Saving Willowbrook (23 page)

He smiled and pulled her into his arms, planting a farewell kiss on the end of her nose, something he knew irritated her. He laughed as she scrubbed at her nose.

Rose kept rubbing the damp spot as he drove away and gave it another rub as she got ready for bed because his touch seemed to linger on her skin.

She was a fool to love Oliver still. But if she gave up her life's work, she'd not be herself, so whatever he said, their relationship was leading nowhere – again. Tears welled and overflowed, but there was no one to see them, so she allowed herself the rare luxury of a little weep.

Life didn't always bring you what you wanted. She knew that. And you had to make sacrifices to achieve your dream. She knew that too.

She'd meant to ring Ella and check on Amy. But it was too late now. She'd do it first thing in the morning. Her cousin would have rung if she needed help, and Cameron seemed a nice guy.

Thirteen

Amy spent a restless night, one minute feverish, tossing the bedclothes off, then shivering and complaining that she was cold. Ella was up and down several times, checking, fetching a cool drink or simply stroking her daughter's forehead and murmuring soothing nothings.

At five o'clock she gave up yet another attempt to get back to sleep and went downstairs to brew herself a cup of her favourite coffee as a treat and wake-up. Porgy got up from his basket near the door, wagging at her then asking to go out. She followed him, taking the mug out into the brisk air of morning but staying within hearing of the house. She always enjoyed the peace of this time of day, with few man-made noises, unless there were planes flying to and from the nearby RAF base. Today there was only the occasional bird starting its day's work by chattering to its friends.

She looked up, seeing clouds piling up. The air felt damp and she was sure it'd rain later. Maybe that was why she was feeling a bit shivery. It wasn't the warmest of mornings.

After drinking the coffee slowly and with relish, she went back inside to bake some scones. She had this Ms Odham arriving in the early afternoon – it couldn't possibly be her former mother-in-law, surely? How would she deal with it if this was Stephanie? She shrugged. She'd handle that when it happened.

There was also a couple coming around teatime. They'd stayed here before. All three guests had requested an evening meal, so there was that to plan for as well.

By seven o'clock Amy had had a quick shower and was back in bed, toying with breakfast and complaining that her throat was sore and itchy. The slight tremor that sometimes affected the child's hands from the SMA was more in evidence today, though mostly you didn't notice it.

Cameron turned up at the farmhouse soon afterwards, studying Ella with a frown. ‘You look as if you slept badly.'

She shrugged. ‘Amy was restless.'

‘Maybe I can spell you a bit this morning, let you have a nap?'

‘Thanks, but I find it hard to sleep during the day. And I've a lot to do. I'll be all right. I can manage without sleep if I have to. Would you like some breakfast?'

‘Yes, I'm ravenous. But I'll help you get it and eat here in the kitchen with you, then I'll continue to help you in any way I can. I'm not going away, Ella – nor is our relationship. We can take things as slowly as you like, but we're going to get to know one another very well indeed.'

She gave in to the temptation to plant a quick kiss on his cheek, but she didn't dare stop work or she'd never get started again. Goodness, she was sluggish this morning! She pulled away. ‘All right. On all counts.'

‘That's great. Now, can I just nip up and say good morning to Amy before we eat or is it better to leave her alone? She's a great kid. I don't like to see her under the weather. You're sure it's nothing more than a cold?'

‘It seems like just a cold. And yes, do go up, Cameron. She'd love a visit. I'll call you when breakfast is ready.'

By the time he came down, Ella had fruit and cereal set out, and the bacon ready to fry.

He looked at the single place set at the kitchen table. ‘Have you already eaten?'

‘I'm not really hungry. I'll just grab a piece of toast.'

He tugged her over to the table and pushed her gently down on one of the chairs. ‘Someone who works as hard as you do needs to eat properly.'

She didn't know whether to be flattered or angry. ‘Are you bullying me?'

‘Yup. Sure am. Someone has to. We don't want you falling ill as well.'

