Chapter Twenty-Nine
The One With Dire Straits
Kate’s eyes sought Dev as she hovered in the doorway and she beckoned him over, ignoring Anna’s amused look as she closed the door to the conservatory.
‘We’ve got a problem.’
Dev frowned. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I just took a call from Arabella Tremayne. The manor house is no longer at our disposal. Non-negotiable.’ She stared up at Dev, conscious of the wobble in her voice. ‘We’re just a few weeks away, and we’ve lost the fayre’s only possible venue.’
‘Sit down,’ Dev pulled out a chair and Kate flopped onto it, putting her head in her hands on the table.
‘I could weep,’ she said in a strangled voice before raising her head. ‘But I won’t.’
‘What exactly did she say?’ Dev sat beside Kate, which wasn’t helping her think straight at all.
‘She was a bit odd, to be honest. She’s usually quite condescending, you know? But she seemed… embarrassed, almost.’
‘So she should be. How could she do this at such short notice? More to the point, why?’
‘She did come to that.’ Kate sighed. ‘She – or rather – they, Tremayne Estates, have found out who now has ownership of the alms-houses. Alex has rescinded her offer, overruled it, which he can do, I’m afraid.’
‘Pity,’ Dev snapped. ‘And petty by way of a reaction.’
There wasn’t anything further to be said or done this late on a weekend, so Dev suggested they keep it to themselves for now and Kate agreed.
Thankfully, with Theo becoming tired and the tide not prepared to change its habit for them, it brought about the natural end to the day.
The boats eased away from the jetty, and Gemma and Matt, who held the puppy, waved its paw at them until they became mere shadows on the lawn as the boats drifted out through the gap into the river and turned for Polkerran Point.
Dev had said no more about dinner and, much as she’d have loved to spend more time with him, Kate was partly relieved. Her head was struggling to cope with everything she had organised and how on earth she was going to extract the fayre from its present mess.
As the boats neared Polkerran and Dev’s headed to the opposite side of the bay, he put up a hand to them all, and Mollie called out to Theo before all went silent again, aside from the lapping of the water against the boat and the humming of the motor.
A restless night had been no aid to Kate’s frame of mind, but although the disaster on her plate ought to have been paramount, it was Dev who filled her thoughts as she lay awake through the early hours and to whose memory she opened her eyes after falling asleep just before the alarm.
Opening her emails as she sipped coffee at her desk in the hotel, Kate found one from Arabella Tremayne and read it through before sitting back in her seat. What could she possibly say? The lady, to be fair, was mortified by her son’s actions and had probably never had – or at least, had the inclination – to apologise for much in her life, but even she seemed to be aware of the impact on so many people.
Alex had been bragging to all his associates about the coup, full of glee at not only outwitting Oliver’s organisation but also selling the properties to a man as rich and famous as Matt.
When his mother, on the phone to Alex after Matt’s visit to the manor to assess the cabling needs, was full of having just met a well-known musician – a former band member of BorderLine Beat, no less, Matt Locksley – and brother to a Polkerran resident, Anna Seymour – the penny dropped.
Speechless with rage at discovering he’d sold to Oliver’s brother-in-law, and powerless to do anything about it legally, Alex lashed out the only way he knew how: by hurting the people around them.
It was his attitude towards her , however, which had upset Arabella most – a mother who had always championed her ‘golden boy’. Telling her she was both stupid for allowing it in the first place but that she’d redeemed said stupidity by not getting anything signed, because it meant they could cancel without any repercussions, he immediately withdrew the estate’s offer to use the manor’s grounds.
Kate worked her way through emails and quickly closed any relating to the fayre. Questions about a variety of last-minute topics could wait – at least for the forty-eight hours she’d agreed with Dev it must be kept secret while they tried to mitigate the situation.
Poor Matt, she mused as she closed her eyes, inhaling the comforting aroma emanating from her mug. He’d feel dreadful when he knew.
