Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
JESSY
I note the group text on my phone from the WhatsApp group, Granthaven resident’s association.
Village meeting at 1 pm to meet the new owner of Granthaven, Mr Luke Adams.
My heart sinks. Just great.
I stare around the small cottage where I’ve lived my entire life and experience a twinge of sadness that life is changing so fast.
I returned home to make it ready for my parent’s return and as I light the fire and set about cleaning, many memories dance around me like jovial ghosts from my past. I love living here and it’s only now I’m faced with the possibility of moving on that I realise just how important this place is to me.
As I work, the flames from the fire breathe life into the place, chasing the cold away and replacing it with much needed warmth. The interior may be dated, but it is furnished with memories and my eyes fill with tears when I think back on happier times.
My parents don’t have much, but what they have in abundance is love. For one another, for me and my sister Grace and not forgetting the village. They are currently celebrating their Pearl wedding anniversary and as a gift, the entire village contributed to a mini break in Vienna to visit the Christmas market there, and I know how touched they were.
That is the value of living here. Friends and a community who care. People who don’t crave material possessions and live for shared moments of joy and friendship.
We are a team. The Granthaven family and faced with the possibility of that changing forever because of one spoilt man’s decision, is too much to comprehend.
Christmas carols are playing on the radio and the fairy lights twinkle on the small tree in the corner of the room. I never appreciated how tenuous a moment can be. Even if that moment lasts for twenty-five plus years, it can be wiped away in the name of progress inside twenty-four hours.
Similar to the situation in nearby Tyneham, where the entire village was relocated during the war so the army could use their homes as target practice. They were assured they could return after the war had ended, but that never happened. Now we are facing similar ruin and I don’t know what to do about that.
My thoughts return to Luke Adams and disappointment hits me hard. I thought he was kind.
I was wrong.
I suppose I was blinded by his soft glances in my direction and the sweet smile he threw my way. I was taken in as I’m sure many others have been before me and yet he is no different from any scoundrel. Now he has summoned the villagers to a meeting like the lord he thinks he is, no doubt to ruin our Christmas by telling us we have one year left of life as we know it.
Once again, the tears prick behind my eyes as I contemplate moving on. Life will never be the same again and it’s all because one person controls the lives of this entire village and always has done.
I have half a mind not to go to his stupid meeting, but curiosity wins out and with a final check on the place, I close the door and turn the key, sure my parents will be home before I am. They called from the airport and are making their way home, and are now apparently approaching Dorchester, and I can’t wait to hear every detail of their trip.
I’m surprised when I reach the village hall to find there are no spare seats left. In fact, I’ve never seen it so crowded and stare around in shock as it appears the entire village is here, not to mention a few strangers.
Angie waves at me from the back of the room.
“Over here, Jessy. We saved you a space against the wall.”
I edge through the grumbling bodies until I reach the small space reserved for me and Angie says, wide-eyed, “I’m guessing everyone wants a peek at the celebrities. I don’t recognise half of these people, do you?”
“I’ve never seen them before.”
I’m a little bemused because this shouldn’t be allowed. It’s an important meeting concerning our village, not a free for all to gaze upon the rich footballer and his influencer girlfriend. If she bothers to come, that is.
Angie nudges me as the door opens and the noise levels increase as Luke enters the hall, appearing a little stunned by the sheer number of people here.
Angie gasps, “Wow, he’s gorgeous. It’s a shame I didn’t get here earlier. I would love a place at the front.”
“So would everyone else, it seems.”
The only good thing about the crowd is that they warm up the room and act as a human wall between me and the guy I detest with a passion.
The worst thing of all is the fact my heart actually fluttered when he arrived, his designer scarf wound tightly around his neck and his black padded jacket more than adequate in keeping the chill away.
Angie nudges me sharply in the ribs as another person follows him inside, along with another man who stares around him with an air of boredom. A third man also joins them and appears to be filming the whole charade and I clench my fists as they make their way to the front of the hall to stand on a small stage.
“She is gorgeous.”
Angie’s voice is awestruck as she gazes with hero worship at Morgana, who is a vision in a fur bandana with a matching fur jacket over velvet leggings. Her long blonde hair is curled to her shoulders and her bright red painted lips are resting in amusement as she faces the crowd, secure in the knowledge that she is the most glamorous woman in the room. The other man stands by her side like a bodyguard and if I’ve envied anyone in my life, it is nothing compared to how much I envy that woman as she gazes at Luke and smiles her encouragement.
I wish like hell I had never come because I can’t tear my eyes away from the man standing awkwardly at the front of his adoring public that could well turn into a lynch mob when they discover what his plans are.