by Suzanne Snow
They both looked up as the door opened and Jon appeared, alone. Annie saw hope flare in Nathan’s eyes as Jon grinned. ‘Good news.’ He dropped onto the sofa beside Nathan. ‘I’ve seen the community guy. He’s confirmed that someone tried to use Megan’s debit card at a petrol station after it was reported it stolen, so they’re checking CCTV to identify who that person was. Megan might get the watch back eventually but, unfortunately, I don’t suppose the insurance will cover the money because the house wasn’t secured. Whoever did it probably saw Megan go out and took a chance to sneak in.’
Annie looked at Nathan. He was smiling tentatively, his long fingers trembling around the mug of hot chocolate.
‘Nathan, it means we can prove you were somewhere else when the card was being used.’ Nathan looked at Jon and Annie saw that he was surprised. ‘Annie saw you today, at the station.’
Nathan looked at Annie and she nodded, giving him a warm smile. ‘I was shopping in town and I thought you were on an errand for Jon, so I didn’t come over,’ she said. ‘It was about one o’clock. And there will be CCTV too.’
For the first time Nathan smiled widely, and Annie saw the relief in his eyes. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ he muttered, and he looked at Jon and then Annie. ‘Thanks for, well, believing me. It means a lot.’ He swung his gaze back to Jon. ‘I won’t let you down,’ he said seriously. ‘I swear I won’t.’
Jon reached over to place his hand on Nathan’s shoulder, squeezing it firmly. ‘I know. But you still need to make a statement about what happened. I’ll come with you in the morning. And I think you should speak to Cara’s parents. Give them a chance, Nathan. You don’t really know how they feel but be honest with them if you want to see Cara. I’ve asked them to do the same for you. Anyway, I don’t know about you but I’m starving. I didn’t have any supper.’ He gave Annie a sideways glance and she laughed, enjoying the sudden tease in his eyes.
Between them Jon and Nathan demolished the plate of sandwiches, and Annie was about to make some more when Nathan yawned, his eyes half closing.
‘Come on, I’ll drive you back to Arthur’s.’ Jon stood up and Nathan climbed sleepily to his feet. He looked at Annie gratefully.
‘Thanks.’
She nodded, smiling at him. ‘See you soon. Good night.’
Annie cleared up while Jon was gone, and he was back in less than half an hour. She made coffee for them and he sat beside her on the sofa, sliding his arm around her shoulders and drawing her against him. ‘Thank you,’ he said tiredly, absently stroking her neck. ‘Sorry about tonight.’
Suddenly she had a flash of insight as she looked into his life and saw the way it was. So far, she hadn’t allowed herself to wonder too much about this whole other existence she knew almost nothing about. But now she was beginning to realise the responsibilities of his position, and the extent of his involvement in the business he had created and the community around them. She knew, with an unexpected surge of understanding, that it stemmed from his faith and evenings such as this would almost certainly happen again.
‘It doesn’t matter,’ she said truthfully. She reached up, trailing her fingers gently along his face and he closed his eyes, half smiling. ‘We can do it another time. I’m just glad we found them. Do you think he’ll be all right?’
‘He just needs a chance. It’s not easy to be different in a small village like this but he’ll manage. He’s stronger than he realises. I know how much he wants to be here, and we’ll keep on finding ways to make it work for him.’ Jon paused, opening his eyes to look at her. ‘Annie, I’m really glad you came with me.’
She didn’t know what to say, so she simply nodded, wrenching her glance from his before he saw too much. ‘I should take you home. It’s very late.’ Jon released her as he stood up. He rubbed his back absently and Annie was glad she’d resisted the impulse to leap up and do it for him.
Once they were outside her cottage, he left the car to walk her to the front door. She opened it despondently, wondering why she hated seeing him leave time after time. He took her hands and held them tightly in his own.
‘Night.’ He bent down and brushed the corner of her mouth with his lips. ‘Thank you for coming with me. I’m sorry about supper.’
‘Sure,’ she said lightly, stepping away from him. He hesitated, and she wondered what he was about to say. She didn’t blurt out the only thought in her mind and ask when she would see him again. He let go of her hands and she hovered in the dark hall.
