Bulbury Knap Read online

  She nodded. ‘Thank you,’ she said.

  ‘Right then,’ he said with a laugh in his voice. ‘I can see there’s nothing else for it but to convince you. A table at the best restaurant in town for two. A peace offering?’

  He held his handsome head on one side and looked so appealing she smiled in spite of herself. ‘Your aunt and uncle are still in shock. I can’t leave them at the moment,’ she said.

  ‘Wednesday evening then, seven o’clock,’ he said easily. ‘I’ll pick you up here. Make their bedtime drinks early and they’ll be fine.’

  * * *

  The view of sea and coastline from The Brookside Hotel was breathtaking. Kathryn paused on the path from the car park, entranced at the golden shimmer of setting sun across the smooth sea and the shadows darkening the headlands in the distance.

  Andrew smiled down at her as he indicated the flight of steps that led to the entrance. ‘Like it?’

  ‘It’s perfect,’ she breathed. She felt more relaxed now that the problem of Mum’s convalescence was solved. Dan and his brother were driving up from Cornwall tomorrow. Dan would take Mum back with him while Iain set off on his travels in this area, researching the Jurassic Coast for a book and articles he was writing, apparently happy to free up his room for the invalid. Kathryn left her jacket in the cloakroom and joined Andrew in the foyer.

  Their table was in the window. Andrew, seated opposite, smiled at her. She marvelled at the ease with which he steered the conversation away from his aunt and uncle and Bulbury Knap and talked instead of his business interests in North Devon where apparently he owned a hotel chain.

  As the meal progressed she found herself laughing at Andrew’s descriptions of his exploits as a young boy when spending holidays at Bulbury Knap. She could see quite easily why Lady Hewson was so fond of her husband’s great nephew. And now Andrew kept his eye on the elderly pair, obviously having their interests at heart.

  ‘I gather Sir Edwin enjoys the gardening groups that visit Bulbury Knap,’ she said as they finished their dessert and Andrew ordered coffee.

  ‘Ah yes, the groups,’ Andrew said as if there had been no interruption. ‘Uncle talks of taking more now to make more cash. Yes, he enjoys them coming but I’ve seen him when they depart … completely shattered. Far too much for him. Aunt Dorothy too. They won’t admit it, of course.’ He leaned back in his chair and frowned at the cup and saucer in his hand. ‘Bulbury Knap needs to be fitted with an efficient burglar alarm. I won’t rest easy knowing how simple it would be for those intruders to return. They didn’t get much. They could come back for more.’

  Kathryn shivered.

  ‘My aunt and uncle can’t afford it, of course.’

  ‘But if more groups came couldn’t we help … Michael and me. Between us we could take them round, couldn’t we? Michael …’

  Andrew drained his cup and leaned forward to replace it in its saucer on the silver tray. ‘The gardener?’ He gave a hollow laugh. ‘Not an option, I’m afraid.’

  The cold tones of his voice surprised her and she was silenced. Mum had told her how much Andrew disliked the man whom Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson relied on so heavily. It was tactless of her to mention him.

  As they left at last the moon began to rise above the horizon. Andrew drove her back to Bulbury Knap in silence but when they arrived he made no move to get out of his car, saying he had a long drive ahead of him. With a smile and a wave he left her to go into the house alone.

  Kathryn rose early a day or two later, determined to get the oven switched on for the breakfast rolls in good time so that afterwards she could continue with some of the cleaning she hadn’t had time for yesterday.

  Michael had already promised to remove the two single beds from the study as they were no longer needed there. Today was special because at twelve o’clock a Somerset Gardening Club was booked in for a visit. Yesterday when Sir Edwin mentioned this he had looked brighter than she had seen him for days. She hoped it wouldn’t all be too much for him, as Andrew had implied it might during their dinner together at the Brookside Hotel.

  She loved the early mornings when she felt as if the house were her own. Her preparations complete, Kathryn wandered out into the sunny yard. Plenty of time to take a look round and to learn something more of her surroundings.

  She could see that the buildings on the other side must have once been stables. There were other doors further along with windows either side of them. Kathryn crossed the cobbles to look closer. Obviously these had once provided accommodation for some of the work people on the estate but now there was no longer the staff to need it. Except Michael, of course, and he lived in a cottage in the grounds.

