Chapter 33 Albie #2
‘Of course, darling.’ Clover’s lips twitched with amusement as Vanessa finally paused for breath.
Tori beamed. ‘That all sounds amazing. It’ll really top up the restoration fund.’
Kirsten nodded. ‘I’ll start looking at dates and thinking about practicalities.’ She frowned at Gilly. ‘Exactly how much money is left?’
She opened her mouth to reply, but Harley interjected, ‘Um, I know I’ve been a little…
grumpy, in the past, but I want to help.
’ He paused. ‘My solicitor contacted me, and my ex-wife is gifting me back some of the divorce settlement. I know it sounds unusual, but we’ve made peace recently, and I think she’s trying to help me with this second chance.
She’s always been a good person. I’m just ashamed to say I didn’t always treat her that way.
’ He shifted, unsettling Rosie, who frowned and adjusted her tiara before slouching against him.
‘I’d like to donate some money to the fund.
’ Taking a deep breath, he shared, ‘I’m also planning to buy one of the village buildings for a project I’m mulling over.
That should make it harder for the developers too. ’
Kirsten’s mouth dropped open, expression alive with hope. ‘You’re staying for good?’
‘Yeah,’ he replied gruffly. ‘This is my home now.’
‘Oh.’ Her face lit up and they stared into each other’s eyes, no further words exchanged but a silent communication passing between them.
Everyone looked away from what felt like a private moment, and Albie took the opportunity to clear his throat and prepare himself for the rest.
It was time to come clean. He was just glad he’d told Clover when they’d first got together, and she’d been so understanding.
‘There’s, ah, something I need to tell you all.
Something rather important.’ The group turned curious faces towards him, waiting for more.
‘You’ve asked Gilly how much money’s left, and I don’t want to put her in the difficult position of keeping my secrets.
Talking about the amount will inevitably lead to questions about the income.
So, I hope you’ll forgive an old man his sins. ’
Setting his jaw, he confessed, ‘The truth is, I’m the former owner of the manor, and responsible for the contract stipulations.
I’m sorry if you feel hoodwinked, but I feared revealing this at the outset would lose some of the association’s power, and the motivation for carrying out the stipulations.
And I so badly needed everyone on board to fulfil my promise to Rose. ’
He could see them glancing at each other, but ploughed on.
‘When the officials tracked me down last year, and it became clear the manor would pass to me as there was no one else left in Rose’s family, I paid a visit.
I realised immediately the work required couldn’t be done alone and was far too costly.
At that point, I also didn’t know how long I’d be around to see everything through.
After careful consideration, I found someone to sell it to at a lower price in exchange for certain conditions, including having one of the flats and subject to my involvement being a secret.
Oh, and I, erm… also had a hand in deciding who’d live here. ’
He grimaced. ‘I know it seems incredibly manipulative, but honestly it came from a good place. Anyway, I put all my remaining money into the Rose Curville Benevolent Trust, which provided the starter money for the cottage repairs. But I made a big mistake, because didn’t know re-thatching was around twenty thousand per roof, along with other significant remedial work the cottages required.
Regrettably, we’re almost out of money.’ Taking a moment to look each of them in the eye, his voice was heartfelt.
‘I am sorry. Truly. I regret concealing this from you, and for so long.’
Clover stepped forward to lean against his side, offering quiet comfort, as he gazed around the group.
‘I’ve also come to realise it’s not just the cottages I needed this association for.
Arriving here, I was a lonely, ill old man intent on bringing Little Beaubrook back to life before I died.
I so badly wanted to be with Rose, you see.
But over time, working together and feeling the benefits of our strong community bonds, I’ve come to understand I needed you for me, too.
’ Swallowing, he exhaled a shaky breath.
‘To realise my life was not over, and there’s still good I can do in the world.
So along with saying sorry, and hoping for forgiveness, I’m also saying, thank you.
Thank you all. I’m exceedingly grateful.
’ As he finished talking, he dropped his gaze to the tabletop, awaiting their condemnation.
‘Wow,’ Kirsten sniffled, ‘that was… Oh, Albie. Please look at us.’ When he lifted his chin, she gave him a gentle smile. ‘We feel the same way.’
‘P-pardon?’
Tori reached over and grasped his hand. ‘Do you honestly think we don’t know?
The bit about you being the former owner, and the contract stipulations, at least?
