Bulbury Knap Read online

  She could see the two of them, heads together, as they worked out the final details that would make the day a resounding success. And that of course, was good. With a stab of pain Kathryn turned away, picked up her duster and attacked the windowsill as if it had done her a personal injury.

  There, she was finished here now. Lady Hewson, down in the den, would be expecting her morning coffee and Sir Edwin would be in soon from whatever he was doing on the estate this wet morning.

  On leaden feet she went down to the kitchen. Two days had passed since she had asked Michael to send the e-mail and by yesterday evening no reply had come. Maybe hers hadn’t arrived in New Zealand. She could even have messed up the email address she’d given Michael. She had only glanced at it, after all, when Sir Edwin had given her the print-out to read. Anyone could have got it wrong.

  Lady Hewson, a smile brightening her features, looked up from her embroidery as Kathryn carried in the tray to the den and placed it on the low table nearby. ‘Such excellent news, dear. Jane is coming home to see us.’

  Kathryn paused with the coffee pot in one hand, hope rising so swiftly she gasped. ‘She is?’

  ‘Andrew’s had a long talk with her on the phone,’ Lady Hewson said happily. ‘We’re so pleased.’

  Carefully Kathryn poured Lady Hewson’s coffee and handed her the cup and saucer. ‘Of course you are, Lady Hewson,’ she said as warmly as she could manage. So the risk she had taken in contacting Jane had misfired with a vengeance. Why hadn’t she realised that Jane would be sure to contact Andrew on receiving her e-mail? No prizes for guessing what he had said to her.

  ‘When will she be coming?’ she asked.

  ‘As soon as she can make the arrangements,’ Lady Hewson said. ‘Jane is so good at getting on with things once she has made up her mind.’

  ‘Then I must sort out her room,’ Kathryn said.

  Lady Hewson’s face clouded. ‘Of course, dear. I’d forgotten what the rooms are like now …’ Her voice faded away.

  Kathryn hurried up to the first landing, glad to have something practical to occupy her mind and stop her dwelling on the outcome of Jane’s visit. She pushed open the bedroom door and looked at it in dismay. They had cleared the debris left after the thugs had done their worst and now it was empty apart from a single bed and a wardrobe.

  She must do something at once … raid one of the other bedrooms whose curtains had not been touched, sort some bedding out from the linen cupboard and find a suitable chest of drawers from somewhere. If Jane took after either of her parents she would be the kind of person who liked pretty things. Later, she would pick some of the pink and white tulips from the front border and find something suitable to arrange them in.

  * * *

  Kathryn met Sir Edwin in the kitchen passage. Michael was with him. ‘I’ve just heard that your daughter is coming home, Sir Edwin,’ she said.

  His eyes gleamed. ‘So she is, my dear. And leaving my son-in-law to cope with the business on his own.’

  She could see that Michael was already aware of this by the way he looked at her quizzically above his employer’s head. Sir Edwin would have told him, of course. ‘I need to have a word or two with Kathryn,’ he said.

  ‘A brief e-mail came this morning, short and to the point,’ Michael said as he followed Kathryn into the kitchen and stood leaning against the closed door.

  She could hardly bear to look at him for the rush of emotion that filled her throat. This was the man upon whom she had come to rely … the man who filled her thoughts day and night. Jane’s ultimate decision about the future of Bulbury Knap would affect him deeply because he loved the garden and grounds here as if they were his own.

  ‘What did she say?’ she managed to get out.

  ‘Arriving Bulbury Knap on Friday.’

  ‘That’s all?’

  ‘Enough, wouldn’t you say?’

  She nodded. ‘You know that she’s been on the phone to Andrew?’

  ‘That was only to be expected.’

  She swallowed nervously. She hadn’t thought of that in her haste to put Jane in the picture. How Michael must take her for a fool.

  She caught his eye and smiled nervously. Just for a second his lips twitched in response. ‘No doubt Andrew attempted to turn things to his advantage, but who knows the outcome? We’ll have to wait and see.’

  Michael was being so kind. Deeply she regretted her action but there was nothing she could do to help matters now. ‘So she’s coming on Friday, the day before the Open Day?’ she said in a quiet voice.

