Roses For Katie (16 page)

‘Shops will be closing now,’ he said, glancing at his wristwatch as they finished eating. ‘Is there anywhere else nearby you want to visit?’

‘No, thanks, we’ve done well today. It’s time we went home now, or my children will worry, and think something’s happened to us. I know them.’

It was quite late when they arrived back at Priory Farm, and the house was in darkness.

‘I’ll come in with you and check it out,’ Pat said, with a note of concern in his voice. ‘I don’t want to frighten you, but you’ve been away since early morning, and, well… ‘ He left the sentence unfinished.

‘No, I’ll be all right,’ Katie said, but as she eyed the dark windows of her home she felt apprehensive. ‘On second thoughts, yes, Pat. Normally, I leave a friendly light on to welcome me home, but I forgot this time; didn’t think we’d be so late.’

Together, they inspected the whole house, and then Katie invited him into the kitchen for coffee and biscuits before he went home. She studied him carefully as he sat, deep in thought, while he stirred his cup.

‘Penny for them,’ she said, laughing.

‘I was just thinking… this house is nearly as big as the manor, and your east wing seems to be stuck out on a limb and separate from the rest of the house.’

‘I know what you mean,’ she said. ‘Well, this was a priory once upon a time, then a farm, so it might have been used as a dairy then. It was the previous owners who made that wing into a granny flat. It’s not used now, but it was easily accessed from the main house by a little corridor, so when our four were growing up, they entertained their friends there, and we were spared all the noise.

Time passed quickly as they chatted, and Pat stirred himself and checked the time. ‘I must go now,’ he said. ‘I’ve enjoyed today immensely.’

Immediately Pat left, Katie had a third coffee. Her adrenaline was still flowing, and no way did she feel tired and in need of bed. She relaxed in the chair and began to think about Pat’s difficulty in finding another house. And, of course, a little worry niggled at her that he might seriously intend to live in Ireland one day. She sighed. There was little point in his buying a property here, and renting one was never as easy, and it was costly too. The more she thought, the more she wondered if she should offer him the temporary use of her annex as accommodation. Minutes later, she dismissed the idea… he might misconstrue her suggestion.

When the phone rang, it was Sam.

‘You were late getting back tonight, Mum. I’ve tried several times to phone you. How were things at Avondale; everything all right now?’

Katie told her briefly what they had discovered, and listed the missing paintings. ‘It could have been a lot worse, had the Joneses not intervened when they did,’ she added. ‘We were late back because Pat took me on a nostalgic trip to Hay on Wye before coming home. It was delightful.’

‘Have you decided what you’re going to do with the place?’ Sam asked, ‘because if I were you, I wouldn’t risk leaving the house unattended for long, or anything valuable there. It’s too tempting, and it’ll soon get around that the place is empty. Think about it, Mum; surely we can work something out when we all go down for the funeral.’

‘What you say is sensible, Sam, and I’ll give it a lot of thought.’ ‘I really don’t want to part with the manor, but I know it would be silly to leave it unoccupied.’ She replaced the receiver, and then climbed into bed. Thoughts about what to do with the place kept nudging her mind and keeping her awake, and then she realized that Pat had made the most obvious and sensible suggestion. Rent it out.

She put out the light and snuggled down, uncomfortably aware that she was listening for strange sounds. For no real reason, she had suddenly become nervous of being on her own, and pulled the sheet higher. The idea of having Pat under the same roof surfaced again. I’d feel safer with a man about the place. I could offer him the annex for a nominal rent, and eliminate his problem and my own at the same time. She closed her eyes with that idea running through her mind, and decided that if she felt the same way in the morning, she would speak to him about it in a couple days, after the funeral.

The day before the funeral, Katie and the rest of her family travelled to Avondale Manor in two cars, while the children had been conveniently accommodated with friends. As soon as they arrived, Katie handed them some tags. ‘Here, put your name and address on one of the tags I’ve given you, and stick one on whatever you want.’

Several hours later, she checked what was unclaimed. ‘There’s still a ton of stuff here needing a new home. Rather than sell it for a knock-down price at auction, I’ll give bits and bobs to anyone who wants them… to your friends and mine, so ask around, okay?’ Then she made a phone call to the local estate agency, Daniel & Co. ‘I’ve decided to rent out Avondale manor,’ she said to the principal of the firm. ‘As soon as possible, I’d like you to find me a reliable, long-term tenant, if you can.’

