Bulbury Knap (5 page)

Lady Hewson looked at her gratefully. ‘That sounds very good, dear.'

Andrew came into the kitchen a little while later looking as fresh and confident as if he had the power to set right all ills with a flash of those dark eyes. ‘I think I owe you an apology,' he said disarmingly.

Taken aback, Kathryn let out the breath she had been holding.

‘I was out of order earlier it would seen.'

‘Believe me I'd do nothing to hurt your aunt and uncle or Bulbury Knap,' said Kathryn.

He nodded. ‘So they tell me.'

‘You still don't believe me?'

He picked up a mug from the draining board, looked at it and put it down again. ‘It seems I'll have to.'

‘You either do or you don't,' Kathryn said sharply.

He looked at her and a smile lit up his face with sudden charm. ‘OK, you win. I apologise most abjectly. Will that do?'

He looked for a moment as if he would sink to his knees. His transformation from the malicious man who had accused her earlier was amazing, but for the sake of Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson she must take this olive branch without a murmur.

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 older 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.