  ‘A good thing, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘As long as we keep Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson out of it so they’re not exhausted.’

  ‘We will,’ he promised. ‘I’ve organised a couple of chaps from the village to take the money at the gate. Zillah’s going to be stewarding the exhibition with the boys’ help. They’ll be handy for showing folk around the place, too. Refreshments in the conservatory, that’s your province, and me in the walled garden area answering questions and manning the plant stall.’

  ‘And Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson will be barricaded in the den?’ she couldn’t resist saying.

  His lips twitched again and she smiled too, marvelling that they both could find amusement in this dire situation.

  ‘We’ll rely on Jane’s presence to keep them away from too much of the action,’ he said. ‘She cares for her parents, Kathryn, or she wouldn’t have dropped everything like this to come. She’ll see how much they enjoy having people here and how much it all means to them.’

  * * *

  Her thoughts on Michael, Kathryn propped open the back door to feel fresh air on her warm face. The rain had stopped now but the puddles on the cobbles reflected the leaden sky. Zillah’s cottage door opened and Iain emerged, striding across to Kathryn with a cheerful wave.

  ‘Iain!’ It was good to see him even at this fraught moment. ‘What brings you here?’

  ‘To see you of course, dear Kathryn. And check on Zillah. She said I could come over the house to have a word.’

  A split-second’s thought that Zillah seemed to be taking over here at Bulbury Knap was quickly banished. Ashamed of herself, Kathryn smiled at him. ‘I’m glad to see you, Iain,’ she said.

  ‘I’ve completed my research at last and now my book’s ready to be written up.’

  ‘That’s great. You’ll be able to give a hand with the Open Day. We could do with more help. Zillah’s told you about it?’

  ‘And given all the credit to you for coming up with the idea. You’re quite a girl, Kathryn.’ He slapped the leg of his ancient jeans. ‘Not only that but I’ve been talking to the Lord of the Manor.’

  ‘Sir Edwin?’

  ‘The same. A decent old chap if I may say so.’

  Kathryn saw the look of achievement on Iain’s face. ‘What have you been up to, Iain?’

  ‘The old chap wanted to hear about the research I’ve been doing. Seemed very knowledgeable about it. You know I’ve got myself in with the Heritage Centre people and I’m going to be doing a bit of work for them, a talk or two and help with the fossil hunts on the beach?’

  ‘You haven’t wasted much time.’

  ‘Say you’re pleased, Kathryn. It means a lot to me if you are.’

  ‘Of course I’m pleased,’ she said. ‘You’ve worked so hard.’

  ‘But?’ He looked at her intently.

  She tried to smile but her face felt stiff. Her mother’s broken ankle was well on the mend now. Sarah had sounded so happy on the phone last night as she was beginning to make plans to take up her position at Bulbury Knap. It wouldn’t be long now that her room in Polmerrick would become vacant again. Everything was shaping up.

  Except for her, Kathryn, of course.

  ‘You’ll be able to return to Polmerrick now that Mum’s better,’ she said. He looked surprised. ‘No way. Not with you here, Kathryn.’

  ‘But I won’t be here?’ To her horror her voice trembled.

  �
�Hey, hey, we can’t have this.’

  Suddenly his arms were round her and for a moment she leaned against him, grateful for his ready sympathy. He felt solid and comforting. ‘We’ll sort something out,’ he said above her head.

  She heard voices and pulled away, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. ‘You’re a good friend, Iain,’ she murmured.

  ‘More than that, I hope,’ he said, his voice gruff. ‘So this Open Day …’

  ‘On Saturday.’

  ‘I’ll be here for you, Kathryn,’ he promised.

  * * *

  ‘Andrew is making tea,’ Lady Hewson said as if it was an every day occurrence. ‘Your father will join us very soon, Jane, dear. And now here is Kathryn.’

  Lady Hewson’s face was flushed with pleasure as she introduced them. Jane was standing with her back to the light and Kathryn didn’t notice at first that she had a scar running down her left cheek. She wondered that she didn’t try to camouflage it but Jane’s face was devoid of any makeup as far as she could see. They seated themselves at Lady Hewson’s invitation in the wicker chairs that were placed in readiness on the terrace.