The way you volunteered to be Association Chair, and then later talked so passionately about restoring Rose’s legacy and her growing up here…
it made us wonder. Didn’t take much digging to find out the truth, with Ethan’s help.
We found out weeks ago.’ She smiled at the man in question, and he acknowledged the favour, gaze soft.
Turning back to Albie, she carried on, ‘It was part of why we bought Colin. We wanted to cheer you up because you were down about the builders leaving, but it was also to thank you for doing something beneficial for us all. A thank you for creating our community and making us happier people in such a special place. Ones who are on their way to healing.’
‘Oh. I-I’m not sure what to say.’ Astonishment and gratitude were swelling a lump in his throat, making it hard to speak.
Kit laughed, lightening the moment. ‘Look at us, getting choked up.’ Stretching across the table, he patted Albie’s arm.
‘Don’t worry, we’re all good. Although we’ll have to work out how to come up with a lot more money, alongside Harley’s generous offer and the community day takings. Doesn’t sound like it’ll be enough.’
Theo nodded, before cocking his head at Albie. ‘How did you decide who could buy a flat?’
‘A fair question. Well, remember when you had your viewings and were oh so casually asked about your reasons for moving here? The information was passed to me, and I made decisions according to who most needed a new beginning. I’m sorry for the invasion of privacy, but was convinced this place would be good for you and could make a difference.
As you now know, it’s got a long history of helping people.
’ His voice grew husky. ‘I also somehow knew who could make a difference to this place, and am so glad to see I was right. You all have good hearts, however damaged they were.’
Kirsten twisted in her seat and narrowed her eyes on his face. ‘Wait. Did you also choose who got which cottage?’
Albie wrinkled his nose, ‘Erm…’
Hooting out a laugh, she scoffed. ‘Albie, you’re such an interfering old man.’ But her tone was affectionate. ‘So, that’s why.’
‘Why what?’ Tori asked.
‘Why our cottages are so suited to us. Remember that day I pointed out everyone’s heart was broken in one way or another, and needed to heal?’
‘Yeah.’
Kirsten pointed at Albie. ‘Friendship cottage, because that’s what he needed.
’ She gestured to Theo. ‘Faith. That he’ll love again, or will survive his grief?
Yours is Grace, Tori, and I did say not long ago you need to learn to act with grace, towards yourself and others.
’ Smiling as her friend cheekily stuck her middle finger up, she continued, ‘Peace Cottage for Ariel and Gilly, because it’s what they most need.
For Kit, I don’t think it’s any secret you need more joy in your life. ’
‘Watch it!’ he joked. ‘Though, I must admit when I arrived here, I didn’t think it’d be possible to find much to take joy in.
’ He landed a kiss on Ezra’s crown and clasped a hand on Theo’s shoulder, no doubt thinking of the hours of manual labour they’d done side by side, their friendship solidifying.
‘Glad I was wrong. So, what about yours?’ he asked Kirsten. ‘Devotion Cottage, right?’
‘Yes, and I’d consider myself a devoted friend and mother—’
‘And you’d be right,’ Harley agreed.
Vanessa scooted forward, sliding Laurie off her lap.
‘Mine is called Acceptance Cottage.’ Her face resolved into a determined look.
‘I haven’t been good at accepting anything so far, but think it’s time.
’ Jumping up from her chair, she asked Kirsten, ‘Keep an eye on Laurie, please? I need to make an important call.’
‘Sure,’ Kirsten stood, ‘come find me when you’re done. I’ll be baking up a storm and planning the community day.’ She held her hand out to the little boy. ‘Want to come home with us? We have homemade lemonade ice lollies.’
‘Yay!’ he crowed, throwing his arms around her legs at the promise of a treat.
Vanessa rolled her eyes at her son’s susceptibility to sugar, but was already pulling out her phone and tapping at the screen.
‘Thanks. See you all later.’ Placing the mobile against her ear as she strode away across the courtyard, her steely voice carried back to them.
‘It’s me. Let’s not bother with the niceties.
I need to speak to him urgently.’ A pause.
‘You’re his PA. Tell him to call back immediately, or tomorrow I’m turning up at the office with Laurie in tow, followed by his other family’s home.
’ Halting, her voice rose. ‘We both know the score, so I suggest you get it done.’ With that, she disappeared around the corner of the cottage nearest the road.
‘Wow,’ Ethan commented, ‘I’d hate to get on her bad side.’