Chapter 21
The last person Beth expected to see at her front door was Mrs Trenchard. Yet there she was, a determined expression on her face, a foil-covered dish clutched to her ample bosom. It was as if the older woman had been rehearsing what to say because all her words came out in a rush.
‘Mrs Hope. I wanted to apologise for speaking out of turn at crochet club. It wasn’t my intention to upset you. And my Brian always says the best apologies come with food. So, I brought you a cottage pie from the freezer. It’s home-made, all organic veggies from the allotment. My Brian has a way with plants, I can tell you, and I… I… well… I’m sorry.’
A weighty silence filled the air. The people pleaser in Beth felt obliged to fill it. ‘Would you like to come in?’
‘Thank you.’
Beth fielded the pie dish thrust towards her and followed her visitor to the kitchen. Mrs Trenchard discarded several layers of outerwear onto one of the ladder-back chairs and plonked herself down.
Beth placed the dish onto the kitchen counter. ‘This is very kind, thank you. Tea?’
‘Excellent idea.’
Popping the kettle on, Beth racked her brain for something to say.
Mrs Trenchard tapped her fingernails on the tabletop.
The cuckoo clock ticked.
Mrs Trenchard cleared her throat. ‘The other day, in the store, you were very kind to me.’
‘I bought milk.’
‘You did more than that and we both know it.’ Mrs Trenchard stared off into the distance. ‘I can handle Robert Astley, you know. He has always been a bit of a tyrant. I don’t know what Maria, his wife, sees in him. Anyway, your support surprised me. Especially as we’re not exactly friends. Why did you… you know?’
‘I don’t like bullies.’
‘I didn’t needed your help, you understand, but… well… thank you.’
‘You’re welcome, Mrs Trenchard.’
‘Perhaps you should call me Barbara.’
A cessation of hostilities was the last thing Beth had expected. She pushed away from the counter and joined Barbara at the table. ‘Only if you call me Beth.’
‘Please forgive me, Beth. What you said about keeping a roof over the children’s heads; was that just a figure of speech or…? Is everything alright? Money-wise, I mean.’
‘Goodness, I forgot I was making tea.’ Beth leapt to her feet and busied herself with cups.
‘I only ask because I feel a responsibility towards Isla’s… to the children. Isla wasn’t just my goddaughter, you know. She was family, my second cousin’s niece. She spent a lot of time with me when she was growing up.’
‘I didn’t know that.’ Beth placed the tea on the table and sat back down. ‘I’m sorry. It must have been hard to lose her.’
‘Especially so young. She had so much to live for.’ Barbara dug a handkerchief from her cuff, dabbed at her eyes. ‘She had plans for this place. Did you know? She was going to turn it into a donkey sanctuary.’
‘No, I didn’t.’
Barbara nodded. ‘She talked about it all the time. And then, one day, she was gone. It was painful to see Paul remarr… I mean, to see him moving on. I’m sorry. I didn’t handle it very well. I was worried for the children more than anything else.’
Beth reached across the table, stopping just short of touching Barbara’s arm. ‘I do see how it must have looked.’
‘My Brian always says I should keep my nose out and he’s right.’ Barbara sniffed. ‘I can be a nosy old badger sometimes. I tried to talk to Paul about it.’
‘Did you?’
‘He and I never did see eye to eye. I always felt he was quite controlling.’ Barbara blew her nose. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t criticise your husband. Anyway, he told me to keep my big fat nose out.’
‘I didn’t know that.’
‘He said not to ever talk to you or he’d stop me seeing the children. I couldn’t take the risk that he’d actually do it, so I stayed away. I usually make a point of welcoming newcomers. It’s part of my role on the Women’s Council. I didn’t do that for you. I regret that.’
‘Don’t beat yourself up about it.’
For some reason, it no longer bothered Beth that the children were fond of Barbara. ‘I’m glad the children have you. I know they are always popping into the store to see you.’
‘They’re good kids.’ Barbara smiled. ‘Anyway, you didn’t answer my question about money. Paul has been away a long time. He is supporting you all, isn’t he?’
Beth felt something inside snap. The children were related to Barbara. She was matriarch to a massive family spread the length and breadth of the forest. Paul forcing her to stay away had made all their lives far harder than necessary. Why the hell should Beth protect him? If she were going to keep her precious little family together, she needed help. And who better to have on her side than Barbara.
‘No, he isn’t.’ Beth was amazed what a relief it was to finally tell someone. ‘Quite the opposite, in fact.’