  ‘This is nice,’ said Lady Hewson.

  Jane was older than Kathryn had imagined, a woman in her fifties with a stocky figure who gave the impression that any problem that reared its head would be dealt with firmly and at once. Her thick neck was almost hidden in the collar of her grey jersey and she wore a huge medallion on a solid chain. She leant confidently back in her chair that gave a little creak as she did so.

  ‘And so, Kathryn, you’ve been making yourself at home,’ she said in a deep voice that was oddly attractive.

  Kathryn smiled, not quite knowing how to take the remark. ‘Bulbury Knap is an easy place to do that,’ she said.

  ‘Too right.’

  ‘And it’s a pleasure to look after your parents.’

  ‘I see.’

  Lady Hewson leaned forward. ‘What do you see, dear?’

  At that moment Sir Edwin appeared, his stick tapping joyfully on the paving stones. Andrew, bearing a tray, followed him.

  ‘Put it down there, my boy,’ Sir Edwin said. ‘I think Kathryn had better serve us all.’

  Kathryn hesitated, looking at Lady Hewson to check whether she should proceed. As she said nothing she picked up the teapot and did as she was asked.

  ‘And you’ve brought the chocolate biscuits,’ Lady Hewson said with pleasure.

  A self-deprecating smile touched one corner of Andrew’s mouth. Obviously out to please, he had seated himself a little to the back of the group.

  Kathryn finished serving everyone and Andrew gave her a nod of dismissal. She caught a look of surprise on Jane’s face as she turned to go but Jane said nothing. Of course this was the moment for some serious talking and Kathryn was not to be part of it.

  * * *

  This time there wasn’t the sudden advent of people on the day that Bulbury Knap was thrown open to the general public but rather a slow trickle spread over the whole time.

  Kathryn sank into one of the wicker chairs in the conservatory, too weary to think of finding the others for the moment. She had seen little of Jane all day because Andrew had made himself responsible for escorting her from one place to another, no doubt wanting her to see it all from his point of view.

  But Jane couldn’t fail to have seen the enjoyment of the people who came and how they thronged into Zillah’s exhibition. She knew the takings for this were well up because Iain, who came to help, told her so.

  But was the price too high for Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson? She had caught a glimpse of Sir Edwin at one point, leaning on his stick as he beheld the crowds wandering in his grounds, his old face suffused with pride. Iain had come up to him at that moment and helped him to a seat on the terrace beside his wife. She had also seen Jane with her mother who lay back in one of the reclining seats with her eyes closed.

  Now Kathryn looked up and Michael was there. His face looked drawn and his eyes weary. He sank down on the padded window. She longed to comfort him, to sit close and draw his head down on her shoulders and take some of the burden from him.

  ‘I’ve been talking to Jane,’ he said, his voice flat. ‘She’s made an appointment to come to see me at the cottage in half an hour. I thought you should know. It doesn’t sound good.’

  Her mouth dry, Kathryn stared at him in dismay as he got to his feet. She watched him go with deep foreboding in her heart.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Lady Hewson kept to her room next morning, tended by her daughter who emerged at coffee time looking far from happy. She had changed her grey jersey today for an orange one but was still wearing the medallion on its thick chain.

  Kathryn had prepared a tray and was about to take it up when she found Jane in the hall.

  ‘I’ll take it up to my mother and be right back,’ Jane said. ‘No coffee for me. I don’t drink it.’

  Yesterday Jane had seen the exhaustion of both her parents. How could she not be concerned that Bulbury Knap was now too much for them, however much help was at hand?

  ‘Come into the den. We need to talk,’ Jane said when she returned.

  The room was cold and Kathryn shivered a little. ‘How is Lady Hewson?’ she asked.

  Jane shrugged and sat down. ‘It’s crazy to think that she can stay on here in her state,’ Jane said in her abrupt manner. ‘My father, too. He’s not fit to be let loose on the estate.’