‘Night.’ He turned and walked back to the car.
Stung by his indifference, she shut the door. Before she reached the kitchen, she heard the front door opening again and hurried back. Jon was standing in the sitting room and he looked apprehensive.
‘Annie,’ he said rapidly, and the grin he gave her was suddenly nervous. ‘I know I’m supposed to be trying not to rush things, but may I see you again tomorrow?’
It was hopeless trying to prevent laughter lighting up her face, and she felt him smile against her lips when he crossed the room to kiss her again quickly.
‘I’ll call you. Hopefully this time you’ll get it.’
Chapter Sixteen
Annie couldn’t keep the smile from her face the next morning as she attacked the scruffy old herb border and dug out masses of self-seeded catmint cluttering up the garden. Jon was everywhere, in her thoughts, in her heart and eventually she hurried inside to bath quickly, impatient to see him. Afterwards she set off into the village, wondering if they were the topic of every gossip after last night. But only Neil was in the shop, looking distracted, and when Annie had filled a basket with cheese, pâté, fresh rolls and tomatoes she went over to speak with him.
‘How’s Cara?’ she asked quietly, placing the basket on the counter. ‘Are you and Angie okay?’
Neil glanced around to make sure that there was no one else in the shop before he replied. ‘Cara’s fine.’ He sighed. ‘But she scared Angie witless. She never turns her phone off and we’d already heard Nathan was being blamed for the break-in when we couldn’t get in touch with her.’
‘You know he didn’t do it?’
Neil nodded glumly. ‘But every time I see him, I think he’s going to bring nothing but trouble, and I can’t bear the thought of him breaking her heart and just disappearing again.’
Annie nodded sympathetically. ‘If it helps at all and I know it probably doesn’t, I think underneath there’s a nice kid who’s just trying to work things out. And I know he cares about Cara. He wouldn’t leave her by herself in the station.’
Neil sighed and Annie knew she hadn’t really convinced him. ‘Thanks. We’ve agreed to give him a chance if they stick to some rules, otherwise I suppose she’ll just see him anyway. At least this way we might be able to keep an eye on them.’
They said goodbye and once she was outside, Annie’s heart sank when she saw Sarah Holland emerging from her car. Annie was tempted to turn back until Sarah had disappeared. Annie had heard on the village grapevine that Sarah was supposedly away filming somewhere glamorous, or at least that was what she’d told the parish council when she had turned up at the last meeting. Sarah looked as elegant as ever and Annie summoned all her courage and carried on. She was almost past Sarah’s house when she heard her calling. Reluctantly, Annie turned around.
‘Hi, Sarah.’ For once Annie didn’t feel untidy, although the pleasure in her lavender ruffled top and skinny jeans was diminishing as Sarah coolly looked her up and down. Annie was wondering if she knew about her and Jon, the answer becoming obvious as Sarah spoke.
‘How’s Jon?’ she asked cosily, tossing her beautiful hair beyond her shoulders. ‘I hear you probably know better than most people.’
Annie bit her lip but not her tongue. ‘He’s fine. I’m just on my way to see him.’ It was true but she had no idea if he would actually be there when she arrived. She smiled at Sarah, trying not to feel at all triumphant, and Sarah smiled back.
‘Oh? How odd. When I saw hi
m yesterday he mentioned he would probably be out all day today. Still you know what he’s like, here one minute, gone the next. I do hope he hasn’t forgotten you.’
‘Well, there’s always next time,’ Annie called over her shoulder as she walked away. ‘Bye.’
She marched through the village, replaying the conversation with Sarah in her mind as she headed up the drive to the Hall, the avenue of limes swaying high above. There was no sign of Jon’s car at the house, and she began to think that Sarah may have been right. But then she remembered that his office was not in the house but in the Home Farm courtyard. She saw the lane leading away from the house and followed it, crossing a cattle grid. Stone buildings surged up on either side of the lane, surrounded by tall horse chestnut trees. A large farmhouse was half hidden behind more trees and she saw a garden over the wall, cluttered with children’s toys and a couple of wire chicken runs scattered on the lawn. As she neared the yard some of the barn doors were open and she glanced inside at rows of little sheep pens, the scent of silage and livestock lingering in the air.
