Chapter Twenty-Three
Unable to stand, or speak any longer, Ava sat down.
She wasn’t sure if the tremble in her muscles was caused by the pain in her ankle, or the fact, in a room full of people, Henry had managed to make her feel that he was speaking directly to her.
Pushing her stray curls back from her heated cheeks, she breathed.
On the journey to the village hall, she planned a speech.
She wanted him to know she was a force to be reckoned with.
All Critters Great and Small had a tenancy agreement with regard to Critters’ Lodge; they had been established on the land in question since demand for their services had outgrown her mum’s cottage.
The original stable block on the site had been converted for use and the prefabricated buildings that housed the office and treatment rooms had been added over time.
They were not trespassers on Bramlington land.
They had rights, and she would fight for them.
But, as she had seen Henry, standing, a man alone while the rest of the village compared him to his late father, her heart had softened.
As she spoke, her determination had waned, and the clarity of her convictions blurred.
She knew what it was like to live up to a parent who was held in such high esteem, to people who only ever saw the good — the facade presented to and for them.
Empathy had a lot to answer for. That, and the glass of whisky Mary had administered to help with the pain in her ankle, were playing havoc with the clarity of her mind.
While others around the hall took up the mantel of asking for promises and reassurances regarding Henry’s commitment to the village, Ava watched.
As much as he had always insisted he didn’t want the role that came with his title, there was no doubt that it suited him.
Of course, she could still see her Henry, the one she grew up with — who came alive in the grounds of Dapplebury House. But now, there was something more.
While she initially felt sorry for him, as the meeting progressed, it was clear he was taking control.
Listening and responding to each of the concerns raised, he was calm and patient, and yet persuasive and strong in his convictions.
Perhaps her empathy had been misplaced. While she often felt out of depth trying to live up to her mum’s reputation, it seemed Henry was more suited to his father’s role than she ever imagined.
The thought once again reminded her how little she knew him now.
Looking around the hall, she could see the tide of descent was turning in his favour.
Even Gino was nodding, and Pauline’s jeers had stopped as Henry spoke of increased revenue for the struggling businesses and the need for affordable housing.
With many of those in the hall being parents and grandparents, he was hitting home the point that too many young people had been forced to leave the village in search of homes and jobs.
Ava had to concede, the new Lord Bramlington was persuasive in his comments and .
. . bloody handsome in his suit. She shook her head.
Damn that whisky! She needed to stay away from such thoughts.
She knew she needed to stay focused; she had to remind herself of all that was at stake.
Despite the fact she once loved and trusted Henry, he had let her down, not standing up for her against his mother when she had so desperately wanted him to, and she needed to remind herself of that.
The charity had to stay paramount in her thoughts and actions.
Of course, changes had to be made to save the village, and it was clear from the tone in the room that anger was turning to acquiescence, but it wouldn’t be at the expense of her mother’s legacy. She would see to that.
Ava wasn’t surprised when Henry began to conclude the meeting. Quit while you’re ahead. Why give the dissenters time to regroup? But as the crowd began to stand to leave, their situation no different to when they came in but their minds appeased, Mary stood, whistling for their attention.
‘Right, now on to The Brown Dog! Let’s go and make plans. Promises are all well and good but they don’t put food into hungry mouths, or heal the sick and injured.’
Ava leaned across to her, pulling on her jacket to get her attention, before whispering, ‘What are you doing?’ Ava agreed they couldn’t trust words, and that they needed to take action to help secure the future of the charity and the village, but with her ankle throbbing, she also knew she needed to take a moment to restock and recover.
‘Why are you talking like a politician?’
Mary leaned down, a glint in her eye. ‘I’m not.
I’m talking like an animal welfare officer.
You didn’t think I was talking about people, did you?
I’m with you. Let’s up our fundraising efforts, prepare ourselves for higher rent.
And let’s get the village ordering pints down at The Brown Dog.
That’ll put some money in the till, too! ’ Mary winked at Gino.
Beaming, Gino pulled Mary towards him and kissed her cheek. ‘You’re a star!’
‘With this lot heading to The Brown Dog, we best get a move on!’ Pauline called to Gino from across the hall.
Before responding, he turned to Ava, asking her if she could manage.
‘Of course. Mary will help me, won’t you?’
‘Yes . . . yes, of course.’ Mary stopped staring at Gino and turned her attention to Ava.
‘Can I help?’ Henry stood before them, his hand outstretched to Ava.
Meeting his gaze, Ava noticed for the first time that he was wearing the same tie she’d pulled loose when he’d visited her cottage .
. . She shook her head. ‘No.’ She needed to clear her mind and while they had business to discuss, she knew now was not the time.
It had been a day of revelations and she was under the influence of whisky, albeit for medicinal purposes.
‘No. I’ll be fine, but . . . thank you.’
Mary stood by Ava’s side. ‘You don’t need to thank him. This wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t have been for his heavies.’ Turning to address Henry directly, Mary continued, ‘I’ve got her. You’ve done enough today, don’t you think?’ Mary pointed at Ava’s bandaged ankle.
‘Ava, I’m sorry . . . I never . . . I’ll sort this out.’ He spoke the words sincerely, before turning to leave. Amidst the commotion of people moving from their seats, Ava saw a glimpse of Mrs Jenkins following, hot on his heels. Henry was reaching for his phone before he got to the door.
Ava looked at Mary. ‘I’m not sure blaming him for my ankle when we need to negotiate rent is a good idea.’
‘He deserved it!’ Mary shrugged.
‘But if I’d just left the lodge via the door, it wouldn’t have happened.’
‘True, but you got in via the door and that’s a huge deal. Leaving by the window — well that’s something to work on.’ Mary smiled.