‘I'm never ill. I don't have time for that.'

Amy called from upstairs and Ella rushed to answer her. He shook his head as he checked that nothing was likely to burn or spoil in the kitchen. Loving Ella was like treading through a nettle patch. He didn't yet have the right to interfere in her life but – he stopped in shock.
Loving!
Where did that thought come from? Or rather, how could it have happened so quickly when he'd avoided emotional entanglements for years?

He smiled. Well, he wasn't allergic to love. In fact, it was rather nice to find someone you could care about. He was more than ready to settle down.

Ella joined him again. ‘She's hungry now for toast and honey. But she's still feverish and heavy-eyed. It's good that she wants to eat, though, isn't it?'

‘Yes.' He watched her as she worked. Was it his imagination, or was Ella looking rather heavy-eyed herself? She'd assured him she never fell ill, but no one could guarantee that.

And before the day was over, he intended to tell her about his background. He didn't want any nasty surprises spoiling the developing feelings between them. But as Miles wasn't likely to be here till the weekend, there was no hurry.

A car drew up at the farm just before two. Ella went out to greet whichever of her guests it was and stopped dead at the sight of her former mother-in-law. She watched warily as Stephanie got out of the car and came towards her.

‘Hi, Ella. Are you going to turn me away?'

‘No, of course not. But I am surprised to see you.'

‘Is it so strange that I'd want to see my only grandchild? Or do you still only permit birthday and Christmas presents?'

The two women stared at one another in puzzlement, then Ella said slowly, thinking aloud, ‘Miles told me you were too busy to visit us.'

Stephanie gaped at her in such shock, there was no mistaking that her surprise was genuine.

‘Yes.'

Suddenly tears were rolling down the older woman's cheeks and she fumbled for a handkerchief.

Ella pushed a tissue into her hand and then, as she continued to sob, put her arms round her.

After a while, Stephanie mopped her eyes and blew her nose. ‘He's kept me from Amy for three years.
Three whole years!
Why? Why would he do this to me?'

‘I don't know. Shh now, shh.'

‘You'll let me visit her from now on? You won't blame me for what he's done?'

‘I never did blame you. I'd have been happy for her to see you any time. As for Miles, sometimes people are just—' She sought in vain for a tactful way to phrase it to the man's mother, but Stephanie finished for her.

‘Warped. Self-centred. His father was just the same. Handsome face, charming when he wanted to be, and selfish to the core. That's why I left him, and found to my sorrow that his son was cut from the same cloth. I wasn't surprised when you split with Miles. Whatever else, my other son is kind and thoughtful.' She blew her nose again. ‘Now, where is my granddaughter?'

‘In bed. She's got a heavy cold or maybe a touch of 'flu.'

‘You don't look all that well yourself.'

‘I'm all right.'

‘May I see her?'

‘Don't you want to put your things in the chalet first?'

‘No. I've missed three years of her life. I don't want to miss another second.'

Arm in arm the two women went into the house. On the way Ella introduced Cameron as ‘a friend of mine' and led the way upstairs. She stopped in the doorway of Amy's room. ‘I've got a lovely surprise for you, darling.'

Amy looked up and then stared past her at the older woman, a slight frown on her face.

‘This is your grandma.'

‘I remember you. But your hair was darker.'

Stephanie moved into the room. ‘Yes. I've been wanting to see you again for a long time. Can I sit on your bed and talk to you?'

After a long considering look Amy nodded. ‘I've got a cold, though. You might catch it.'

‘I don't often catch colds.' She sat on the bed and pulled a small parcel out of her capacious handbag. ‘I brought you a present.'

The child brightened a little. ‘What is it?'

‘Open it and see.'

She took it, feeling it through the gift wrapping. ‘It feels like books.'

‘It is. Old-fashioned ones, I'm afraid. I don't know what girls read today, so I brought two of my own favourites from when I was your age:
Heidi
and
The Secret Garden
.'

