Blackpeak Station

by Holly Ford

  At last, Charlotte took pity on him. ‘Look, I can tow you into town. You can leave your car with the garage and catch the bus back up to Christchurch.’

  ‘The bus?’ He looked horrified.

  ‘That’s all there is, I’m afraid.’ She shrugged. ‘Unless you want to charter a helicopter.’

  Luke’s face lit up. ‘Now you’re talking. Who do I call?’

  Shaking her head again, Charlotte gave him the number.

  ‘They can’t get me out till tomorrow,’ he said, hand over the mouthpiece. ‘Is that okay?’

  ‘I guess it’ll have to be,’ she sighed. He really was getting his money’s worth. ‘I’ll let Kath know you’re staying.’

  Charlotte watched Luke’s face as another huge meal was served. Around the table, conversation wasn’t exactly flowing — Rex was keeping his eyes on his plate, and Jen looked downright surly.

  The phone rang. Charlotte leapt to it. ‘Nick!’

  All faces turned towards her, waiting.

  ‘Yes!’ She pressed the phone to her chest. ‘The decision’s through,’ she announced. ‘It’s all go — the bid’s been approved.’

  Kath’s face lit up. ‘Thank Christ,’ said Jen, letting out her breath. Rex cleared his throat, eyes shining. Luke watched her, his head to one side.

  ‘Okay,’ Charlotte said, more guardedly, into the phone. ‘Thanks. I’d better go — we’ve got company. No, it’s not. I’ll tell you later.’

  She hung up the phone, conscious of Luke’s curiosity as first Kath then Jen got up and hugged her. Rex confined himself to a hand on her shoulder and a gruff ‘Good on you, girl’.

  ‘Tea, anyone?’ asked Kath.

  ‘Love one,’ said Luke.

  Charlotte sighed to herself — she’d been hoping he might take himself off to his room so they could celebrate, but no such luck. The five of them sipped their drinks in uneasy silence.

  ‘It’s Cup Week soon,’ Luke offered at last. ‘Do you come up to Christchurch for that?’

  ‘We usually go up for the Show,’ she told him.

  ‘Of course.’ He smiled. ‘Are you one of those people in white coats who lead sheep and cows around the ring?’

  Charlotte couldn’t help but smile back. ‘Not this time. Maybe next year.’

  ‘What about the racing?’ he persisted. ‘Do you go to that?’

  ‘Yeah, sometimes.’ She shrugged. ‘My mother’s really into it. I don’t see what all the fuss is about — who’s wearing what, all that kind of thing. The best-dressed competitions.’

  Luke looked shocked. Oh God, she thought, remembering his Armani suit — he probably entered.

  ‘I think it’s nice that everyone gets dressed up,’ put in Kath.

  There was another awkward silence.

  ‘Well,’ said Rex. ‘Time for us to be off. Come on, Kath.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Jen followed quickly, with a fake yawn. ‘I think I’ll turn in too.’

  As the others fled, Charlotte stared down into her empty mug. She could feel Luke looking at her. Crap, she was blushing again.

  ‘Do you want to go to bed?’

  She looked up at him, amused. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘I meant,’ he grinned, ‘are you tired? I don’t want to keep you up.’

  ‘It’s okay.’ Even by farming standards, it was pretty early.

  ‘Look — you don’t feel like a real drink, do you? I think there’s a bottle of champagne in the car.’

  Charlotte raised her eyebrows. Of course there was.

  ‘I took a case down to Queenstown. We didn’t quite get through it all.’

  He came back clutching a bottle in a branded chilly bag. ‘Be prepared,’ he smiled. ‘That’s always been my motto.’

  Charlotte doubted he’d been a good boy scout. Unless there was a badge for tying girls’ stomachs in knots. She blushed again as she considered what other things Luke might be good at.

  ‘So,’ Luke raised his glass, ‘here’s to your deal going through.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she smiled.

  ‘Are you going to tell me what it is?’

  Should she? Charlotte shrugged. She supposed there was no reason why not — it would be public knowledge soon enough anyway, now that Overseas Investment Office approval was through.

  ‘Impressive stuff,’ he said, when she’d explained. ‘And you and your brother keep your controlling share? Good for you.’

