Saving Willowbrook (18 page)

‘Maybe. But not more than once a month.'

Amy's face lit up at this concession. ‘I don't mind seeing
her
, then.'

Cameron met Julian Walkley, the real estate agent, and was shown round a huge and expensive modern ‘executive residence'. It would give him something to report back on to Ella later, but he didn't like the feel of it at all. Soulless was the word that came into his mind.

He frowned round. ‘I'm coming to the conclusion that I like older places.'

‘How much older?'

An image of Willowbrook came into his mind. ‘Really old.'

‘Even if they're listed properties?'

‘I know that term, but what exactly does it mean?'

‘Buildings of special interest, with special architectural or historic features. Once they're listed, you can't do anything to alter them without permission – though the authorities aren't usually unreasonable as long as you stay in period.'

Cameron listened carefully and heard the enthusiasm in the other man's voice. Maybe this afternoon's meeting could be helpful, instead of merely filling in time. ‘I have a friend with an old farm which has several period outbuildings. If I'm not mistaken, part of the barn is a medieval cruck construction, and the house itself is mainly eighteenth century.'

Julian's face lit up. ‘Cruck? You're sure of that?'

‘I do know what cruck means: trees sawn up with strategic branches left on them for supporting cross beams.'

The other nodded eagerly. ‘Is the farm near here?'

‘Just outside Chawton Bassett. But I was told the owner's ex had made enquiries a few years ago and found the farm wasn't special enough to be listed.'

‘I've not heard of anyone trying to list a property like that, and I would have done. Are you sure he made an official application?'

‘No, I'm not sure. But he stated categorically that he'd been told the place wasn't worth listing.'

‘When was this, do you know?'

‘Three or four years ago.'

‘I think you must be mistaken. I'd have been called in for a preliminary visit if someone had tried to list a place on my patch, especially with a cruck barn. Bit of a passion of mine, actually, old houses.'

Cameron looked at him thoughtfully. ‘You wouldn't consider coming to look at this one unofficially and giving me your opinion as to whether we should try to list it? I don't want to raise any false hopes.'

‘Be glad to. If it really has medieval parts remaining, I'd be particularly interested. Buildings erected before 1700 are more likely to be worth listing and preserving.'

‘Who does this listing?'

‘The conservation officer at the local council in the first place. He'd have a fair idea whether it'd be worth making an application. But I'm pretty good at spotting national treasures. I've brought a few to the attention of my local authority already.' He grinned. ‘I see a lot of buildings in my job and they're not all like this one.' He made a scornful gesture at their surroundings.

‘How about coming over tomorrow?'

‘I'm afraid Sunday's my busy day. And I have meetings in Swindon all day Monday. How about Tuesday?'

Rashly, Cameron committed Ella to showing Julian round on Tuesday morning, then took his leave and drove back.

To his relief the car had gone from the chalet Parnell had been occupying but he was conscious the man might return at any minute, so kept his eyes and ears open for approaching cars as he hurried across to the house.

Through the window he could see Ella working in the kitchen – when was she not working? He'd not met anyone quite like her, never still for a moment, always preparing food, doing the laundry, tidying up or caring for her daughter.

But did she always look so tired? Even as he looked, she rubbed her forehead as if it was aching. He turned to go in, but Amy was sitting outside, looking so unhappy he slowed down again.

‘Hi there.'

She stared up at him bleakly.

‘Is something wrong?' It obviously was. What had Parnell been doing to the child?

‘My daddy came to see me today and I don't like him, whatever anyone says. I'm
glad
he's gone back to London early.'

Cameron blinked at the vehemence in her voice. ‘Maybe when you get to know him better—'

‘I don't want to know him better!' Amy clutched the teddy more closely. ‘He's not nice. He brought me a fairy dress, but I'm not going to wear it. I wish I hadn't drunk the ginger beer he gave me. He didn't even say goodbye to me.'

‘What does your mummy say?'

‘She says I have to see him if he comes again. If I had a real fairy wand, I'd make a spell so he'd never come back.'

A voice interrupted them.

‘Amy! Time for you to get your shower.'

With a long-suffering sigh the child stood up, gathered together her drawing things and walked back to the house with dragging feet.

Cameron waited a moment to give Ella time to speak to her daughter, then went into the kitchen. ‘Need a helping hand?'

She turned. ‘I can't keep expecting you to—'

‘We had this argument before. You don't
expect
anything. I'm offering of my own free will.' He caught hold of her hand and asked gently, ‘Bad day?'

She held back as he tried to pull her into his arms, then with a sigh she let him hold her close and rested her head against his shoulder.

‘Very bad,' she admitted.

‘The visit didn't go well?'

‘I didn't expect it to. He tried to buy her affection.'

He could hear the scorn in her voice, could imagine how she'd have looked as she dealt with her ex. A strong woman, Ella. He liked that, had never been turned on by clinging, helpless females.

As she looked up at him, he couldn't help himself. He'd been longing to kiss her lips and find out if they were as soft as they looked.

After a murmur of surprise and a slight stiffening, she relaxed against him and returned his kiss.

‘I've been wanting to do that for days.' He was about to pull her closer when a car turned into the back yard, tyres crunching on the gravel. ‘Damn!' He planted a quick kiss on her nose. ‘To be continued.'

She stepped back, face flushed, hands going up to smooth her hair. ‘It's my first guests. They've been before, so I won't be long.'

‘I'll finish the washing up.'

‘Thanks. And would you just keep an ear open for Amy? I don't like to leave her on her own in the bathroom.'

He started scrubbing out the baking equipment she'd used, but watched as she greeted the guests, talked for a moment or two, then stood back and let them find their own way to the chalet. She had a natural charm and warmth which made people feel welcome. He'd noticed it himself the first time.

