‘You’re kidding me?’ said Felix. ‘I’ll make a date with Hope Christmas next time I’m over. This I have to see.’
Chapter Fourteen
‘So you’ve promised Felix Macintyre merlins in the woods?’ Cat burst out laughing, as they gathered together back at the bar. ‘What possessed you?’
‘No idea,’ said Pippa, pulling a face. ‘Desperation, I think. And it could be true. Ralph seemed to think there are some birds of prey nesting there. I was just so gobsmacked by those bloody plans. They’re bigger than I thought. I don’t think we’re going to be able to stop this as easily as I’d hoped.’
She sighed. It wasn’t like Pippa to feel overwhelmed, but for once she did. LK Holdings was a massive multinational company, used to getting its own way. There was enough local support for planning to be waived through relatively easily. Pippa hated the thought of the fields and woods she loved being destroyed like this, but she had a terrible feeling that whatever they tried to do to stop it, the development was going to go ahead anyway.
‘Nonsense,’ said Cat, stoutly. ‘We just have to find a way round it. I managed to have one or two conversations with executives who’d had a bit too much champagne, and I don’t think it’s a done deal. The Hope Christmas site is only one of several options. And the guy I was talking to said they’d had such a lot of opposition in one place they tried to build, they eventually withdrew. Noel and Ralph are going through the pictures I sent. I know they’ve been looking at alternative ideas to present to LK Holdings. They think something like a back-to-nature type of place, with cabins in the woods, is probably more in keeping with the area, but we shall see.’
‘I suppose we could work on the wildlife angle with Felix Macintyre some more,’ said Pippa. ‘He didn’t seem averse to the idea of a sanctuary. Mind you, he hasn’t a clue really. He seemed to think we could just pick the wildlife up and transplant it elsewhere. And I’m guessing he’s not that altruistic. Whatever happens it’s business and he wants to turn a profit.’
‘But at least you’ve touched base with him,’ said Marianne, ‘that’s something.’
‘Maybe,’ said Pippa, ‘but I’ve still got to find some wretched birds for him to look at. As far as I know, it’s only a rumour that the damned things exist.’
‘I’ll get onto Miss Woods,’ said Cat. ‘I bet it’s the kind of thing she’d know. I’ve got to research the local wildlife anyway, for these programmes I’m presenting, so I can kill two birds with one stone. Well, metaphorically of course’
‘I hope we can persuade Felix Macintyre,’ said Marianne. ‘There’s no way Gabriel or I want to give up the farm, but if the complex LK Holdings is suggesting is that huge, we may be forced to. I don’t know how we’d be able to carry on if something like that was on our doorstep. Particularly if you sell, Pippa.’
‘I am not going to sell,’ said Pippa stubbornly. ‘Farming is part of who I am. And it’s for the kids’ future too.’
‘Does Richard understand the way you feel?’ said Cat.
Pippa grimaced. ‘Not in the slightest. He thinks I should sell, I don’t. It’s an impasse. I’ve given up talking to him about it.’
‘Ouch,’ said Cat.
‘I know,’ said Pippa. ‘Which is why we’ve got to stop the development, whatever it takes.’
Despite the slight air of gloom that had descended on them now they could see the scale of what they were up against, Cat was enjoying herself. It was rare these days that she got to spend time with her girlfriends, and despite the real reason for being here, she had had a lovely, self-indulgent day. Noel had kept her updated during the day about various domestic mishaps: Lou Lou had been up early, Mel had had another exam-related meltdown, James had not. Paige had been in trouble for being out too long, Ruby had argued with James, Lou Lou had tipped her lunch over her head. The list was endless, and made Cat even more grateful of the break. It was wonderful for once not to have to deal with all this stuff.
When she checked in to talk to him about his reaction to the development plans, she found him fuming.
‘You’ll never guess what Kay’s done?’ he said.
‘What now?’ The last Cat had heard, Angela would be moving in within the month.
‘Mum’s moved in already, accepted an offer on the flat for a fraction of what it’s worth, without consulting Joe or me, and now Kay’s persuaded Mum to give her Power of Attorney. She’s not gaga. It’s hardly necessary.’
