Chapter 17
NOW
Violet pulled into the car park at Chesters and, sure enough, she saw Jake’s van in the corner.
She had never been so relieved to see it – well, she had been very relieved to see Jake himself yesterday when he had rescued her from certain icy doom in Coventina’s Well and, by default, she had been pleased to see his van after that, so she could warm up and dry off a little.
But today, it was different. After that experience in Meg’s cottage, she really wanted to spend some time with a human being who was, well, alive.
And who was Jake.
He must have seen her car pulling up as he slid the door open and waved, leaning against the side of the doorway until she had parked.
‘Fancy meeting you here,’ he said.
‘I know. Who would have thought our itineraries would match so well.’
Jake laughed. ‘Do you want a drink or anything before we go?’
Violet shook her head. ‘Let’s just find something in Hexham.’ She’d had enough of remote Roman locations and snow-bound fields for the moment.
‘Great. You sure you’re happy to drive?’
‘Yes. The weather seems better and the roads are clear.’
Jake nodded. ‘I’ll just grab my coat and stuff.’
It wasn’t long before they were on their way on the long, wide roads to Hexham. The journey didn’t take much more than fifteen minutes, to be honest, and the only thing Violet didn’t like too much about the place was the fact she had to climb a very steep hill from the car park into the town.
‘Come on.’ Jake grabbed her hand and hauled her up the cobbled street. ‘There’s bound to be a coffee shop or two up here. It looks like the sort of place you’d find a nice one.’
‘I agree.’
They ended up in the Market Place, surrounded by old, honey-coloured stone buildings, and Violet looked around her. ‘This is so pretty.’
‘Isn’t it?’ Jake spotted a board with a map on it, and they walked over to it. ‘Hey – there’s the Abbey.’ He pointed to the spot on the map. ‘That’s pretty good. I wouldn’t mind visiting there. It looked interesting when I was researching the place.’
‘What, for your itinerary?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘There’s an old gaol.’ It was Violet’s turn to point to the map. ‘Oh wow. I bet that’s interesting as well. Sorry, it’s an Old Gaol with capital letters.’
‘We can do both.’ Jake shrugged. ‘If you like.’
‘Yes, why not?’
* * *
Jake was busy plotting a route and checking opening times when he heard someone call Violet’s name.
‘Violet? I thought that was you.’
He looked up as Violet turned to acknowledge the speaker and saw a fair-haired man standing there, his hands in his pockets and a stressed-out expression on his face. He spoke with a Yorkshire accent, and Jake had no idea who he was.
‘Ollie?’ Violet said. ‘Wow, fancy seeing you here. Jake, this is Ollie Brent. He’s staying at the guest house.
He’s doing some research on his family tree.
Roots in Newbrough, he thinks. His family owned Milburn Hall of all places.
Ollie, this is my partner, Jake. The person who stopped me from slipping into the Well. ’
Jake nodded at him. ‘Hi, Ollie. My family stems from Corbridge. Apparently. Never been inclined to look any of it up, though. My aunt’s the one who does that.’
‘Hi.’ Ollie half-smiled, but it was almost perfunctory.
The man was distracted, his eyes darting over their shoulders as if he expected something to materialise from the old bricks.
He seemed to drag his attention back to them, the troubled expression still there.
‘I’m not going to talk about the Well,’ said Ollie firmly.
He looked around again, and then glanced at Jake.
‘At least not here. I came to Hexham for some human company.’
Violet nodded. ‘Me too. Only I was at Newbrough this morning.’
Jake watched them stare at each other silently for a moment, and then he cleared his throat. ‘Okay, well I’m going to head off to the Abbey. Is – anyone – coming that way?’ He pointed in the direction he intended heading.
‘Not me.’ Ollie shook his head and dug his hands further into his pockets. ‘Although I’ve heard there’s some good stuff in there if you’re into history and stuff.’
‘Yes. I am,’ said Jake. ‘Into history and stuff.’
‘Watch out for the Roman gravestone then,’ said Ollie. ‘And the melted lead on the steps from a fire.’ He looked around. ‘I think I’m going to have a wander around the town. With people and all that.’
‘We’re doing the Old Gaol as well,’ added Violet, and Jake thought he’d never had such a stilted, awkward conversation in his life. ‘After the Abbey.’
‘Yes,’ said Jake. ‘After the Abbey.’
And still, Violet and Ollie stared at one another, and Jake had the definite impression there was something hanging very much unsaid between the pair of them.