Coming Home to Crumbleton, page 1
COMING HOME TO CRUMBLETON
CRUMBLETON BOOK 1
BETH RAIN
Copyright © 2024 by Beth Rain
Coming Home to Crumbleton (Crumbleton: Book 1)
First Publication: 19th April, 2024
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by Beth Rain. The author may be contacted by email on
bethrainauthor@gmail.com
Created with Vellum
CONTENTS
Prologue
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Epilogue
Also by Beth Rain
About the Author
PROLOGUE
CRUMBLETON TIMES AND ECHO - 12TH APRIL
What’s On This Week
Darts at the Dolphin & Anchor, Wednesday 7.30pm
Crumbleton darts team is on the lookout for new members! Brian says being the only member is getting boring. If darts is your thing - or if you just fancy taking out your frustrations over a pint - contact Brian Singer.
Final call for entries into the Odd Object Competition
The museum might still be closed while we continue our search for a new curator, but Crumbleton WI have stepped in to run this year’s Odd Object Competition! Up to three items per entrant - bring your entries up to Crumbleton Castle Museum no later than 7pm on Wednesday night. Please refrain from entering the same items from previous years - that’s just boring, folks! Homemade items are against the rules. No nails, glue, screws or body parts please. The winner will be announced next week.
Ruby Hutchinson Signing at Crumbleton Bookshop, Thursday 10am - 12.30pm
Crumbleton Bookshop is the ONLY place to be on Thursday. Our very own Ruby Hutchinson will be signing copies of Every Little Dream and reading extracts from her runaway bestseller. Crumbleton is thrilled to be the final stop on her international book tour. She’s been away for a long time - so make sure you’re there to help welcome Ruby home. Coffee and pastries to be supplied by the Crumbleton Café.
Caroline Cook, Editor.
CHAPTER 1
RUBY
The view from the back seat of the taxi was becoming painfully familiar. Ruby Hutchinson ran her hands up and down her thighs - doing her best to wipe the nervy clamminess from her palms while simultaneously seeking comfort from the rough grain of her jeans.
It wasn’t working.
Ruby’s fight or flight mechanism was well and truly stuck in “flight” mode… but that simply wasn’t an option today.
Letting out a long, slow breath, Ruby leaned her forehead against the cool glass window, willing the knot of anxiety in her stomach to loosen up a bit. She knew it was just wishful thinking, though. This particular knot had been her constant companion for more than a month now. In fact, she could pinpoint the exact moment her guts had decided to twist themselves into a tangle - that fateful Wednesday morning in her editor’s swanky London office.
It should have been a wonderful meeting with Harriet - after all, her editor had nothing but good news to share. About two minutes into proceedings, Ruby’s entire publishing team had descended bearing balloons, champagne and a professional photographer to commemorate the moment. Her debut novel had hot-footed it right to the top of every single chart going - it was officially an international bestseller - and had already sold more than a million copies.
As the office erupted in a volley of cheers and champagne corks, Ruby had just felt hollow. She knew she should be beside herself with joy. According to everyone else, she was living the dream and her book was hitting milestones most authors could only dream of. All those long hours at her tiny desk had paid off - the late nights getting “just one more chapter” written, followed by the bleary-eyed early morning editing sessions had been worth it.
The truth was - that had been the bit she’d actually enjoyed. Writing had always given her a sanctuary from real life, and there was nothing quite like the buzz of adrenaline when the story was flowing from her fingertips. She loved it. The whole publicity side of things, however? Not so much.
Still, it was a necessary evil and she’d quickly discovered that it wasn’t something she could opt out of. That was the only reason she’d agreed to embark on an international tour when all she really wanted to do was hide. It was a desire that got about a million times stronger when Harriet gleefully announced that they’d firmed up the final stop on her tour at last. They were sending Ruby back home to Crumbleton for the first time in six years – and she had absolutely no say in the matter.
Ruby closed her eyes for a moment, doing her best to block out the gleaming waterways and golden reeds of the salt marshes flying past the window. She was exhausted. A month of globe-trotting - signing thousands of books in dozens of countries and meeting scores of fans - had been overwhelming, to say the least. But none of it had made her feel as anxious as this last stop.
‘Why did it have to be Crumbleton?’ she whispered.
‘What’s that love?’
The driver’s voice made Ruby jump, and she sat up quickly, feeling like an idiot.
‘Nothing Brian!’ she said, forcing a bright smile onto her face as she met his concerned gaze in the rear-view mirror. ‘Just… nearly home. That’s all!’
‘We’ll be there soon, right enough!’ he said cheerfully, the fine lines around his eyes crinkling in a smile she couldn’t quite see. ‘Look - there she is - just peeping through the mist!’
Ruby leaned forward to peer through the windscreen. Yep - there she was indeed. Crumbleton was sticking up like a sore thumb out of the misty marshes.
The little town on a hill that had once been her home.
The little town she’d left behind six years ago.
