie approached the store, she glanced down the street. The bakers were open, and the aroma of fresh bread and fruit scones tormented her tastes buds. Jam and toast for breakfast with a pot of mint tea, she thought as she stepped into the store. There would be time before Nattie and Molly, her oldest, and dearest friends arrived, she knew.

With her peppermint tea in hand, Nellie stood by the open door and looked around. The street was growing busy with early morning shoppers dressed in summer dresses, and shorts, and tee-shirts. Her smile deepened as she sniffed her tea. The clear aroma of mint was doing its job, and she relaxed. As she sipped her tea, she glanced down the road once more. Her alone time was at an end, for strolling towards her were Molly and Nattie. Their cheerful chatter about to break the peace around her.

‘Morning Nellie. It’s going to be a warm one.’ Molly said.

‘I know. I thought we’d put the chairs out front. So don’t take off your hat as there’s no point being stuck inside while the shop’s empty.’ Nellie said.

Nattie stepped inside the store and looked around. ‘What a great suggested,’ she said, although this was something they often did. ‘The shop is clean. The cards are dusted, and the floor is swept. And we’ve no deliveries expected today.’

‘I know it’s early. But It’ll be here before you know it. We should plan our winter display,’ Molly said.

‘Or we can enjoy the sun while it lasts,’ Nattie said, slipping her sunglasses up her nose.

‘I’m with Nattie on this,’ Nellie said.

The village clock struck ten as the three women sat outside the store. Fresh glasses of orange juice, poured by Molly, were held in their hands as the gossip began.

‘Lacey Lane has herself a new beau – Ruby saw her out strolling with the watchmaker’s son,’ Molly said. ‘Looked all cosy she said as they giggled and huddled into each other.’

‘Summer does that. Brings the love out,’ Nattie said.

‘Or they’ve been at Mrs Earl’s rhubarb wine,’ Nellie said.

‘Maybe she’ll be our next Fire Queen,’ Nattie said. ‘With her red hair, Lacey would be the ideal addition.’

‘Yo, Molly, Nellie, Nattie,’ Azura said as she came into view, skipping down the street to them. ‘I’m after a card for Violet. – Just to say thank-you. I lost my mother’s ring – The one with the opal stone. Found it for me she did. What an amazing woman she is.’

Azura Blue was known for losing things. At the Summer Solstice the village had been in a tizz at the loss of the oak crown. Unfortunately, Azura had been away on one of her trips and there had been no way to ask her where it could be. On her return, no one mention the chaos she had created. Especially after Tristan, Nattie’s nephew, found it amongst the fireworks and saved the ceremony. And he’s been living off the tale ever since.

‘Come inside,’ Molly said, rising from her seat as she brushed shortbread crumbs from her red trousers. Molly loved bright colours and thought the brighter the better.

‘You’ll have to invite Violet. You know they’re fond of each other,’ Azura said.

Molly smiled. ‘Maybe she’ll cast one of her spells on him. Each time his birthday is mentioned – Jorge forgets what’s been said. You know how he goes on. Someone’s bound to slip up in front of him. Then all of Nellie’s plans will have been in vain.’

‘Lavender and I are having tea with Violet. I’ll mention it to her,’ Azura said.

 Molly nodded. Azura loved to gossip and if you wanted something spread, it was Azura you went to.

After Azura left, Molly joined her friends outside the shop and as she sat in her chair, she winked at Nellie. Nellie nodded as she leant back in her chair and smiled at the sun.

The morning passed with a flurry of customers. Most wanted cards to send to friends as birthday wishes or just to say hello and wish them well, hoping they would slip them into their memory boxes they were gifted during the last winter festival.

‘Afternoon, Nellie – Beautiful day, isn’t it,’ Lavender said as she approached the store.

‘Afternoon, Lavender. We couldn’t ask for better. Are you after anything in particular?’ Nellie asked, rising from her chair to follow Lavender into The Owl Toad Mole Curio Store.

‘Just a card. Cyn’s invited me for tea. And I don’t want to arrive empty handed.’

‘I’m sure we have just what you need. Why don’t you have a browse,’ Nellie said.

As Lavender shuffled through the selection of cards, Nellie wondered what Cyn and Lavender had to talk about. ‘It’s not often Cyn invites company over,’ Nellie said.

Lavender strolled to the counter with her card and handed it to Nellie. ‘No.’ Lavender glanced around the store. Once she was happy it was empty, she turned back to Nellie. ‘Azura’s return from Robin’s Down has caused a stir. Cyn’s not happy. I’m just going to tell her all is fine.’

‘And is all fine?’ Nellie asked.

Nellie was part of the council and recently Robin’s Down has been all a flutter, but she had not the time to visit. This was something she should rectify, she thought.

Lavender nodded. ‘Just the usual rumours.’ Lavender frowned. ‘And Sorrel isn’t helping with that newsletter of hers,’ she said.

Nellie smiled, knowing Lavender would not give much away she decided to call on Sorrel instead. That woman was full of secrets and knowhow. ‘I don’t know how she finds out the things that no one’s supposed to know,’ Nellie said.