‘Maybe she was just being practical?’ suggested Cat, although she doubted it somehow.
‘Knowing Kay, she’s being mercenary,’ said Noel. ‘I bet she’s after Mum’s money.’
Cat thought privately that the money wasn’t likely to go that far between three anyway – Angela having had a Sking mentality since she’d been widowed, spend now and think about tomorrow later. And who could blame her when her children could all be mercenary? Dearly as she loved him, even Noel could get sucked in – the three of them had argued about money at his dad’s funeral.
‘Well if it’s what your mum wants …’ Cat said.
‘But is it?’ said Noel. ‘Kay’s always been able to wind Mum round her little finger. I think she’s persuaded Mum it’s for the best, but I’m not convinced.’
‘There’s nothing we can do,’ said Cat, ‘except pick up the pieces if it all goes wrong. Besides, look on the bright side. At least she won’t be coming to live with us.’
‘Problem?’ asked Pippa, when Cat switched off her mobile.
‘Nothing another glass of Prosecco won’t cure,’ said Cat. ‘Aye, aye, Marianne, I think your admirer’s here.’
Luke Nicholas had exited the ballroom and was looking round with very definite purpose. Spotting them, he made a beeline for their table.
‘Shut up,’ said Marianne giggling. She’d clearly had a lot to drink. ‘I’ve already spent ages chatting to him.’
‘And did you get anything out of him?’ asked Cat.
‘Not a lot to be honest,’ said Marianne. ‘Unsurprisingly, he thinks it is the best thing to happen to Hope Christmas for a very long time. But then he thought that about the eco town, and look how that turned out.’
‘Well maybe this is your chance to find out some more,’ said Cat, pinching Marianne as Luke approached the table.
‘Can I get you another drink?’ he asked.
‘We’re fine, thanks,’ said Marianne firmly, but she was blushing and looking a little coy.
‘Oh go on,’ said Luke, ‘I don’t believe that for a minute. Waiter! Champagne over here. I take it you’re all making the most of our special weekend Spa offer?’
‘Yes it’s great,’ said Cat. ‘Lovely hotel.’
‘We’re hoping to build something of the kind in Hope Christmas.’
‘So we’ve heard,’ said Pippa. Cat put a calming hand on her. No point giving the game away.
‘And with that in mind, Marianne, can I borrow you for a moment?’
Marianne looked at them in panic, but Pippa mouthed, ‘Go on, see what you can find out, we’re only over here.’
‘Do you think that’s a good idea?’ said Cat a little worried. ‘Marianne has had a lot to drink.’
‘It’ll be fine,’ said Pippa. ‘We’re here to rescue her if she needs it, and she might find out something useful.’
Marianne felt a little light-headed as Luke led her to the bar. Until tonight, it was ages since she’d been so physically close to him and she had to admit the intervening years had been kind to him. He still had the fair hair swept back from his face, and the bright blue eyes, and charming manner. It was hard not to be drawn to him, despite everything she knew.
When they’d spoken earlier they’d been in a crowd, but now they were on their own. Despite herself, she couldn’t help her heart from thumping like a steam train. She hoped he couldn’t hear it too. She felt stupid for being so excited. She was married, and Luke hadn’t wanted her before, so why would he be remotely interested now, unless he had a motive? B
ut she couldn’t help enjoying the way he was looking her up and down with appreciation. It felt like a long time since Gabriel had looked at her like that.
It was so rare for Marianne to have the opportunity to dress up these days, she’d enjoyed shimmying into a burgundy velvet number, slipping into high heels, putting on red lipstick and doing her hair up. It was nice to feel grown up and sexy for once and not a boring mum and housewife. She felt a little flutter of appreciation that Luke clearly found her attractive.
‘Motherhood suits you,’ Luke said, appraising her.
‘Thank you,’ said Marianne, blushing. Remember he’s a bastard, she told herself. ‘Now what did you want to talk about?’ she added, trying to get herself back on more even footing.
‘It’s a bit delicate actually,’ he said. ‘But I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you were here. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to chat.’
‘Chat about what?’ said Marianne, though she had a good idea.