The little town she’d prefer to keep avoiding for another six years… or preferably, six decades. In fact, if Ruby had her way, she’d be more than happy never to set foot on its cobbled streets again.
‘Home’s looking lovely this morning,’ said Brian happily. ‘Looks like we’re in for a beautiful day too.’
Ruby nodded and slumped back in her seat. If only the sight of Crumbleton made her half as happy as Brian! She knew she should be excited - after all, she was going to get to see her parents on their home turf for the first time in forever.
‘You know,’ said Brian, cutting into her thoughts, ‘everyone’s been talking about who you’ve based all your characters on. Half the town reckons they’re in there somewhere!’
‘Well… good for them,’ she sighed. The worthies of Crumbleton could wonder all they wanted, but they’d never know the truth.
‘You alright back there, Rubes?’
Brian cast a concerned glance over his shoulder, and Ruby promptly forced a smile back onto her face. This was exactly the kind of thing she’d been dreading - and precisely the reason she had zero chance of flying under the radar during this visit – even the taxi driver had known her since birth.
‘I’m fine, thanks,’ she said, forcing herself to sound as cheerful as possible. ‘I just… hate this song,’ she said, quickly inventing an excuse. There was no way she was going to tell him the truth - she’d be a pariah if she said anything in the least bit negative about Crumbleton to anyone who actually lived there. ‘Any chance you can turn the radio off?’
‘Sure!’ he said with an easy shrug, hitting the dial with a flourish. ‘Anything for our home-grown celeb. I couldn’t believe it when I got the booking through from your fancy-pants publisher, you know!’
Ruby felt the smile solidify on her face. ‘How’s Michelle?’ she said quickly, desperate to steer the conversation away from anything to do with her book, her publisher, and her so-called celebrity status. She’d gone to primary school with Brian’s daughter – and they’d been in the same class all the way until the end of secondary school.
‘Oh, she’s right happy!’ said Brian, breaking into a wide smile. ‘That young man of hers is something special, and they’ve got a lovely place. I wish they’d settled a bit closer of course, but…’
Ruby smiled and nodded along as Brian filled her in on everything from the new carpets his daughter had just fitted, to the fact she’d won a karaoke competition on the cruise she’d enjoyed the previous summer. Her plan had worked a treat. Brian’s daughter had always been the apple of his eye. Combined with the fact that he could chat for Britain, Ruby was seriously hoping that his fatherly monologue might get them all the way to Crumbleton.
‘You know… I should thank you,’ said Brian, glancing at her again.
‘Oh?’ said Ruby.
‘
‘Me?’ said Ruby, with a sinking sensation. She had a feeling they were about to stray straight back onto the topic she was most keen to avoid.
‘Absolutely,’ said Brian, nodding vigorously. ‘She said there was no way on earth she was going to miss your event.’
‘Oh,’ said Ruby.
‘She loved your book,’ said Brian. ‘I’ve not started it yet - but I got my copy from Crumbleton Bookshop the minute it came out. Gotta support our own!’
‘Right, right…’ said Ruby. ‘Well… it’ll be lovely to see Michelle. At least I know someone’s going to be there on the day!’
‘I’ll be there too. I’ve taken the time off work specially,’ said Brian. ‘Can’t wait. Not often we get a local celeb… and even less often they played in my back garden when they were little!’
Ruby nodded but couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
‘You sure you’re okay, Rubes?’ said Brian again after watching her in the rear-view mirror for a long moment. ‘You don’t quite seem like yourself.’
Ruby raised her eyebrows. How Brian Singer knew when she was being “herself” was beyond her, considering he’d not seen her since she’d scarpered. That was the thing with Crumbleton, though. Everyone thought they knew you inside and out - and they thought they knew all your business too.
Well… that just went to show, didn’t it. She was pretty confident that no one in the little town had the first clue why she’d done a disappearing act practically overnight. Other than Caroline, of course – but Caroline was her best friend and basically knew everything about everyone. That was her thing. She also happened to be his cousin…
‘Ruby?’ said Brian. ‘Love… do you want me to pull over? You’ve gone all pale.’
Ruby shook her head quickly and gave herself a mental slap. If she wasn’t careful, it’d be all over town that she was ill… or losing her marbles… or maybe both. It definitely wasn’t the look she was going for!
‘I’m fine, thanks Brian,’ she said yet again. ‘Really. I’m just a bit wiped out. It’s been a busy month… I’ve been here, there and everywhere.’
‘Must have been exciting!’ he said.
‘Exhausting, if I’m honest,’ said Ruby with a little laugh.
‘Well… you’re nearly home now,’ said Brian.
Ruby swallowed. His low, kind voice was making her tired eyes prickle.
‘A couple of weeks at home will put everything right,’ he added. ‘You just need a bit of a rest somewhere you feel comfortable.’
Ruby nodded. He was right about that last bit, but how was Brian to know that Crumbleton was the last place on Earth she’d feel comfortable. It hadn’t been home for a long time. The problem was… neither had anywhere else.