  ‘Well,’ she felt compelled to admit, ‘Nick does. I don’t actually have a share.’

  Luke’s eyebrows shot up. ‘What, your father left the whole thing to him? Boy. That’s old school.’

  Charlotte shrugged again, and sipped her champagne in silence.

  ‘You’d like to own a piece of this place, though,’ he said, considering her, ‘wouldn’t you?’

  God, was it that obvious?

  ‘If your brother’s selling, why don’t you buy in?’

  She snorted. ‘The Sammartinos aren’t paying me that much.’

  ‘Get a loan.’

  ‘Who’d lend me that sort of cash? I don’t make enough to cover the interest.’

  He looked thoughtful. ‘Maybe not a traditional bank. But I know clients who might.’ He waved his hand at the window, where the last of the sunset was fading behind the alps. ‘People love all this high country sh … stuff. You want me to take it to them?’

  ‘Really?’ Charlotte scrabbled for words. ‘You could do that?’

  ‘No promises, but I can try. If you want me to.’

  She stared at him. Was he serious? He looked it. For once, he didn’t seem to be laughing at her at all. He looked quite fierce, in fact, with that little muscle playing beside his mouth and his green eyes locked on her face until, quite deliberately, they dropped and went roaming over her skin …

  ‘Of course,’ he said, ‘you realise it’ll cost you.’

  Charlotte swallowed. Of course. What an idiot she was. ‘What kind of fee do you charge?’

  ‘You have to have dinner with me next time you’re in Christchurch.’

  Oh! She begged her face not to blush. ‘I guess I could manage that.’

  ‘Good.’ He was holding her eyes so hard she almost jumped when she felt his thumb on the side of her hand, stroking, running down to the underside of her wrist. He leaned in towards her.

  ‘Charlie!’

  She did jump at the sound of Jen’s voice behind her. Luke leaned back, his hand returning casually to the stem of his glass. He looked more amused than annoyed.

  ‘I forgot I had to tell you,’ Jen said, getting herself a glass of water before sitting down, rather pointedly, at the table, ‘about the poll ram Carr Fergusson is thinking of buying.’

  Luke got up and put the champagne glasses in the sink. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll leave you ladies to it.’ Over Jen’s head, he gave Charlotte one last, long look. ‘Goodnight.’

  She bit her lip and tried to listen to Jen as he left the room.

  The next morning, she left for the tailing yards before Luke was up. A few hours later, she heard the helicopter arrive. She paused, watching it rise and rake away to the north, and told herself it was probably just as well he was gone. She felt a bit embarrassed, thinking about what that kiss might have led to last night if Jen hadn’t interrupted — that really would have been getting his money’s worth. Had he meant what he’d said about brokering a loan for her? And dinner? Would she see him again?

  Maybe not. It had probably just been the champagne talking. But either way … she smiled to herself. For the first time since — no, she didn’t want to go there. Charlotte pushed away the thought of Rob’s departing truck. The point was that she’d actually had fun last night — that was what she needed to remember. That, and the way Luke looked at her, the shiver it sent down her spine … She’d never felt that way before, not with anyone.

  When she got home at the end of the day, Luke’s Range Rover had gone as well. Charlotte shovelled sand over the oil stain where it had stoo
d and hoped he hadn’t forgotten about her already.

  ‘Rob rang again,’ Jen told her gently, when she walked in the door.

  Damn, there it was again. That stupid ache in her chest.

  ‘So … are you going to call him back this time?’

  She shook her head. What was the point? So he could practise leaving?

  ‘Look,’ sighed Jen. ‘I know it’s hard, and you’re hurting. But running away and throwing yourself into the arms of the first guy who comes along isn’t always the best way to cure a broken heart.’ She paused. ‘Well — not when they’re that guy’s arms, anyway.’

  What? Charlotte raised her chin. That wasn’t it at all! She was just getting on with her life. She had to. And if a guy as hot as Luke wanted to kiss her, why the hell shouldn’t she enjoy it?

  Chapter ELEVEN

  Four days later, an email from a woman Charlotte had never heard of arrived in her inbox.