She walked through a high stone arch into a large square cobbled courtyard, spotting a long barn, its low windows revealing tables and chairs set into groups. An old stable block on the left looked as though it was still in use, while all the other buildings appeared to have been converted into office accommodation. On the right, beside an oak door, she saw ‘Estate Office’ engraved on a plaque attached to the wall and hesitated, then pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was modern and bright, and several paintings hung on cream walls with a discreet automated visitor system open on an iPad nearby.
Three comfortable leather chairs were clustered around a circular table, piled with country home and farming magazines and a local newspaper. There was no one around, and Annie could hear the quiet bubbling of a nearby coffee machine. One of three doors was open, and she peered along the corridor, half hoping Jon would find her before she had to go looking. The carrier bag of lunch bumped against her legs as she hovered, and then she headed decisively down the corridor. Her feet sounded terribly loud on the wooden floor; nevertheless she heard the unmistakable sound of his voice and she gulped. She knocked on the door at the end of the corridor, and he immediately called to come in.
Jon’s head was bent as he scribbled something on a pad, clutching his mobile to his ear while he talked. She stared at him wordlessly, absorbing the details as though she hadn’t seen him for months instead of barely twelve hours. A white shirt, worn with a tie already loosened, made his brown hair seem even darker, and the casually rolled-up sleeves revealed his tanned arms. Thoughts of last night came rushing into her mind as she remembered clinging to him when they’d kissed, and she felt giddy. He looked up as he ended the call.
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked incredulously, dropping the phone onto the desk, and shoving his chair back swiftly. She knew the expression of surprised delight on his face was reflected in her eyes, and he gave her an enormous smile as he stood up.
‘I’ve brought you lunch,’ she said shyly, holding the bag up. He barely glanced at it as he quickly came around the desk, and it slid to the floor as he wound his arms around her waist, lifting her up against him and kissing her. She kissed him back, curling her fingers into his hair until he reluctantly set her down again.
‘That’s going to distract me for the rest of the day.’ He was still smiling as he took her hand and led her towards the desk. ‘But I’m not complaining. Do you want to sit down?’
He pointed to his seat and she sat, feeling tiny in his big leather chair. He propped himself on the edge of the desk, facing her, his thigh only inches away. She looked around the office, all too aware of him close by. Like the reception, the plain cream walls were hung with paintings by the same artist and a large, obviously old, yellowed map of the estate. Two tall bookcases, almost hiding the wall on the left of his desk, were filled with ancient ledgers and some newer books. An untidy pile of paperwork nestled on the desk between a flat computer screen and a cordless telephone standing in its base. The arched window overlooked the whole courtyard and there was a wonderful view of the farm and the land beyond.
‘I wasn’t sure you’d be here.’ She glanced at the bag, still lying on the floor where she had left it. ‘I’ve just brought some bread, cheese and tomatoes. But it’s fine if you’re busy. I imagine your housekeeper…’ She tailed off, not sure what to say.
‘She doesn’t cook for me,’ he replied, amused, one long leg dangling above the other. ‘I’ve lived on my own for years, I can look after myself. She supervises all of the domestic side of the business and takes care of the house.’
‘Oh.’ Annie felt pleased, not sure why it mattered.
‘So, thank you, whatever you’ve brought will be perfect.’
‘As long as it’s not cake,’ she retorted, and he smiled again. ‘How’s Nathan?’ She changed the subject, wanting to know how the young boy was after yesterday as Jon made room on his desk for the food. ‘Has he seen the police yet?’
Jon pulled another chair closer to hers. ‘Yep, we went first thing. He was a bit nervous, but it was fine. He’s given a statement, so I don’t think he’ll be involved any more. Megan was waiting when we came out and she insisted on dragging him over to The Courtyard for breakfast.’
‘How lovely!’
‘I’m not too sure that’s what Nathan thought. He was a bit startled but it was a really sweet gesture. She wanted to make sure the whole village knew he wasn’t responsible.’ Jon found plates and brought them over to his desk as Annie spread out their lunch.