‘I gather our people have been in touch already about your farm?’
‘It’s not for sale, Luke,’ said Marianne. ‘Even if I wanted to, which I don’t, Gabriel would never sell.’
‘We don’t really need that much more land,’ said Luke, ‘just a little of yours and some of Pippa’s. Without it, we can’t do all the things we planned. Here let me show you.’
So that’s what this was all about. She might have known he had an ulterior motive.
He brought out an iPad, and launched a small film about the development, showing a light, spacious building, with luxurious bedrooms, and a spa attached, much like the one she’d visited today. On the outside was a sweeping landscape of golf greens, and gardens, with peacocks prancing in front of the hotel. It looked amazing, even Marianne had to admit. If it had been anywhere else …
‘So without our land you really couldn’t do all this?’ said Marianne, surprised to find that she and Gabriel might have a bargaining tool. This was interesting. Perhaps they could do something with that.
‘We really can’t,’ said Luke. ‘And we understand about the balance with nature, so we’re going to keep as much of the wood as we can, even plant more trees, and have a little wildlife sanctuary.’
‘You make it sound idyllic,’ said Marianne.
‘It will be,’ said Luke suavely, ‘I can guarantee that.’
She almost laughed at his eagerness. Still the same old Luke, flirtatious, charming, full of crap. He didn’t give a damn about the wildlife. It was bound to be another disaster, like the eco town he’d rashly tried to create a few years earlier.
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ said Luke, ‘but it won’t be like the eco town. I’ve learnt my lesson.’
‘You have?’ Marianne laughed, finished her drink and turned to go.
‘In more ways than one,’ he said and lightly touched her fingers. ‘Like I said earlier, Gabriel’s a very lucky man.’
‘And I’m a lucky woman,’ said Marianne firmly, though she was blushing. She fled to her table in confusion. Nothing had happened, so why did she feel so guilty?
Chapter Fifteen
‘Will you turn that music down, I’m trying to revise!’ Mel was standing at the top of the stairs yelling to James, who was in his room listening to some rap at a hundred decibels. It was too noisy. Cat could see Mel’s point.
‘I’m revising too,’ protested James. ‘It helps me concentrate.’
‘Really?’ said Cat. ‘Well if you have to listen to music that loud, can you at least put your headphones in? And Mel, try not to get quite so stressed. Everything is going to be fine.’
‘How can it be fine?’ shrieked Mel. ‘I don’t know anything. I’m going to fail them all and have to resit another year. I’m never going to get to uni at this rate.’
‘I’m sure you know more than you think,’ said Cat, trying to pacify her. ‘Getting hysterical won’t help.’
‘Oh you just don’t understand!’ Mel disappeared into her room, where she would probably now stay for the next couple of hours, presumably revising. Cat felt for her. A lot was riding on these exams for Mel. She looked pale and thin, and Cat wasn’t surprised that she was so stressed. She’d had to take a step back and watch her friends go on to sixth form without her and listen while they’d all applied for uni, which had been one of the reasons why she’d chosen to go to a sixth form college where no one knew her. The thought of slipping back still further was clearly troubling her. Not only that, if she passed the first hurdle this year with AS levels and then went onto get her A levels and a place at university in Birmingham next year, she wouldn’t be going away from home like her peers but commuting. It was the best that could be done in the circumstances, but sometimes Cat’s heart ached for her daughter. It was tough on her that she wouldn’t have the lighthearted experience her friends were going to have. Neither of them would be without Lou Lou, but it was a difficult plough for her to furrow.
A wail came from downstairs, and Cat went to rescue Paige who’d been sitting with Lou Lou for five minutes, in between snapchats. Cat suspected there had been a lot of selfies of Paige and Lou Lou doing the rounds in the last few minutes. Lou Lou was wailing loudly to see Mel, but was easily distracted by making pastry shapes with Cat, which was messy and fun, and occupied her till bath time, when Mel came, full of apologies, to take over. Cat left them to it, Mel singing nursery rhymes and Lou Lou splashing happily away. She loved the nutty rhythm of her household, however frustrating it might sometimes be.
