Sunday's Child (22 page)

“Where will we live?”

“Your place.” She smiled. “This was your idea. Don't you back out on me now.”

He chuckled. “I'm not. So when do we go to the registry office?”

Hattie looked at Aunt Laurie. “Is three weeks all right with you?”

“It's your wedding, sweetheart, so do whatever makes you happy. Three months would be better—give me time to find a hat and dress to match.” She smiled. “But if you
do
decide to elope, take me as a witness.”

“You're on.” Hattie looked at Cal. “How about now?”

“Vegas or the registry office?” he quipped.

“Both.” She grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

Cal hung back. “First, can I borrow your phone? I need to speak to your dad. His is the only permission I need.”

 

****

 

An hour later, they arrived back. Hattie hung up her jacket and followed Cal through to the room he was working on. She looked at the door frame he'd been working on painting and pointed. “You missed a bit.”

“Honestly, woman, we just got back indoors having booked the wedding and you're criticizing my work already.”

Hattie laughed and put a thumb on his head, pressing down with a gentle touch. “I'm just keeping you in your new and rightful place.”

“It's a good thing I love you.” He laughed.

“Definitely a good thing.”

Cal put an arm around her and pulled her in for a deep, mind blowing kiss. When he pulled back he smiled. “It sure was a blessing running into Pastor Kenny like that and booking the church after we left the registry office. Are you sure you don't want to get married in Headley Cross?”

“I'm sure. I don't even have to register the wedding there as I'm living here now which is also a good thing. I'll ring Pastor Jack at some point, see if he can come up and take part in the service somehow. Maybe he'll marry us and Pastor Kenny can preach or the other way around. I'd like him involved somehow.”

“Sounds like a plan. Give him a ring now.”

Steve appeared in the doorway. “So you're hanging out in here. I've been waiting for you to get back.”

Hattie looked at him. “We had important business to attend to.” She threw his own words back at him.

He looked scathingly at Cal. “If you don't mind, I want a word with my sister. In private.”

She scowled. “Don't you talk to Cal like that. He's my fiancé. That makes him family. Whatever you have to say to me, can be said in front of him, because I'll only tell him later anyway.”

Cal hugged her. “It's OK, love. I need to go and get some nails. Forgot to pick some up when we were out.” He kissed her soundly. “I won't be long.”

“Love you.” She watched him head across towards the door.

“He's only after one thing,” Steve said. “And I don't mean just your money.”

“How dare you!” Hattie smacked him. And instantly regretted it. She might be angry at him but they weren't children any longer and the anger in Steve's eyes frightened her.

He raised his hand to return the blow.

Cal caught it before it made contact with her face. Hattie hadn't even realized he was still there. His eyes blazed fire and his voice was low and threatening. “You hit her, or lay one finger on her, and I will have you arrested. Is that clear?”

Steve looked at him. “Crystal.”

“Good. And for your information, I don't need Hattie's money. I have enough of my own.” He let go of him. He leaned against the wall, pulling Hattie into his arms. “Are you all right, love?”

“I'm fine.” She leaned against him, safe in the knowledge he was protecting her.

“Good.” He looked at Steve. “I'm staying right here. So talk away.”

“That's
my
money.”

“Is that why you came?” Hattie asked. Yes he'd said it, but part of her didn't want to believe it. “To get the money back?”

“Of course. That and to catch up with Markus.”

“Penny just gave me what the accountant said I was owed.”

“She
what
?” Steve's face froze and then hardened, his eyes glittering with barely concealed anger.

Oh no, had she dropped Penny in it now as well? She hoped not. “Then I guess you'd better go take it up with her,” she said quietly. “Just don't hit her.”

Shock flitted on Steve's face for a moment before belligerence replaced it. “I…”

Hattie lowered her voice. “You gave me two hundred quid a month. I couldn't afford to leave and you liked it that way. It took me years to save enough for the car. Even longer to go anywhere or do anything and then you'd cancel it for me or make me cancel it. If you ever employ anyone else, you'll have to pay them properly.”