The man’s immediate answer pleased Katie, so she covered the mouthpiece, and whispered to Sam. ‘He knows someone who’s looking for such a place right now.’ She screwed up her nose and grinned with pleasure. ‘It’s a local firm, and he thinks they’ll jump at it,’ she whispered again, to Sam. ‘He wants to see it immediately to fix a rent.’ She turned her full attention back to the phone. ‘You can view it first thing first thing tomorrow, Mr. Daniel. The funeral is at two, so if you can come early, we could get it settled beforehand.’ Pleased that everything had gone so smoothly, she looked around with a smile. ‘Right… so it’s an evening meal on me down at The Greyhound in the village.

It seemed no time at all before the next morning dawned, and Mr. Daniel arrived even before they had breakfasted. She ushered him through the house.

‘Thank you for the instruction, Mrs. Turner. I have all I need. I’ll get out of your way now, and contact you as soon as possible concerning a rent.’

At the funeral service in the village church, a crowd of locals congregated to give their last respects to the gracious old lady who lived in the big house. Everything went smoothly, and an apologetic looking Margie bustled in just before the service began. It was soon over, and Katie watched the last of the mourners leave.

‘Well, I’m glad that’s over,’ Katie said, wiping away a tear as she realized there would be no more visits here to see Aunt Bertha. How life changes, she thought, becoming introspect once again, as she climbed into the car for the journey home. Sadness clouded her mind during the trip; this was the end of another chapter in her life. She knew she would have to make more visits to the manor in order to sort out the remaining items, but it was likely that Richard would be too busy to go with her. Her obvious choice was Pat again… if he was willing to make himself available.

When Pat arrived the next morning, she spoke to him about it straight away.

‘I anticipated something like this,’ he said. ‘Of course I’ll be delighted to help you. I’ll rearrange some of the other gardening jobs in hand, and, under the circumstances, I’m sure everyone concerned will understand.’

He went outside and Katie watched him through the window, feeling quite certain now that she wanted him under the same roof… for her own peace of mind.

‘Listen my love,’ Katie said, when Sam walked in later, ‘Pat has to find another place to live so I think I’ll offer him the annex. I’m a bit edgy sometimes since the Avondale robbery, so it would be nice to have someone here. What do you think?’

‘Why not? Go for it, Mum… it’s a super idea. He’s a great sort to have about the place, good company and he has a sense of humour. On top of that, you know you can rely on him and trust him implicitly. Get it sorted out right now. Don’t hesitate or he might sign up for somewhere else.’

After Sam left, Katie saw an opportune moment when Pat came to the door.

‘I’ll leave early today to finish off a job for Mrs. Walker, down the road. That’ll free time for me to help you at Avondale,’ he said.

‘Thanks, Pat, I’ll appreciate your help. By the way, had any luck in finding a house yet?’

‘No. There’s nothing available,’ he said, looking downcast. ‘The one I intended to look at was taken while we were at your aunt’s place. But the location wasn’t all that good, so I’m not upset about it.’ He shrugged and gave a deep sigh. ‘I think I’ll leave it for now and find a bed and breakfast place somewhere in the meantime. They’re pushing a bit for me to get out of the house, and I can’t say I blame them, under the circumstances.’

He looked so forlorn and unwanted that she almost reached out to take his hand and comfort him. ‘Come with me, Pat… it’ll take only a couple of minutes. I’ve a suggestion.’ She took him through the short corridor off the kitchen that led to the door of the annex, and unlocked it. ‘This little place has its own front entrance, and when this door is locked, the annex is quite separate from the rest of the house.’ She watched his face carefully. ‘Would you like it?’

Pat gave her a sharp glance. ‘You mean this? Are you sure?’ His eyes were wide with surprise.

‘Yes, of course I mean it, and you can move in right now… if you want to.’

‘To be sure, and I’d be a fool to say no, now wouldn’t I for sure?’ he said, beaming. Then he seemed to fumble for words. ‘You’ll charge me a decent rent; I mean, don’t make it cheap just because you know me.’ He looked her straight in the eyes. ‘I want no sympathy, Katie; none at all. Don’t do this because you feel sorry for me.’ He looked around the place she was offering. ‘This is ideal, but it would be only a temporary measure, so rest assured, I’ll clear out of your way as soon as I find something else.’

‘To be honest, Pat, I’m nervous being on my own since the break-in at the manor,’ Katie said. ‘I’d feel a lot more comfortable knowing someone I could trust was close at hand. ‘She rested her hand on his arm and studied his face as she continued. ‘Look, Pat, it’s for my own sake, as well as yours. It’s yours for as long as you wish.’