Cat came into the lounge to find Noel on the phone, his face like thunder, and she guessed he was having another row with Kay.
‘So you’re determined to accept that offer still?’ he said. ‘What’s the rush? Why not give Mum some more time to make up her mind.’
Angry shouting from the other end.
‘Really? Well I find that hard to believe.’
‘Wine?’ mouthed Cat.
‘Please,’ Noel mouthed back, before returning to his conversation, which got curter by the minute. ‘Hmm, yes, if you say so …’ another pause but with less shouting, ‘Well I still think we could get more for it. And it would have been nice to have been consulted …’ which led to more frantic shouting, ‘I know you’re there and we’re not, but Cat and I would have been more than happy to have her – Oh.’ He held the phone and looked at it in disbelief. ‘She’s just put the phone down on me,’ he said.
‘What’s the problem now?’ said Cat.
‘The house sale seems to be going full steam ahead,’ said Noel. ‘Kay’s practically exchanged contracts. And wants me to go down next weekend to help pack up. It’s the least I can do, apparently.’
‘Can’t Dave help?’ said Cat. ‘If they’re so keen to go ahead, I’m not sure why you’re needed.’
‘Dave’s working apparently, and Joe’s busy, and Kay can’t spare the time.’
‘Ok. I’ll come too,’ said Cat.
‘What about the kids and revision?’ said Noel.
‘Paige and Ruby can come with us to help out and look after Lou Lou. James and Mel will just have to cope for the day,’ said Cat. ‘You can’t go and do all that alone. Besides, it’s not going to take one trip is it?’
‘Cat, are you sure?’
‘Noel, you were there for me with my mum,’ said Cat. ‘It’s the least I can do to be there for yours.’
‘Richard, just hear me out, will you,’ said Pippa, standing in the kitchen looking at Richard in dismay. She was trying to share her plans with him, but he just didn’t seem to be getting it. ‘If we can persuade LK Holdings to change their ideas about the development, the farm won’t be under threat.’
‘But what about your finances?’ said Richard. ‘Pippa, you’ve got to start being realistic. I know you don’t want to talk about them, but I’m not stupid. Even I can see it’s a struggle.’
‘And that’s why I’m making plans to diversify,’ argued Pippa. She was furious with him. Why couldn’t he give her the benefit of the doubt?
‘I’ve got lots of ideas, some of them will work, I know they will.’
‘Pippa, I really think you’re taking on too much,’ said Richard, trying to pacify her which made her more angry. He was treating her like a silly little girl, and it was infuriating. Dan would never patronise you, the thought snuck in despite her attempts to stop it. ‘I can’t see how you’ll be able to manage all this and everything you already do. And it seems a huge risk.’
‘Have some faith in me,’ said Pippa in dismay. ‘I can do this, I know I can.’
‘I know you think you can,’ said Richard with a mollifying grin that failed to dissipate her irritation.
‘I know I can,’ she said, glaring at him.
‘Ok, say you do approach LK Holdings about taking a different line, do you really think you can persuade their CEO to change his mind about the hotel complex?’ said Richard. ‘He’s hardly likely to be swayed by environmental concerns.’
‘But that’s just the thing,’ said Pippa, she had to try and make him see. ‘Felix Macintyre does have a history of getting involved with wildlife sanctuaries and the like. And he’s obsessed with rare birds. There might be a way of using that.’
‘There might,’ said Richard with scepticism. ‘But that aside, there’s still the problem of the farm.’
‘Which I am addressing,’ said Pippa. ‘We’ve weathered other storms, we can weather this one.’
‘But maybe you won’t have to,’ argued Richard. ‘Things change.’
‘Of course, they do. They have to, if we’re to survive,’ said Pippa, deliberately misreading him. Richard had begun hinting about the future already, seeming to think that their relationship was moving forward more than Pippa did. Pippa was content to live in the present for now. She didn’t want to look too far ahead, and this argument was proving to her that she shouldn’t anyway. She and Richard were too far apart on what was a vital issue for Pippa. They couldn’t even consider planning a life together till they resolved it. ‘The farm is for the kids. I’ve always felt I’ve held it in trust for them.’
Coming Home For Christmas Page 14