‘It's always easier when people have been here before,' she said as she came back into the kitchen.

A voice from upstairs called, ‘Mummy!'

‘I'll just see what Amy wants.'

When she came down, he had the kitchen clear.

‘Thank you so much!'

He gave a mock bow. ‘At your service, m'lady. What next?'

‘Once Amy's out of the shower, I want to check that the chalet my ex was going to stay in hasn't been messed up.' She hesitated.

‘Go on. Give me a task, more than one. I mean it.'

‘Could you set two tables for four people each? And you—'

‘Will be eating with you in here.'

A smile slowly lit up her face. ‘You're very determined.'

‘When I want something.'

The smile vanished and was replaced by a wary look.

He was puzzled. ‘What did I say wrong?'

‘Want something. Sorry. It was one of Miles's favourite phrases. He
wanted
a lot of things.'

‘I'll change that, then. Take your pick: desire, wish for, hope and pray for. I'm not Miles, you know.'

Her smile returned. ‘I shouldn't blame you for how he treated me, should I? Only seeing him today brought it all back – what it was like to live with him, I mean. I was angry with myself. I must have been utterly stupid and naïve to be taken in by his charm. What he wanted was this place and the money it could generate, not me as a person. He tried to hide it but I could tell he was angry when I insisted on a pre-nuptial contract, listing what we had each brought to the marriage.'

‘And what you'd mainly brought was Willowbrook.'

‘Yes.'

The sound of water gurgling upstairs stopped. He gave her a quick hug before she could stop him. ‘It sounds as if Amy has finished her shower. Go and check that chalet. I'll keep an ear open in case she needs anything.'

Ella sighed with relief when the guests had eaten and gone back to their chalets. She turned to find Cameron looking at her thoughtfully. He poured her a glass of wine, which she'd refused until then.

‘Thanks for your help tonight, Cameron.'

‘It was my pleasure. I'm finding it very interesting watching you work. You're not only efficient, you provide a wonderful personal touch to your service.'

‘Fussing over guests costs very little and makes a big difference. I'd not have got the three stars without it, especially as some of our furnishings are not top class. And if I'm to get four stars . . .'

‘The furnishings seem all right to me.'

‘They're not top quality.'

He could see her frowning again. ‘Come and sit down a minute. We'll clear up together afterwards. I need to discuss something with you.' He waited till she was seated. ‘The guy who showed me the house today is a local expert on listed buildings. I was telling him about Willowbrook.'

‘Been there, done that. It's not special enough.'

‘But have you really been there? He says he'd have heard if there had been any enquiries, even casual ones, about listing this farm. He hadn't realized parts of the structure were medieval.'

She stared at him as this sank in. ‘Are you sure?'

‘Not a hundred per cent, but it's his guess that no effort has ever been made to list Willowbrook.'

‘But Miles said . . .' Colour flared in her cheeks. ‘Why would he—' She broke off.

Cameron waited patiently, not interrupting her thoughts. It was obvious why her ex hadn't wanted the place listed: he'd wanted to sell it for development.

‘I'll look into it – properly this time. Willowbrook deserves preserving – and having an officially historic property won't hurt when people are looking for somewhere to stay.'

‘I agree. I've arranged for Julian to come and look round on Tuesday, if that's all right with you, just to have a preliminary squiz at things, nothing official. He'll be able to give you a better idea of where you stand.'

‘That's fine by me, as long as he comes during school hours. I don't want Amy saying anything about this to her father.'

‘Ten o'clock in the morning suit you?'

‘That's fine.' She couldn't hold back a yawn.

He stood up. ‘Let's clear up, then I'll go to bed.

When they'd finished, he hugged her and ran one finger down her cheek. ‘One day, and not too far from now, I hope, we won't say goodnight with a mere hug.'

Warmth ran through her body and she couldn't move for a moment.

It was he who took a step backwards. ‘I never take advantage of exhausted women, though. Do you ever get a real rest, Ella? Take a holiday?'

She shook her head, hesitated, then moved across to kiss his cheek, lingering for a moment, eye to eye, then stepping back with a tired sigh. ‘Thank you, Cameron.'

‘For what in particular?'

‘For everything. Just being there for me. I've been alone for a long time.'

She marvelled as she locked the outer door behind him and walked slowly up the stairs. She felt as if she'd known him for years and she trusted him as she hadn't trusted a man since Miles. What was there about Cameron O'Neal that did this to her?

She was still trying to work that out when she fell asleep.

The phone rang soon after Miles got back to his flat that evening. He stared round sourly as he went to pick it up, hating the contrast with Willowbrook. His place was small because that was all he could afford – tiny was a more accurate word, because it was only a studio apartment. It was a decent address, which was what mattered, but he never brought people back there.

And there Ella was in that rambling old house, with space for several families, just wasting a valuable resource. Well, he was more determined than ever after his visit. He was going to get some benefit from the years he'd spent commuting to the wilds of Wiltshire, putting up with the inconveniences of a house that was well past its use-by date and a wife who was so naïve a baby could have stolen candy from her.

‘Miles? Is that you? All I can hear down the phone is breathing?'

He realized he was holding the receiver near his mouth but hadn't spoken. ‘Mother. Sorry. I was miles away. How are you?'

‘The same as I was when you rang me a few days ago. Did you go down to Willowbrook? How's my granddaughter? Will Ella allow me to visit?'

He definitely didn't want his mother to see how his daughter reacted to him, he decided. She'd never let him live it down. ‘Ella's thinking about it.'

‘I thought better of your powers of persuasion.'

‘She always was a stubborn bitch. Look, I have to go out. I'm meeting someone for dinner. I'll ring you next week after I get back from Willowbrook. I'll do my best to persuade her.'