A notification dropped on her phone.
Dev.
Snatching it up, Kate read the message, then glanced at the clock, tapping a reply, then hitting refresh on her Inbox what felt like a hundred times before his email landed.
Opening it, she skim-read, then leaned back in her seat.
Matt already knew what had happened. Alex had sent him a vitriolic message, gloating over the chaos he’d been able to create for something so precious to the stupid cove and its ‘imbecilic community’.
Later, having been to the kitchens to discuss an upcoming party with the chef, Kate emerged into the elegant hallway, intent on getting back to her desk and ploughing through more emails, when her heart started to skip in pace with her steps.
Dev stood by the reception desk.
‘I’m in the car, just dashing off to Truro, so thought I’d drop in. How are you?’
Touched by the concern on his face, Kate summoned a smile. ‘Not too bad. My brain is in overdrive, though, trying to think of a way round this.’
‘Matt suggests we meet after work. Can you do that?’
For you, I’m available any day, every day…
‘That’d be great.’ Kate walked with Dev towards the main doors.
‘Send me a message. Your place or mine?’ She spoke quietly, conscious of a couple of guests walking past as the doors opened to reveal a delivery driver balancing several parcels. ‘Mollie’s at a friend’s this evening until about eight.’
‘I’ll let Matt know and come to you, then. Theo will be fine with Stella for an hour or so.’
It took every ounce of will power for Kate not to throw herself at Dev once he’d arrived at The Lookout. She desperately needed his arms around her. It might not solve anything with regard to the fayre, but it would bring a vast amount of comfort and – to put it bluntly – would certainly shove the whole damn mess straight out of her head!
As it was, she led him into the kitchen and once he’d been furnished with a bottle of beer and she had a glass of wine, they walked out onto the terrace.
It had been a warm day, and she’d changed into shorts and a top, shoving her feet into flip-flops. Dev was equally casually attired this evening, and as they took a seat at the patio table, Kate reflected on how much more relaxed he seemed than when she’d first met him in the winter.
‘Cheers.’ She held out the glass and he clinked the bottle to it.
‘Not sure what we’re cheering.’
Kate sent him a resigned look. ‘Me neither, but there has to be something we can do. I can’t let all these people down.’
‘You won’t. It’s not in you to do that.’
Touched by his faith in her, she nevertheless shook her head. ‘But I went down every possible avenue before the manor came up. How can I tell these lovely people, who’ve been working so hard and depending on it to make some income?’
‘Hey.’ Dev put his bottle on the table and stood. ‘Come here.’
Kate didn’t need a second bidding as he held out his arms, and she shot into his embrace before he changed his mind.
As his strong arms folded around her, she laid her head against his chest, hoping he wouldn’t mind. She could feel his heart beating through his thin shirt, and she closed her eyes, an unbearable ache gripping her throat. God, she loved this man. If only he was free…
‘There has to be an answer. We just have to hope no one gets wind of what’s gone on until we can offer a solution.’
Dev’s voice reverberated as Kate remained tucked into his embrace, her senses on high alert. She could happily have stayed there for ever, but the doorbell had other ideas, and she shot out of Dev’s arms as fast as she’d gone into them.
‘It’ll be Matt.’
Although part of her regretted the disturbance, Kate knew full well it was a blessing in disguise. She had very little restraint where her feelings for Dev were concerned, and who knew what stupidity she might have been tempted to try had their innocent embrace not been brought to an end?
Matt followed Kate and Dev onto the terrace. If they were going to have a round table to brainstorm ideas across, it may as well be one with a view.
‘Gem says we need a boat – a big one – so we could moor it off the jetty by the harbourmaster’s office.’
‘That’s an inspired idea!’
‘It is – except getting a large enough one at such short notice in high season is proving nigh on impossible. She’s been on the case since I found out but hadn’t had any joy when I left earlier.’
