Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
JESSY
I am so conflicted. I love Granthaven more than anything, but my fascination with Luke is unnerving me. He is very kind, but that is all. He loves another amazing woman, and I shouldn’t think too much about a soft smile or a wistful glance in my direction. He is out of bounds and I must push aside this weird obsession I have for him and concentrate on doing the job he is paying me for.
We finish our drinks and he nods towards our coats that are in a heap on the faded settee.
“If you can stand it, I wonder if we could take a walk around the village. I’d like to see it and you’d make a great tour guide.”
“Of course.”
We pull on our coats and hats again and head off, our progress a little slower as he hobbles on his boot and I say with concern, “Does it hurt?”
“No, it’s more awkward than anything. The boot comes off next week, though, which will present a different set of problems.”
“In what way?”
“On whether my foot will be strong enough to resume training.”
“What if it’s not?”
He shrugs. “Then this place will become home far sooner than planned.”
I fall silent because I can tell the subject concerns him and as we head outside once again, I distract his mind away from one problem to another.
“You now own over two thousand acres, as I’m sure you’re aware, but they require as much upkeep as the manor house, if not more.”
“Any ideas?” He asks and I nod, my mind moving onto a subject that I have often contemplated long and hard about.
“There is a farm that brings in some revenue from the tenancy, but not much. Many other landowners set up shooting and country pursuits to encourage corporate clients. It pays well and is much-needed extra income.”
He nods and I can tell I have his full attention.
“The house and surrounding gardens are perfect to offer film crews. They would pay to rent the space and be a good revenue stream. There is also the possibility of setting up a company providing wedding event hire. The church is in the perfect location for that, as it’s adjacent to the house. For those who want a non-religious ceremony, the house has many rooms that are suitable, not to mention the various bedrooms for the wedding guests. Failing that, a marquee in the grounds would also work well.”
He appears impressed. “I can tell you’ve been thinking about this – a lot.”
“I did my dissertation on it if you must know.”
“What grade did you get, out of interest?”
He winks and I hate how my heart beats a little faster.
“I achieved a first.”
“If I knew what that was, I’d be impressed, I’m guessing.”
It makes me giggle and as we pass the huge lake, he stops suddenly.
“Wow!”
I see the lake through his eyes. I’m guessing this is the first time he’s seen the full extent of its majesty because half of it is hidden from the house. There is no other like it in Dorset, and the crystal clear water spills down to a small waterfall into a stream that runs the length of the village.
“It’s impressive.”
I nod. “It’s magnificent.”
I point to the clearing where a group of trees provide much-needed shade in the summer months.
“We receive many visitors here all year round, but mainly in the summer months. Picnics, walks, you know the kind of thing.”
“I can see why.”
He points to the fence separating the house from the lake, marked private.
“Is this all I have keeping the visitors out of my garden?”
“It’s all you need.”
He raises his eyes and I grin. “Many people here never lock their door. They have no need to. Crime is non-existent unless the odd apple goes missing from an overhanging tree.”
“Now that is impressive.”
He shakes his head. “I have a security system installed that rivals the Tower of London because burglary is rife where I live.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s normal. Where I come from, that is.”
“Well, that’s another reason why you should make this your home.”
He laughs out loud. “Don’t hold back, Jessy. Tell me how it is.”
Before I can reply, I notice one of the villagers heading our way and say quickly, “Okay, go along with this, and forget what I said about crime because there might be a murder in the next five minutes unless you follow my lead.”
“What–”
I smile at Wilf as he approaches.
“Hey, Wilf, how’s it going?”
“Oh, you know, Jessy, my bunions are playing up and I lost my dog again.”
The shock on Luke’s face makes me bite back my grin and I smile sympathetically. “She’ll soon come back. She’s probably taken off after a rabbit again.”
“Then she better bring it back for tea. I’ve got nothing in.”
Luke is staring uneasily at the shotgun that is slung over Wilf’s shoulder as he turns to Luke and narrows his eyes.
“Who’s the grockle?”
“Lady Townsend’s nephew and the new owner of Granthaven.”
Wilf leans forward and the stench of tobacco hangs heavy in the air.
“I had a lot of time for your aunt, son. She knew how to let her knickers down.”
The shock on Luke’s face is too funny and I say quickly, “Yes, she loved dancing and you probably meant letting her hair down, Wilf.”
“I know what I meant.”
He winks and this time I’m the one who is shocked and he peers at Luke a little closer. “I heard you’re a footballer. What team?”
He narrows his eyes and before Luke can answer him, I say quickly, “Arsenal.”
Luke makes to correct me, but Wilf slaps him on the back and then nods to his gun. “Bloody good job. I can’t stand any other team and was likely to do you some damage if it was one of those northern ones.”
Luke pales as I say with a slight cough.
“Yes, Wilf is Arsenal’s biggest fan, aren’t you, Wilf?”
“Sure am. Tell me, son, how is Dave?”
Luke’s face is a picture and I prompt, “The goalkeeper, you know, David Seaman.”
The fact he left years ago confuses Luke even further and Wilf chuckles. “I love good old Dave. Nothing gets past him. So, I bet you learned a lot from the master.”
“Master?”
Luke is now losing the will to live as Wilf rolls his eyes. “Your manager who was named after the very club itself.”
“Arsene.” I add, hoping that Luke plays along and he nods slightly bemused. “Yes, he’s an amazing man.”
I clap my hands together and stamp my feet. “Anyway, we should go. Good luck finding Gripper, Wilf.”
“Thanks, Jessy. Up the gunners.” He says. lifting his gun in a salute and as he walks away, Luke gasps, “What the hell was that all about?”
I stare after Wilf and say sadly, “Alzheimers. It’s getting worse. He lives in the past and his dog, Gripper, well she died twenty years ago. At the time Arsenal was run by Arsene Wenger and David Seaman was in the team back then. Wilf lives in that moment because it was his happiest time. He was also married to Betty, who died nine years ago, and it’s as if his life ended with her.”
“That’s sad.”
Luke stares after Wilf. “And they let him have a gun?”
The expression on his face makes me laugh. “A gun with no bullets. His neighbours Joe and Sadie look after him and make sure to remove anything he could use to cause himself, or anyone else harm. They cook his meals, wash his clothes, and he still believes Betty is responsible.”
“That’s sad.”
“Not really. He’s happy, for now, anyway.”
I start walking because if Luke does sell up, Wilf is just one of the villagers who will be most affected by change. At the moment, he’s happy and settled and living his best life. If he was forced to move or go into a home, it would probably finish him off.