Amy had torn off the wrapping paper and was staring in delight at the two books. ‘I haven't read these.' She opened the top book, turning at once to the first page and nodding. ‘I can read this. I have to ask Mummy sometimes when there are long words, though. I like learning new words.'

Stephanie smiled. ‘You can ask me, too. And if your throat's sore, maybe I can read to you for a while.'

Ella was watching her daughter carefully. ‘Would you like that, darling?'

Amy went right to the heart of the matter. ‘Why haven't you been to see me before?'

Stephanie hesitated.

Ella folded her arms. ‘Tell her the truth.'

‘Your daddy said you didn't want to see me.'

Amy scowled. ‘He was telling fibs. I don't like him. Mummy says I have to see him when he asks but I don't want to.'

‘Do you want to see me?'

Another long look, then a slow nod. ‘Yes. You look at me. He doesn't.'

Stephanie looked at Ella in shock and she shrugged. Amy was right: Miles did avoid looking at her, especially when she was moving about.

‘Well, I'll just go and leave my things in my chalet then come back and read with you, if that's all right, dear?'

When she'd gone, Amy fingered the book cover, smiling in spite of looking tired. ‘I like books. And I like my grandma. Won't Nessa be surprised that I've got one as well, now?'

When Ella went downstairs, she found Stephanie weeping again. There was no sign of Cameron and the bacon was still by the cooker waiting to be fried.

Stephanie blew her nose vigorously. ‘I'm not usually so weepy, but I
am
upset. She's a lovely child. Did you ever see such beautiful eyes? And so clear-seeing. You'll not fool that one easily.'

‘No.'

‘Does Miles really avoid looking at her?'

‘Yes.'

‘A child of his has to be perfect!' Stephanie said bitterly. ‘As if
he
is perfect! I'm sorry he's hurt you, Ella.'

‘He's hurt you, too. But he also gave us Amy, and that's worth all the hurt. Come on. I'll show you to your chalet.'

‘The man who was here . . . how much of a friend is he?'

‘I only met him recently. But things seem . . . promising.'

‘He seemed nice. I hope it goes well for you this time but be careful.' She smiled ruefully. ‘I don't know why I'm offering you any advice. I wasn't very good at choosing men.'

‘I'm taking it slowly, believe me.' Ella sighed. ‘If truth be told, I'm too busy to do anything else. Every time we start getting to know one another, something interrupts.'

While the two women were upstairs, Cameron went outside. Clearly, this was an important encounter, so they needed some privacy. Why had Miles Parnell's mother come to visit? Was she here on his behalf, as a spy, or on her own simply to do what she'd said and see her granddaughter?

His mobile rang and he frowned as he saw who it was. ‘Ray. What can I do for you?'

‘I've been hoping you'd reconsidered my offer.'

‘I told you: I'm not interested.'

‘You're still staying at Willowbrook?'

‘Yes.'

‘I hope you're not trying to pull a fast one on me, lad. We've got the area almost sewn up for a new country hotel and function centre, with contracts for the various blocks of land waiting to be signed. There's only that stupid Turner woman to persuade to sell now.'

‘She's not stupid.'

Silence with heavy breathing. ‘She's fooled you, then. Parnell tells me she has no idea of the value of money.'

‘She has a very good idea of its value. She just doesn't rate it the most important thing on earth. And she's also got a good idea of the value of this place. It's been in her family for centuries and she loves it. Ray, you don't usually go trampling over heritage properties. This place has a medieval barn and—'

‘Fake.'

‘Did Parnell tell you that?'

‘Yes. He used to live there, after all. Her Victorian ancestors put in a lot of fake remains to give them status. That's why it was refused a heritage listing.'

‘Check your facts again. It's not fake and it's being listed at this very moment. The inspector came out to see it yesterday and took the paperwork back with him.'

Silence, then, ‘Your doing, I suppose?'

‘I've been helping.'

‘The listing won't be accepted.'