‘Oh, bless her.’ Kate had a real fondness for Gemma. ‘Well, if we survive this and there’s a fayre next summer, let’s bear it in mind!’
Kate had yet another bad night, lying awake with every possible scenario running through her head on how to miraculously pull a large enough space in the small location that was Polkerran Point out of a non-existent hat.
Despite their best efforts the previous evening, no solution had presented itself – not that any of them thought it would, but Kate reflected that Matt and Dev were certainly more coherent than the previous support network she’d been left with.
Kate had an evening event to work later, so had a few hours to spare in the morning, and she walked down to Westerleigh to find Anna busy with breakfasts for her two guests. Making herself a coffee, she settled at the table, laptop open as she searched on Google, yet again, in the hope some inspiration would present itself.
She looked up when the door opened, fearing the locals were early, but Bella entered.
‘Morning,’ she said cheerfully as she headed for the coffee machine. ‘Oliver’s in need of a caffeine shot.’
Kate closed the laptop on the disobliging Google and joined her in the kitchen. ‘How’s it going?’
‘Good. I’m really enjoying it, to be honest. Research like this is a refreshing change after running nothing but online courses. Not that I’m deserting my students per se. I’m still fitting that in.’
Anna came in, bearing an empty tray.
‘I’ve never known people consume as much toast as this pair!’ She hurried over to the bread board and began slicing the bread she’d made on the previous day. ‘Would you like some, Bella?’
Bella shook her head. ‘I’m fine.’ She picked up the mug. ‘I’ll take this to Oliver and come back to make some tea, if that’s okay?’
‘Feel free,’ Anna mumbled, having popped a stray bit of crust in her mouth.
Once she’d ferried the toast and more butter into the dining room, Anna returned to clear up the breakfast things. Kate lent a hand, but then her phone pinged, and she glanced at it, expecting Mollie.
‘Unknown number.’ She scanned the text message, then swore under her breath.
‘What is it?’ Anna wiped her hands on a tea towel and came to join her at the island.
‘Hold on, I need to make a call.’
Kate headed out onto the terrace through the open doors in the sitting room and waited for the call to connect. Five minutes later, her pounding heart reverberating in her ears, she walked to the railings bordering the terrace.
How could the sea be so still, quietly undulating as though it hadn’t a care in the world? How could the sky be this clear, devoid of cloud, a glorious backdrop for the seagulls, wheeling mindlessly above?
Returning to the kitchen, Kate found Bella setting the kettle to boil and Anna stacking the dishwasher.
‘What’s up?’ Anna’s concern was evident. ‘It’s not Mollie?’
Shaking her head, Kate’s grip on her phone tightened. ‘It’s this damn fayre. Look, there’s something I need to tell you.’
‘I can come back later.’ Bella headed for the door, but Kate shook her head again.
‘No, stay, Bella. This might need the vision of someone on the outside looking in.’ She bit her lip. ‘Sorry if that sounded a bit rude.’
Bella laughed as she returned to the kettle. ‘Not at all. I’ll be with you… dreckly!’
Two minutes later, the three women settled at the pine table, mugs of tea on the table, and Kate revealed the Tremaynes withdrawal of the use of the manor and grounds for the fayre, and the urgent need to find a solution while keeping the situation quiet.
Anna was full of questions, and neither lady noticed how still Bella had become, until Kate glanced at her.
‘Are you okay? You’ve gone white.’
Her mouth a thin line, rigid with some sort of emotion, Bella’s eyes flashed.
‘That bloody Tremayne family!’
Kate exchanged a lightning look with Anna. ‘You know them?’
‘Sadly, yes.’
‘Well, they’ve well and truly dropped us in it,’ Kate continued. ‘It’s bad enough we’ve lost the venue and have yet to find a workable alternative. Now, the local press has found out.’ She raised her phone from the table. ‘A journalist just called, wanting a quote from me for the next edition of the paper.’