The cuckoo announced 2pm.
Barbara’s mouth fell open. ‘Why?’
‘You’d have to ask him that, but you’ll have to find him first.’
‘You don’t where he is?’
‘Not a clue.’
‘Goodness. I know he left all of a sudden. And there were all those silly rumours, of course.’ Barbara’s face flushed.
‘You mean the rumours that I’d bumped him off?’ Beth snorted. ‘I almost wish I had. If I’d buried him under the patio, at least I’d know where he was.’
‘I never thought that. People can be very silly sometimes. Although, I was relieved when the postcards started arriving at the post office for delivery up here. Daisy is always so happy when they come. She tells me all about his work abroad.’
‘He’s not sending the cards. I am.’
‘Oh.’
Beth reached into her handbag and slid Paul’s letter across the table. ‘He did send this, though.’
Barbara scanned it. ‘Oh my.’
‘I stupidly thought he’d come back.’
Barbara handed the letter back. ‘At least he’s done the gentlemanly thing and given you the house. Isla’s life insurance paid off the mortgage after the accident, I know that much.’
‘You’re kidding.’ Beth’s head spun, a million thoughts crowding in at once.
‘Why? What have I said?’
Beth opened and closed her mouth. There were no words.
Barbara’s voice came from a long way away. ‘You’ve gone ever so pale. Are you alright?’
‘Paul must have remortgaged.’
‘Surely not?’
‘When I signed for the house, it came with a mortgage. ￡200,000.’ Beth gave a bitter laugh. ‘He didn’t mention that little gem in his letter, did he? I had to sign. What other choice did I have? And he swanned off, leaving me in debt up to my eyeballs.’
Barbara tutted. ‘My Brian always said he was a rat.’
The front door slammed so hard the whole house trembled. Daisy’s angry voice echoed down the corridor.
‘You cow! You nicked my job.’ The teen erupted into the kitchen, stopping short as she saw Barbara. ‘Aunty B!’ She looked from Beth to Barbara and back again, her face flame red. ‘I didn’t see you there.’
‘Why aren’t you at school?’ asked Beth.
‘It’s Wednesday. Half day. I was going to go see that lady in the craft shop, but Sonja said she saw you working in there and not to bother.’
‘I helped Lucy out, as a friend. Anyway, I thought you didn’t want the job.’
Daisy scowled. ‘I changed my mind.’
Barbara crossed her arms over her ample bosom and fixed Daisy with a stern glare. ‘I think you owe Beth an apology.’
‘Eh? Oh right. Yeah. Sorry.’ She didn’t sound sorry. She stuck out her chin and sidled towards the door muttering, ‘I’ve got homework to do.’
Barbara shook her head, ‘That girl reminds me so much of her mother. My Brian always says if Isla were still with us, there’d be fireworks between those two, for sure.’
‘Really?’ The idea that Isla might have struggled with Daisy’s attitude intrigued Beth.
‘Oh yes. Isla was quite a handful back in the day. Delightful, but hard work. Now, tell me what you are going to do about your situation.’
Beth leaned back. ‘I’ve been job-hunting, but there isn’t much out there.’
‘There never is in the forest in winter. You might be able to pick up something for the summer at one of the caravan parks.’
‘It won’t be enough. Rose had this great idea to rent out the back field for campers.’ Beth was surprised to see Barbara shake her head.
‘Goodness no, Beth. You can’t do that.’
‘It’s alright. I looked into it. All we have to do is to apply for permission from the council.’
‘No, no. You can’t. You are too close to Tara’s place.’
‘Tara?’
‘She runs the campsite at the bottom of the hill. They are only just making ends meet as it is. Another campsite this close wouldn’t be fair.’
‘There are hundreds of campsites in the forest. One more won’t make that much difference.’
‘I disagree.’
Beth got to her feet, stony resolution settling on her shoulders. ‘I’m sorry for Tara, I really am, but I have to do what I can with what I’ve got. So far, this is the only thing that might work.’
‘There must be something else.’
‘There isn’t. And I have to put the children first. I am going to apply for permission this afternoon.’
Barbara stood and picked up her coat. ‘If you’ve made up your mind—’
‘I have.’
‘Then there’s nothing more to be said. I’m sorry, Beth. If you move forward with this, I’ll have no choice but to register an official objection.’
Beth listened to the other woman’s footsteps tip-tapping their way down the hall. The front door slammed. So much for burying the hatchet.