As for staying in town for a couple of weeks? There was no way. Her plan was to get the signing out of the way and then skedaddle on the first available train. With any luck, that would give her just enough time to catch up with her parents, see Caroline and maybe grab a coffee and cake in the café.
‘You know, I’m surprised you’re on your own, what with you being so important,’ said Brian, shooting a cheeky glance at her over his shoulder, clearly trying to lighten the mood. ‘How come you’ve not got a minder or someone tagging along?’
Ruby rolled her eyes. Brian didn’t know how close to the truth he’d just come. ‘Trust me, I wasn’t so lucky at any of the other stops!’ she said with a small smile. ‘There was no getting away from my publicists!’
It hadn’t been that bad. Bobbie and Ben from the marketing department had provided more than a little bit of light relief as she’d shlepped around Europe, before heading to Australia and then over to the States. The double-act had kept her on her toes and stopped her from becoming a total hotel-room hermit. Still, she had to admit they were also the main reason she felt like she needed a month-long lie down in a darkened room to get over the experience.
‘I basically had to beg them to let me come down here on my own,’ she laughed, watching as the base of Crumbleton hill drew ever nearer.
‘As if you need anyone holding your hand in Crumbleton!’ chuckled Brian. ‘You know the place like the back of your hand!’
‘Mm hmm,’ mumbled Ruby, noncommittally. She certainly did. That wasn’t the reason she’d put her foot down, though. The last thing she’d needed on this trip was someone dictating her every move. She wanted to fly under the radar as much as was humanly possible - something that was an alien concept to the colourful pair. Bobbie and Ben would want to make sure her tour went out with a glitter-canon-style bang. Ruby was determined to let it slip by more like a whisper in a deserted school hall.
‘Rubes, do you mind if I drop you off at the bottom of town next to the City Gates?’ said Brian. ‘Andy’s working on fixing the cobbles up by the museum and it’s impossible to turn around without about forty-seven tries… and I’ve got another pick-up over at Crumbleton Sands in quarter of an hour.’
‘Of course!’ said Ruby, nodding her head enthusiastically. Sure, it meant she’d either have to face the ankle-breaking cobbles or the many sets of steep stone steps that took you from the bottom of Crumbleton to the top - but it would definitely make it a lot easier to sneak in unannounced. Cars weren’t really encouraged on the high street anyway. For one thing, it was insanely steep and narrow, and for another, any passengers tended to need a visit to the chiropractor after the bumpy trip!
‘You sure? Got your sensible shoes on?’ said Brian, a hint of concern in his voice.
‘Always!’ laughed Ruby. Flats were the default for anyone born and bred in Crumbleton. Anything else meant you were dancing with disaster! ‘I’ve only got one bag and besides, I could do with the exercise.’
‘Right you are, then,’ said Brian cheerfully. ‘Here we go.’
‘Fab, thanks Brian,’ she said, taking a deep breath and peering through the window, just to check that the coast was clear. ‘How much do I owe you?’
‘All sorted out with your publisher,’ said Brian, beaming at her. ‘Now - you enjoy being home.’
‘Uh huh,’ sighed Ruby, still staring out of the window.
‘Ruby?’ he said. ‘You need a hand?
‘Sorry Brian,’ she said. ‘I’m going, I promise.’
‘Good-oh. I thought you might be waiting for me to open the door for you. Thought maybe you’d got a bit too used to being a celebrity already!’ He turned and winked at her.
Ruby widened her eyes in horror, shook her head and shoved the door open.
‘Rubes!’ he called, winding his window down.
‘Yeah?’
‘I was just joking!’ he said with a kind smile.
‘I know,’ said Ruby.
‘Hey Rubes?’ he said again, looking hopeful. ‘I don’t suppose you play darts?’
Ruby grinned and shook her head at the familiar plea she’d heard so many times as a teen. ‘Nope – sorry!’
‘Ah well,’ he sighed, looking disappointed. ‘Had to ask.’ Brian gave a little shrug, wound his window back up and with one last wave, set off to collect his next customers.
Ruby let out a long, slow breath.
Well… here she was. Back in Crumbleton.
She couldn’t wait to leave.
CHAPTER 2
RUBY
Ruby stared after Brian’s cab as it trundled away, heading back across the marshland in the direction of Crumbleton Sands. The urge to chase after him, waving her arms and begging to be taken straight back to the train station, was almost overwhelming.
‘No such luck,’ she sighed as he disappeared around a bend.
This was it then – the moment she’d been dreading for weeks. She was well and truly back in Crumbleton!
Dragging her feet, Ruby turned reluctantly to stare at the City Gates.
‘City gates!’ she muttered, rolling her eyes.
Crumbleton wasn’t a city by any stretch of the imagination. It was a small town crammed onto a steep hill that stuck out of the surrounding salt marshes. Once upon a time, it had been a lot closer to the sea, but over the centuries the marshes had grown, the waves had receded, and Crumbleton had been left high and dry with nothing but its nautical-sounding house names to remind it of its coastal history.