  ‘Oh but …’ Kathryn started to remonstrate but then stopped at a wave of Jane’s hand. It was not her place to argue after all. Jane had already had a long session with Michael who would have been totally honest. Michael and Zillah would have plans of their own. Her mother would find other employment, Helen would have her baby down in Cornwall, she herself would go away back to her old life in London, teaching … Bulbury Knap would seem like a dream. Michael …

  ‘Are you all right?’ Jane asked in concern.

  With a supreme effort Kathryn smiled. ‘It’s so sad.’

  ‘They should be rid of this place,’ Jane said with conviction. ‘I’ve no children to be considered and my home’s in New Zealand now and always will be. What would you have me do? Let my parents moulder on here until they give up the ghost?’

  ‘So what will happen now?’ Kathryn asked humbly.

  ‘I’ve had Michael’s input and now I need yours, Kathryn,’ Jane said, leaning forward. ‘They’re fond of you and I know you’ll be fair. Tell me all of the instances where you have been most concerned about my parents.’

  It was no use trying to hide anything but it was hard to come out with the occasions that had caused worry knowing that it must result in Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson being forced to leave their home. ‘If Andrew takes over Bulbury Knap what will happen to your parents?’ Kathryn asked at last.

  ‘I’ll get them moved into something smaller.’

  ‘On the estate?’

  ‘Maybe.’

  Kathryn could think only of one property that was even remotely suitable … Michael’s cottage. Horrified, she gazed at Jane. Michael and his boys homeless … she couldn’t bear the thought of him having to uproot his little family, to move away to find work elsewhere, away from the place he loved, the garden he had poured such love and attention into.

  ‘On the other hand I’m open to all ideas,’ Jane said. ‘It won’t happen overnight but I have to consider the welfare of my parents.’

  Kathryn appreciated that Jane was being reasonable but as she returned to the kitchen to start preparing lunch she couldn’t help thinking of her own mother’s deep disappointment if her job at Bulbury Knap was no longer open to her.

  The back door burst open and Zillah was in the doorway, looking supremely confident in her purple and magenta smock. ‘Come on Kathryn. It might never happen.’

  Kathryn smiled weakly. If only she could be sure of that.

  ‘I’m off to see Michael,’ Zillah said. ‘I’ve a plan to hatch that’ll solve all our problems.’

&n
bsp; * * *

  Sarah’s phone call that evening came as something of a relief to Kathryn. She had been putting off her mother but now she had no choice but to warn her of the latest developments at Bulbury Knap.

  Afterwards she marvelled at Sarah’s reaction … initial disappointment, of course, but then deep concern for the Hewsons and for Kathryn herself.

  ‘Don’t worry about me,’ Kathryn had said, tight-lipped. ‘I’ll find something. I’m a free agent. I can go anywhere.’

  But she didn’t want to go anywhere. She put down the receiver and stood with her head against the wall, unable for the moment to think of what to do next. Andrew and Jane were closeted in his study upstairs and had been there for some time. Finalising details of Andrew’s take-over, she supposed. She wondered that Jane would condone the plans Andrew obviously had for Bulbury Knap that would render it totally unrecognisable from the beloved family home it had been for generations.

  * * *

  Kathryn was awakened suddenly by the banging of doors, the crash of footsteps. She sat up in bed, heart thudding. Then she slipped on her dressing-gown and slippers and opened her bedroom door. Up here on the top floor she felt cut off from the rest of the house but she needed to know what was going on in the dead of night. She switched on the landing light and stood listening.

  Not a sound now. Had she dreamt the noise she had heard earlier? She went down to the first floor landing, stepping gingerly so as not to make any noise herself. Then she stood still, listening to the silence. She must have imagined the racket that had seemed to shake the house, the tail end of a nightmare perhaps now mercifully forgotten.

  She went down to the kitchen with the intention of making herself a drink. To her alarm the front door stood open. For the first time she remembered the intruders who had raided the place all those weeks ago. The hall felt icy as she rushed to the door to close and lock it. She felt safer now but this was stupid. Anyone with any sense would have awakened someone … Andrew or Jane, not descended into goodness knows what danger on her own.