Chapter Thirty-Two
Sunday morning began with a thunderstorm as heavy black clouds swept in from the fells.
Jo was woken by a menacing rumble as the heavens opened and stair-rods of rain ricocheted off the lawn.
She wished that Pete was with her, but he’d left early to attend a steam rally in Yorkshire and would be gone for a couple of days.
‘Any room for a little one?’ Hattie said, shoving the door of Jo’s room with her bottom. She held a mug of tea in each hand, slopping the contents as she burst in. Bunty, who’d been snuggled on the bed, leapt down and began to lick at the carpet.
‘Dismal day,’ Hattie said and placed the drinks on a bedside table. ‘The forecast is terrible for the next forty-eight hours. What rotten weather to be leaving Boomerville.’ She pulled her housecoat around her body and dug in a pocket. ‘Croissant?’ she asked, revealing a fluff-covered pastry.
‘No, thanks,’
‘I’ll organise Hugo’s packing as soon as I’m dressed; we can’t leave it all to the morning.’ Hattie tucked into her breakfast.
‘Have you booked his train?’
‘Yes, he’s on an early one tomorrow morning, direct through to London. Bob is going too. It made sense for them to travel together and Bob said he would make sure that Hugo got back safely.’
‘That’s kind of Bob,’ Jo said. ‘Will Hugo go to his flat?’ She sat at her dressing table and began to brush her hair.
‘I imagine so, then out to Hereford to sort out the funeral arrangements, which will be from Raven Hall, the family’s country home.’
‘What about Sir Henry’s belongings? Hugo will never manage it all on the train.’
‘We can send them on or take them when we go to the funeral.’ Hattie looked out at the deluge beyond the window. ‘It would make Hugo’s journey easier.’
The two women watched the storm. The trees in the meadow bowed as the wind howled and rain dashed against the glass.
‘I think Kate will check out today,’ Jo said.
‘Aye, I wouldn’t be surprised. James Bond hasn’t been seen since last night but room service took whisky and a club sandwich up.’ Hattie smiled. ‘I bet the Porsche is packed and ready to go as soon as he’s sobered up.’
‘Do we know if he’s all right?’ Jo asked.
Having learnt that James was the culprit who’d landed the crucial punch and Hattie merely followed up with a kick, she was anxious that charges weren’t pressed against her employee at her place of business.
‘It could be a problem for Boomerville if Andy involves the police. Is his nose broken?’
‘Sadly, no,’ Hattie replied. ‘The housekeeper had a glimpse of him when she tried to clean the room and said he looked hungover but normal.’ Hattie smiled. ‘But I think he’ll have a couple of shiners; she said his eyes looked bruised.’
‘I don’t know why you’re looking so pleased.
’ Jo was cross. ‘This could be serious.’ She picked up a pot of face cream and, dunking a finger, began to smooth it over her skin.
‘I feel terribly sorry for Kate, it’s hard at any age to be let down in a relationship.
I hope she doesn’t think that was her last chance. ’
‘She’s well shot of him,’ Hattie said. ‘I never liked him and there are plenty of men who would snap her up.’
‘You’re right, but Kate might not see it like that at the moment.’
‘Well, maybe you should have a word and convince her otherwise, bang on about Pete turning up when you least expected it and all that sort of hopeful, happy-ever-after-ending stuff that you’re good at. Give her hope.’
‘You could say a few soothing words using your own love-life as an example.’ Jo looked at Hattie’s reflection in the mirror and raised an eyebrow. ‘Or possibly not . . .’
‘I think my gallivanting days are numbered,’ Hattie said.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Oh, I don’t know, I look at you and Pete and sometimes think that I’d like to have someone around who wants more than a tumble or two. A bit of company that’s cosy, with a pair of “his and hers” slippers by my fire.’
Jo stared at Hattie. She’d never heard her speak like this before. ‘What are you saying?’
‘I’m just making a point that it must be nice to have someone in your life who’s there for breakfast, lunch and dinner.’ Hattie was thoughtful. ‘And possibly supper too.’
‘A partner?’
‘Aye, maybe, an older man who is comfortably off and not sponging, a man who would love and appreciate me.’
‘Would you marry again?’
‘Oh, who knows?’ Hattie shrugged. She thought of her flings with Potter Paul and Harry the Helmet.
The least said about her own affairs, the better.
‘What are we going to do about Lucinda?’ She sat on Jo’s bed and swung her legs, then nestled into the soft pillows.
Bunty jumped up and began to bury her nose in Hattie’s pocket, her tail thumping as she found a stray crumb.