  She turned the handle on the first door. Inside was a small room with a staircase in one corner opening into another room, obviously the kitchen. Feeling daring, Kathryn ventured upstairs and found two rooms, one smaller than the other that contained a bath on feet, washbasin and toilet. Dust and cobwebs decorated both rooms and the windows were smeary but the floor seemed sound.

  Thoughtfully she went outside again, emerging into the sunshine with an idea already forming in her mind. Why not invest some money in modernising some of this unused accommodation and letting it out during the holiday season?

  Later, Kathryn was at the front of the house as Andrew’s red Ferrari drove up and stopped. He opened the door and sprang out. ‘Hi there, Kathryn,’ he called as she came close. ‘What’s doing?’

  ‘We’re expecting a coach to arrive soon,’ she said.

  He frowned. ‘I saw Uncle Edwin doing sentry duty at the entrance.’

  ‘I hope he hasn’t long to wait in this cool breeze.’

  He shrugged as he slammed his car door. ‘More fool him. I told him, it’s ridiculous pandering to these groups.’

  ‘Look, Sir Edwin’s on his way back now,’ Kathryn said, relieved. ‘I’ve had this wonderful idea, Andrew,’ she added, unable to keep it to herself any longer. Quickly she told him the details, flushing slightly with enthusiasm as she pointed out how beneficial financially it could be.

  ‘It’s not on,’ he said, raising his voice as if she were hard of hearing.

  ‘Not much needs doing to the cottages to make them habitable again. I’d be here to help, and Michael …’

  ‘Michael?’ He almost spat the name and she was disturbed at the malice in his voice.

  ‘But …’ she began.

  ‘Out of the question, d’you hear?’ Andrew shouted. ‘I want no more of this.’

  ‘Dear boy, what’s wrong?’ Sir Edwin said, reaching them at last. He looked worried. ‘Your aunt … ?’

  Andrew turned on Kathryn. ‘Now see what you’ve done.’

  There was the sound of an engine, the crunch of coach wheels on gravel as the vehicle turned in at the entrance and came towards them. Andrew’s car prevented the driver drawing up near the entrance but it was near enough for the emerging passengers to hear the venom in Andrew’s voice and to witness Sir Edwin’s sudden collapse.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Kathryn leapt towards the limp figure of Sir Edwin but before she could reach him someone gave a shout and came running. Sir Edwin was beginning to stir as Michael Carey reached his side. The coach driver was there, too, but Andrew seemed to have melted away.

  Michael slid his arm round his employer for support. To Kathryn’s relief Sir Edwin insisted on struggling to his feet.

  ‘A chair,’ said Michael.

  There was one inside the front door. Kathryn fetched it quickly and then went back into the house. Lady Hewson looked up from her embroidery with a smile as Kathryn opened the door of the den. ‘Our visitors have arrived?’

  ‘Sir Edwin was there to meet them,’ Kathryn said, forcing herself to speak calmly. ‘He’s sitting out there now. He’s going to be all right, Lady Hewson, but he had a little fall.’

  ‘Oh dear.’ Lady Hewson stood up shakily. ‘Then I must go to him. Don’t look so woebegone, dear. He trips sometimes. He’s getting o
lder you know.’

  ‘It’s happened before?’

  ‘Not for a little while but we’ve grown quite used to it.’

  Surprised at Lady Hewson’s calm reaction Kathryn accompanied her outside. Sir Edwin smiled as he saw them. Kathryn still felt shaky but, ashamed of her weakness, looked round for Michael.

  Michael joined her. ‘We can carry this off, the two of us, don’t you agree?’ he asked quietly. ‘Can you cope with coffee now?’

  The confident smile he gave her was the incentive she needed. ‘Yes, of course.’ With a glance at Sir Edwin’s retreating back as he and Lady Hewson made their way indoors, Kathryn turned to the group. ‘If you like to follow me,’ she said, smiling. ‘Coffee will be served immediately.’