  Dear Ms Black,

  Further to your discussions with Luke Halliday regarding financing of your proposed acquisition, we advise that our client, Mr Michael Crompton, wishes to meet with you at your earliest convenience. Please call me as soon as possible to arrange a time and a date. Further details of Mr Crompton’s interest will be given at such time.

  A scanned signature followed, alongside the Cooper Liddell Sachs logo — Toni Masterson, PA to Luke Halliday, Senior Financial Adviser. Wow. Charlotte took a deep breath. Her ‘acquisition’. This was serious stuff. Might it really happen? Was this how it felt when dreams started to come true? And why was it so scary?

  She read the email again, trying to work out just what she felt. Annoyingly, she found, mixed in with all her elation and fear, a little disappointment that the email wasn’t from Luke. Idiot, she told herself.

  As she clicked back to her inbox, his name popped up on her screen.

  Don’t think I’ve forgotten — you promised to have dinner with me. I intend to hold you to it. And other things. Soon.

  L

  With her pulse rate well above normal, Charlotte picked up the phone.

  Negotiating her way through the Christchurch traffic a week later, she forgot about the meeting and Luke long enough to reflect — as she tried to catch a glimpse of the street map resting on the seat — how strange it was not to know the way to your own mother’s house. Almost a year had passed since Andrea bought the place and this was Charlotte’s first visit.

  In the end, she spotted the right-of-way that led to the townhouse easily enough — Rex and Kath’s ute was already parked beside it. The townhouse was just as attractive as it had looked in the pictures, with the afternoon sun warming its pale yellow plasterwork and a mass of honeysuckle tumbling over the courtyard walls.

  Andrea had every right to look as proud as she did, opening the door. Behind her, Caddy gave a delighted bark and trotted out into the drive, rolling over at Charlotte’s feet.

  ‘Come in!’ Her mother gave her a hug. ‘Rex and Kath are in the lounge. Do you want to take your bag upstairs?’

  After she’d been shown her room, Charlotte joined Rex and Kath and a rather intimidating platter of nibbles in the lounge. Rex was looking nervous. He was sitting with his hands on his knees and a newspaper he was clearly dying to read on the sofa beside him.

  ‘We were just talking about what we’re wearing for Cup Day,’ Andrea said.

  ‘Uhuh.’ Picking up a toothpick, Charlotte poked at the plate.

  ‘It’s an artichoke heart, dear,’ her mother added. ‘Try it.’

  Charlotte cut herself a slice of brie.

  ‘So — what are you wearing?’ Andrea persisted.

  ‘My black dress, I suppose.’

  ‘What black dress? Oh no … not that old shift thing you wear with your jeans? Charlotte, really. You know we’ve got invitations to the VIP tent?’

  ‘No.’ God, it just kept getting worse. ‘How did we get those?’

  ‘Cooper Liddell Sachs sent them.’

  Charlotte stopped foraging, her toothpick’s progress arrested in mid-air. She blinked.

  ‘Yes,’ said Andrea triumphantly. ‘So, what are you going to wear?’

  It didn’t matter what she wore, Charlotte told herself, escaping her mother’s threat of an immediate trip to the mall by picking Nick up from the airport. But she wasn’t entirely convinced. Visions of Luke surrounded by women straight out of fashion plates paraded through her head. Thank God Flavia was back in Milan.

  She spotted Nick’s blond head above the crowd.

  ‘Charles!’ He hugged her tightly. ‘Oh God, you brought the Hilux. Of course you did.’ He dusted the seat and climbed in, careful to keep his expensive-looking suit-carrier on his knee.

  ‘Now,’ he said, when their mother had left them alone to unpack in the bedroom they were sharing. ‘I’ve got a present for you.’ He fiddled with a few clips and unzipped his bag. ‘There you are — this top one’s yours. I hope you like it.’

  Charlotte took the hanger from him. Oh! It was a short black coat dress with a satin tuxedo collar. Turning to the mirror, she held it against herself — the wool was so fine it felt lighter than silk. ‘Where did you get this?’

  Nick grinned. ‘Have a guess. Flavia says it’ll fit — go and try it on.’

  It did fit — like a glove. In fact, she’d never seen anything fit anybody so well, unless it was Flavia’s clothes.

  ‘She was right.’ Nick whistled as she walked back in. ‘You’re a perfect size thirty-eight. Apparently.’