Lavender frowned as she accepted the slim package from Nellie. ‘She has ears everywhere. Earl was having tea with Ruby, one of many, when she just turned up. Oh, and Azura says we’re invited for brunch.”

‘She has. When?’ Nellie asked.

Lavender shrugged. ‘I’m not sure.’  She looked around her as Molly strolled into the store. ‘I’m having morning tea. Why don’t you drop in. We’re planning the annual summer fate and could do with some extra input.’ Nellie nodded as Lavender turned and left the store.

‘She didn’t stay long,’ Molly said.

‘She’s having tea with Cyn.’

Molly straightened the cards Lavender had perused. ‘There’s a lot of that going on. – We need a village meeting. It’ll stop all the grumbling. Did you read Sorrel’s latest newsletter. She was up at court. The Queen’s not been well. And that nephew of hers has been hovering round her like a bee to a hornet’s nest.’

Nellie turned to Molly and said, ‘you shouldn’t believe everything that woman writes.’

‘No.’ Molly strode over to Nellie. ‘How come you and Earl were not invited?’ she asked.

Nellie smiled. ‘Cyn and Lavender are old friends and go way back. They’ll just be catching up on gossip.’

Molly nodded. ‘Yes, gossip Azura brought back from Robin’s Down.’ Molly looked around the store. ‘You know, we’re not busy. And if we do get busy, Jorge can help out. Why don’t you visit Robin Downs? Find out what the chatters about.’

Nellie strolled over to the door and stepped into the sun-soaked street. Lavender was nowhere in sight. ‘I’ll see what happens after I’ve visited Sorrel and had morning tea with Lavender. Then decide,’ she said, not bothering to mention the brunch at Azura’s she had been invited to.

Molly sat in her chair near the door and took a sip of her homemade lemonade. ‘I still think you should go to Robin’s Down.’

Nellie slipped a piece of fudge into her mouth. ‘I have been lax recently. It’s just been so dull. Very little happens in Robin’s Down these days.’

‘Things are changing,’ Nattie said. ‘I was chatting with Ruby, and she’s concerned about Azura.’

‘It’ll be nothing,’ Nellie said. ‘You know Azura loves a little drama.’

The three friends nodded as they glanced up and down the street. Violet strolled into sight as she turned a corner and waved at them. When she reached them, she joined them.

‘Lemonade?’ Nattie asked, and Violet nodded.

‘I’m holding one of my nights this Saturday. Why don’t you ladies join us?’ Violet asked. ‘Earl will be there. So will Ruby.’

‘We look forward to it,’ Nattie said.

Nellie glanced down the street. Trade had been steady, but not busy. That would change once the influx of summer visitors arrived, and days like today would grow rare, and she would miss them. Days sitting on a chair, drinking tea with her friends and chatting with those who passed by or the other storekeepers when they had time to spare.

‘Hello Nellie. Where’s Molly and Nattie?’ Jorge asked as he approached her, sitting on one of the vacant chairs.

‘Shop’s closing, Jorge. They’re inside giving the place one last tidy. How was your day?’ she asked.

Jorge smiled. ‘Busy. I spent the day down by the river. Did some fishing. I’ve dropped a couple of trout off at your place. Thought it would make a nice treat,’ he said.

‘Is that your way of inviting yourself to tea?’ Nellie asked.

Jorge chuckled. ‘I knew you wouldn’t mind.’ He then glanced up and down the street. ‘Funny business isn’t it,’ he said.

‘What is?’ Molly asked as she came out of the store. ‘One last tea, Nellie. Then Nattie and I are off home,’ she said.

‘Daffy’s disappearance,’ Jorge said as he accepted his cup from Nellie.

‘I wouldn’t worry about it too much. She does this all the time,’ Molly said.

‘Ruby’s upset. She came to the river. Quite beside herself. She has no idea what to do,’ Jorge said.

Nellie stretched her legs, slipped her shoes off, and wiggled her toes. ‘I’m with Molly. She’s probably visiting family at their homeland,’ she said.

Jorge shook his head. ‘Ruby says she left without tidying up – The breakfast plate was still on the table. Her tea only half drunk. Clothes scattered everywhere, and her bed left unmade.’

Nellie tapped her fingers on the table. ‘Ruby never mentioned that when she dropped by.’

‘And Lavender’s having tea with Cyn. Don’t you find that strange?’ Jorge said.

‘Violet has invited us to one of her sessions this Saturday. Maybe we should ask the ancestors what’s going on?’ Molly said.

‘Or we could send Sorrel topside. She knows their ways. Find out where Daffy is. Just to put Ruby at ease,’ Nellie said.

‘How long has she been missing?’ Molly asked.

‘Ruby says she last visited Daffy over a week ago. That there was no hint of her going astray. That she looked happy. Pleased with herself,’ Jorge said.

‘Then we invite Sorrel over for lunch on Sunday,’ Molly said.  ‘And we ask her to go on a trip. Which I’m sure she will be happy to oblige. As you know she loves to sleuth.’

©Wynter B Aodh 24

The Owl Toad Mole Publishing House™

BT66 8EY 2025 ©