‘Well, knowing that makes it easier for me to accept.’ A broad smile broke out on his face. ‘I’ll move in at the end of this week, if that’s all right with you. Thanks again, Katie; you’ve solved my problem,’ he said.

Later that day, Tanya called in.

‘Mum, I thought I’d better warn you that I’ve given Cuthbert Alexander your phone number and address,’ she said, looking a little embarrassed. ‘I’ve had enough of Cuthbert’s enquiries, and I’m sorry I ever told him you were my mother. I’m handing him over to you so he can ask you directly what he wants to know.’

‘Oh dear. All right, but I hope he won’t pester me too much,’ Katie said, Tanya was on the point of leaving when Margie’s car skidded to a stop on the driveway. She rushed in, and pecked her mother hurriedly on the cheek.

‘Hi, Mum… hi Tanya, how are you doing?’ she said, giving her sister a hug as well.

‘Fine thanks, and what about you… and the latest boyfriend?’ Tanya asked, grinning.

Margie flopped onto the settee and spread herself lengthways. ‘He’s a dream. Perfect. Couldn’t wish for better.’ Then she turned to her mother. ‘And what about... that colonel you met, Tom. Is he still around, Mum?’

‘Well, sort of. He disappears for days at a time, and then turns up again, quite suddenly,’ Katie said. ‘He seems to have quite a few business deals going, but, yes, I suppose I could say he’s still around… sort of.’

Margie gave her sister a naughty wink. ‘Tanya… our Mum’s collecting boyfriends. We’ll have to keep an eye on her, or she’ll be getting a name for herself.’

‘Oh, leave her alone, Margie. It’s all innocent stuff, and it’s time she got a life.’

‘By the way,’ Katie said, deliberately ignoring their banter, ‘Pat is going to rent the annex. I’ll feel safer with someone under the same roof.’

‘Ooh,’ Margie said, winking again. ‘It gets better and better, but I must say I like the jovial Irishman. You could do a lot worse than have him around; he’s a nice man, and very obliging. I’m happy with that.’

‘Yes, Pat is delightful,’ Katie said, smiling, as she thought of the big improvement outside already.

‘Oh, I forgot to tell you,’ Tanya said suddenly, ‘I did eventually get through to Elspeth, but she said she’ll drop in on Saturday, anyway.’ She looked imploringly at her mother. ‘Oh darn it, that’s tomorrow. Sorry, I forgot to tell you that.’

Katie merely shrugged. ‘If that’s so, then I suppose I’d best get some cooking done before she comes.’

‘Sorry, gotta rush off now, Mum,’ Margie said, giving Katie another hug, as she passed on her way to the back door.

‘Me too,’ Tanya said. ‘But I’ll be over again as soon as I can.’

Katie watched them both leave, and then turned to the cupboard, pulled out all the ingredients needed to make meals for the next few days, and got busy.

Elspeth turned up bright and early the next morning, all smiles and full of questions as usual. ‘Now tell me all the latest; you’re bound to have lots to say.’

As Katie began to relate what had happened since they had last spoken, Elspeth kept quiet, hanging on every word. Just as Katie was about to say that she had rented the annex to Pat, there was a loud knock on the front door. Katie opened it to find Cuthbert Alexander standing on the threshold, a smile reaching almost from ear to ear. She gasped with astonishment. There was no mistaking him. The man had hardly changed; he still looked like the Cuthbert she knew in her school days — except that his brace had gone, and his smile was now perfectly even. In fact, she was surprised at how good looking he was.

‘Well, well, after all these years we finally meet again,’ he said, ‘and you’re as lovely as when you were sweet sixteen, Katie. I’ve been so looking forward to seeing you.’ He shook her hand vigorously. ‘I heard about the tragic loss of your aunt, and I just had to call to offer my condolences.’

‘Thank you, Cuthbert. Do come inside,’ Katie felt grateful that Elspeth was there, if only to help entertain the man. ‘You remember Elspeth Astelle from our schooldays, don’t you?’ She’s staying with me for a short while.’ His face broke into another expression of delight when he saw Elspeth appear in the hallway.

‘My word,’ he said, his eyes wider than ever, ‘I wouldn’t have known you. You’ve blossomed from the tiny little Elspeth I remember in school.’ He scrutinized her face, as though examining every feature one by one. ‘How lovely to see you as well.’