  Later, in the large kitchen, Kathryn had time to think of Andrew Hewson’s angry rejection of her idea about the renovating of the cottages. True, she had mentioned it just as the coach was arriving but Andrew had dismissed it at once with angry words. Maybe he was the kind of person who didn’t like interference in his or his relations’ affairs and considered it no business of hers.

  Deep in thought, she drummed her fingers on the edge of the table. She looked up, startled, as Michael approached. He shrugged himself out of his jacket and placed it on the back of a chair. ‘How goes it?’ he asked.

  ‘Fine. I think everyone’s finished coffee now,’ she said. It felt good to have him here, part of the team the two of them made to keep things normal.

  ‘No hurry,’ said Michael, eyeing the plate of biscuits.

  ‘Help yourself,’ she said. ‘Coffee?’

  He picked up a cup and held it towards her to be filled from the large pot. As he took a sip he glanced, frowning, at the window. ‘I hope the rain’s going to hold off,’ he said. ‘I understand everyone’s brought picnic lunches to eat at the tables in the grounds.’

  ‘What shall we do if it doesn’t?’

  He glanced round the crowded kitchen. ‘There’s not much room in here.’

  ‘The conservatory?’ she said. ‘I know it’s a mess but I can work on it while you’re on your tour of the gardens.’

  She was rewarded with a grateful smile. ‘If you’re sure.’

  ‘No problem,’ she said easily. ‘I’ve prepared a tray for the Hewsons. I’ll take it along now.’

  ‘You’ll need an extra cup,’ he said.

  ‘Andrew?’

  ‘Dr Duncan.’

  She looked surprised.

  ‘Just called in as he was passing,’ Michael said. ‘Or so they believe. Andrew got on to him straight away, as he always does when something like this happens.’

  ‘Andrew did?’

  Michael nodded. ‘Dr Duncan’s a family friend of long standing and he likes to check up on things at Bulbury Knap. He’ll arrange for any tests he thinks necessary, you can be sure of that. One day he’s going to suggest stopping these coach parties as being too much for Sir Edwin.’

  Kathryn paused as she picked up the tray. ‘Andrew was shouting at me as the coach arrived,’ she said. ‘It might have been the shock of that.’

  ‘Andrew was shouting at you?’ Michael sounded so stern that one or two people glanced their way. ‘So how could that have been your fault?’

  ‘I’ll tell you later,’ Kathryn said hurriedly, escaping with the tray.

  Dr Duncan was in the den with her employers just as Michael had said. He was standing up and preparing to go when she went in. Seeing the tray he sat down again.

  ‘Thank you, dear,’ said Lady Hewson. ‘So kind. Richard, you’ll have coffee with us? This is Kathryn who is looking after us at the moment.’

  Dr Duncan smiled warmly at her. ‘Hello there, Kathryn,’ he said.

  Clearing the conservatory took longer than Kathryn anticipated. The rain was beating down on the glass roof by the time she had finished and puddles were beginning to form on the crazy paving slabs outside.

  There were pegs in the passage that would be useful now and the drips from the jackets wouldn’t hurt the stone floor. She had the kettle on for more hot drinks by the time Michael came in with the first group.

  ‘The others won’t be long,’ he told her, pulling off his wet jacket. Rivulets of water streamed down his face and he pulled out a handkerchief and mopped it.

  Kathryn took the jacket from him, glad that the first arrivals looked content in spite of the weather. But perhaps true gardeners took no heed of the rain, she thought, marvelling at their stoicism.

  Once everyone had finished eating and had drunk the tea and coffee Kathryn provided there was a move on. Most of them hadn’t completed the tour of the grounds and decided to ignore the weather and do so while they had the chance.

  At last Michael came back from making sure everyone was aboard the coach when it was time for it to depart.

  She washed the last of the coffee mugs and dried her hands on the towel. ‘No sign of Andrew?’ she asked.

  Michael shook his head as he glanced at his watch. ‘I have to be back home in twenty minutes for school coming out. Mrs Pearce, our child minder, is having the day off. The rain’s stopped. Fancy a walk across to my place while you tell me why Andrew instigated a bit of a scene you told me about? I can offer you tea and biscuits with Tom and Neville.’

  Kathryn hesitated.

