Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
JESSY
I never imagined my first day at work would be this one. As I sit before Luke in his decaying study, I am more nervous than I’ve ever been. This is a big deal for me. The chance to prove myself and make a difference and, more than anything, I don’t want to let him down.
He is already so kind and yet I detect a hint of worry in his smile and note the tired shadows under his eyes, and I’m guessing he has a lot on his mind right now.
He sighs and gazes out of the window and I note the pattern of ice forming in intricate patterns over the glass and the frosted bushes outside. The sun is shining though, and it’s a glorious winter’s day, but from the atmosphere inside this room, there is a dark cloud looming.
“So, Jessy.” He turns back to me and smiles. “Tell me how to raise millions of pounds to pay off the tax man and restore Granthaven to its former glory, hopefully before my ankle heals and the new year dawns.”
He makes light of the situation, but I’m aware his words are edged in truth and I remove my notebook from my bag and open it to the page I scribbled down some ideas a long time ago.
“I’ve had some thoughts, but you may not agree with them.”
“Hit me with them.”
He smiles and leans forward and I note how his dark brown eyes are like soft velvet pools of the richest chocolate and I shift on my seat and attempt to drag my mind into business.
“The first thing to do is make a list of your assets and income streams.”
I chew on the end of my pen as I stare down at my notes.
“I did some research and there is the rental from the properties, of course. You could raise the rent a little, but the repairs needed wouldn’t justify that until they are dealt with.”
He leans back and sighs. “Go on.”
“There is a working farm under an assured tenancy and the well-established woodland provides the opportunity to develop the excellent pheasant and partridge shoot, accessed by a series of conveniently laid out tracks. There is also a managed deep population managed by the Game keeper and the Valley of Stones located within the estate is a National Nature Reserve.”
I glance up and smile reassuringly. “They are all thriving and managed well but could be developed into thriving businesses, encouraging corporate breaks and potentially team building events that command a hefty fee. I suggest arranging a meeting with the company who are currently managing the estate as they will have more insight into that than I can offer.”
“I have that on my list. A man called Geoffrey Knight handles it. Do you know him?”
I nod. “I’ve seen him around the village, but he doesn’t come here much and when he did, it was mainly to the house to see Lady Townsend.”
I peer at my notes.
“In total, there are thirty-two properties which are mainly located within the village, with six in off-lying farm or woodland settings. The majority are let on assured short-hold tenancies. As I mentioned, they are a good source of revenue and there are several dilapidated barns and unused houses that with renovation may bring in more revenue.”
“That would cost money I don’t have.”
I hate how defeated he looks already and smile my encouragement.
“The majority of the land is classified as grade three on the agricultural land classification, meaning it’s suitable for all cereals, legumes and grassland. It has been a dairy farm for a number of years but I’m guessing you could diversify and incorporate food production into your operation and potentially convert one of the outbuildings into a farm shop, possibly a children’s farm to encourage tourism and school trips to name just a couple of opportunities.”
“That will cost more money to set up.”
He leans back and rakes his fingers through his hair and I wish it was possible to wave a magic wand and make all his problems disappear. With an encouraging smile, I continue.
“The majority of land is grassland that could be utilised in another way, possibly camping, but that would require a few amenities such as showers, toilets, waste disposal, that kind of thing.”
“That would take more money to set up.”
He shakes his head and I sense my plans slipping away as he bolts back to Manchester and I take a deep breath.
“The woodlands are under forest management and provide an excellent source of timber that supplies many of the timber yards around here. You may possibly set up one yourself and offset the costs by selling it to trade as well as the chippings for gardens as mulch.”
He smiles, and I am fixated on the twinkle in his eyes as he says with a smile, “You’ve done your homework.”
“I told you. I used Granthaven as the basis for my thesis and I got a first.”
I am so proud of that, and he nods his appreciation. “I’m impressed and can see why.”
I take a deep breath. “Then there are the village hall and the church. They are perfect for functions and weddings, bringing me back to the house itself.”
I glance around the ancient room and note the faded furnishings and peeling paper and my heart sinks, but I push it aside and say with enthusiasm.
“There are ten bedrooms and many other reception rooms, including a library, a swimming pool, billiards room and prayer room, although I’m guessing that would be better used as another reception room.”
I tap my pen on my book and smile. “There is a tennis court in fairly good condition and extensive gardens. Although mainly set to lawn for ease of upkeep. Obviously, there is the lake and down the lane is the walled garden which is a great source of food for the entire village with a tea room set just outside it. Once again, these businesses could be developed along with the orchard that has an abundance of fruit trees where Maisy Miggins makes preserves from the fruit and Jasper Cole uses the apples to make cider.”
“Villagers, I take it.” He asks and I nod.
“Yes, Lady Townsend was happy for them to do it in exchange for a supply of their products. That’s what village life is like here in Granthaven. We help one another and expect nothing but goodwill in return.”
“Which is half your problem.”
Luke sighs heavily. “From what I can tell, this has all the makings of a profitable enterprise but would take millions to make happen. What are your thoughts on raising the capital?”
I shift on my seat and turn the page in my notebook.
“Aside from your current income, I would turn my attention to anything of value not tied up in the legacy.”
“Such as?”
My heart sinks. “Well, I’m guessing there are several valuable commodities inside the house itself. Paintings, antiques, a prizewinning cellar that Lord Townsend was particularly proud of, to name but a few things.”
“I guess, but those things hardly bring in millions.”
I fix him with an exasperated look.
“Listen, Luke, nobody said this would be easy and yes, this requires an outside investment. I am merely telling you what’s on offer. Now you need to form a business plan and pitch it for investment. There are so many plus points and very few minus ones, but it requires a cash injection to get started. All businesses incur start-up costs and so you must work out how to pitch your investment and watch the money flooding in. I mean –”
I’m anxious knowing I must pitch this right if I’m to capture his interest in the project.
“The reality show is the perfect opportunity. Use it to present your business to the world. Who knows who will see it and fall in love with the dream? Set up a management company, offer shares in it, sell the dream and it may become a reality. I have every faith in you.”
I lean forward and say with enthusiasm, “Both you and Morgana are in the perfect position to drum up interest. Use your platforms to appeal to the followers. Morgana might run yoga retreats in yurts in the grounds. I’ve heard there is big money in that. Glamping in the forest and lodges brings in money. The opportunities are endless if you apply vision.”
Luke nods and a slow smile spreads across his face and he says in his husky voice, “I admire your enthusiasm, Jessy and you have definitely sold the dream. Perhaps the first step would be to arrange a meeting with Geoffrey Knight and see where we go from there.”
I sigh with relief and lean back in my chair, my heart racing as I attempt to get it under control.
Luke makes a few notes and then smiles, the atmosphere changing in a heartbeat from business to pleasure as he says lightly, “I don’t know about you but I’m starving. Why don’t you introduce me to the local pub? I heard they have an amazing inglenook fireplace there and serve a mean lunch.”
“They do.”
We share a smile and my heart flutters when it has no business doing so. I must remind myself this is strictly business and Luke is just being kind but as I follow him out of the room. I can’t stop smiling.