“I don't want anyone else. No one else cooks like you do.”

Hattie put her hand on her hip, Cal's arms still securely around her. “Tough cheddar. There is no way I'm coming back. Besides Cal's work is here. So this is where we'll live.”

“With
him
?”

“Well obviously. We're getting married.”

“No, you're not. Not to him.”

“I'm wearing his ring. We've posted the banns, booked the church, and told Mum and Dad.” Her voice wobbled. “I thought you loved me, hoped you'd be happy for me.”

“I do love you.”

“Then why can't you be pleased I finally found someone who loves me?”

“He's beneath you.”

She shook her head. “A few weeks ago you were raving about how wonderful he was, and now? You love money more than me. Money and power and profit. Because Cal is a carpenter now and not a footballer, you don't want to know him. He's so much more than that. He's the man I love and the man I'm going to marry.”

Cal's arms tightened around her. His lips brushed the back of her neck and she felt the rivers of energy pour through her. His breath was warm on her skin as he spoke. “I think you should leave now, Steve.”

“You can't tell me what to do!” Steve spat.

“Maybe Cal can't, but I can. I've heard enough out of you.” Aunt Laurie's icy voice filled the small hall. It matched the hard look in her eyes. Hattie had never seen her aunt look so angry and upset. “Leave. Now. And don't come back unless it's to apologize and then congratulate your sister properly.”

For a moment, it looked as if Steve was going to argue. Then he flung open the door and stormed out, letting it slam behind him.

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

For the rest of the afternoon, Hattie threw herself into helping Cal with the carpentry. He gave her some sandpaper and asked her to sand down the new frames ready for priming and painting. She attacked them with gusto, discovering she actually enjoyed it.

Cal glanced at her. “So this fundraising you were talking about?” he began.

She looked at him, pushing a dusty hand through her equally dusty hair. They hadn't spoken about it since they'd argued. He'd apologized and they'd avoided the topic ever since. “What about it?”

“I think it's a really good idea. How about combining a bake sale with a coffee morning? You might sell more that way and get more people in.”

“Sounds good. And maybe a boat pull.”

“How's that going to work?” he asked.

“Uh, I don't know,” she giggled, winking at him. “Pulling a boat along the sand perhaps?”

“I suppose you think that's clever.” He paused. “Hey, we could put Tom in stocks and pelt him with wet sponges. People could pay to do it.”

She smiled. “Now you're getting the idea. Maybe we have a car wash as well.” She rubbed the frame hard for a moment. “Then the auction to finish off.”

“What auction?”

“Something like a raffle, or a proper auction with the highest bidder winning, I'm not sure how it'd work yet. The prize would be to date a lifeboat crewmember. All the boat and shore crews are up for grabs.”

Cal threw the sponge he was using at her. “Oh no. I'm not for sale.”

“Why not? It's for a very good cause.”

“Because my fiancée is a jealous woman and she might slap someone if she didn't win me. I've seen her right hook and it's a pretty mean one.”

“Don't tempt me. But I was thinking something pretty innocuous, so the wives and so on don't get upset by it. And maybe get some of your footy mates to come and be auctioned too.”

“That part of my life is over.”

“Cal, surely you keep in touch with some of them.”

“I'm not part of that world any longer.”

“I was just thinking we could have a beat the goalie stand, too. The kids would love it. At least think about it for a little bit, if nothing else.” The phone rang and she reached for it. “Hello?”

“Hattie, its Steve. Markus said he'd take us out on his boat so we could talk. Just the two of us. That way we can sort things out.”

“I don't think so.”

“Then meet me for dinner. We do need to talk. And don't even think about bringing
him
. Markus will act as an impartial referee.”

Markus impartial? Do me a favor and don't make me laugh.
“No.”

“Please, Hattie.”

“I said no. I have nothing to say to you that I want to say in front of anyone else, thank you very much.”