‘So what did he do?’
‘He gave me a pleading look as she marched him away and promised to be back at work within the hour.’
‘And was he?’
‘No idea, I didn’t check. I trust him.’
They chatted while they ate, and Jon brought them coffee from the machine in reception. All too soon they had finished, and she tried not to linger, not wanting to keep him from his work.
‘Would you like to have a look around?’ he asked casually, chucking some rubbish into a bin nearby.
‘I’d love to.’ Her eyes lit up and she was still smiling when he reached for her hand and they headed outside. They paused in the courtyard, side by side and he pointed to the Hall, just visible through the trees.
‘The house is eighteenth century, although there was a farm here long before then. It belonged to a family from Northumberland and they used it as a second home until two heirs were killed in the Great War and the third son split the estate to pay debts. The house became a convalescence home during the war and my grandfather bought what was left of the estate in 1955.’
He gestured to the building behind them. ‘There are two flats above the offices. Our housekeeper lives in one and Emma’s mum in the other. The other offices, next door to ours, are leased to an IT consultancy, a web designer and a skiing holiday company, all local businesses.’
He was still holding her hand as they wandered over to the stable block. The building felt cool inside and Annie was surprised to see that two of the big stalls were clearly in use, even though the occupants were nowhere in sight. ‘You have horses?’
‘Yes, but not for riding. We have a pair of working Dales ponies. The estate has around eight hundred acres of forestry and a few years ago our head forester brought in a horse-logger on contract. Horses cause less environmental damage and they’re much more manoeuvrable. After a couple of years, we persuaded the contractor to stay and now we have two earning their keep.’
They left the courtyard and as they neared the farmhouse, they could hear children running into the garden. Dogs barked excitedly, and they laughed when they heard a chicken squawk in alarm. ‘Our farm manager must be back,’ Jon said, looking across to the house. ‘His father was the gamekeeper before him – those are his chickens. The most valuable moorland was sold off years ago, so we don’t have a traditional gamekeeper now.’
‘So, no sh
ooting?’
‘Only clays. Dad introduced a shoot a few years ago and we run it just for corporate days. He still looks after it.’
‘Are you sure I’m not keeping you from something?’ she asked as they left the courtyard, walking slowly towards the Hall. Her hand was tucked tightly inside his and she didn’t really care if she was distracting him; she just wanted to be with him, and the knowledge amazed her. Jon paused to glance at her, and the smiling answer in his eyes was all she needed to know.
‘Yes, everything.’ He pulled her to him, placing his lips briefly against her temple. ‘And all of it can wait. Come on.’
Thrilled, she followed him through an archway smothered in climbing roses and into a lovely walled garden filled with vegetable and herb beds bordered by neat box hedging. A beautiful wide border framed three sides of the wall, dividing the garden in half. They walked beneath an arbour almost hidden by sweet peas and honeysuckle, and she saw a wrought-iron gate ahead tucked into the wall and offering a glimpse of the formal garden beyond. They walked side by side to the kitchen door, his hand on the small of her back.
He led her through the house, not pausing again until they had passed through the reception hall and then he held a door open for her. She couldn’t prevent the smile that lit up her face as they entered an exquisite drawing room. Its pale green walls were divided into panels, larger than those in the hall, and hung with pictures more suited to their size and she glanced at the paintings with pleasure. Two full-length bay windows, French doors between them, overlooked a terrace leading to the garden. Sunlight poured in through the two windows on the south side of the room, where the parkland sloped down to the lake. Original wooden shutters and heavy, pale terracotta curtains surrounded each window.
Only the ceiling and cornice below it boasted beautiful plasterwork similar to that in the hall, and a striking chandelier hung in the centre. Matching floral patterned chairs were clustered around occasional tables, each covered with a lamp, books and family photographs, and Annie tried not to stare at the pictures. Two small sofas, identical to the chairs, stood against the wall opposite a chimney breast, while two, more modern, striped sofas in pale green and white huddled around the fireplace, their cushions scattered in disarray beneath tall standard lamps staring down solemnly. The wooden floor was almost hidden beneath a floral carpet, its edges not quite reaching the walls.