Chapter 10

Cora and Jane found their way to Mathilde’s class. She looked every inch the put-together crafty diva. She wore silk slacks and a bright blue and yellow tunic, with large chunky beads and sea glass jewelry draped over her neck and hanging from her ears.

The effect was a bit much for Cora. She glanced over at Jane, who rolled her eyes. Yep, it was a bit much for her, as well.

Cora pulled out her cell phone and texted Adrian yet again as the class commenced. He hadn’t responded to any of her texts, so far, but she tried once more. I’m worried about you. Text me when you are back at the hotel. SEND.

“Welcome to my sea chime class,” Mathilde said.

A sample of sea chimes encircled the room. Simple shells hanging on wires. Shells entwined with macramé wire and sea glass. One chime appeared to be more of a wall hanging with a huge twine square with little squares of macramé inside. In each square was a colorful little seashell. Cora liked the simplicity of the design, but she wondered if it would be easy to make.

“This is one of my most fun classes,” Mathilde said. “Because once you’ve got the basics down, you can do so much with a little twine or strings and a bunch of seashells. Then you can experiment with adding beads, sea glass, pieces of driftwood, and so on.”

Cora struggled to pay attention. Something about Mathilde’s delivery made her want to sleep. Or was it the big sandwich she just ate? Or the fact that she’d tossed and turned all night long, worrying about Adrian? She yawned. She might not make it through this class.

Jane caught her yawn and poked her. They were expected to attend other classes. They were being paid well for this gig and they were “on” all weekend. A relaxing retreat for everybody—but the teachers. Cora drooped and sighed.

“Coffee?” Jane whispered, and pointed to the carafe in the opposite corner of the room. “I’ll get it.”

“Thanks,” Cora said.

“I like using this stretchy see-through cord, rather than the ropey twine,” Mathilde said. “It gives the piece an airy feel and helps it to move a little more.”

Cora propped her elbows on the table she and Jane were sharing. Gosh, she hadn’t realized how exhausted she was. A nap might be just what she needed.

Jane sat the cup of coffee on the table and the scent perked her up. She sipped from the steamy brew and blinked. Lord, why was Mathilde’s delivery so monotonous? How were her classes so popular? Cora wanted to scream. It was bloody awful.

“In the center of your tables, you have a selection of seashells, sea glass, and other pretties,” Mathilde said.

Cora fiddled with their seashells.

“You’ve also got a little drill on your table, which you can use to make the holes. I suggest playing with your chime arrangements, laying it out on the table, before you drill,” she said.

Jane’s long fingers placed shells and sea glass on the table, switching one for the other, and yet again.

“Now, remember not to make your holes too big, or else your knot might slip through and you don’t want huge knots,” Mathilde said.

Cora ran her fingers over the smooth, oblong shells. She loved the colors—caramel and cocoa—and the spotted patterns of this particular shell.

“If you have any questions, Hank and I will be moving about the room. Grab one of us.”

Hank, Mathilde’s assistant, waved his hand with a flourish. He was always by her side and Cora wondered if they were involved. Neither wore a ring, so she assumed they weren’t married, but they did seem quite close.

Cora lined her shells up. She was drawn to the beads and sea glass. Jane, however, selected several of the same kind of shells. Flat, half circle, all muted colors. Simple and elegant, like Jane herself.

“Just lovely,” Hank said, as he glanced over Jane’s shoulder.

That voice. Where had Cora heard it before? She was certain she’d never conversed with Hank. Why did his voice sound so familiar?

She continued working on her arrangement, even though his voice made her uneasy.

Shells, sea glass, beads. She was settled on the design. She drilled tiny holes into the objects.

But she couldn’t shake Hank’s voice. Why was it affecting her like this?

Jane was already on to knotting her string.

The two of them finished, with Jane helping Cora finish quickly, as she was lagging. Even though the coffee helped perk her up, she was still cloudy and not moving quickly enough to keep up with the class—though she did notice there were a few still working on the arrangement of their shells.

The two of them took their chimes and left the room.

“I need a nap,” Cora said. “Her voice drove me bonkers.”

“Okay,” Jane said. “I’m going to head back over to my classroom.”

Cora reached in her bag and pulled out her cell phone. There was a message from Adrian. She showed it to Jane.

I’m sorry. Must be some kind of mix up. Didn’t
Cashel tell you? I’ve been out since this morning.
I’ve been waiting to hear from you.

“Cashel!” Jane said, and balled her hand into a fist.

“He was supposed to come to lunch with us and he didn’t. Maybe that’s why he never told me,” Cora said.

“You’re too kind,” Jane said. “Cashel is up to no good.”

“What?”

“I swear he doesn’t like Adrian. I’ve no idea why,” Jane said.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to find Adrian,” Cora said.

“Text me and let me know what’s up,” Jane said as she walked away.

“Will do,” Cora said, as she texted him. Where are you?

His response came right away: In my room. Join me?