“It's just dinner. You'll be perfectly safe with me, you know that. And we really do need to talk without Aunt Laurie throwing me out this time.”

“One minute.” She sighed and looked at Cal. Covering the mouthpiece she scowled. “Steve wants to have dinner with me tonight so we can talk. Him and me, apparently. With Markus to referee. Is that OK?”

His face creased for a long moment before he nodded. “Go.”

“Are you sure? If you don't want me to go, then say the word and I won't go.”

“You don't have to obey me until after the wedding, love,” he said lightly.

“I know. It doesn't hurt to practice though.”

He nodded. “It's fine. Go talk to him.”

“OK.” She uncovered the phone. “OK, fine.”

“Great,” Steve said. “I'll pick you up at six.” The phone clicked off.

“He's picking me up at six. So much for him being back in Headley Cross in time for the evening meal tonight. There's something going on. I just wish I knew what. And I don't like the idea of Markus being there.” She took a deep breath, wishing Cal had forbidden her to go.

“Just be careful, hon. Take your phone and if you need me to come pick you up either call or text me where you are. I'll be there soon as I can.”

“Thanks, love. I will.”

 

****

 

Hattie looked at Steve as he pulled in front of a huge sprawling house. “This isn't a restaurant.”

“No. It's Markus's house. He's arranged this, so we can talk in private.”

She shook her head. The slight unease she'd felt ever since Steve suggested this, increased tenfold. “No. Take me home.”

“Stop acting like a child, will you? We've known Markus for years. Let's just have dinner and talk.”

The front door opened and Markus walked down the steps and across the graveled driveway to greet them. “Steven, I'm glad you came.”

“Hello, Markus.” Steve shook his hand warmly. “I told you I'd get her here.”

Hattie's heart sank further. She should have put her phone in her pocket. This was sounding more and more like a set-up, rather than a conversation between brother and sister.

“Come on in. Dinner's just about to be served. Cook has done herself proud tonight.” He smiled. “Hello, Harriet.”

She refused to shake his hand, instead pushing her hand through her hair making sure he got a good look at her ring. “I thought we were meant to be talking on our own, Steve.”

“And we will be. Over dinner.” He gripped her arm and led her to the house. “And you will be polite to Markus, is that understood?”

She nodded slightly, not saying another word as Markus led them into the house. The huge yawning hallway had doors opening off each side. They walked past three before entering an equally enormous dining room.

The massive table had three places laid around the top end. A red table runner offset the white linen. A huge candelabrum sat as center piece. Crystal glasses and silver utensils glinted in the candlelight.

Markus looked at one of the servants. “Tell Mrs. Edwards that we're ready now.” He pulled out a chair for Hattie. “Here you go, Harriet. Steven, you're opposite, and I'm sitting between you.”

“As referee?” Hattie asked.

Steve scowled at her.

“Now, now, play nice. At least let's get the soup out of the way before you start fighting.” Markus sat and flicked his napkin out in a swift motion before laying it across his lap. “I've chosen the wine carefully to go with the meal.”

“I don't drink,” Hattie said. She looked at the servant hovering behind her. “Just juice for me, please.”

Markus narrowed his eyes and then nodded. “Give Harriet the apple juice. It's the cloudy one if that's all right?”

She nodded. “I prefer that one.” Creamy liquid filled her crystal wine glass and she picked it up. First hurdle sorted. The juice was cool and refreshing and she quickly drained the glass. As soon as she put it down, it was refilled.

The servants in livery served the soup. Hattie waited until they were alone before taking a small sip. Cold celery soup had never been a great favorite of hers. “So, why are we here?”

“We're celebrating your engagement,” Steve said.

She raised an eyebrow, careful to keep her tone level. “Then why isn't Cal here? You specifically told me to come alone because you wanted to talk without him here, but that makes no sense now at all. In order to celebrate an engagement you need both halves of the couple present, right? So, I ask again. Why isn't Cal here? After all I'm marrying—”