Chapter 33 Albie
Albie
Cultivate Calmness and Positivity
He was sure people had more exciting things to do on a Saturday night, but this was important.
Anchoring the letter-headed paper under a citronella candle, Albie straightened what Tori called his Rupert-bear jacket (yellow tartan, which he thought quite dashing).
Reading the letter earlier with sinking dismay, he’d called an emergency association meeting at seven o’clock sharp.
‘Ariel sent apologies, so I think we’re only missing Vanessa?
’ He peered around the long, rectangular, wooden-slatted table Harley had set up for workers and residents in the central courtyard of four of the unowned village properties.
Huddling in a square group adjacent to his cottage, the thatched buildings faced the shared space, their flowering, rose-edged front doors looking like they had pink stoles wrapped around their shoulders.
He took a moment to appreciate the enchanting community he had built with the manor and Rose’s help.
Tori was poised to take notes on her laptop, curly black hair pinned in a messy bun and attracting covert glances from Ethan, splayed opposite with his long legs outstretched.
Rosie, who was wearing a pink princess tiara, had just climbed onto Harley’s knee, the man looking utterly bemused.
Gilly was at the head of the table looking like a stern CEO, with Ariel conspicuous by her absence.
Kit, more relaxed these days, was lounging with a content Ezra on his lap clutching a cloth book.
Theo was sitting next to his friend wearing a cheerful expression.
Kirsten, striking red hair contrasting with a short denim dress, was handing out crumbly shortcake covered in tangy strawberries and lashings of fresh cream.
Consequently, Colin was ambling around the flagstones in anticipation of hoovering up stray morsels, gaze hopeful and small nose twitching.
‘This looks delightful Kirsten, thank you for keeping us well fed as always,’ Albie praised.
His lovely, glamorous Clover was standing behind him in solidarity, knowing what was coming.
She’d accepted his abject apology and request to take things slower, though he knew there was still making up to do, even after humbling himself explaining all his muddled thoughts that afternoon in his bedroom.
Vanessa emerged from her cottage, part of the second set of four just across the narrow lane separating the two plots.
A neat ponytail and black asymmetric shift dress made her look business-like, even with Laurie on her hip, dangling legs bumping against her thighs as she marched over to join them.
‘Sorry, sorry. Was catching up with social media. Have you seen how our posts have blown up, not to mention the Friends of Little Beaubrook page? Might be because I’ve been tagging DIY and restoration programmes.
And people were so sceptical about the Roseto effect hashtag, but after reading up, they’re super intrigued.
I’ve also posted about how working together as an association and community has benefited us socially, physically and emotionally, along with the list of Rose’s rules, and they’re lapping it up.
I think all the support we’re gathering might actually make a difference.
’ Her eyes were alight with excitement, and it was the happiest Albie had seen her.
He hated to burst her bubble. ‘Hold that thought,’ he said gruffly, waiting for her to take a seat and settle Laurie on her lap, before continuing.
‘I’ve something to share.’ They were a team, a family stitched together by circumstance.
They’d find a way through this latest setback, surely?
Picking up the letter, he began reading aloud.
To The Beaubrook Manor Commonhold Association,
It has come to our attention you are currently converting several cottages in the hamlet formerly known as Little Beaubrook.
You may be aware we have had offers accepted on three of the vacant cottages, as well as successfully bidding to buy the abandoned railway station located on the other side of the disused tracks.
It is our intention to demolish the station to create a science and technology business park, bringing local employment to the area and boosting the economy.
As such, we will require additional land.
The best way forward is for all buildings in the hamlet to be removed to make way for a car park, bio-dome and bicycle sheds.
We would like to extend you the courtesy of offering to purchase the cottages you own before you progress with further works on them.
It is appreciated you have another future in mind for Little Beaubrook, however you should be aware we have the support of the local council, especially as our plans are green (the park will be carbon neutral) and will generate income, so we have moved our timeline up to begin work imminently.
If you wish to discuss the potential sale of your cottage at a generous sum above the market rate, please email the address in the below footer.
Yours sincerely…
‘Etc,’ he finished.
There was a stunned silence, before the uproar began.