  ‘You deserve a rest,’ he said, at once understanding her reaction. ‘I happen to know Sir Edwin’s resting at the moment. They’d hate to be thought slave drivers, you know.’

  Michael’s cottage was less than five minutes walk away and during that time Kathryn filled him in on what had caused Andrew’s outburst when the coach arrived. Michael’s brooding silence disturbed her.

  She could see Michael’s cottage now in its small front garden bright with tulips. The paved path to the low front door looked freshly swept. The door stood open.

  ‘Ah, my boys are here already,’ he said.

  They came running to meet their father and he scooped them up in a tight hug. As he released them the elder one looked at Kathryn, his blue eyes so like his father’s.

  ‘This is Tom,’ Michael said, ruffling his son’s fair hair.

  ‘Hello, Tom,’ Kathryn said.

  ‘And I’m Neville,’ said his brother. ‘I’m nearly as big as him but I’m only six.’

  ‘I very nearly thought you were twins,’ Kathryn said, smiling at them both.

  Tom gave a snort of laughter. ‘No way. We’re nowhere near alike. Our hair’s different. Neville’s is nearly black.’

  ‘Let’s get inside,’ said Michael. ‘Drinks and biscuits all round and then Kathryn and I have some talking to do.’

  ‘So,’ he said as soon as the boys had escaped to the other small front room to watch television. He walked ahead of her carrying the tea tray and with his elbow flicked on the light switch. The room, illuminated, looked cosy. Outside a small branch tapped against the windowpane. ‘I can’t see anything wrong with that idea of yours. It makes perfect sense to me now you’ve raised the subject.’ He placed the tray on a small table he hooked into position with his foot.

  ‘Andrew is dead against it,’ Kathryn reminded him as she accepted a cup of tea.

  Pouring his own, Michael looked as if he was giving the matter serious thought. ‘I’ll take a look for myself tomorrow,’ he said.

  ‘Do you think that the garden clubs are too much for Sir Edwin?’ she asked.

  ‘Not if he’s sensible and allows me to take some of the strain. But Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson are so interested in people who come, so keen to see their appreciation. They enjoy it all so much.’

  ‘I can see that,’ Kathryn said.

  ‘Andrew is always pushing for Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson to give the place up.’

  ‘And move away from Bulbury Knap?’ said Kathryn with feeling. ‘They’d hate that.’

  ‘They would indeed,’ said Michael. ‘Andrew feels responsible for them, of course. Where is he now, by the way?’

  ‘He’ll have gone by now, I expect,�
�� said Kathryn, hoping it was true. So much had happened already today she couldn’t face more recriminations. ‘He only came for the day and didn’t want an evening meal.’

  An outburst of shouting came from the other room. Michael got up to investigate and Kathryn glanced about her. The big round table pushed to the wall to give room for the three easy chairs was so highly polished it gleamed. Between two shining copper pots on the mantelpiece were several photographs of the boys at various stages in their young lives. Kathryn got up to take a closer look and saw that another photograph, slightly behind the others, was of a younger Michael with a young girl whose lively expression was so like Neville’s mischievous one that she smiled to see it.

  ‘The boys’ mother,’ Michael said, returning.

  Kathryn jumped, feeling awkward as she sat down again.

  Michael cleared his throat as he seated himself too. ‘She died giving birth to Neville.’

  His tone was so final that she could only murmur something inadequate half beneath her breath. She knew instinctively that it would be an intrusion to offer sympathy and he wouldn’t welcome it. She wondered if he had been living here at the time in this lonely cottage when he was left with two small sons.

  Michael seemed to shrug off any sad feelings. His smile was warm as he talked some more of the empty cottages that used to house employees in the old days and had long been empty and disused. ‘There’s no reason that they couldn’t be used again,’ he said. ‘It wouldn’t take a big outlay to fit them up into holiday accommodation. It would be change of use, of course, but I can’t see the planners objecting.’

  ‘There’s so much to do, so much to think about,’ Kathryn said. Then, in case he thought she was complaining she added, ‘I love the quietness and the beauty of it all here at Bulbury Knap.’

  He looked very quietly pleased. ‘You do?’

  ‘My mother will love it too, when she comes.’

  ‘How is she?’