‘Lucinda can stay as long as she likes.’ Jo opened a drawer and rummaged until she found a bra and matching knickers, then shrugging off her nightie began to get dressed. ‘Let her recover a little. She can take some painting classes when she feels up to it.’
‘They’ll be jolly, should attract a full class.’ Hattie pushed Bunty to one side. ‘Dark and deathly doodles, can you imagine her theme?’
‘You’re probably right, she may not be the best tutor to be teaching right now, but she could sit in on some of the other classes to take her mind off things.’
‘Whatever.’ Hattie sat up and slid off the bed. She picked up her mug and drained her tea then moved to the door. ‘I’m going to get glammed up. I have a feeling we’re going to have a busy day and I want to look my best.’
‘I’ll be over in a bit, after I’ve taken Bunty out.’
‘See you later.’ Hattie gave Jo a thumbs-up. ‘Let’s get this show back on the road.’
* * *
Kate was in her bedroom. She sat at the desk and stared at the pile of clothes on the bed.
It seemed such a long time since she’d arrived at Boomerville and unpacked her belongings, storing them away in what was to become her home for the next few weeks.
But now she had to empty the room, put everything back into cases and head back to the lonely life she’d come away from.
She felt an overwhelming sadness.
The euphoria had evaporated. All the joy that she’d known in having a new relationship had been snatched away. Kate had fallen in love and it had been glorious but then suddenly doubt had crept in and her trust had been shattered.
Kate went over to the window. It was dark outside, the morning as menacing as her mood where rain, turning to sleet, crackled off the gravel on the driveway below.
Jo appeared from the side entrance of her house and ran after Bunty, who disappeared under the willow tree.
Jo wrapped her raincoat around her body and peered from beneath the hood, urging Bunty to be quick.
The dog scampered out and Kate watched Jo reach down to stroke her pet.
Jo was smiling, despite the weather, as Bunty, devoted and trusting, wriggled playfully beneath her hand.
Perhaps I should get a dog? Kate thought, for clearly the love was reciprocal between owner and animal and not punctured with unforeseen pain.
Kate sighed. She must stop feeling sorry for herself. She had to gather her things and load up her car. There would be plenty of time in the weeks to come to mourn her broken relationship; right now she needed to get ready for her journey.
As she continued to pack, she thought about James, who’d telephoned earlier and asked if he could take her for lunch.
He seemed sad that she was leaving and wanted to see her before she set off on her journey.
Kate had agreed. They could eat in the hotel where Sunday lunch was the best in the area.
She picked up the phone and called reception.
‘Good morning, Kate,’ Hattie said in a bright and cheery voice. ‘How are you today?’
‘I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be checking out today.’
‘I’m very sorry to hear that. Are you sure you won’t stay a little longer, help you take your mind off things?’
‘No, but thank you, I need to move on. The whole place reminds me of Andy and the happy times we had here.’
‘Well, if I could persuade you I would, but if your mind is made up . . .’
‘It is, Hattie, thanks.’ Kate was about to put the phone down, then remembered her meeting with James. ‘I’d like to book a table for two for lunch.’
‘I think you’ll find that it’s already been reserved.’
‘Oh?’
‘James made the reservation just after he’d spoken to you.’
‘Of course, thanks. How silly of me, naturally he would. I’ll see you later.’
Kate hung up.
It would be good to spend time with James before she left.
He’d been a great comfort when Lucinda returned to the hotel and helped Kate settle the dazed woman.
In the hours that followed he’d provided a constant supply of refreshments and his presence had been reassuring.
Kate had been glad to have him sitting beside her in the darkened room as Lucinda slept.
James had been so inspirational in helping her to write and Kate felt sure that without him she would never have set about a novel.
She stared out of the window where dark clouds hung low over the fells, shrouding them in a thick, damp mist.
She also knew that James had feelings for her.
Kate smiled. Had he really punched Andy?
Andy had antagonised James at every opportunity and although she would have never expected it of him, Kate was delighted that James had got his own back.
I hope Andy’s face hurts like hell! Kate said to herself and, turning from the depressing weather outside, began to pack up her things.
* * *
Bob was also busy. He stood in Hugo’s room and looked at the clothes and personal items scattered around and, pleased that he’d been given a job to do, set about packing Hugo’s belongings into the leather cases that lay open on the bed.
‘Damned good of you to help out,’ Hugo said. He sat in an armchair nursing a glass of whisky. ‘I can’t seem to focus on things.’