Tori let out a disbelieving snort. ‘Ha! It’s going to be fun emailing them about where they can shove that letter.’ Flexing her fingers, she poised them over her laptop keyboard. ‘Plus, they can’t demolish the cottages they don’t own.’
Albie touched her hand. ‘We need to talk first. About what it means, what we should do.’
Harley’s laugh was wry. ‘Besides telling them to fu—’ throwing a sideways glance at Rosie and Laurie, he amended his words, ‘get lost?’
‘Yeah, because no one’s selling their cottage,’ Tori stated, looking around the table. ‘Right?’
They all nodded, some chiming in with no way, and others with absolutely not.
‘Starting work imminently though,’ Theo interjected, ‘that’s not good. It’s also written confirmation of what we thought they were up to. But they can call it a hamlet as many times as they want to try and diminish it, nothing changes the fact we’ll fight.’
Thinking of the rule for living he’d pinned up earlier, about approaching situations with calmness and positivity, he was gratified his friends were as fully on board and emotionally invested as him about saving the village. It brought a lump of gratitude to his throat. How had he got so lucky?
Ethan leaned forward. ‘And you should fight for it. I don’t even live here and believe that. Also, despite them saying they have council support, it’s the first I’ve heard of the details. Could just be bluster, to get us to back off. Whatever happens, I’m in.’
‘Thank you,’ Albie patted the younger man’s arm, ‘your support and hard work have been invaluable.’ He clapped his hands together. ‘Right, any ideas about what to do about this unfortunate turn of events? At least we know what they’re up to now.’
Kit scratched his chin, considering. ‘It’s not my area of law, but I’m not sure we’d have a strong case to prevent them demolishing the cottages they’ll own.
Also, the costs of any legal action could be extortionate.
’ He raised one eyebrow. ‘But it wouldn’t take much to write a series of letters about the historical importance of the village being tied to a Listed building, which the MOD gifted back no less, and pointing out there’s growing social media support for the restoration.
We could also confirm no one’s got any intention of selling, irrespective of the sums thrown around. ’
Albie regarded the man, who was sleep-deprived and whose whole world had been upended, but was nonetheless finding ways to help others. ‘Some good suggestions. Think it’s worth doing?’
‘We’d be a pebble in their shoe, enough to make them hobble at least. Plus, I’d find it more than satisfying. A good wrangle would probably do me good.’ He smirked.
Kirsten, sitting bedside Harley and Rosie, forked up a piece of strawberry shortcake and replied, ‘If Kit can spare the time, we should do it. We need to make things as difficult as possible for them. Also, we need to accelerate the timescales for completing our cottages. Find contractors willing to travel from outside the area.’
Theo sat up straighter. ‘I’m just wondering… I have old trade contacts from my architect days, people based in Hertfordshire who might be interested if we can pay travel and accommodation on top of their day rate.’
‘That would take a lot of money,’ Gilly spoke for the first time, glancing pointedly at Albie, ‘which unfortunately we don’t have.’
Clover’s hand tightened on Albie’s shoulder, as she suggested, ‘Could we offer free accommodation though? Albie’s cottage is ready for visitors, and we could put furniture in Theo’s now it’s done.
Six people could fit in each if we got twin beds and used the lounges too.
Wouldn’t cost much and they’d be on site. What do you think, Al?’
Patting her hand as she used her pet name for him, he turned and gazed up at her. ‘A marvellous idea, Clo.’
‘Clo and Al? Awww.’ Tori clutched a hand to her chest, and misquoted Clueless. ‘OAPs are so cute.’
Albie tutted and shook his head, but was secretly delighted to see her being so playful.
Kirsten laughed, before saying, ‘Great! Also, can we raise awareness in other ways, alongside the social media campaign? Perhaps an in-person event? A cake sale maybe, or raffle? Oooh, how about a village fete or summer fair, but with people also viewing the cottages? We can invite the estate agent looking after the vacant ones.’
‘Brilliant!’ Vanessa jumped in, smiling at Kirsten as she picked up and ran with the idea.
‘How about a community day with themed cakes,’ spinning to Gilly, ‘and could we borrow tables from the school, and put posters up for the parents to see? And I can publicise everything on social media.’ Raising hopeful eyebrows at Clover, ‘Oh, could we display leaflets at Upston House and get some of your volunteers along?’