  ‘She could tell that just by looking at me?’ She gazed in fascination at her reflection in the mirror.

  He rolled his eyes. ‘It’s in the blood. I think a Sammartino tailored Caesar’s toga.’

  Charlotte finished admiring the back of the dress and turned to have another look at the front. There wasn’t a lot holding it together — a hidden tie and a single button to one side of her waist, just below the plunging neckline. She turned round again. ‘I don’t know what to say — thank you — it’s amazing.’

  ‘Don’t thank me, thank Flavia. It’s from her. A “welcome aboard” present.’

  She took a deep breath, smoothing the perfect drape of the dress. This was her chance — it was now or never. ‘About that,’ she began. ‘I need to talk to you — I didn’t want to do it by email …’

  ‘Oh God.’ Nick looked horrified. ‘You don’t want to change your mind? But you signed the contract — you know the Sammartinos can hold you to it.’

  ‘No, no, it’s not that … but …’ She hesitated.

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Charles, will you just spit it out?’

  ‘Okay. You know how you’re selling the Sammartinos a share …’

  ‘Dur, yeah.’

  ‘Well, I wondered if … maybe … you might sell me one, too.’

  ‘Wow.’ Nick sat down on the bed. She scanned his face anxiously. ‘I wasn’t expecting that … um, how much of a share do you think you might want?’

  Charlotte lifted her chin. ‘I was thinking half — of what’s left, your share, I mean.’

  ‘Bloody hell.’ He rubbed his neck. ‘Look, Charles, it sucks that Dad didn’t give you a share, and if I could afford to give you half, I would …’

  ‘I don’t want you to give it to me — I want to buy it.’

  ‘Yeah, but the thing is … what with? You know what it’s worth, we just had it valued.’

  ‘I might have a backer who’ll lend me the cash.’

  ‘Who? And since when?’

  She smiled. ‘Since I found that finance guy of Dad’s stuck in the river.’

  ‘So Armani-guy is setting you up with a venture capitalist on the back of the Sammartino deal?’ he said, dubiously, when Charlotte had explained. ‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘The Armani-guys of this world don’t do stuff for nothing.’

  She shrugged. ‘He’s not charging me.’

  ‘That’s one of the things I’m worried
about.’

  ‘Hey,’ she reminded him, ‘it’s really up to me how I get the money, isn’t it? The question for you is, will you sell?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Nick shook his head. ‘I don’t want you to get yourself in a mess over this. Have you talked to Rob about it?’

  Ah — but that was another conversation. ‘It’s just a preliminary meeting,’ she hedged. ‘If it goes any further, of course I’ll get some advice. But there’s no point going at all if you’re not going to let me buy in.’ Well, not quite no point, she reminded herself — but she didn’t have time to think about Luke now. ‘Come on, Nick — you know how much I want this.’

  ‘God.’ He sighed heavily. ‘Okay … yes, of course I’ll let you buy in. You should have a share.’

  ‘Thank you!’ Charlotte leapt across the room to hug him.

  ‘Whoa!’ Nick covered his eyes. ‘You can’t do that in that dress. We’d better get you some double-sided tape in the morning. And’ — still looking away, he pointed a finger at her — ‘I’m coming with you to Cooper Liddell Sachs. I want to be in that meeting.’

  Charlotte woke up the next morning a mass of nerves. Behind Andrea’s chintz curtains, it was just getting light, and across the room she could hear Nick’s sleepy breathing. She reached for her watch. Five-thirty. Her body was set to Blackpeak time — Jen would be heading out about now to get started on the day’s work. Here, she had five hours to get through before she could leave for the meeting. She ached suddenly for Rob’s solid arms and steady presence.

  ‘Nick?’

  The duvet didn’t move. Charlotte got up quietly, padded downstairs to the kitchen and put the jug on. The house was silent. She watched the first joggers go past at six, then picked up the newspaper from the drive. She flicked through to the A&P Show results. Oh, Carr had got a third place for his wether fleece, he’d be chuffed … At last, there were footsteps behind her.

  ‘These townies sleep away the best part of the day,’ said Rex, already showered and shaved and dressed in his best checked shirt for his big day out at the Show.